Tree talk spring summer 2013 14

TREE TALK

Spring/Summer 2013 - 14 Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Contact Page Executive Contacts President Peter Greig - 5236 3229 Vice President David Curry - 5236 3221 Treasurer Peter Greig (acting) Secretary/ Public Officer Richard Gilbert - 5236 3243 Board Members Barwon Rivercare - Jim Lidgerwood, Rod Stone East Otway Landcare - Richard Gilbert, Andrew Blankfield Gerangamete & District Landcare - Nellie Shalley Murroon Landcare - Peter Greig, Peter Hope Otway Agroforestry Network - Andrew Stewart, David Curry Wurdale Landcare - Carol McGregor

Gerangamete & District Landcare Group President James Sprunt 5216 1922 Secretary/Treasurer Kaz Standish 5236 6331 Irrewarra Farmcare Group President Peter Dooley 5233 6229 Treasurer Will Hanson 5233 6279 Secretary Bruce Bilney 0417 372 219 Murroon Landcare Group President Loraine Cosgriff 5236 3393 Vice President Simon Mooney 5236 3315 Secretary Mary Jane Gannon 5236 3333 Treasurer Katrine Juleff 5236 3238 Otway Agroforestry Network President Kaye Rodden 5265 1241 Coordinator Andrew Stewart 5236 3277 Wurdale Landcare Group President Carol McGregor 5288 7082 Secretary Nikki Thompson Treasurer Anne Mulvey

Staff Group Contacts Barwon Rivercare Group President Jim Lidgerwood 5288 7294 Secretary Rod Stone 0439 067 636 Treasurer Pauline Pope Birregurra Community Group President Ian Court Secretary Russell Garraway 5236 2395 Treasurer Brian Lawrence 5236 2356 Birregurra Creek Landcare Group President Paul Drewry 5236 2294 Secretary Claire Dennis 5236 2399 Treasurer Lyn Genua 52315909 East Otway Landcare Group President Jennifer Morrow 5288 7144 Secretary Jill Stewart 5236 3206 Treasurer Peter Thomas 5236 3269 Friends of Deans Creek President Glen Conner 5231 2922 Secretary Jill Madden 5231 1284

Facilitator Mandy Baker 0427 316 395 mandybaker@iprimus.com.au Administration Officer John Readhead admin@ubln.org

Office 57 Main Street Birregurra 3242 ph 5236 2401 www.ubln.org.au

Tree Talk is produced by the Upper Barwon Landcare Network Printing by Birregurra General Store.

The deadline for the next edition of Tree Talk is first week of June 2014—articles and photos from our members are most welcome.

Please contact Mandy Baker 0427 316 395 or email mandybaker@iprimus.com.au

Disclaimer—This publication may be of assistance to you but the Upper Barwon Landcare Network and staff do not guarantee that this publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Upper Barwon Landcare Network and staff.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Welcome to Tree Talk Spring/Summer 2013 - 14 In this edition... p 4-5 p 6 - 12 p 13 - 14 p 15 p 16 - 19 p 1 & 20

Presidents Report Group Reports and Activities Weeds Info Pages Barwon Water Scheme Network Activities Photo Gallery

Front cover; Top to bottom; Birregurra Restoration Works ( report on page 9) Wurdale, Barwon Rivercare and East Otway members get together about weeds (report on page 12).

Back cover; top left clockwise: Tom at the ReGEN festival, Murroon break up, Rex and Dawn farewell, Birre Champ with native bush food, centre, Butterfly garden activities at the Birre Festival.

Thank you to all our contributors

Brown Book online The Corangamite Region "Brown Book" is a sustainable agricultural information resource. It is designed to address the needs of farmers for simple solutions to relevant problems and questions in the effective management of soils to enhance productivity.

Information is presented as a series of relevant regional problems and questions that have been organised around six broad topics. Practical management solutions to these problems are provided with local examples wherever possible. This approach makes the "Brown Book" a unique reference for farmers.

These problems and questions have been compiled by regional soil experts based upon what they deem to be the most important issues that are experienced within the Corangamite region.

There are certainly additional problems that will not be addressed within this resource.

In the process of addressing these problems and questions it is beneficial for land managers to modify management practices that are needed for soils to reach their productive potential. These practices are based around: increasing organic matter inputs to ‘feed the soil’, and reducing soil disturbance to enhance biological function GO TO http://www.ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au/brown_book/ In addition to this website, a condensed version of the Brown Book is available as a ‘Ute Guide’.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

From the President Two quite separate items are drawn to your attention: one on waterways, the other on Neil McInnes’ departure.

WATERWAYS AND LANDCARE: NOTES ON CORANGAMITE’S WATERWAY STRATEGY Nearly all of us have “our” waterway - be it creek, river or wetland – that is integral or at least proximate to where we live and work, whether farm or urban residence. And over the years, many of our Landcare projects have involved those waterways – by excluding stock, by re-vegetating banks, by reducing weeds and pests. Mostly, such projects have been at least part-funded through the CCMA, which has done the heavy-lifting that is beyond most of us and very welcome – such as willow removal, rock-chutes, stock crossings, and off-stream watering .

