TREE TALK
Spring/Summer 2011 The quarterly newsletter of the Upper Barwon Landcare Network Â
CONTACT PAGE Upper Barwon Landcare Network President Treasurer
Roger Blake Aurel Dessewffy
5236 3246 East Otway Group 5236 6436 Murroon Group
Board Members
Stewart Mathison 5267 2054 Barwon Rivercare Group Geoff Sydenham Wurdale Landcare Group Andrew Stewart 5236 3277 Otway Agroforestry Network Lorraine Cosgriff 5236 3393 Murroon Group
Coordinator
Daryl Hoffmann David Curry Neil McInnes
Wurdale Group 5236 3221 Otway Agroforestry Network 0427 316 396 neil@ubln.org.au
Education/partnership
Mandy Baker
0427 316 395 mandybaker@iprimus.com.au
Administration Officer
John Readhead johnreadhead@iprimus.com.au
UBLN Member Group Contacts
Friends of Deans Creek
Barongarook Landcare Group President
Ian Lane
0408 523 800
President
Glen Conner
Secretary/Treasurer
Jan Healey
52338240
Secretary
Jill Madden
Gerangamete Flats Landcare Group
Barwon Rivercare Group
5231 2922 5231 1284
President
Nellie Shalley
5233 4503
Kaz Standish
5236 6331
President
Jim Lidgerwood
5288 7294
Secretary/Treasurer
Secretary
Rod Stone
0439 067 636
Irrewarra Farmcare Group
Treasurer
Deb McDonald
President
Peter Dooley
5233 6229
Treasurer
Will Hanson
5233 6279
Secretary
Bill Dullard
5233 6233
President
Lorraine Cosgriff
5236 3393
Birregurra Creek Landcare Group President
Paul Drewry
5236 2294
Secretary
Claire Dennis
5236 2399
Treasurer
Lyn Genua
5231 5909
Murroon Landcare Group
Birregurra Community Group President
Russell Garraway
5236 2395
Vice President
Simon Mooney
5236 3315
Secretary
Jane Dennis
5236 2420
Secretary
Mary‐Jane Gannon
5236 3333
Treasurer
Brian Lawrence
5236 2356
Treasurer
Mike Juleff
5236 3238
President
Mike Robinson‐Koss
5236 3314
Andrew Stewart
5236 3277
Otway Agroforestry Network
East Otway Landcare Group President
Tracey Slatter
5236 3413
Coordinator
Secretary
Ross Brooker
0417 250 097
Wurdale Landcare Group
Treasurer
Peter Thomas
President
Peter McGregor
5288 7082
Forrest Tiger Trail
Bob Brooks
5236 3269 0428 523 663
Secretary
Annette Rennie
2
Welcome to the Spring/ Summer edition of Tree Talk In this issue....
Waste not ... Want not...
Front page picture ; .planting day with Winchelsea Primary School at the Barwon River Pg 2 handy contacts page In this edition of Tree Talk, we look at the topic of ‘Waste’. Pg 4—8 ‘Waste’ special Is there such thing as waste? Or is it just ‘unused Pg 10—11 Group reports resources?’ Certainly people have always been able to be Pg 12—14 Coordinator report very resourceful when needed, maybe we are too affluent to Pg 14 Sub Soil Manuring update bother nowadays and are happy to throw things ’away’. Pg 15 Project Platypus Trip (Just where is ’away’ ?) There are now many facilities and pg 17 ‘Beating about the Bush” programs to help reuse/recycle “unused resources” and some new initiatives to look at how products previously pg 18 Species of the Upper Barwon thought of as waste can now be turned to good use. Pg19 Water Monitoring Results Back Page pictures; Wildflowers featured in ‘Beating about the Bush” Thanks to all our contributors
Some Facts about WASTE •
Australia wastes close to 3 million tonnes of food per year That's equivalent to 136 kilos per person per year.
•
Australians used 6400 million plastic check out bags each year which is nearly 1 per person per day or 345 per person per year.
•
World wide, 100 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper for junk mail. Of this, half the junk mail is thrown out unopened and unread
•
Australians on average use 150 kg of paper per year.
•
Australia throws out 14 million tonnes of general waste per year
Tree Talk is produced by the Upper Barwon Landcare Network. Printing by Birregurra General Store. Tree Talk is seeking sponsors/advertisers, please call 52362013 if you are interested.
The Autumn Tree Talk deadline is first week of March 2012—articles and photos from our members are most welcome. Tree Talk Editor Mandy Baker 0427 316 395 mandybaker@iprimus.com.au
3
Waste not ...want not.... Local Deans Marsh identity, Mark Fagan, is passionate about Waste. He explains why.
