Upper barwon landcare network tree talk 2016

TREE TALK

water Activities in the Upper Barwon Landcare Network 2015 -2016 Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Contact Page Executive Contacts President Peter Greig ‐ 0427 110 023

Vice President Rod Stone ‐ 0439 067 636

Treasurer Bruce Bilney 0417 372 219

Secretary/ Public Officer Tony Hampton ‐ 0416 152 119

Board Members East Otway Landcare ‐ Tony Hampton Murroon Landcare ‐ Peter Greig Irrewarra Farmcare ‐ Bruce Bilney Otway Agroforestry Network ‐ David Curry Winchelsea Land & River Care ‐ Jim Lidgerwood, Rod Stone Wurdale Landcare ‐ Carol McGregor, Peter McGregor

Member Groups

Birregurra Landcare Group President Lach Gordon 0419 157 554 Secretary Claire Dennis 5236 2399 Treasurer Ian Fox Working Bee coordinator Janet Gordon

East Otway Landcare Group President Jennifer Morrow 5288 7144 Secretary Jill Stewart 5236 3206 Treasurer Peter Thomas ReGen group Hannah Stewart

Gerangamete & District Landcare Group President Rose Sgro 5233 4503 Secretary/Treasurer Kaz Standish 5236 6331

Irrewarra Farmcare Group President Kaylene Wood 0429 115 125 Secretary Bruce Bilney 0417 372 219 Treasurer Will Hanson

Murroon Landcare Group President Sarah Brien 0419 545 548 Secretary Mary Jane Gannon 5236 3333 Treasurer Vic Hope

Otway Agroforestry Network President Claire Dennis 5265 1241 Coordinator Andrew Stewart 5236 3277

Winchelsea Land & River Care Group President Jim Lidgerwood 5288 7294 Secretary Rod Stone 0439 067 636 Treasurer Pauline Pope

Wurdale Landcare Group President Carol McGregor 5288 7082 Vice President Klaus Fahnle Secretary Nikki Thompson 0422 392 409 Treasurer Sharon Wright

Staff

Facilitator Mandy Baker 0427 316 395 mandy@ubln.org.au

Administration Officer John Readhead admin@ubln.org

Waterways Officer Sarah Brien 0419 545 548 sarah@ubln.org.au

Like our Face book page!

Office 57 Main Street Birregurra 3242 ph 5236 2401 www.ubln.org.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 2015 ‐2016

Welcome to Tree Talk The Water Theme edition...

President’s Report

p 4 ‐ 5 Rapt in Raptors

p 6 ‐ 7

‘Water Theme’ articles

p 8 ‐ 11 Adapting to a Variable Climate Presentation report p 12 ‐ 13 Walking the Barwon River ‐ 3rd Leg

p 14 ‐ 15 Group activities and articles

p 16 ‐ 21 p 22 ‐ 23 LEAF project report

On ground activities

p 24

Outsmarting the Bunnies ‐ rabbit control project

p 25 Gorse Control

p 26 ‐27

Pictures Front cover; Water theme ‐ clockwise from top; dry dam near Winchelsea, garden plants getting a drink, unusual site spotted at the West Barwon Dam ( or have we had fun with photo shop?)

Back cover; pictures from the Barwon River Walk 2016 ‐ Alan Dow

Articles Unless credited otherwise, articles are by Mandy Baker ‐ editor

Corangamite CMA Waterways Frontage Protection Program 2015/16

I’m really excited to come on board with Landcare in the Waterways officer role. Working in partnership with the CMA we have 10 projects in the pipeline for the Upper Barwon area.

We have been busy with site visits, mapping up projects and working with the CMA to get the projects to the assessment stage.

Once the assessment process is done the Landcare network will continue to work in partnership with the CMA to manage the projects, CMA are still the overriding authority. The Landcare network provides the expertise to manage on ground works such as coordinating contractors and trees. Progress monitoring, technical and coordination support and final progress reporting are all done in partnership with the CMA. The funding received for Landcare’s involvement enables us to have an on ground presence in our local community.