For its part, CCMA, like us landcarers, has to make its case to others for funds for such projects.

The case normally begins with a “waterway strategy”, essentially a prospectus to convince central government that CCMA is responsible and effective. But CCMA is torn between appeasing central investors on the one hand, and on the other its community (that’s us), which its Board has rightly tried to honour – and not just because we are co-investors. Their draft regional waterway strategy makes plain that community engagement and local landholders need to be borne in mind when interpreting the State guidelines.

That tension – between top-down and bottom-up – is very evident right now as CCMA consults its community (that’s us again) on its draft waterway strategy, itself set firmly in the context of the State-wide equivalent, and the Regional Catchment Strategy.

In the draft waterway strategy, the proposed investment prioritization process is: Identify “high value” waterways (those that meet international, national, state and regional criteria) Identify those at “high risk” Identify and test feasibility of possible management options Select the most cost-effective options Monitor results by measuring stream condition.

Sound reasonable? Yes - until you realise that stream condition is the only measure of success but is specifically rejected as the basis for choosing investment priorities. The flaw is this: by ignoring waterways of not “high value”, the process excludes projects that may well contribute more effectively to overall stream condition than those selected as “high value”. When the Auditor General asks whether the money was well spent, only stream condition will appear in the answer, and only for a select few waterways. Why not simply state it as the goal of the exercise?

To illustrate with a health metaphor, it’s the equivalent of trying to improve national health statistics by singling out only the healthy for treatment, rather than those (normally ill folk) who can make the best improvement per dollar invested - either from direct treatment, or from preventative measures, or from self-help.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

To its credit, CCMA has insisted that some allowance is made for co-investment by communities – the self-help that keeps on helping long after the central investors have gone. CCMA knows that when landcarers are motivated, they find lots of smart ways to prevent or remedy problems that they’ve inherited, and want to do something about. The draft regional strategy has strong sentiments about community engagement – but it’s so constrained by top-down thinking that it’s going to be up to us landcarers to make the case for our “low value” waterways.

Further, even waterways not of high value might get some attention – if they can be shown to impact upon a high value reach.

All of that was said to the CCMA representatives who kindly and courteously consulted with UBLN on November 12 in Birregurra. Shane Arnett, Pete Swanson, and Rob Fraser met with Nellie Shalley and Peter Greig from UBLN and Steve Reddington from Barwon Water. We also mentioned the particular creeks with which we were most familiar (West Barwon, Boundary, Matthews and Gosling - their attributes and idiosyncracies) and Steve wondered where all the funds had gone which Barwon Water raised from their ratepayers for the State Government’s “environmental levy”. (That’s a very fair question you may like to raise with your local MP.) Once ever-flowing, and now protected from stock and weeds, and re-vegetated (at least on Nellie’s stretch) Boundary Creek now dries up in those summers when Barwon Downs bore-field is operating for Geelong’s water supply. To compensate, Barwon Water diverts water from its reservoir to the creek, and monitors the situation carefully. Meanwhile, the West Barwon, clogged with willows, sends its overflow across Nellie’s farm in the winter. The Matthews – designated as “high value” - has been rock-chuted and fenced and re-vegetated in its upper reaches, while the Gosling – which flows into Matthews, and is home to the nearly extinct dwarf galaxias - is rapidly eroding and slumping in those intense storms that are increasingly frequent. A case could be made that investment could well, on testing, make a big improvement to overall stream condition in the region.

I reflected that the consultation process was well meant and well executed, and every opportunity was made to give community a voice and impact, but it’s now up to us to present our case for support.

(Just as an after-thought, it also occurred to me that the effort to include community could well have been improved by adopting ideas from the “systemic inquiry” processes, which is reported upon elsewhere.)

NEIL McINNES Neil’s resignation from early February ends a nine year association with the Network, during which he’s become well known to many in our community, through on-farm projects, group activities, and executive representation.

Though I knew him less well than many, I hope my observation is accurate that he was as dedicated to the original concept of Landcare as anyone. That is, he was passionate about grass-roots action on bridging the production-conservation divide, and he had special interests in managing soils and farming methods, as well as all aspects of nature conservation (being a member of Geelong Field Naturalists).

Like me, he was disappointed that top-down decision-making has slowly stifled Landcare action, but I’m sure he would wish us to carry on the good legacy he’s helped create. And I’m sure our members will want to thank him for his years of dedicated service, and to wish him and Kate and their family best wishes for the next phase in their lives.

- Peter Greig 5

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Murroon Landcare Group In December the Murroon Landcare Group, friends and residents, all gathered at Gosling Creek Winery for a Christmas Break up and to farewell long time landcarers and residents Rex Davies and Dawn Evans.

