The fencing team, headed up by Central Coast Fencing’s Brad are absolutely dedicated to the task at hand (over 5km of pens and perimeter fencing still to go), and if they were any tougher, they’d rust. Unfortunately, with the amount of rain they’ve been working in, rusting is a real possibility.

 The materials for the fencing of Devil Ark have been generously provided by another caring Central Coast business, Protective Fencing. Both businesses have made dramatic concessions in the costing process, without which Devil Ark couldn’t have begun construction when it did.

The effects of the rain are becoming increasingly problematic, though the guys have kept a positive outlook, and only rarely cease progress entirely.

The flat steel sheeting used in the large holding pens was generously provided by One Steel Newcastle at a dramatically reduced price in support of the aims of Devil Ark.

 The commencement of fencing is finally arrived, presenting quite a milestone for the project, which for four often frustrating years has led to this symbolic stage. Tye, Jason and Kevin here are debating fence placement before trenching finalises the final position.

Rain and mud interefered with ongoing construction of the ten 'holding' pens (above), but 'the team', comprised almost entirely of ARP keepers and maintenance staff on 'devil shift') made up for lost time as soon as weather permitted.

 The Internal finishes of the food prep and food storage areas are reaching completion. The guys are now working on the ‘vet block’  and quarantine facility.

Tim and Jason guys mark out the positioning of holding pens. Twenty of these 100m2 pens will be used for temporary holding of devils when isolation from social groups is required. Works on the 3-10 hectare 'free-range enclosures' begins next week - assuming we get a break in the weather so we can finish road construction and thereafter get the earthmoving equipment onto the site. Watch this space. 

 

The entire Faulkner family has moved into the existing residence to oversee the construction of Devil Ark for the duration.

Head Curator at ARP Tim Faulkner is overall foreman of the project, wife Liz is chief cook and bottle-washer, ensuring that the entire team of workers, which peaks at about 15 men, is provided with three square meals each day, and baby Bill is performing the job of alarm clock more than adequately.

When roads are passable, Liz delivers lunch in to the work site via the trusty Subaru ‘mud-buggy’.

Animal keepers one week, builders the next. Fortunately, Reptile Park keepers Obi, Jason and Chris all have carpentry backgrounds – both Chris and Jason being licenced tradesmen. Tye is a boilermaker (welder) by trade, and Bob has a background in plumbing.

Although some of the guys are alternating weeks between camping out at Devil Ark and returning to civilized accommodation and ARP, a full compliment of six ‘ARP boys’ has been steadily getting through the construction of a food prep room, food storage room, a veterinary care/quarantine facility and a post-mortem facility. This proved necessary due to the difficulty in finding other builders prepared to shift up to the site for the designated period.

Devil Ark sits on a plateau at the top of the Great Dividing range, surrounded by dramatic dropaways, including this ‘Shangri-La’ like view, 10 km west of the Ark. The 1,300m altitude contributes to what can seem like four seasons in one day - and indeed, sometimes all at the very same time.