A typical project would involve Landowner putting in an expression of interest to Landcare Landcare Network and CMA conducting site visits and assessments and assisting with the management plan.

Landcare, CMA and the landholder sign a 3 party agreement Landcare Network manages the on ground work such as coordinating contractors and tree plantings.

Landcare Network and CMA work together on progress monitoring and reporting.

Landcare Network and CMA work together to collate final information, mapping and reports to the CMA.

We expect the expressions of interest for the 2016/17 round of funding to open in August. If you have any waterways with woody weeds and you’re interested in fencing off and revegetating your waterway please get in touch at the office or email sarah@ubln.org.au for more information. ‐ Sarah Brien UBLN Waterways Officer 3

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

From the President - an edited version of the President Peter Greig’s Report tabled at the UBLN Annual General Meeting

Adversity, it's said, is when you find out who your real friends are. It's true, and heart‐warming, to record that our friends have rallied around in our time of need, and together, we will stay strong. Landcare was created on that spirit of partnership, and our situation speaks of the social capital that's accumulated over many years.

I'm referring, of course, to the network's lack of State facilitator funding, a past mistake now confirmed, rather than corrected, as might have been expected. Though naturally disappointed, your executive has shrugged it off as one of life's misfortunes, and ‐ like the redoubtable farmers in our district ‐ have responded to the challenge, rather than wallowing in bitterness and recriminations.

To our friends, we say a heartfelt thanks. Particularly to Barwon Water for its trust and on‐going support.

To the Norman Wettenhall Foundation, for its recognition that a little help in the right place and time can generate large returns later on. To the CCMA, generally, and for its staff and specific programs, for rallying behind us in our years of need. To the urban based Turramurra Folk Club who have again contributed time and money into re‐vegetation projects, first with Richard Gilbert at Wildwood, their home while away, and now beyond in Murroon.

As heart‐warming as these has been the help of our sister networks, who expressed a wish to help UBLN, being the only network to lack State facilitator funding. Thanks are due particularly to neighbours Surf Coast and Inland Plains Network (SCIPN), Geelong Landcare Network (GLN ) and Southern Otways Landcare Network (SOLN) , with whom practical partnerships have allowed Mandy to keep doing what she does so well. Please read the reports in this edition of Tree Talk to see what I mean.

Highlights from the last 12 months.

• WALK THE BARWON has completed the third leg in GLN's district, but assisted by UBLN ‐ particularly Jennifer Morrow, Jill Stewart, and Lachie and Janet Gordon . The walk has become an institution, attracting over 60 walkers, and many landowners. This year, the presence of Waddawurrung elder Uncle Bryon Powell added an illuminating perspective on the river's indigenous history. This project is doing wonders for social capital in the region.

• NEW LANDCARE GROUP: Birregurra has long been a centre of civic action, but its formal re‐direction into Landcare is notable, and welcome. It's probably not inconsequential that Birregurra is also UBLN's headquarters, but credit is due to Janet and Lach Gordon, and Claire Dennis.

• FARM TALK is a compilation (in Tree Talk format) by Mandy of knowledge‐sharing about new farming techniques among farmers, landcarers, and technical specialists. The publication was well‐received well beyond UBLN's boundary.

• BIRD SURVEY. With thanks to the Norman Wettenhall Foundation for funding and Geelong Field Naturalist members for support, many locals are now honing their bird recognition skills, and recording observations that collectively add up to a continuous record of how our natural assets are faring.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

•

CLIMATE CHANGE. Though still a controversial topic, plenty of local farmers are observing and adapting as always to unusual variations in the weather. These things became apparent at a woolshed presentation at ‘Barwonleigh’ by Christin Meyer, supported by David Kininmonth of Mt Hesse station, and UBLN.

•

SYSTEMIC INQUIRY. Insidious decay in partnerships between government and landcare have been talked about regionally in the past. The system can be improved, we said. Now the talks have moved to Melbourne, where the government's walls are high and thick. We keep persevering, because as popular ( and hence government) support for natural assets and Landcare fades, partnerships become more important ‐ as we have seen directly. No‐one, not even (or perhaps especially) government, can do Landcare on their own.