Rex designed the planting plan, selected species, and worked tirelessly weeding and preparing the plot for planting. Of course, Rex and Dawn were amongst the throng at planting time!

Tributes were given by Faye Callahan to Dawn Rex seldom missed a working bee to keep both for her support and effort in the Red Cross over plots in order, and indeed spent most of his time the years, and by Loraine Cosgriff for both Rex single handedly weeding and mowing to keep and Dawn’s efforts and enthusiasm in Landthem both a pleasure to behold. care. The group presented them with a So dedicated was Rex about these two little Bunnings gift voucher which we hope will help pockets of land (and the Murroon Landcare towards setting up their new house in Group) that even after moving to Birregurra he Grovedale. came back to group meetings, and seldom missed a working bee.

Farewell to Rex and Dawn We wish Dawn and Rex all the best in their new In the 1980’s Rex and Dawn opened Pennyhome and wonder how long it will be before Rex royal Tea House, at the time a novel venture in finds a new pocket of public land to nurture.

Murroon district and a forerunner to the vibrant hospitality industry here today.

- Loraine Cosgriff Rex and Dawn employed many district people, President Murroon Landcare Group especially the youngsters, giving these young people valuable experience in the workplace.

Rex and Dawn joined the fledgling Murroon Landcare Group in 1990. Rex became passionate about landscaping the little corner of shire land at the junction of Division and Murroon roads. Along with his ideas, he put in the hard yards weeding, planting and maintaining the area. His efforts were eventually recognised with the site being named ‘Rex’s Corner’.

In 2006, Rex also achieved the distinction of being named ‘Landcarer of the Year’ in the Upper Barwon Landcare Network .

Not content with his corner, Rex, along with other Murroon Landcare members, conceived the concept of a ‘Demonstration Plot’ on the old tennis court site at the corner of Division and McPaddens Roads, a site owned by the people of the Murroon district. This plot would be a living example of the indigenous species of the area, and of great value and information Rex, at his ‘Corner’ to new residents and those wanting to undertake revegetation work on their properties.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

East Otway Landcare Group

of the young members of reGEN gave us all a lift.

The Bambra Wetlands weekend in October saw Richard Gilbert at his energetic best.

It began with tree planting along the Pennyroyal Creek on Saturday morning with the Turramurra Music Group from Geelong and Melbourne.

Then, Saturday afternoon saw the wetland pageant back by popular demand. With some new and experienced actors, such as Brad Pitt, yet another entertaining performance was enacted. On the Sunday it was a long convoy that set off to meet me ( Jennifer) and then head on to the glories of the heathland in Spring for a wildflower walk at ‘Ted’s Track’ near Aireys Inlet. It certainly did not disappoint, as we saw over 35 different species in flower! Bluebells, Guinea – Flowers, Running Postman, Grevillea, Everlasting Daisies, Early Nancy, Sundews, Pink Heath, Violets, numerous ‘Egg and Bacon’, Pea – Flowers, Milkmaids, Spider Orchids, Sun Orchids, Flax Lilies, Donkey Orchids, Pink Bells, Pincushions, and a Purple – Beard Orchid, to name a few.... enough to wear your eyes out! It was a great mornings walk with old friends and new.

We East Otway members got gritty at the ‘Getting Gritty’ festival in September, pretending to be 21 again we rubbed shoulders with the new landcare group reGen, for a weekend of tree planting, interactive art, music, food and fun. The passion, enthusiasm and commitment

A day at the Bambra Wetlands with the Deans Marsh school children was a highlight. Always a good day, this one introduced cooking ( roo burgers) to the usual mix of tree planting, weed mat laying, weeding, bird watching , bushwalking, plant identification and of course the ever popular damper making! Thank you to Richard Gilbert and Mike Robinson Koss for making this possible and to the wonderful staff and parents at Deans Marsh School.

Back to basics – Weeds on Roadsides. I have attended two meetings with Surf Coast Shire officers Kate Smallwood and Leanne Rolfe, and feel we are in good hands. These two hard working women are passionate about weeds and eradication. Their new publications showing the worst weeds for each separate area within the shire are well worth obtaining, great information on weeds and their control.

The ‘Discovering the Barwon – from the trees to the sea’ Barwon River Walk is progressing with two ‘proof walks’ along the river near Forrest completed, and is well on track for 2014.

Work on the Deepdene Wetland on the Deans Marsh/Birregurra Road is at the planning stage.

This is a partnership between East Otway and Murroon Landcare groups and the Colac Otway Shire. We are planning how to turn this one time dumping ground into an attractive habitat for birds, frogs and reptiles.

All in all, a busy, social, educational and constructive few months in Landcare! I wish you much Landcare enthusiasm for 2014.

- Jennifer Morrow

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Otway reGEN On the 20 – 22nd September last year, the Otway reGEN was privileged enough to run the ‘Getting Gritty’ festival on the Stewarts Farm in Deans Marsh.

