There are big plans for the local environment on newly acquired land at Mount Mary. The new space allows for the introduction of a network of wetlands, and the revegetation of around 100 acres of land which is predominantly flood plain. Mount Mary has a gentle gully draining to the east into the Olinda creek which incorporates a series of five dams. These dams will be developed as part of our revegetation program and water collection, reclamation and purification will be primary drivers in our landscape design. The centre piece of the gully will be a large lake with both shallow and deep water areas.
David Middleton’s passion for local flora and fauna will see the re-introduction of many species which would have been common in the Yarra Valley before settling and deforestation occurred. The flora will include the overstorey of eucalypts once common throughout the floor of the valley (Manna Gum, Narrow Leaf Peppermint, Yellow Box, Messmate, Brown Stringybark, Swamp Gum, Mountain Swamp Gum and Candelbark), various acacias (Silver Wattle, Blackwood and Late Black Wattle) and other notable species such as Swamp Paperbark and a range of Tea-Trees. Two endangered eucalypts will also be planted, Buxton Gum and Snow Gum which survive in the valley only in small localised communities. Whilst the majority of wildlife will establish themselves by being attracted in as the habitat develops, we are open to the possibility that specific reintroductions may be possible in the future in association with our state wildlife authorities.
Out of respect for the broader environment we have embarked on a plan to reduce our “footprint”. We aim to become self-sufficient in energy and water by the year 2015. In addition we plan to control our emissions and effluents to the point where they provide no threat to the environment at large. This process is a long and complicated one as we analyse what impacts we are having and take steps to reduce and eliminate harmful practices. Plans are underway for the construction of a new winery which does not rely on fossil fuels for cooling or heating. Utilising renewable energy systems (solar and wind) and principles of thermal mass, our new facilities will put power back into the Melbourne power grid during off peak times which will be a positive contribution of green energy to the community. In the new year of 2008 both houses on the property will be converted entirely to solar power.