Next year

Apart from maintaining attention to our partnerships, and particularly with our constituent groups and communities, we still hope to make some progress on cypress die‐back. We were unable to make much progress this year, but the problem persists and keeps spreading.

We do have a plan ‐ a bold one ‐ which might involve many people well beyond UBLN's boundary. But, like the march of a thousand miles, it begins with one step.

Acknowledgements

In addition to those already singled out, may I thank the Executive, Bruce Bilney ( Treasurer), Tony Hampton ( secretary), Rod Stone (Vice President), David Curry, Jim Lidgerwood, Carol McGregor and Peter McGregor. At this time too, our hearts go out to Rod Stone, whose wife Lorraine passed away in May. We thank him for doing so much for the network while being so pre‐occupied at home.

Finally, our sincere admiration and thanks go to our indispensable facilitators, Mandy Baker , John Readhead, and lately, Sarah Brien, (who is also President of Murroon Landcare Group). Without them, our network would be lost.

‐ Peter Greig

AGM 2016 ‐ Birregurra Golf Club 13th May

Over 60 Landcare members and friends attended the UBLN Annual General Meeting at the Birregurra Golf Club in May this year.

A walk around the heritage trail, hosted by the Birregurra Landcare Group, started the night. They showed all the great work the group has put in recently to rehabilitate and beautify this part of the town. A delicious meal was provided by the Sorella girls, then we all sat back to listen to Martin Scuffins and his talk on raptors. (Report on next page). He had the crowd spellbound with his bird facts and stories, and an audible sigh of delight and wonder was heard when he brought out a Nankeen Kestrel. It was a highlight of the night, and beautiful to see the relationship between bird and man (apparently the kestrel thinks Martin is her husband and is actually jealous of his wife!)

Many thanks are due for the success of the night, not least to the Birregurra Group, who we welcome as a ‘brand new’ landcare group in the Network.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

RAPT IN RAPTORS

You’ve seen and loved pups and dogs playing fetch; how about seeing a free‐flying bird do much the same? With the same mutual affection between bird and master? Well, that’s what a crowd of some 60 people saw at the Birregurra Golf Club at the Upper Barwon Landcare Network’s annual dinner.

Raptors

Martin Scuffins has spent most of his 46 years studying and helping birds of prey – or “raptors” – a term covering eagles; hawks; kites; goshawks; sparrowhawks; and falcons. Among the fascinating insights to emerge from his talk, including videos: • Falcons can achieve speeds measured at over 350 km/hr (their nostrils have baffles to enable breathing at such speeds) • Wedge‐tail eagles have the longest wing‐span in the world (but they’re not the heaviest of all eagles) • Raptors are unusual among birds in that females outweigh males by at least one‐third and up to twice • They are exceptional hunters because: ο Their eye‐sight is up to four times quicker; three times longer than humans’ (our eyes would be orange‐sized to match theirs) ο Their talons lock onto prey with a ratchet mechanism like a cable‐tie ο So useful were they as hunting agents that until gunpowder was invented, they were protected by laws: Stealing, poaching or damaging a falcon was punishable by death, jail, or having one eye poked out with a sharp object.

Protection

Martin now spends his time rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds of prey, and spreading the message about why and how they can survive the ravages of human expansion, which destroys bird habitat, and increases injuries. We can all help with this: • By protecting and restoring habitat in our homes, on our farms, and on public land.

• By removing barbed wire, which slices raptor wings • By slowing down on roads (raptors load up on road‐kill, seriously weighing them down on take‐off) • By respecting the law which gives them protection.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitating injured birds, however, is not for everyone. You need a licence, and lots of skill: 6

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

• Damaged wings can be repaired by “imping” – or grafting – spare feathers, using splicing and super‐glue.

• Rehabilitated raptors must be “hacked” (brought to full fitness) before being released to the wild, or they’ll be unable to compete • Fitness requires free‐flying, not in an aviary, and that requires a lot a skill and experience (as Martin’s videos showed) • Wedgies are really hard to hack, because they lose fitness quickly, and their territory is speedily occupied by competitors Sadly, when hacking fails, euthanasia is the only humane alternative.