The festival aimed to connect young people to the land, and not only come away with a greater appreciation for farms and bushland, but also have a great time and meet new friends. The festival kicked off on the Friday night – where members met one another at the relaxed campsite and enjoyed music around the campfire.

The next day there was opportunity to visit a local property to assist with the revegetation of a previously blackberry infested gully. With the assistance of music, circus entertainers, hot soup and muffins, the group managed to plant over 2000 trees. The afternoon involved a landscape integrated art sculpture workshop run by two incredible local artists, Lily Randall and Martin Beaver. Afterwards a few mud fights broke out, which led to a swim in the dam and having fun in a canoe. The group was then invited to a face paint and relax with music and food. As the sun set a huge bonfire was lit around the campsite and marquee area.

Dinner was a huge spread; including a Stewart farm spit –roast lamb accompanied by salads and vegetables. After dinner we had a music session where we were entertained by fire

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twirlers, dancers and hoola hoopers. On the Sunday, Andrew Stewart took the group on a tour around his farm which ended in an adventure to a mini canyon and the creation of a harness swing. The tour gave an insight into the importance and benefits of integrating natural vegetation with farming activities on the property. ReGen can happily say ‘Getting Gritty’ successfully entertained, educated and excited 50 odd members and was definitely a weekend to remember. Thank you to all those involved, the East Otway Landcare Group members who helped out on dinner Saturday night, Mandy Baker for facilitating, and a special thankyou to Jill and Andrew Stewart for hosting, Sue for allowing us to plant on her property, and keeping us well fed. And not to mention Lily and Martin for the amazing landscape sculpture.

- Hannah Stewart and Georgina Readhead CHECK OUT our facebook page ‘Otway Regen”

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Birregurra Community Group Birregurra Park and Creek restoration Birregurra Community Group obtained funding for this project in mid 2012 under the Communities for Nature program. The creek or drain runs north-easterly from the footbridge on Skene Street to the Main Street bridge and continues past the skate park to the road reserve at the north end of the park. As part of the developing relationship between the Birregurra school and Birregurra Landcare there was a creek walk in August 2012 with the children testing the water quality and learning the community benefits of the proposed restoration. Landcare volunteers commenced work in early 2013, removing rubbish, mowing and wipper snipping and preparing a current vegetation map and inventory of numbers of individual plant and trees for removal. Contractors removed the large exotic trees, did a cut and paint on smaller woody weeds and a knockdown spray of the creek banks. Tubestock planting ,guarding, and mulching by volunteers was mainly finished by mid August 2013. Since then there has been a massive and continuous maintenance effort by the volunteers with excellent tree/plant survival as a result. Two smaller projects “Trees for Mum” and the school Butterfly Garden are also being maintained. Thanks to all volunteers, Terri and Ian, Jane, Russell, Anthea, Sue B, Geoff and Lyn, Ian and Sue, Clare C, Wendy D, Geraldine, Mary R, and James D, Bernie and Deirdre, and Chris B and of course our UBLN partners Mandy and Neil. We have been delighted with the community response to this work and encouraged to do more.

End of planting in August, weeds sprayed and plants in along the waterway near the playground in the park.

Coffee, tea and fruit cake, after a busy morning planting

Cheers Lachie & Janet Gordon, Claire Dennis

Birregurra Champions Club helping the Community Group beautify a walking track in town with indigenous plantings 9

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Barwon Rivercare Group Barwon Rivercare Group has embarked on a revegetation of the Barwon River bank below the Golf course, with Gorse and Phalaris removed and sprayed and some great maintenance by local Brian Jones. We then started planting native grasses in the area. With 3000 grasses to be planted, the local grade 3 & 4 students participated in a planting day, planting 2000 grasses along the river bank and our group planted the rest.

After our lovely spring rains or grasses really had a growth spurt. Then after Christmas we had a weeding morning and most members were surprised to see how much our grasses had grown.

- Rod Stone

Bambra Fauna Survey - Oct 2013 The Geelong Field Naturalist Club made an excursion to Andrew Dorman’s property and conducted a Fauna survey including setting 40 small Elliot traps, 2 Harp traps and 3 motion sensitive cameras.

Members of the Geelong Field Naturalists conducting visual surveys at the Dorman property

After collecting our 3 cameras after a week at Andrew Dorman's block we had only one photograph each of an echidna and a Black Rat. The Elliott traps yielded nothing at all! We did catch one Chocolate Wattled Bat in the 2 harp traps over one night.

I think the bush block has been isolated for too long from adjacent areas to have allowed the small ground mammals to survive, and it may be too small for viable populations to continue without new genetic material getting into any population that was there when the adjacent areas were cleared.

I thought the cameras may have revealed Brushtail Possums and wallabies; they usually respond well to the peanut butter bait at the camera sites.

The counts were 300m transects and 10 minutes time, and they were designed to encourage local land-owners to be involved.

- Trevor Pescott 10

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Otway Agroforestry Network

Quandong icecream.

