The former Shone and Schultz sub-division in Riddells Creek, known as ‘Barrm Birrm’ (place of many yam roots), has high quality woodlands in private and Council ownership. The 118.6 hectare site was subdivided in the 1880s into over 162 allotments ranging in size from 0.3 hectares to 5.2 hectares. The estate was sold in the 1970’s. Today the land is owned by approximately 130 different landowners.

The site contains native vegetation of high conservation significance on the south east side of the Macedon Ranges. Mapped as mostly Grassy Dry Forest EVC, it has over 27 species of native orchids and the only plant endemic to the Macedon Ranges Shire – the Hairy-leaf Triggerplant. The site plays an important landscape connectivity role, adjoining public land at Conglomerate Gully Reserve and providing habitat links through to T Hill Flora Reserve and Mount Charlie Reserve.

Due to the site’s natural values, high fire risk and lack of services, the land is not considered to be suitable for development. As a result, current planning controls prevent development in the estate.

Council currently operates a “gift back” scheme to encourage the transfer of private land parcels to Council. This process is slow and relies on the voluntary participation of landowners. A more efficient and effective alternative would be public acquisition of the land. This would enable the site to be integrated into the adjoining public reserve system, facilitating contiguous management and reducing fragmentation of public land management across the landscape.

In 2005, residents formed Riddells Creek Landcare to care for Barrm Birrm, removing rubbish and invasive weeds, and introducing the local community to its plant and animal life.