Education

Martin has concluded that despite the joy and satisfaction of successful rehabilitation, prevention is far better than cure. So he devotes much of his time to educating school children and adults on ways to avoid loss of habitat, and directly injurious activities.

In that, there is a common theme with Landcare. It’s one thing to try your hardest to correct the damage caused by others (usually unknowingly, in earlier times). And it’s quite another to bring others to an understanding that avoids such damage in the first place. We call it “capacity‐building”, and it’s a critical yet largely over‐looked dimension to Landcare.

‐ Peter Greig Further Contact

Leigh Valley Hawk and Owl Sanctuary Martin Scuffins 04 2741 4623 www.hawkandowl.com.au

BIRRE BIRDS If you have walked past the Landcare Office in the last 12 months, you would have seen one of the fantastic photos and factsheets in the office window which are regularly produced by local bird enthusiast Trish Stephens.

Trish, along with many others, including quite a number of Birregurra residents, is participating in our Bird Monitoring Project ( more in LEAF report on page 23).

Birds are a source of interest and delight to a broad range of people from farms and towns alike, and the project has brought in a wider group of people to Landcare, including partnership with the Geelong Field Naturalists.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Understand and monitor your farm water supply this year

Heather Field, Land Management Extension Officer Agriculture Victoria, DEDJTR, Ballarat Phone: 03 5336 6607, Email heather.field@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Rainfall figures for Victoria can vary from year to year and in the drier parts of the State there has been no significant runoff for the past two years. Farm water storages need to be designed to cope with several years of little to no run‐off and landholders should understand their water requirements and monitor on farm water storages throughout the year.

Calculating the total water available and the total water required by stock is important to help you plan for and manage current or future water shortages. Landholders need to make decisions early by assessing water levels in their dams and putting plans in place to ensure stock can be maintained in a fit and healthy condition.

The Agriculture Victoria Website www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/farmwater provides an online Farm Water Calculator that can help farmers work out how much water is used on the property and how long the water will last.

Landholders wanting to do a farm water budget need to list all the dams by paddock A strategically located large dam can be a valuable investment and calculate the water available in each dam. allowing a wider range of management options during periods of low The total water available on the property is rainfall and runoff. ( photo; Agriculture Victoria) then compared with the total water required by stock. The online water calculator allows for different classes of stock and the amount they will drink. For example lactating ewes on dry feed in summer require up to 14 litres/day, mature sheep on dry pasture up to 10 litres/day and beef cattle up to 100 litres/day.

Evaporation from farm dams can result in significant water losses. The total annual evaporative loss from a three metre deep dam could be up to 50 per cent of the dam’s total storage volume.

Water quality should be monitored, particularly if levels are low and/or there is potential for pollutants such as manure and soil to enter water sources. Dry conditions can lead to water quality issues such as high levels of salt. Young sheep have difficulty thriving on water supplies with higher than 5,000 parts per million (ppm) salt while adult stock handle up to 10,000 ppm. Evaporation increases the salt concentration while a flush of water dilutes the amount of salt but may increase sediment, fertilisers and manure or nutrient runoff. Monitoring should be done regularly and more frequently in summer or in periods of prolonged moisture stress.

Algae and animal manure can also foul water following heavy summer rains. During periods of low rainfall, when pasture cover falls to critical levels, wind‐borne dung and other organic materials may blow into dams.

Rain‐storms can also wash such materials into dams. Once in the water, the organic materials provide ideal food for bacteria and algae. These organisms grow rapidly using up all free oxygen in the water (i.e. it becomes anaerobic) and putrefaction results. Symptoms are dark water, a bad smell and black scum around the edge.

Stock find the water unpalatable. Thick scum around the water’s edge may also prevent stock having access to the water. Evidence suggests that it is not poisonous to healthy sheep, but it may be harmful to young or weak 8

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

sheep. One class of algae, blue green algae (cyanobacteria) do produce toxins that can kill stock and if this occurs, stock need to be kept away from affected dams.