Monday morning was time to get down to business and for me the encouraging thing was to sense the enthusiasm that has continued since the first ANFIL (Australian Native Food Industry Ltd.) inaugural meeting I attended about 6 years ago. There was a real air of optimism as we heard from the researchers in various areas such as the selection and Native food enthusiasm development of the best Muntries species for continues the commercial markets, as well as the home gardener. The researchers had kicked some real goals with having established the An early flight into Adelaide Sunday 10th of nutritional and taste credentials of the native November saw Marianne Stewart, Amanda foods researched. Also Amanda, (representing Garner (and husband Richard), and myself join OAN) having been elected to the board last with an enthusiastic team of various players in year and now the Vice-Chair, has been the Australian native food industry visit the instrumental in engaging aborigines as an Jurlique biodynamic farm. Here we saw the integral part of decision making and promoting laborious tasks of growing herbs and spices for the wild food harvesting. Marianne was the pharmaceutical and skincare market seconded as a director at this year’s AGM without using chemicals to control weeds. representing the Australian Agroforestry Foundation, An example was the hand-pulling of blackberries from a new lavender patch on this OAN is encouraging its members to grow 150 acre farm. We were also taken through the native foods integrated as understorey as part elaborate drying shed where herbs and flowers of revegetation on their farms. Anyone were dried and vac-packed for storage. The interested in learning more about this exciting thing that impacted me was the tedious and industry please let us know by contacting Mike meticulous tasks that ended in an elite valueEdwards on 0428595085 or Andrew Stewart added product worth millions of dollars to the on 0448 363 277. company: who had control of the whole value - Mike Edwards chain from the seed sown to the packaged . perfume for the consumer. A totally vertically integrated business.

The next stop of the tour took us through the Adelaide Hills to visit native food trials of members of a landcare group and the South Australian Bush Foods Association. There we were able to see first hand the rainforest plants such as Lemon Myrtle and Riberries thriving in a very dry harsh environment, although established with drip irrigation and creating their own microclimate. Quandongs, Lemon Aspen and Muntries were all thriving on the same soils.

The trip back into Adelaide brought us to the conference site where the beginnings of an amazing native food dinner was being cooked on an open campfire. Starting with an entre’ of barramundi in Lemon Aspen sauce cooked in Paperbark. The meal that ensued was one I will never forget - tasting various native foods, herbs and spices with Kangaroo fillet steak cooked to perfection and finishing with 11

Harvesting River mint (Mentha australis) on an OAN member farm with banksias in the background. River mint destined for a company who supply Woolworths supermarkets with native food blends.

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Wurdale Landcare Group A meeting was held November 12th at the Wurdale Hall to discuss developing a collaborative and coordinated effort to manage weeds of concern for communities in the Winchelsea, Wensleydale and Bambra areas.

The meeting was convened after the Surf Coast Shire Council announced a substantial increase to its budget for pest plant and animal management across the Shire for this financial year.

Having only $22,000 allocated to the budget to address issues of pest plant and animals across the Shire in previous recent years, the increased budget of $150,000 has meant that a real difference can now be made to the presence and management of pest species across the Shire. Strong community support and advocacy from local councillors has strengthened the partnership approach between Council and the community.

Given that authentic and long lasting management of pest species requires a commitment from all land holders, Council, Landcare and local communities are now meeting in spring and autumn to coordinate priorities and get works happening on the ground. Earlier this year, collaboration between Wurdale Landcare and Council resulted in a significant weed reduction effort along Wensleydale Station Road on both the road reserves and surrounding properties. This was an excellent example of ensuring that both public and private land is assessed and addressed simultaneously, making it much more successful for weed management into the future. It was also successful for increasing the understanding of weed species in the area and gaining support from several absentee land holders.

In a collaborative effort, Barwon Rivercare, Wurdale Landcare and Environmental Officers, Kate Smallwood and Leanne Rolfe, from Council arranged for a community meeting at the Wurdale Hall on Tuesday 12th November 2013. An inspiring attendance of 28 participants were at the meeting on what was a very cold and wet evening. The Council representatives talked about plans for addressing issues of pest plants and animals across the Shire, 12

particularly in relation to managing Cape Tulip and the emerging threat of Chilean Needle grass and Texas Needle grass. Other weeds highlighted include Serrated Tussock, Common Watsonia, Gorse, Sweet briar, and Blackberry.

The forum was relaxed and highly conducive to open discussion and interesting questions from the audience relating to both pest plants and animal species. Pest plant samples were on display, including Cape Tulip, Sweet Pittosporum, Mirror-Bush and Cape Wattle as well as brochures and maps. Several books were also tabled for understanding and managing weed infestations including Weeds of the South-East, an Identification Guide for Australia

by F J Richardson and Weed by Tim Marshall Several people brought delicious baked items for supper and conversations over coffee continued for well over an hour after the official part of the meeting ended.

Many thanks to those who assisted in organising this forum. The next step will be to plan and prioritise reduction of specific pest species in the local area.