whole Shire department called Waste Management, you know, with a $5 million annual budget. “At home in those days we had one small bin, more than enough for a household. There wasn’t the packaging there is these days.” It’s the same on the farm. Silage wrap (packaging) is only relatively new. It wasn’t that long ago that there were only square bales, no round ones. Now we’ve got silage wrapped in the round and science and technology is being found to recycle it. It is extremely expensive to simply dump it. There are now facilities in Colac and Birregurra, and some private properties utilize their wool presses, and they get $150 a bale of “It feels really great. We’re not just educating the used wrap. Initially there were problems with the wrap public, but the environment is benefiting as well. being dirty, they’ve got around that somehow, and like We recycle metal, plastic, paper, glass, now all these processes they get fine tuned as time goes televisions, car batteries, computers – computers by.” are pulled apart manually for their precious metals, “There’s another side to what’s going on. I predict that and a lot of that work is being done by disabled in the future that the so-called “waste managers” will people in Geelong, giving them both something worthwhile to do, they make money out of it, and most be forced to make the disposal of rubbish more and more expensive to get rid of it. The flip-side of that is importantly I’m sure, that they get some benefit personally. Now we even recycle polystyrene which is it will force people to sort their rubbish, their waste and recycle. Unfortunately there’ll be a percentage of being used in making concrete pavers and other products, making it lighter but still strong. Even glass people who through laziness or whatever will get angry at the cost and they’ll just dump their rubbish in is now crushed to powder and going into concrete the bush, the creek or whatever. But overall it’s which reduces the amount of sand mining, and the making people stop and think. If you want to take a end product looks great. Flecks of coloured glass in trailer load to the ‘tip’ and pay $30, you have the the concrete can look really good. There’s heaps of alternative of sorting the load into recyclable and other great recycling ideas happening as well which non-recyclable and pay just $10 … its just making the I’ll mention later.” “When I look back to when I was a kid, we didn’t have effort. You can see now, say in this local community it’s what most people are doing.” ‘waste’, not as we now know it. And now we have a “7 years ago I started working here at Surf Coast Shire’s Pennyroyal Transfer Station (The ‘tip’). In those days the recycling rate was lucky to be 20%, it is now averaging around 80%. All it required was a bit of education and the teamwork and desire of the community. The next best rates in the Surfcoast Shire would probably be at Lorne and at Winchelsea, both which would be up to around 50%. Unfortunately I don’t know what the rates are for the Colac Otway Shire but I do know that the Surfcoast Shire has the second best overall recycling rates in the State.”
4
“The comparison with some other areas and transfer stations, people don’t care perhaps because they can afford the cost. The Commercial operators are often the worst culprits. Skips on building sites for example get everything thrown into them and they have to pay top dollar to empty it. But they don’t care because they’ll just be passing on the cost anyway.” “The innovations in recycling methods are advancing in leaps and bounds. It’s a very exciting time.” “At the Anglesea Transfer Station plasterboard gets separated into piles, as does building materials and green waste. A massive Chipper is used to transform these piles into useful products. The huge pile of plaster is chipped and used by farmers to fertilize their pastures, the ever increasing green waste becomes useful mulch. Timber materials are chipped and have historically been used by organizations such as Vic Roads who place it on the verges of freeways and ring roads as weed suppression.” “Another program we have at the Shire is at the Winchelsea ‘Tip’. It’s called the Chemical Drum Muster Program. Farmers bring their used empty chemical drums (usually 20Ltr) and receive a receipt from the Ag Dept. stating that the drums were
20 ways with a sheep— by an old timer who’s done it all!
disposed of legally. Traditionally they may’ve been disposed of in all manner of methods, burying, burning, dumping – all highly detrimental to the environment. Some large property owners bring hundreds of containers in at a time to be disposed. The service is free, and the drums are ultimately recycled. Farmers are also benefiting from the scrap metal recycling program which is also free. They can bring in their old steel droppers, pieces of machinery, wire, corrugated iron.” “The programs are a huge success ... everyone wins … and so does the environment.” For more information go to http:// www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/My_Property/ Waste_Recycling
SKINS—for rugs and mattress overlays WOOL—woven for cloth, yarn for craft/knitting etc, carpets HOOFS—Gelatine LANOLINE—hand creams, baby products MUTTON FAT—home made soap MUTTON and LAMB MEAT—Roasts, forequarter and leg, Spit Roast, Hungi, in pan, BBQ chops STEWS & CASSEROLES— Shanks, Chops, Flaps SOUPS—Flaps Shanks SAUTES and Stir Fries WHOLE HEAD SOUP—( or if you are Norwegian, smoked and eaten, ears, eyes and all) BRAINS—in white sauce and crumbed LIVER—Lambs Fry KIDNEYS—Steak and Kidney Pie HEART—Stuffed and baked BONES—Pet food, Stock, Fertilizer WEED CONTROL—eg Ragwort LAWN MOWERS MANURE for the Vege garden PETS for the kids SLEEPING AID—count them Much of the nations’ sheep flock is grown on unimproved pasturage (The ultimate organic grazing beast?)
The above is probably not practical ( in all uses) in today’s production methods but is of interest and food for thought for waste watchers.
5
Waste not ...want not....
LIVING VICTORIA WATER REBATE PROGRAM The Victorian Government recently launched the Living Victoria Water Rebate Program, which replaced the Water Smart Home and Garden Rebate Program. As part of the new program, rebates are now available for homes using self supplied water as well as those mains connected to Barwon Water supply system. Rebates are available on the following water saving products; Basket of goods $30 Water audit $50 Dual Flush toilet $100 Pool cover with roller wheel $200 Showerhead $10 or $20 Tank to Toilet connection $200 Permanent Greywater system $500 Rainwater tank rebate $500 or $900 or $1000 Hot water recirculator $150 Washing machine $150 (5 star water & 4 star energy rated) If you are interested in this scheme, rebate forms for self supplied homes are available at the Upper Barwon Landcare Network office. For further information and copies of the forms go to the Living Victoria Water Rebate Program website http://www.water.vic.gov.au/saving/home/rebates
Recycling chemical containers
drumMUSTER Snapshot Since the inception of the drum muster program in May 1999 there have been; 18,176,184 containers collected across Australia. This represents 23,164 tonnes of recyclable materials. drumMUSTER has 750 active collection sites across Australia provided by 525 collection agencies. 448 Local councils are participating in the program with 77other agencies providing collection services. There have been 5512 personnel trained as drumMUSTER inspectors across Australia Currently there are 3283 active inspectors providing services for the program. Information from drummuster website drummuster.com.au 6
On Farm GOSIP—Garden Organics Soil Improvement Program .