To use the online farm water calculator visit the Agriculture Victoria website www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/ watercalculator or contact Heather Field on (03) 5336 6607 for more information.

A ute guide to “Managing farm water supplies” is also available by contacting the Upper Barwon Landcare Network on 0427 316 395.

Impact of pH on the Farm

Like all properties in the district our farm, Yan Yan Gurt West, experienced an extraordinarily dry 2015 (440mm) with very little run ‐off for dam water. Being concerned about having sufficient water for livestock in our natural catchment dam system we decided to measure our farm‘s total water volume as the summer sun kept beating down. Our analysis showed that in February 2016, our dam levels were about 20 percent of capacity. Using information from the DEDJTR booklet “Managing Farm Water Supplies”, which was supplied during a Whole Farm Planning course earlier this year, we were able to estimate that there would be enough water for our prime lamb enterprise until August 2016, assuming no further run‐off . With low water levels we tested for salt content and pH by using calibrated UBLN meters. (available at the office for loan ‐ed.)

Dams in the southern and lower lying part of the farm varied from 360 to 590 EC units (micro siemens/cm) and in the rising northern section there was a variation from 770 to 1090 EC units. To convert 1090 EC units to parts per million (ppm) multiply by 0.64 (1090 EC x 0.64 = 698 ppm).

About 10,000 EC units (6400 ppm) is the upper limit for ewes with lambs, dairy cows and horses. Thus, from our dam water supplies, salting was not going to be an issue for stock health at the time of measuring. We also measured a large pool of water under the small Yan Yan Gurt creek bridge at the intersection of Fulton’s Lane and the Winchelsea‐Deans Marsh Rd; the reading was 4,100 EC units being much higher than the dams, but this water source lies in a classic saline discharge area.

During the Whole Farm Planning course our coordinator, Nerissa Lovric, provided some interesting information about the impact of pH on livestock.

The pH of water for domestic and stock use should be in the range 6.5 to 8.5.

• if the pH is highly acidic (less than 5.5), acidosis and reduced feed intake may occur.

• highly alkaline water (over 9) may cause digestive upsets and diarrhoea, lower feed conversion efficiency and reduce intake of water and feed.

(Ref. NSW Dpt. Primary Industries)

We tested pH levels in a number of troughs fed by dams through a gravity system, which revealed surprising results. For example, the Wildlife dam showed a reading at the trough tap entrance of pH 7.2, but in the trough the pH was 8.2. We noted there was much waterweed in the trough and that the trough had not been used by livestock for several weeks.

The reason for the variation in pH is due to photosynthesis by aquatic plants removing carbon dioxide from the water, which can significantly increase pH. Therefore, in waters with plant life (including planktonic algae), especially low‐velocity or still waters, an increase in pH can be expected during the growing season (Ref. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s RiverTrends Manual).

It is important to calibrate pH and salt meters before use, otherwise readings can be very inaccurate. Take several readings at one point and average the results.

To improve water quality we have been fencing dams off and revegetating with multi‐purpose trees, shrubs and sedges to help filter in‐coming water and to decrease evaporation. Birds and pollinators also like the rich habitat of fenced dams. Some of our dams are not entirely fenced but with stock access points made available and some of the trees are being managed for saw logs.

In such areas there is also an opportunity for bee hives and to grow bush foods such as river mint and mountain pepper. ‐ Andrew Stewart Coordinator Otway Agroforestry Network Pictured above‐ French agroforestry students, Lucie Leboufeiller and Nicolas Cardot, measuring pH and salt levels

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Watching Water Landcare volunteers and UBLN staff have been 'watching' water quality in the UBLN region from as early as 1995. The earliest local Waterwatch data entry I could find was for the Barwon River at Conns Lane, on 27th of Feb that year.

For more than 20 years, the Victorian Waterwatch Program has involved thousands of volunteers across the State who devote countless hours monitoring their local creeks, wetlands, groundwater, rivers and estuaries, and communicating the data that they collect. This process has connected local communities with river and wetland health and sustainable water management issues. The monitoring data informs decisions and management actions including, algal bloom management, acid sulphate soil impacts on water condition, works on waterways, environmental water management, extreme flood events and artificial estuary entrance openings.