The Council has produced a new Weed identification and Control publication Weeds of the Surf Coast Shire, which is available from the Shire’s website.

You can also download pdfs of the newly released ‘Top 20 Weeds’ brochures covering the following areas: • •

Anglesea to Eastern View; Lorne (including Big Hill), Deans Marsh, Bambra .../cont overleaf

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

• •

Moriac, Freshwater Creek, Winchelsea, Barrabool Hills; Jan Juc, Torquay, Bellbrae, Connewarre

Go to http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/My_Environment/Weeds_of_the_Surf_Coast_Shire to view this publication . (copies of the brochures relevant to our area are available at the Birregurra Landcare Office) For further information or enquiries about this project, please contact: Wurdale Landcare - Carol McGregor 5288 7082 Barwon Rivercare - Rod Stone 0439 067 636 - Carol McGregor

A Simple Guide to Weeds What is a weed?

A weed is not just a plant in the wrong place!

A weed can be defined as a plant which, by its habit, is damaging to other plants and the environment around it, and requires human action to reduce its detrimental effect. A weed is generally considered to be an unwanted interloper which invites itself into an environment, whether it is a vegetable or garden bed, a farmers paddock or crop, or a piece of native bushland.

Many plants introduced into Australia in the last 200 years are now considered weeds.

An ’Environmental Weed” is a plant which chokes out native trees, shrubs or grasses, (Bridal Creeper, Blue Periwinkle) takes over the bush or waterways, (Boneseed, Willows) harbours feral animals ( Blackberry) and/or reduces biodiversity ( Sweet Pittosporum).

An ’Agricultural Weed” decreases farm productivity by invading and reducing land use for crops or pastures (Gorse, Scotch Thistle), is toxic or poisonous to farm animals (Ragwort, Capeweed), contaminates products (wild garlic), or has other detrimental effects to running a farm i.e. loss of access ( blackberry) a fire hazard ( Gorse).

Some plants are both environmental and agricultural weeds!

How bad is bad?

Weeds have been categorised based on their detrimental effect, and for each category there are actions which must be taken.

State Prohibited Weeds Regionally Prohibited Weeds

Action

Examples

These invasive species do not occur in Victoria but would have a detrimental effect if they were introduced These plants are banned in Victoria Land owners must take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds.

Water Hayacinth Mexican Feather Grass Hawk Weed

Regionally Controlled Weeds

Landholders must take all responsible steps to prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled weeds

Restricted Weeds

Restricted weeds must not be sold or traded in Victoria.

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African Daisy African Feather Grass Cape Tulip Boneseed Gorse Ragwort Serrated Tussock Blackberry Pampas Grass Bridal Creeper Chilean Needle Grass

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Tips for Gardeners Unfortunately, some of our favourite flowers and shrubs are a real problem if allowed to spread out into the bush or into farmland. Here are some simple tips to prevent that happening: • Try not to plant them in the first place! When designing or choosing plants for your garden, find out which are the local troublemakers and don’t be tempted to plant them, remember it’s a short step from ‘hardy’ to ‘invasive’. Where practical, plant indigenous plants.

•

Prevent your plants escaping and spreading. That could mean; Remove seed tops or fruit so birds can’t spread them ( Agapanthus, English Ivy) Keep creeping plants contained in a separate bed, with effective barriers (Couch grass) Don’t take your weed green waste to the tip, or dump it somewhere in the countryside.

•

Use heavy mulching to deter weeds invading, spreading and thriving in your garden

Tips for Land managers • • • • • • •

When purchasing a property, talk to the neighbours about what the local weeds are and find out local practices to manage them.

Have a pest management plan for your property and apply integrated weed management techniques - i.e. use a variety of methods of control and removal.

Apply good hygiene, clean down machinery, have a wash down near the farm gate for contractor machinery and service vehicles.

Get a vendor declaration of weed status prior to purchasing fodder hay, seed, etc Hold stock which may be infected with seed in a single location until they have been shorn or weed seeds have gone through their digestive system.

Factor weed management into your drought control and prescribed fire plans.

Keep alert to new and emerging species

Did you know?

•

Invasive plants and animals and habitat loss pose the biggest threat to biodiversity in our environment

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It is estimated that the annual cost of invasive plants to Australian agriculture is $4 billion through yield losses and product contamination.

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Volunteers all over Victoria help out as ‘Weed Spotters’. These people help to identify any infestation of State Prohibited weeds into Victoria.

Resources Weed Detection and Control on Small Farms Brian Sindel & Michael Coleman - available free from the Landcare office or online at www.ruralfutures.edu.au Environmental Weeds of the Colac Otway Shire – available from the Landcare Office or Shire.

Top 20 weeds in the Surf Coast Shire - download pamphlets from their website (address on previous page) or hard copies at the Landcare office.