Through a partnership between the City of Greater Geelong, the Barwon Regional Waste Management Group and Sustainability Victoria, On Farm GOSIP is a program designed to investigate the viability of city collected garden organics being delivered to farms to be transformed into a productive soil improver. This project will deliver clean garden organic material to 14 farms in the Barwon region. Each farmer will be supplied with 450 tonnes of garden organic material to process into composted soil improver. The project is required to ensure that the soil improver produced meets AS 4454.Enriroment Protection Authority requirements must also be met. The collection of garden organic material from households in the Barwon region to date has been very successful. After the introduction of the three-bin kerbside collection system the City of Greater Geelong now collects 30,000 tonnes of garden organic material from households on an annual basis. Only 1% of this material is debris other than garden organic material. Currently, the material is being cleaned (i.e. any debris removed) and sent to the Barro Group Ltd quarry at Point Wilson in Victoria. The material is used for site remediation at the quarry. The development of markets for the garden organic material has been slow. There have been very few proactive efforts to find alternative, higher-end markets for this material On Farm GOSIP will explore a new market for this material; farmers in the Barwon Region. The latest update on the project is: Following a seminar in the Winchelsea Shire Hall Tea Rooms the On Farm GOSIP raised a high level of interest throughout the Barwon Region. The Upper Barwon Landcare Network has been engaged by Barwon Regional Waste Management to provide project management. This includes building relationships with the farmers and other stakeholders, conducting site assessments, organizing soil and product analysis and co-ordinating delivery of the green waste. Signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to participate in the project is almost complete.. Site visits will be conducted on the farms soon so green waste delivery can begin in December .
7
Waste not ...want not....
Turn Waste into an asset In September, members in the Upper Barwon area visited the Camperdown Compost Company to listen to a talk by Dr. Elaine Ingham from Soil Foodweb Institute. Dr. Ingham has been researching the use of compost since the early 1980s. She has many trials and results from around the world. These tests are on many different soils and crops. Dr. Ingham now has laboratories in some eight countries and growing. Dr Ingham has developed, over a period of some twenty years, the concept of the Soil Foodweb. Essentially, this is a categorization of the different sorts of aerobic organisms that should be present in a healthy soil. By testing the organisms present in a given soil, deficiencies in various functional groups can be identified, and products can be obtained to correct these deficiencies. This testing procedure enables us to test soils prior to the application of compost, to ensure we can add the groups of organisms that are depleted. SFW have now tested well over 100,000 soil samples. The take home message from this data is that most agricultural soils are depleted in both the areas of species diversity and numbers. The main problem with depleted numbers and species of biology, apart from a reduction in productivity, is in the area of disease control. Research has shown that adequate numbers of beneficial biology can suppress disease causing organisms. Some of the methods of achieving this are as follows:
• •
Use exudates to reduce food supply for pathogens. Production of antibodies, inhibitory compounds and toxins to prevent pathogen growth. • Occupy infection sites on plant surfaces so pathogens cannot bridge cell walls and infect cell.
In fact, adequate beneficial biology is probably the only long term, sustainable method of disease suppression in soils. The use of fungicides etc., are the only short term fix, leaving a sterile environment, ripe for re-infection. This photo shows after a 12 month program, of adding biology to a paddock of Red Wheat, how the root structure has grown significantly compared to the control in the same crop. Information from Camperdown Compost Company website
www.campcompco.com
Also visit www.soilfoodweb.com
8
Latest Otway Community Network Happenings During the August to September flowering times of our two target species, Boneseed and Bridal Creeper, the Otway Community Conservation Network (OCCN) has been busy! During August, all known infestations of Boneseed and Bridal Creeper were mapped. You can view the mapped infestation on our interactive site at www.occn.org.au. Approximately 1,400 hectares of vegetation containing Boneseed and 45 hectares of Bridal Creeper were identified across the network. Infestations were then prioritised and a series of community working bees and contractor works were undertaken during September and October.
Boneseed sites in the Upper Barwon Landcare Network included private property at Deans Marsh and a mix of private and public property at Bambra. Andrew and Talia’s property south of Deans Marsh had a great working bee organized by the East Otways Landcare Group with 25 community people in attendance followed by lunch at Martians Café.
Boneseed was cleared at the Bambra properties by DSE contractors, private landholders, Conservation Volunteers Since the network inception in March 2011, approximately Australia and a Greening Australia training team. 815 hectares of boneseed have been treated with the A small roadside infestation of Bridal Creeper south of OCCN assisting about 570 hectares of this total. Winchelsea was identified by the Barwon Rivercare Approximately three quarters of the Bridal Creeper has Group. This has since been treated by a contractor. been treated. Integrated control works were undertaken on land managed by: •
Parks Victoria
•
The Otway Coast Committee;
•
ALCOA
•
Private landholders
•
VicRoads
•
The Surf Coast Shire
•
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee
•
The Department of Sustainability and Environment
For more information on the network and to see what’s coming up please see our website at www.occn.org.au. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact facilitator Luke Hynes by email at occn@occn.org.au or phone at 0438 113 438.
So far the network has assisted more than 40 private landholders with resources and advice to control Boneseed and Bridal Creeper.
