Dad’s Army worked with council to plant native trees around the entrance to Putta Bucca Wetlands in 2010, and the group is enthusiastic about its continued involvement with the site.

The tree-planting group now intends to grow natives to shield the fenceline between Putta Bucca Wetlands and Boral Concrete to preserve the natural appearance of the site.

The group is also eager to see the old sewer works nearby turned into a nature area when the new works under construction begin operation.

“There’s a huge amount you could do up there,” said Dad’s Army member Rick Arnott, pointing out that the large round sewer tanks would make excellent lily ponds.

“These guys have done a lot of the work, though they’re pretending they haven’t,” said councillor Lucy White, who helped initiate the wetlands project in her former position as head of Mudgee Region Tourism.

Cr White said the project now warranted a regular place in council’s annual budget.

“It’s been a really good collaborative community project, and it needs to continue,” she said.

At Council’s open day last week, Mr Arnott asked council to begin planning to ensure there is enough water to maintain current levels in the wetlands and to maintain and expand the work already done at the wetlands.

Mr Arnott said it  was easy to have a special day planting trees, but  another thing to look after them till they can stand alone. 

“The wetland is a treasure for Mudgee and needs to be looked after and developed for the future benefit of Mudgee, both for locals and importantly for tourism,” Mr Arnott told council. “Tourists love this sort of attraction. 

“The existing pondages are in a unique position to be added to the existing wetland and further developed.

“It would be a tragedy if provision was not made now for funding and planning the works that could be done with the existing pondages. 

“This also needs to include ample water through put to maintain levels.”