Creating and maintaining a natural, sustainable environment.

Sustainable aquaculture practices

Many fish farms are classed as “flow through” systems, raising huge numbers of fish on artificial feed, then releasing masses of waste into our waterways.

The fish ponds at Rhyll Trout & Bush Tucker Farm are managed as “closed systems.” Pristine water quality is maintained by filtering through massive sand filters and natural wetland systems which adjoin the ponds. A magnificent artificial creek provides natural aeration through a series of cascades into the indoor Rainforest Pool.

Stocking rates are kept quite low, allowing our trout to feed on naturally abundant food items such as yabbies, worms, frogs and a many types of insects.

Recycled building materials

Crushed bitumen, recycled from roadworks in Melbourne are used in the entrance, carpark and driveway.

The farmhouse café is a replica of an early 1900s Australian colonial farmhouse. The solid cedar leadlight entry door and “clunker” windows are nearly a hundred years old. The polished timber floor and counter are both crafted from Victorian ash boards from an old Melbourne high school.

Hardwood timber beams and poles have been salvaged from a number of piers and bridges from the South Gippsland area. Wander around the park and you will find this magnificent chunky timber has been used to build bridges, outdoor furniture and in landscaping our indigenous gardens.

Water wise

Three huge water storage tanks, totalling 110,000 litres in volume, collect precious rainwater from all major buildings. Bathrooms are fitted with flow-limiting faucets and dual flush toilets with slim-line cisterns.

All waste water is treated on site with an “Ecomax” treatment plant, so nothing goes to storm water. The system is built on a slope so water flows by gravity through each treatment stage and requires no power to operate.

Revegetation

By the end of Spring 2009, thirteen thousand indigenous trees were planted across the property. These plants never need watering, they provide important habitat for local fauna and they give visitors a glimpse of what the Island looked like before most of it was cleared for grazing.

Landcare acknowledged this achievement by awarding the “Wildlife Corridor Award for Excellence” in 2005.

Complementing the indigenous revegetation, three thousand native Australian bush food plants were planted in 2009. This Bush Tucker Plantation requires no watering, no pesticides and only small additions of our own farm compost as fertiliser.

Recycling and waste treatment

Garden waste and kitchen scraps are given to our chooks, while fish waste is composted and used on our vegetable garden and worm farms. Cardboard and recyclable containers are collected from recycling bins located throughout the farm.