9
Group Reports The Barwon River Care Group members along with Neil from UBLN embarked on a tree planting exercise to involve the Winchelsea Girl Guides on the Barwon River Bank between the Golf Club and Dwyer St along the Barwon River. The first occasion saw the local Girl Guides have an outing on Tuesday 25th October, 16 young guides with Leaders Parents planted various native grasses and cooked damper on the open fire along river bank a great afternoon was enjoyed by all present with around 300 plants placed in the ground. On the 10th November the Winchelsea Primary School along with Barwon River Care Members along with Mandy & Neil from UBLN saw 28 students 4 teachers starting the program at school looking at Bird, Flora & Flora Identification. The students then walked down to the Banks of the Barwon River and after morning tea they planted Native Grasses and Sedges and make damper on the open fire. The day was a huge success for Landcare and the Barwon River, this event highlights the partnership with one common goal to improve our rivers native surrounds. All involved can be congratulated on an excellent planting session. President Jim Lidgerwood Pictured opposite from top: Winchelsea guides cooking damper, Winchelsea Grade 5/6 planting
For the 2011 Landcare Week the UBLN held a two day working bee at the Bambra Wetlands on the 7th and 8th of September. A merry group of volunteers turned up to our 2 days of planting, weed control, path construction and cleaning up at the Bambra Wetlands. There was also a group of around 15 helpers from the Diversitat volunteers who did a wonderful job planting, clearing paths and putting in some new steps by the bus stop. A new track was put in at the southern end of the wetlands to extend the already existing track. We are hoping to put in an art installation and picnic area up this end as well. A special thank you to PC for the use of his amazing machinery, the path would not be in without it. Thank you to the two lovely ladies Virginia and Jennifer who supplied the scones and cream and cake, this definitely made up for not being able to plant! A new native “garden” has been placed around the interpretation sign, so please do go for a wander if you’re going past, and have a look at all the work that has been completed, and if you want to take your hoe with you there are still some weeds to clear along the path! Jill Stewart Pictures opposite from top: Divesitat crew installing new steps, landscaping around the sign and entrance 10
Submission to Federal Parliamentary Inquiry The OAN made a Verbal submission to the Federal Standing Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry at the Victorian State Parliament on the 10th October. Rowan Reid, David Curry and Andrew Stewart commenced the submission by giving a presentation about the multiple benefits of trees and shrubs integrated into farming Community Enterprise Award systems with a view to generating tree products from some The Otway Agroforestry Network (OAN) won the of the plantings. The Parliamentary Committee then asked Community Enterprise Award, which was presented at a quite a few questions about the approach of the OAN. The Gala dinner for the Powercor and Colac Otway Business OAN had previously made a written submission and the Awards on October 22nd. In his acceptance speech at the committee chairman, Dick Adams, said it was the first one COPAC Theatre, Mike Robinson-Koss said that the OAN he read. Dick Adams also said he spoke about the OAN supports landholders to plant trees for reasons that matter when he was a guest presenter at the NZ Forestry to them and that the network promotes the multiple benefits Conference earlier in the year. of trees in farming landscapes including the integration of agroforestry. Our colleagues from the Northern United Farm Forestry
Otway Agroforestry Network
AGM and firewood field day Learning more about firewood management, heater efficiencies and the thermal qualities of various tree species were the topics of presentations and conversations at OAN’s 18th annual general meeting held on 5th August at Winchelsea.
Network also presented to the Parliamentary Inquiry and it was good to catch up with Ian Rankin and James Williams.
Dept. Primary Industries (DPI) Farm Forestry meeting Five members of the OAN along with other farm forestry networks from around Victoria attended a meeting in Melbourne recently to discuss future plans for farm forestry. The morning session focused on the DPI Farm The day commenced at All About Mowers in Winchelsea Forestry Plan, which will soon be launched. The afternoon where wood splitters, mulchers and chainsaws were session was devoted to scoping an industry plan. A key demonstrated. Rowan Reid then presented data on thermal point made by the OAN was to highlight the multiple values qualities of various wood samples. Rowan demonstrated that well integrated agroforestry could bring to all the use of a moisture meter and said the OAN has access agricultural industries and land management systems. to these devices. The industry standard for firewood is that “dry” firewood will have a moisture content of less than Carbon Farming Initiative 25%. In our area firewood will need to be stored under A Carbon Farming Alliance has been formed in the cover in winter to maintain moisture content of less than Corangamite region. The Alliance includes the Woady 25%. Well-dried firewood is hard and if knocked together Yaloak Catchment Group, Heytesbury District Landcare makes a sharp sound. Although all woods have a similar Network, Otway Agroforestry Network, Lismore Landcare calorific value (energy produced per kilogram), tree species Network, Surf Coast Inland Plains Network and Upper do differ in their wood density, burning properties and Barwon Landcare Network. Cam Nicholson of the Woady drying characteristics. Yaloak Catchment Group and Geoff Rollinson from the At the Globe Theatre lunch was served and the annual general meeting proceeded with member for Corangamite, Darren Cheeseman, chairing the election of office bearers. Mike Robinson-Koss retired as president after 7 dedicated years at the helm. Mike gave a thoughtful reflection of the activities and achievements of the network and was presented with a beautifully carved bowl made from locally grown she-oak. Kaye Rodden was elected as the new president with Claire Dennis as vice-president. The Committee of Management was elected including:Mike Robinson-Koss, Alan Huggins, Ken Forrester, John Sinclair, Neville Page, Matt Armstrong, Richard Gilbert, Robert Marr, Jennifer Morrow, Hugh Stewart, Geoff Rollinson (Heytesbury Landcare Network), Neil McInnes (Upper Barwon Landcare Network), Quentin Gay (Southern Otway Landcare Network), Leigh Dennis (Corangamite Catchment Management Authority) and a representative of Greening Australia – to be announced. OAN part-time staff include: Andrew Stewart (coordinator), David Curry (Project Officer), Mike Edwards (Marketing & Management Officer), Marianne Stewart (Communications) and Rowan Reid (Consultant)
