Michael Neely and Megan Walls are the owners of Riserva Rosso, a property situated in Lower Boro, approximately 50km south of Goulburn, New South Wales. Originally owned by Michael’s grandparents, the property has remained unused and unmaintained for several years. Michael and Megan plan to restore the property by establishing wildlife-friendly fencing around the borders, replanting native trees and investigating the use of cultural burnings to manage overgrown vegetation. They also intend to establish three or four small houses, both for the family to use and for eco-friendly tourism.
Part of the property is protected under a conservation clause in a previous Crown land lease. Michael and Megan are also exploring a conservation covenant for the land with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Riserva Rosso spans 400 hectares over two blocks, with a conservation covenant on one block and a grazing permit on the other, which is also under a long-term Crown Lease. Vegetation is characterised as eucalypt woodland and native grasslands, and the property is also home to the critically endangered Delicate Pomaderris (Pomaderris delicata).
The property provides habitat for swamp (Wallabia bicolor) and red-necked (Macropus giganteus) wallabies, bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), freshwater turtles, snakes and a range of native birds. Feral species including wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are also present.