Mulloon Rehydration Initiative update

Water flowing over the weir at Peter’s Pond.

As wet as it gets

The past 12 months has seen record rainfall at Duralla with 1,272mm falling in the past 12 months. The nearest BOM weather stations with long term rainfall records are Lower Boro and Bungendore. Each recorded 1,238mm and 1,158mm respectively in the year 1950. Both weather stations have records that date back to the turn of the 20th century. 

Climate stations were installed by our hydrologists in August 2020 at both Duralla and the Home Farm. In just 16 months, each property has received 1,733mm and 1,643mm of rainfall respectively. 

In just the last three months Duralla has received 546mm.

In just the last month, Duralla has received 380mm. 

The point is – these numbers are staggering for this area. Less than two years ago, the east coast of Australia was in the midst of the worst drought on record and bushfires that would become the most widespread and destructive in Australia’s recorded history. 

It demonstrates how extreme the climate at Mulloon can be – when the average rainfall for Duralla, at 600mm, is really just the mid-point between these extremes. 

Needless to say, creek works have been on pause while we watch the flood waters pass under the bridge. But this hasn’t stopped the planning and it hasn’t stopped the planting. We aim to get about 2,000 plants in this summer along both the creek and the ridges. Once the flow subsides we’ll be back to work finishing off Stage 2 of the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative, which is the remainder of Duralla and also the Brolee property. Then, it’s onto Stage 3 at Landtasia, the most upstream property currently involved in the MRI. 

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative is jointly funded through the Mulloon Institute and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. The initiative is also assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Water flooding across Poplar’s Crossing at the Home Farm.