Heytesbury District Landcare Network initiated a meeting to form the alliance. This action has been initiated because it is believed that landcare should be at the forefront of activities in our region. The Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future plan which allocates $1.375 billion over six years to carbon initiatives ‘on the land’ continually mentions landcare as playing a pivotal role in delivery. Agricultural benefits from increased carbon cycling will contribute greatly to reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Landcare in our region is very well placed to lead these actions. We are well organized, have people with a genuine interest in this area and located in a zone where the most rapid carbon accumulation is possible because of the high rainfall. With well thought out initiatives and a united voice, we believe we can influence the investment in Corangamite that will benefit our members. - Andrew Stewart
11
Coordinators report We had a visit from members of the Bass Coast Landcare Network in June. The Group toured the region and met some local landholders. The tour included a visit to Stewart and Jenny Mathisons farm, the Bambra Wetlands, Yan Yan Gurt West Farm, Soil Trial site at Peter Gannon’s Property in Murroon, and a visit to Mike and Mandy Edwards’ Shitake Mushroom business in Colac. It was interesting to meet the Bass Coast members and enjoyable to showcase some of the great projects/ideas of the Upper Barwon. Progress on the Land Stewardship program has been on the backburner lately due to funding and time constraints. Fortunately some funding has become available through the Regional Landcare Facilitator project that will allow us to do some pilot work with SCIPN (Surf Coast Inland Plains Network) and the Surf Coast Shire. One of the first steps will be to develop a set of voluntary 'environmental standards'. These will take the form of a self assessment checklist. Other actions may include a calendar of training events or field days that include activities that are conducted by all the various agencies. The aim is to reduce confusion and crossover— meaning events are run by the most appropriate agency with the full support of other agencies. Both Focus Farm groups have met recently. At the last north group meeting Cam Nicolson conducted a session on the RISK analysis program developed as part of Grain and Graze 2. This program assists farmers to determine their most suitable balance of cropping and grazing enterprises. Cam will be back to do some one on one follow up in the near future. Declan McDonald from DPI led a session with the Birregurra - Murroon group in
early October. This was held at Scott Seebeck's and focused on finding out about soil properties using the VSA (Visual Soil Assessment) method as well as looking at two soil pits that were dug. At the following session the group inspected some of the trial work in the area. First up was an inspection of a trial Cam Nicolson is conducting at Ard Mohr with Bio Ag using alternative fertilizers. This trial is in its early stage and no trends are showing yet. Next was a look at a saline area where Gav had sown Tall Wheat Grass and Melilotis. Good wheat grass and strawberry clover but the Melilotis could not be found. Next, a look a paddock of Nathan Bennett's where ryegrass was sown earlier in the year using variety of sowing techniques and biological products. Half of each plot had attention from an Agroplough. There was no significant difference showing between any of the treatments but there was a marked increase in plant growth in the lee of a plantation on the site boundary. Following this the group visited the sub-soil manuring trial at Peter and Rosie Billings. Red wheat has been sown on this site. The treatments are showing a marked increase in plant growth and vigour with larger seed heads. Funding for the Focus Farm groups has been pretty much used up and it is hoped that people who have participated will be involved in a new project we recently received funding for from the Caring For Our Country program. Details are still being worked out but it will include some soil health sessions as well as some benchmarking of financial records, carbon emissions and human health. Fencing and re-vegetation has been completed for this year along about 8.5 kilometers of stream and river frontage. Willows were removed from much of this by the Corangamite CMA River Health team. Most of the area was along the Barwon River downstream of the Pennyroyal creek past the Birregurra Creek confluence. There is a similar distance in progress over the next year with some additional work to be signed off. Please submit an Expression of Interest to the Landcare office if there is something you would like to do. It may take a while but at least you will be in the system.
The Connies have produced a new set of fabulous ‘Connies’ Swap cards around the theme of ‘Species of the Volcanic Grasslands’. This was with support of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority We have copies of the whole set to swap or give away, just come into the Birregurra Office. 12
We ran a bus trip to a seminar in Rokewood conducted by Cam Nicolson. The theme was results from re-testing ten year old historic lime trials as well as looking at the results of the Woady Yaloak alternative fertilizer trials. The lime trials showed that the pH had been stable over the past ten years while the control (nil lime) had become more acidic. More time will be needed with the alternative fertilizer trials. In September a bus trip was conducted to Camperdown to hear Elaine Ingham give a detailed presentation on compost. There was a huge crowd at this inspiring event that was sponsored by the Camperdown Compost Company. Tony Evens from CCC also gave an excellent presentation detailing some of the farms they are working with in the Heytesbury area.
McMaster from DSE and Tom Scarborough from CCMA helping out. Members from Barwon Rivercare and the Bendigo Bank also gave their time on Sunday. Jessie brought along some stuffed birds and a platypus which were a real drawcard, and DSE, CCMA and Bendigo Bank all provided free give aways, which were earned as prizes by children who participated in our ‘Landcare Quiz”. Another highlight was Roberto the Connie who did his usual magic with a new set of “Connie Cards” to distribute and educate. Many thanks to all.