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Weed Control Calendar – available at Landcare Office. www.weeds.gov.au www.depi.vic.gov.au

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Media release November 18, 2013 REF: 085/13

Water efficiency grants available Barwon Water is inviting Colac agricultural customers to take part in its water efficiency rebate program.

Grants are available to agricultural customers connected to Barwon Water’s mains supply system for projects that demonstrate permanent drinking water savings.

The corporation may contribute up to 50 per cent of the total cost of approved projects.

Eligible projects may include substituting drinking water with alternatives such as recycled water, groundwater or stormwater or upgrading existing systems.

Barwon Water General Manager Strategy and Planning Carl Bicknell said the corporation’s specialist agricultural water advisor would work with customers to develop suitable proposals.

“Colac uses about 3,300 million litres of drinking water each year. About one third is used by farms connected to the mains supply network,” Mr Bicknell said.

“Through this program we can help farmers make permanent, cost-effective drinking water savings that benefit them while also helping improve Colac’s water security,” he said.

Irrewarra dairy-farmers Lionel and Carol Clayton received a water efficiency grant for a recycling project earlier this year.

The Claytons milk 200 cows on a farm six kilometres from Colac. Like many of their neighbours, they rely heavily on water from the Colac mains supply as a key source of drinking water for stock and dairy hygiene.

The recycling project involved treating effluent from the dairy for re-use in the yard instead of drinking water.

Two ponds capture effluent solids and water from the yard and dairy shed, as well as rainwater.

An anaerobic process is used to treat the water before it is used for yard wash down. It then drains back into the ponds to be recycled again.

“I use about 8 million litres of water from the mains supply each year, so I was keen to do something to reduce my water bill,” Mr Clayton said.

“I spoke to Barwon Water and they helped me develop a water recycling project that saves almost half the water I was taking from the mains.

“I wish we had done this 25 years ago. Aside from saving drinking water, we have reduced our wash-time to less than 15 minutes after each milking, which is a real bonus,” he said.

For more information about Barwon Water’s grants program, contact Agricultural Water Advisor Tom Macdonald on 1300 656 007 or email info@barwonwater.vic.gov.au.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Landcare Network Activities River Health 4.3 kilometres of high priority waterway frontage were fenced and re-vegetated this spring in partnership with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority River Health team. The waterway on one property was fenced 20 metres out from the top of the creek bank on both sides and re-vegetated entirely with indigenous seedlings. The waterway through another property was also fenced at 20 metres each side with the first 10 metres planted with indigenous seedlings and the balance planted to Sugar gums. Planning is underway to plant approximately 18,000 seedlings next spring through the River Health program. In addition around 5 kilometres of fence and 16,000 seedlings will be supported through a federal Community Environment Grant.

On Farm GOSIP The On Farm GOSIP (Garden Organics Soil Improvement Project) is nearing completion. The UBLN has been providing project management to the Barwon Regional Waste Management Group for this trial. Thirteen farms within the Barwon region were provided with garden organics from green wheelie bin 'waste' for on farm processing into a soil improver for agricultural use.

2155 tonnes of household garden organics were delivered for processing on these farms. Rather than using traditional aerobic composting, a fermentation process was used where the feedstock was inoculated with bacteria & fungi before being covered with tarps. Screening of the compost is now almost complete to remove contaminants and oversize material. There was a lengthy delay in completing screening due to wet ground conditions and sourcing suitable equipment. Filming for a video case study of the project has been conducted at the Point Henry Transfer Station and at two of the participating farms.

Main issues arising during the project were: Contamination of the feedstock with domestic rubbish. This needs to be kept out at source or removed prior to delivery to farms Problems with covering the heaps. There were problems with tarp size and securing them in the early phase of the project which led to slow processing due to poor moisture control in the heaps. The tarps are heavy to handle and present OHS issues. Also they are expensive and have limited life particularly where they rubbed on some of the large woody material in the heaps. Methods used to hold the tarps included: tyres, soil, sleepers and water filled 100mm lay-flat hose. All methods involved a fair amount of labour Inconsistency in the feedstock due to seasonal variability and moisture content. The first deliveries, during summer contained a high percentage of dry, woody material that was difficult to wet properly leading to slow processing. A large amount of water was needed to be added. Spring delivered material consisted of a greater proportion of grass clippings and wetter material and processed much better. During the trail soaker hosed were added to the top of the heaps to allow for easier addition of water and better control of moisture levels.

Large woody material in the feedstock. This was slow to breakdown or did not breakdown, made the material difficult to handle and damaged the tarps. The feedstock needs to be ground or shredded.

Wet weather resulted in delayed and less delivery of organics than planned. This also adversely effected turning and screening the compost.

Logistics – distances of the trial farms from Point Henry transfer station resulted in high transport costs. These costs were borne by the project 16

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Screening - difficulty in finding appropriate and low cost equipment to screen the relatively small amounts of material at the end of the composting process on 13 farms spread across the Barwon region. Initially a MISU (Mobile Integrated Screening Unit) fitted to a large excavator was used but this did not remove all of the plastic. Some heaps were re-screened with a Flipscreen mounted on a skid steer loader but this very slow and expensive. Finally a rotating Trommel screen became available locally and this proved to be most effective and economical.

