The Minister for Lands Tony Kelly MLC, appointed CICL as manager of the Coleambally Irrigation Biodiversity (CIBR) Trust as per the government gazettal notice dated March 30, 2007.

The reserve comprises 11 separate blocks of land predominately located in the north of the Coleambally Irrigation Area.

Since taking official control on July 1 2007, CICL has developed a draft plan of management which is currently awaiting approval of the Minister.

A number of actions prescribed in the plan have already been implemented.

These include weed and pest control measures on a number of blocks, completed on a priority basis.

The majority of funding for the on-ground works will be made available via the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority's Property Vegetation Plan (PVP) process.

The important decision taken by CICL to manage this reserve will ensure that flora and fauna species of this district are maintained for future generations to see, without the threat of land clearing or overgrazing.

A significant number of native plants and birds have already been identified on the reserve including threatened species such as Superb Parrot and Painted Honeyeater, and one Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) also occurs, in the form of Boree (Acacia pendula) woodland.

At least three separate blocks of the reserve also contain mapped habitat of the Plains-wanderer, an endangered ground dwelling bird.

Members of the public are able to catch a glimpse of the new biodiversity reserve by attending the upcoming CICL Biodiversity field day on February 29.

Come along and listen to a range of guest speakers; see a demonstration of control methods for African Boxthorn at the CIBR.

The bus leaves CICL at 8.30am and the day concludes with a barbecue lunch at the Lions Park around 12.30pm.

Anyone who would like to attend should register their interest by February 27. Phone 6954 4003.