The Network participated in World Wetlands Day activities at the wetlands and lake in Colac. Children from schools in Colac and Camperdown were treated to activities including Water Watch, snake handling, Barwon water activities; and our Bird Survey where we walked around the lake recording The Diversitat works crew Water Bird species. Some of the schools have since provided some much recorded their sightings on our Spatial Vision Interactive appreciated muscle Mapping site. power for a couple of weeks in September. The The Network also hosted a crew erected steps and Presentation by Ian and Susan constructed pathways at Campbell, relating their 3 year the Bambra Wetlands as work and experiences in the well as weed control and Falkland Islands. The talk was planting. They also extremely interesting with helped put 4,500 trees in at the Morrows property Bambra fantastic photos of the local (pictured above). Diversitat runs the National Green Jobs wildlife and some fascinating program locally, which employs people who are interested stories to tell, including eating in developing their skills in environmental management and penguin eggs for breakfast! provides a pathway to employment. The UBLN once again We provided some planting ran a stall at the day opportunities in Annual Birregurra Winchelsea for both the Girl Festival which was Guides and the Grade 5/6 held 8/9th October. Primary School children. Similar to last year, Plants were provided by the we set up information Adopt a Stream Project for and displays outside improving water quality our office in Main and fish habitat along the Street and had some Barwon River. The children good conversations also enjoyed cooking and eating damper, a very popular and provided activity. Many thanks for the help from Rod Stone and Jim information to members of the public, both locals and Lidgerwood from Barwon Rivercare group. See more visitors throughout the weekend. We were fortunate to detail in Barwon Rivercare report. /cont next page have some great partners to assist, with both Jessie
13
Victorian Landcare Council Calendar—celebrating 25 years DPI must be notified without delay of any plants in Victoria of Landcare are available from the Upper Barwon Landcare suspected of being infected. The first signs of myrtle rust infection are tiny raised spots that are brown to grey, often Office, $10 for members, $15 non members. with red-purple haloes. Up to 14 days after infection, the At the October executive meeting of the UBLN, unanimous spots produce masses of distinctive yellow or orange spores. support was given to the Creek Link project which is focusing on the Pennyroyal, Deans Marsh, Yan Yan Gurt and Retreat Creeks. Creek Link is a Community Capacity Reports can be made by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881, or by emailing photos of the suspect Building project. The aim is to develop an online map to material, together with a contact phone number and the record previous works and assist with planning and future works with a simple colour coded graphic where the areas plant’s location, to plant.protection@dpi.vic.gov.au . To avoid spreading the disease, do not touch, move or of native vegetation already exist along the creek. collect samples of the suspect plant. Myrtle Rust warning—Victorians are being urged to keep watch for a fungal disease which poses a serious threat to The UBLN office will be closed over Christmas and New forests in the Otway and Gippsland regions. Year with reduced hours in January. The Office will be Myrtle rust, which affects plants of the Myrtaceae family, was first found in Australia on a cut flower property on the closed and all appointments cancelled on days of CODE RED Fire Danger Rating. We wish everyone a safe and central coast of New South Wales in 2010. It has since enjoyable Summer. been found on over 100 Myrtaceae species in the natural environment. Plants at risk include gum trees, bottlebrush, tea tree, lilly pilly, paperbark, myrtle, guava, midyim, rose apple, brush box and New Zealand Christmas bush.
Sub Soil Manuring Trial—Update
Back in May, the Birregurra/Murroon Focus Farm group participated in a Sub Soil manuring trial at Peter and Rosie Billings property. Chook manure was applied down a rip line at a depth of 450 –500 mm and at a rate of 19.6 t/ha. On a return visit in October the results of the trial were noticeably evident with increased growth compared to the control plots.
Photos from top to bottom Cam Nicholson leading an inspection of the Sub Soil Manuring trial with members of the Birregurra Murroon focus farm group Three Generations of the Brien family inspecting BioAg trial site at Ard Mohr Visual increase in growth evident at the sub soil manuring site. 14
Visit to Project Platypus. Gold was discovered at Stawell in 1853 and is still being mined there today. The demands of the early gold mines for mining timber and boiler fuel led to the removal of tree cover on the surrounding hills. This loss of vegetation from the hilltops, introduction of crops and annual pastures plus rabbit invasion has caused large erosion gullies to dominate much of the rural landscape. The thousands of tons of soil washed out of these erosion gullies, ending up as silt in the Wimmera River. Project Platypus covers 11 landcare groups in the upper catchment of the Wimmera River covering an area from the Grampians to the Pyrenees ranges with Stawell in the centre. Established in 1994 Project Platypus is based at Stawell and is dedicated to improving land and water resources in the region and engaging farmers, volunteers and the broader community in land degradation issues. In September, a group of 5 from UBLN headed for Stawell to see how another landcare group is operating. We were taken out by Dave Margetson, an ex-farmer, to look at erosion control and revegetation works. While gullies and saline areas are still apparent, many hill tops and gully lines have been fenced and replanted. Perennial pastures are being established and in one previously saline area, lucerne has been established after trees were planted higher in the catchment to lower the water table. The larger gullies frequently affect several properties and require co-operative work on engineering solutions such as rock chutes, gully block dams or trickle pipes. Soil ph is 4.5 – 5.5 so lime is a necessary input to improve pasture production. Production benefits were evident when the properties adopting landcare principles were compared to others operating on “status quo.”