Some farmers felt the quantities of feedstock delivered need to be greater than the current EPA mandated limit to allow for economies of scale Other issues for farmers included - time involved in batching, covering & monitoring; amount of water required to wet the heaps properly; difficulty in handling the raw material with normal farm machinery; rubbish left on and pressed into the surrounding soil by machinery; lost benefit and value of the resultant compost due to the long duration of processing Farmers need to fully understand the implications of producing compost and adding it to their soil. The key question they need to answer is 'Am I adding compost to my soil to improve its organic matter levels or do I want it to replace or supplement nutrients that are currently added from other sources?'

- Neil McInnes

Visual Soil Assessment session with the Irrewarra Farmcare Group

Chilean Needle Grass Information session in partnership with SCIPN Landcare Network

Above; Butterfly garden activities at the Birregurra Festival. The Network also had a display on agricultural and environmental weeds.

Left; Murroon Landcare families at the Christmas Break up having fun with Bird ID activities as part of the Deepdene Wetlands project 17

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Birre Landcare Champions We conducted another round of the Landcare Champions Club in Birregurra in the last term of 2013. The children participated in a series of activities including Planting out a butterfly garden in the Birre Park with the Birre community group Preparing a display for the Birregurra festival on Butterfly attracting plants.

Potting up and planting out some bush food pigface plants,( didn’t taste that great!)

A bird watching excursion to the Bird sanctuary and walking track around Lake Colac.

The Network has been successful in obtaining funds to help development of a “ Birregurra Bush Garden’, which will also enable us to continue the clubs program at the school. The Birregurra Bush Garden will be a collaboration between the Birregura Primary school, Community group, Community Health Centre, the Upper Barwon Landcare Network and interested residents in the town. The site to be developed and planted out is on the school grounds adjacent to the Birre Park and will involve place for the school and community to learn about and enjoy nature, bush foods and our cultural heritage.

Systemic Inquiry Workshops The Network has been hosting this initiative by PhD candidate and long time Landcare coordinator Moragh MacKay. The purpose of the workshops is to bring together as wide a group of people as possible to try and improve the system of Natural Resource Management in the region. Participants include farmers, landcare members, community members, Shire councillors and staff, CCMA Staff and board members, Landcare coordinators, Government and Non Government agencies.

It’s never too late to learn...

Pictured right are the Upper Barwon Landcare executive members getting an IT crash course from our knowledgeable reGEN members, Hannah Stewart and Bec Readhead. You will be happy to learn we all managed to turn our computers on, and actually felt more confident in negotiating the ‘cloud’ after the session, thanks girls!

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Water Watch Results

DO pH Water Temp (°C) Condudtivity (EC) Turbidity (FTU) Soluble P (mg/L)

Pen nyr oyal Cre ek Wild woo d 100 %

Pen nyr oyal Cre ek Pen nyro yal Station Roa d 118 %

Pen nyr oyal Cre ek Dea ns Mar shBirregu rra Roa d 100 %

Pen nyr oyal Cre ek Rifle Butt s Roa d 102 %

Pen nyr oyal Cre ek Cap e Otway Roa d 118 %

Matthe ws Cre ek Dee pde ne Roa d 120 %

Wes t Barwon Riv er Sev en Brid ges Roa d 100 %

Barwon Riv er ColacDea ns Mar sh Roa d 100 %

Barwon Riv er Con ns Lan e 108 %

Barwon Riv er Win chel seaDea ns Mar sh Roa d 102 %

6.25

5.25

6.25

6.45

6.20

5.60

6.00

6.00

6.00

5.65

9.6

10.6

11.8

10.4

9.8

9.6

10.8

10.8

10.8

10.2

180

308

420

220

200

318

425

46.4 0.00 7

98.2 0.02 6

20.2 0.01 3

28.8 0.04 0

11.8 0.02 0

68.6 0.02 0

490 120.

4 0.02 6

260

38.6 0.00 7

588 148.

6 0.01 3

18.6 0.01 3

Mat the ws Cre ek Stu dbr ook 118 % 5.6 5 10.

4 288 98.

8 0.0 26

Bou nda ry Cre ek ColacForr est Roa d 106 %

Dew ings Cre ek Birregu rraBarwon Dow ns Roa d 120 %

Dea ns Mar sh Cre ek Win chel seaLorn e Roa d 116 %

4.75

6.25

5.95

10

10

10.8

388

200

380

12.6 0.00 7

30.2 0.04 6

38.6 0.02 6

- a big thankyou to Lily Randall for conducting our Water watch monitoring every month.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14

Photo Gallery

The Upper Barwon Landcare Network is proudly supported by; Colac Otway S H I R E

‘Naturally Progressive’

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk Spring /Summer 2013 ‐ 14