A home among the gum trees
Weighing up the pros and cons of a VCA

Open paddocks are fenced off to protect the remnant native vegetation from grazing cattle.

In 1991 Hans and Karin Walloschek purchased a property in Kangaroo Valley on the NSW South Coast. Hans left the hectic city life as Managing Director of MTU Australia behind swapping business suits for a cattle breeder’s gum boots.

Originally from Germany, Hans and Karin are true conservationists who love Australia’s unique landscapes, wildlife and plants. They are currently considering protecting the unique wildlife habitat on their property through a Voluntary Conservation Agreement.

Hans Walloschek has been on the Board of the Foundation since 2001

A dense understorey is vital for small birds, reptiles and mammals.

A black snake has taken up residence by the pond.

A heron from the nearby dam inspects the Walloschek's garden in search for food.

Cattle farming and conservation don't have to be in conflict.

The Alps by the ocean

The property is situated right on top of the mountain range between Berry and Kangaroo Valley, at 550m elevation above sea level. The valleys are steep and covered with subtropical rain forest due to the high rainfall. Six springs form the beginning of Ryders Creek which flowed permanently even during the recent drought.

“From one part of the property and with the naked eye, you can look out to the ocean, see Seven Mile Beach, the fishing villages of Gerringong and Geroa, the Shoalhaven River delta, Nowra and Jervis Bay,” Hans says. Another aspect shows the Wedding Cake and Woodhill Mountains, remnants of former volcanoes that form the edge of Morton National Park.

Flora and fauna in abundance

The bush on the property is a prime example of a diverse and intact bushland ecosystem. Native plants species range from Red Cedar Toona ciliata and Sassafras Sassafras albidum to Cabbage Tree Palms Livistona australis and a vast diversity of native ferns.

The diverse native vegetation provides prime habitat for local wildlife, including swamp wallabies, echidnas, wombats, wedge-tail eagles, cockatoos and king parrots, lyrebirds, herons, fairy wrens and finches, bower birds and currawongs, honey eaters and, of course, different species of snakes.

Farming and wildlife conservation

While Hans uses part of his property for cattle farming, he investigates options for long-term protection of the remnant bush with its diverse habitats, plants and wildlife.

“The procedures of arranging a VCA are easy once you know whom to talk to. Talk to the Ranger in charge of the area and then things start to roll automatically. This seems to be one of the first VCA’s in the area, and things take quite a while, but then again, there is no pressing urgency from my side.”

A Voluntary Conservation Agreement or Wildlife Refuge Agreement would protect the unique natural assets of the property on the title, while the grazing paddocks would be excluded. This means that if the property was sold, a new owner could continue cattle farming on the agricultural land, but would be restricted from making any changes to its current set-up, like clearing the conserved areas.

Short-term loss for long-term gain?

As a farmer one must carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of this option. There are aspects that could discourage land owners from going into a Voluntary Conservation Agreements as it becomes part of the land title and restricts the property permanently to the current use and size. It imposes obligations on the land owner and support and assistance with management challenges are limited. One has to carefully consider the impact of such impositions.

There are some financial incentives for the land-owner including rate relief and free advice on management issues by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, but for Hans these were clearly not the motivation to consider a VCA.

“Our aim is to contribute to the lasting preservation of our land for the generations who are coming after us. They deserve to inherit a country and environment as healthy and living species as diversified as we enjoy today.”

All photos: Hans and Karin Walloschek

Native bushland provides diverse habitats including old trees with hollows for birds to nest in.

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