PLANTOUT is the major environment and social event of the Project Platypus year which is held every year in July. Volunteers from far and wide, register to be involved in this event. 200 volunteers help plant up to 30,000 plants over 4 days. We were shown one section planted this year 3 km long with 6,000 trees. Project Platypus appears to be driven by large landholders and employs 4 staff on pest plant and animal work. Some work is landcare funded but the gang also does contract weed and rabbit work for the shire councils. There are several other part time staff covering administration, community engagement, revegetation, erosion control as well as the overall project officer. It was good to visit the area and see that an enlightened approach to land management can, over time, repair some of the damage done to our environment. It is a long slow process but as the benefits become apparent, other landholders will become involved in restoring the landscape. -Stewart Mathison
Visit by Beth Mellick—Executive Director of the Norman Wettenhall Foundation. Beth Mellick visited the Upper Barwon Region in September and was taken on a tour of the Project area, viewing recent plantings in both Bambra and Deans Marsh. Beth indicated that the Wettenhall Foundation was interested in continuing to support the project and would like to support development of a tool to help other groups take up the Peer Group Mentoring concept. Presentations of the LEAF project—The LEAF project was presented recently at two events. Firstly at a Landscape Restoration Workshop in Castlemaine, which was attended by Landcare Projects,which are all supported by the Wettenhall Foundation. Secondly at the 25 Anniversary of Landcare Victorian Conference at the MCG. On Ground Works—4 site visits have been undertaken and planting and /or fencing has commenced on most of them. The plantings are contributing towards connecting areas of regenerated or remnant bush to the Otway Forest or existing plantings along streams. Landholders have identified agricultural benefits of the plantings including need for stock protection. The landholders have received support and assistance from their Peer Group Mentors and are eligible for a rebate towards fencing/planting costs. LEAF Framework Document—The LEAF Framework has been completed and can be viewed or borrowed from the UBLN office. 15
16
wide-spread, low sprawling shrub; nodding, four-petalled bright lilac-pink flowers, bell-shaped in their early stages but opening widely when mature, the black anthers in the centre give rise to another of their common names, ‘Black—eyed Susan’.
More beating about the Bush with Jennifer Morrow ‘Spring has sprung—the grass has ris—we farmers know where the birdies is...’ What an incredible time of year this truly is! Maybe I forget from year to year the fabulous floral display Mother Nature puts on in spring, or perhaps it’s the wonderful winter rain we have had, but this really is one-out-of –the-bag!! Never before have I been heard to say ‘Oh yes! Just another orchid.’ So much going on, where do I start? I think I’ll concentrate on our patch of bush, I won’t even mention the floral happenings down on the heathlands... I was lucky enough to join the orchid walk with Margaret McDonald on the ‘Angair’ wildflower show weekend. Well, I tell you, I ran the risk of becoming quite delirious amongst the splendour. ‘Red Beak’, “Tall Sun Orchids”, ‘Waxlip’, ‘Lady Fingers’, ‘Donkey’, ‘Leek’ and budding ‘ Salmon Sun orchids’ to mention a few. I urge you to just get down to Anglesea, park at the end of Harvey Street and wander ( carefully) over the burnt area ...you are in for a real treat. Anyway, back to our patch of country...Jeez—how were the wattles? In particular the Prickly Moses ( acacia verticillata) nothing to write home about normally, but this spring this widespread prickly scrub is flowering profusely ...it completely changes the landscape. Then add in the striking blue of the slender climber ‘Love Creeper’ ( comesperma volubile) twining its way through the Prickly Moses, and you’ve got yourself a veritable Christmas Tree! Something else stopping me in my tracks is the Austral Indigo ( indigofera australis). This spreading shrub with its bluish –green leaves is flowering in brilliant mauve. While still on shrubs, what about the Large leaf bush pea? (Pultenaea daphnoides) great name, just rolls of the tongue......Pultenaea daphnoides. Gorgeous, big, in-yourface leaves, wedge-shaped and olive green, a slender stiff point at the end, showy pea flowers orange-yellow with central brown markings ... beautiful. Getting a little closer to the ground, what about those ‘Running Postman’ (Kennedia prostrata) Shouldn’t it be called ‘Running Postboxes’? Anyhow...this prostrate creeping plant with its wiry stems, leaflets grouped in threes and bright red pea-shaped flowers is one of my favourites. Another plant adding welcome colour to the bush is the ‘Pink Bells’ or tetratheca ciliata. Striking displays of this
So, back to those orchids I was getting so blasé about... It was a great season for the tall greenhoods (pterostylis melagramma) which are all but over now. Standing tall above the grasses these orchids often have a flower stem 60 cms or more tall, with 6-8 narrow leaves and 1-15 well spaced green flowers along the stem. Who hasn’t seen a ‘Spring Bird Orchid’ flowering yet this spring? If not, you are just not looking! They are everywhere. Chiloglottes valida has flowers resembling the open beak of a young bird waiting to be fed. This orchid often forms colonies, look for pairs of dark green basal leaves and flower stems of 4-5 cms, with single flowers varying from green to dark purplish brown and the heart-shaped labellum adorned with shiny black calli. Two more orchids common in our area and ones to look out for are the ‘Pink Fingers’ (caladenia carnea) and the ‘Waxlip Orchid’ ( glossodia major). Both will bring you joy and delight in your discovery of them. You will know the pink fingers when you see them and the purple flowering wax-lip, will stop you in your tracks with its conspicuous beauty. Back to where we began... my little contorted English rhyme...’us farmers knowing where the birdies is...’ Spring not only looks verdant and smells fecund, but is full of sounds like the song of the grey Shrike Thrush and the plaintive trill of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Both of these rather dull-coloured birds come into their own at this time of the year and for me their songs are the sounds of spring. Another ‘Spring’ bird—and winner of the most imaginative nesting site award— is the ubiquitous White-Browed Scrub wren. We have them nesting in an old fly veil belonging to a dearly departed old pony. Last year it was a haynet they used to nest in. I have also seen nests in an old kettle discarded in a shearing shed and a draught horse collar long unused in a tack room. I love these friendly little birds that seem to have very little fear of humans and are innovative enough to utilize us for their needs. So much to see, so much to enjoy out there right now.. I urge you to bask in the magic, before the scorching north winds of summer arrive and the moist green is sucked up and our precious native flora withers away and our land is turned to yellows and golds. Before I leave you I must tell you about our landcare plantings, all in badly eroded gullies. A joy to behold at the moment, verdant over storey and colourful understorey, where the large-leaf Bush Pea, Austral Indigo, Daisy Bush, Golden Tip, Pomaderris, Prickly Moses, and Mint Bushes are flowering furiously– what a joy—what a wonderful sense of achievement, of having done something worth doing!
