Land Clearing in Harkaway

Land Clearing in Harkaway: Local Conditions

Site clearing in Harkaway tends to fall into two categories. The first is restoration of lapsed paddocks ahead of equestrian re-use. The second is clearing of scrub-invaded slopes for erosion control. Both are influenced by the same terrain: rolling clay country with erosion-prone aspects, particularly south-facing slopes after paddock disturbance. The clay subsoils on those slopes do not respond well to tracked machinery, so we use slashers and brushcutters on sloping ground rather than heavy plant. The second issue is what comes after. Ground disturbance creates new bare soil, and weeds colonise bare soil faster than the surrounding pasture. A clearing program here therefore needs to be paired with an immediate revegetation or mulch-cover plan, not left bare for a season. The history of the area explains the layout. The hills were cleared by German settlers in the 1850s for dairy and cropping, which is why large cleared paddocks sit alongside retained bush edges today. Ridge-top positions catch the prevailing winds and dry growth out in summer, so clearing ahead of the fire season matters on exposed blocks. We also offer fuel reduction and fire breaks before summer. Driveway and fence-line clearing is ongoing work on the larger properties, because rural boundaries are not maintained with the regularity of suburban blocks. A scheduled visit each season is cheaper in effort than an occasional large clear. When we inspect the block for an estimate, we note slope, soil and what the land will be used for, then plan the clear and the cover together.

Working in Harkaway