Cache #4
The NSW Rural Fire Service classifies the Splitters Creek valley as a very high fire risk due to the topography (particularly the agricultural land to the west) and because access is restricted to a single road in and out. As far back as 1983 plans had been made to develop a fire refuge in the valley. In 2007 the Altmeier family and John Love donated land to Albury Council to form a new reserve – the Altmeier-Ortlipp Reserve. The Ortlipp family settled on 320 hectares of land in the Splitters Creek valley in the 1860s and were the great grandparents of Stephen Altmeier. The facilities in the reserve include a RFS shed and rammed earth Community Centre which was constructed and officially opened in 2012. The centre is used for community meetings and is sometimes busy on weekends with weddings and functions. There is a playground for the kids.
The cache should be accessible even when private functions are on, but some discretion may be required.
Splitters Creek Series
Splitters Creek is a rural community located to the west of Albury (right on the local council boundary). It is mainly rural residential lots, with tracks up to the nearby hills but there is a Rural Fire Station and Community Centre, plus a local winery. Not certain of the derivation of the name (the creek itself runs through the valley) but I assume it is to do with early timber harvesting (rather than anything to do with the Judean People's Front). If I track down any further history I will update the profile.
Despite there being a number of caches in the nearby Wonga Wetlands, I was surprised when there were none in Splitters Creek itself. This series is an attempt to fill that gap – may add some later if I can find some more suitable locations.
Please be careful with kids and dogs at these sites – I have tried to keep them near safe parking spots, but the Riverina Highway in particular is a busy road. Watch out for snakes in the right weather as well.
All are small caches of the same design – only colour will vary.
Have Fun
FTF - Congratulations bucrog52