Twenty-four people took in the magnificent views from Mt Noorat on Sunday during a community planting session and the official opening of the new crater viewing platform.
Chair of the Mount Noorat Management Committee William Conheady welcomed attendees to the opening.
Mayor Kate Makin cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of an audience including Lake Keilambete Ward Councillor Geraldine Conheady.
"Congratulations to the members of the Mount Noorat Management committee for their contribution and commitment to the design and construction of the viewing platform and weather shelter," Cr Makin said.
"One of the objectives of the Mount Noorat Management Plan is to provide quality visitor experiences that reflect the character of the site.
"Both structures reflect this objective by providing low impact recreation, while being sympathetic in design to the characteristics of the site."
Mr Conheady thanked the volunteers who came to help with the planting and all those who have worked on many different projects on the mount over the past 10 years bringing all of the general infrastructure up to a smart standard.
These projects include installation of walking tracks and seating, weed control, stock water infrastructure and fencing, along with numerous other improvements.
"The new platform is the jewel in the crown. It's the culmination of 10 years of input from the volunteers that has got it to this point," he said.
"The Mount Noorat Community Planting Day is an annual event organised by the Mount Noorat Management Committee.
"The objective this year is to provide replacement plants to the already existing, revegetation sites. As the sites develop, they will provide a valuable habitat corridor to vulnerable native animals and build stronger ecological communities.
A total of 235 trees and shrubs, including the very rare volcanic plains Banksia marginata, were planted above the walking track, in Deadman's Gully and sites along the areas known as "the boomerang".
The project will increase flora and fauna diversity at the Mount, revegetating the crater that was cleared in the late 19th century.
Expanding the remaining area of remnant vegetation will establish a habitat corridor from the crater to the Boomerang and Deadman's Gully, supporting the resident pair of nesting wedge-tail eagles.
The Management Committee, Volunteers and students from the Gnuard Gundidj Leadership School carried out pre-planting activities including the construction and distribution of macropod guards and stakes to the pre-sprayed planting spots.