(Pictures of many of the flowers mentioned in this article are on the back cover)
17
Species of the Upper Barwon —
Where do they grow: In the upper Barwon region, drooping she oak is found along the Otway ALLOCASUARINA VERTICILLATA Plain around Winchelsea and Wurdale. Quite a Drooping She oak large remnant can be found at the Casuarina Family: Casuarinaceae. Woodland at Buckley. Drooping she oak Botanical name: usually grows in poor, dry soils and like all the Casuarinas In 1982 most of the Victorian Casuarinas were has an association with the nitrogen fixing soil borne controversially transferred to the new genus Allocasuarina. bacteria Frankia. In 2003 a molecular study of the sheoaks supported the transfer. Allo: Greek for ‘other’. Casuarina: Latin for Cassowary, based on the assumption that the Casuarina foliage resembled Cassowary plumage. Verticillata: ‘arranged in whorls’ (the leaves of sheokes are small teeth or scales arranged along the branchlets). The number of leaves in the whorls is important in identifying sheokes.
by Mike Robinson Koss
Common name: Drooping is related to the drooping growth habit of the species. Originally it was called She Oak due to the nature of the timber superficially resembling Oak (Quercus). In 1931 Ewart’s book Flora of Victoria was published. This was the first time the spelling of Sheoke was used. Subsequently both spellings are now used in various publications. Originally there were both she and he oaks describing various species around Australia, however the he oaks have fallen out of favour in literature only being survived by the bulloak (sorry, in Victoria it is called buloke)! Description: Multiple branching (rarely straight) small woodland tree 5-10m tall with a rounded drooping crown. The species is wind pollinated and Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate trees) and flowers during winter. FemaIe flowers are small orange-red rounded tufts found along the branches. Male flowers are tan coloured strings of beads hanging down from the ends of the branches. The woody barrel shaped seed bearing cones are the largest of the she oaks we encounter in our region (up to 50mm dia). The young cones are a shiny copper colour, later maturing to a dull, dusty brown. Each woody cone holds a hundred or more winged seeds hidden beneath sharp spikey valves which open with heat or old age. The bark is not as corky as some she oaks (like the other local, black she oak, A. littoralis) but is rough up to the branches. The “leaves” have evolved into very small scales situated in whorls around the branchlets. The branchlets are what we assume are the “needle like leaves” drooping at the end of the branches. Like all she oaks the wind whistles through the canopy.
Revegetation: With the fragmentation of the population due to land clearing, inbreeding of scattered trees and small remnants has occurred. Seed from these small remnants has lower genetic diversity and should not be used for growing seedlings for revegetation projects. Larger remnants and reserves still show appropriate genetic diversity for use in seed collection. Seed should be collected from a minimum of 30 individual plants and from genetically viable communities. An excellent middle storey species for wind blown projects in low fertility soils. European Uses: Historically used for firewood (wood is dense, hot burning, trees coppice), shingles, wagon bearings, bullock yokes (another possible name source?), drought fodder. Should be planted more in our drier districts for its beautiful “birds eye” wood which is sought after for wood turning and other high value timber products. Indigenous Uses: The hard wood was used for making spears, boomerangs and artefacts. Wood pulp was soaked in water and the liquid gargled for toothaches. Placing she oak logs into creeks attracted tasty wood eating grubs which were harvested. Young cones and foliage was chewed to alleviate thirst during long walks in a dry landscape. Seeds were roasted and eaten. References
18
Native Trees and Shrubs, Costerman, Weldon 1981. 2.) Wildflowers of Vic, Corrick and Fuhrer, Bloomings 2002. Australian Plant Genera, Baines,SGAP, 1981. 4.) Bush Medicine, Low, A&R, 1990. 5.) Drooping Sheoke Research in the Corangamite Region, Broadhurst, CSIRO, 2008
Water Monitoring—September 2011
Pennyroyal Creek salinity (EC)
Barwon River salinity (EC)
1200 1000
1500
800
1000
600
500
400 200
0
0
HELP NEEDED
Due to lack of co-ordinator time our water monitoring program is on hold for the moment
and help is needed for it to continue. Our vehicle and equipment is available to a willing volunteer. If you have a few hours to spare once a month your efforts would be greatly appreciated.
Remember Tree Talk is now available online Help us save paper, save energy and save trees. If you would like to receive your copy of tree talk electronically instead of a mailed copy just email; mandybaker@iprimus.com.au and put ‘tree talk online subscription” in the subject header. You will receive an email with a link to the new edition when it is posted onto our website . Anyone can view Tree Talk online‐ just go to www.ubln.org.au—all the pics are in colour! 19
The Upper Barwon Landcare Network is proudly supported by
Colac Otway S H I R E
‘Naturally Progressive’
Flowers from ‘Beating about the bush Pg. Clockwise from top left ; waxlip orchid , pink finger orchid, spring bird orchid, lovecreeper, running postman, pink bells, austral indigo, tall greenhood * most of the plants mentioned in the article are pictured in the Indigenous Plants of the Upper Barwon booklets. Available free from the UBLN office
Upper Barwon Landcare Network 57 Main Street Birregurra 3242 Phone 52362401
www.ubln.org.au 20