Rocky Hill Regeneration Project – Partnerships Overview

South Wagga Rotary’s Role

  • The South Wagga Rotary has been central to the Rocky Hill Regeneration Project since May 2020, coordinating restoration efforts and leading community volunteers.

  • Long-term dedication from David and Milena Dunn extends back nearly 27 years of informal restoration before the project was formalised under Rotary.

  • Achievements since 2020 include:

    • Removal of woody weeds across 51 hectares,

    • Planting of over 750 native species,

    • More than 4,000 volunteer hours contributed by community members.

  • Recognition: Wagga Environmental Citizen of the Year 2022 and Runner-up NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year 2022.

Transgrid Partnership and Support

  • Transgrid’s Community Partnerships Program has provided key grants to support the project.

  • Funding has enabled:

    • A $5,000 grant in 2024 to create a website and brochures with QR codes to build awareness,

    • Earlier support for a first-aid kit, tools, and native seedlings,

    • A project video showcasing how Transgrid’s support contributes to biodiversity and community sustainability.

Rocky Hill Regeneration logo with green background and white text, decorated with leaf illustrations.
Transgrid logo with a green and black geometric abstract background with overlapping shapes.

Support from Wagga Wagga City Council & Riverina Water

  • Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) and Riverina Water have both provided funding contributions that help sustain ongoing regeneration activities and environmental improvements.

  • Their contributions strengthen the project’s capacity to restore native habitats and engage more community members in long-term landcare.

Wagga Wagga City Council logo with a stylized bird and water waves
Riverina Water logo with stylized blue and turquoise waves and blue text

Charles Sturt University & Volunteers

  • Charles Sturt University (CSU) supports the project through expertise, research input, and student engagement, helping monitor ecological outcomes.

  • Volunteers remain the backbone of the initiative, dedicating thousands of hours to hands-on work such as planting, weed control, and biodiversity monitoring, as well as off-site tasks like social media, website management, and grant writing.

Charles Sturt University logo with a stylized shield and waving lines.

Project Impact & Community Engagement

  • The collective partnerships have transformed Rocky Hill, re-establishing biodiversity, reducing invasive species such as fountain grass and Johnson grass, and strengthening the area as a community conservation site.

  • With combined support from Rotary, Transgrid, WWCC, Riverina Water, CSU, and volunteers, the project is not only restoring the land but also building community pride and long-term environmental stewardship.