Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve Site 2, ACT. VAST-2: Tracking the Transformation of Australia's Vegetated Landscapes

The aim of this project is to compile land use and management practices and their observed and measured impacts and effects on vegetation condition. The results provide land managers and researchers with a tool for reporting and monitoring spatial and temporal transformations of Australia’s native vegetated landscapes due to changes in land use and management practices. Following are the details about Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve Site 2, ACT, Australia

Pre-European benchmark-analogue vegetation: The site was originally woodlands on the deeper soils of the lower slopes and flats (Eucalyptus blakelyi and Eucalyptus melliodora) (McIntrye et al 2010).

Brief chronology of changes in land use and management:

  • 1819: Area managed by indigenous Ngunnawal people
  • 1826: Sheep grazing with shepherds commenced
  • 1860: Fences constructed - continuous stocking with sheep commenced
  • 1905: Area used for sheep grazing - continuous /set stocking
  • 1920: Fallen timber collected for firewood started
  • 1961: Mature trees on the site were ring barked to promote pasture grasses
  • 1973: Dead and fallen trees felled for fire wood
  • 1979: Bushfire burns through the area
  • 1994: Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve established
  • 1995: Continuous stocking with sheep grazing ceased
  • 1995: Collection of firewood ceased
  • 1995: Pasture improvement ceased
  • 1996: Kangaroo population begins to rapidly increase
  • 2006: Roo proof fence completed
  • 2006: Commenced annual removal of pest species of plants and animals
  • 2010: Commenced annual Kangaroo cull.

Data and Resources

Additional Information

Field Value
Published (Metadata Record) 03/03/2026
Last updated 04/03/2026
Organisation Australian Federal Government
License License Not Specified
Update Frequency Unknown