Figures published in the Victorian Waterway Management strategy 2013 (pg6) show that across Victoria 12% of total river length assessed was in excellent condition, 11% in good condition, 43% in moderate condition, 19% in poor condition, 13% in very poor condition and 2% had insufficient data. Unfortunately our Barwon basin had 10% or less of the length of rivers with good or excellent condition. Obviously there is still much work to be done. See http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0004/200587/VWMS‐Summary_FINAL_WEB‐ready.pdf The number of data collection sites visited by our volunteers within the Upper Barwon catchment grew quickly from 2004 and now numbers 13 sites in total. These are in addition to those sites within the region monitored by agencies such as Barwon Water and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. As at the end of May 2016, the total number of monthly site visits by the UBLN volunteers and staff was 1463 !

The sites currently monitored monthly by UBLN volunteers are; Barwon River at Colac Murroon Rd, Conns Lane, and Deans Marsh ‐ Winchelsea Rd Bridge (3 sites) Boundary Creek at Yeodene, Deans Marsh Creek at Deans Marsh, Dewings Creek at Cape Otway Rd Pennyroyal Creek at Wildwood, Pennyroyal Station Rd, Birregurra ‐ Deans Marsh Rd, Rifle Butts Rd and Cape Otway Rd (5 sites) Matthews Creek at Deepdene, and West Barwon River at Seven Bridges Rd. Parameters measured include dissolved oxygen content, temperature, electrical conductivity or salinity, pH, phosphorus levels and turbidity. These are all indicators for a healthy waterway. The table below gives an indication of how the parameters relate to waterway condition.

Parameter

Measurement

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

% Saturation

81 - 110

71 - 80

51 - 70

41 - 50

pH

pH units

6.5.- 7.5

6.0 - 6.4 or 7.6 - 8.0

5.5 - 5.9 or 8.1 - 8.5

5.0 - 54. or 8.6 - 9.0

< 5 or > 9

Reactive Phosphorus

mg P/l

< 0.01

0.011 - 0.025

0.026 - 0.05

0.051 - 0.1

> 0.1

EC units

0 - 400

401 -800

801 - 2,000

2,001 - 5,000

>5,000

NTU

< 10

10 20

20 - 30

30 - 50

> 50

Dissolved Oxygen

Electrical Conductivity or Salinity Turbidity

Degraded < 40

> 110

Water quality data collected by the UBLN volunteers is entered into a freely available database, the Waterwatch Data Management System (WDMS). The online database is easy to use and has a number of different functions such as being able to develop data reports for particular sites. You can access the WDMS by visiting www.vic.waterwatch.org.au A special thank you to our current volunteers, Nikki Thompson and Nicholas Brown and our recently retired volunteer Lily Randall. If you would like to join the team please contact Mandy or John at the UBLN office. ‐ John Readhead 10

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Water requirements for livestock

Do you give much thought to the water your livestock are drinking, or just make sure they have water? When cattle in particular are provided with high quality water, they will drink more, eat more and ultimately gain weight more quickly. Poor water quality can lead to animal health problems, or particularly with nutrient runoff, increase the likelihood of algal blooms and increased risk of stock consuming faecal matter.

So it’s worth ensuring that water for livestock is of high quality.

Restricting access into water sources such as creeks, rivers or dams not only helps to maintain good quality water and look after the condition of your animals, it also preserves the environmental features of a dam or water course.

Piping water from the source into storage, such as a trough, and transporting water around your property through a reticulated set up can also increase the flexibility of the grazing system and improve production. Once a watering system is in place you have more flexibility to match your grazing system with drinking needs according to the season and the amount of feed being provided. Examples of this can be found in cell grazing enterprises or when isolating livestock into a sacrifice paddock through dry periods. This way there is more choice of which paddock is allocated, rather than being dependent on ‘the paddock with water in summer’.

In addition, pasture use can be greatly improved in larger paddocks when livestock do not need to travel far for water. A trial by Landefield & Bettinger (2002) showed that pasture carrying capacity could increase by as much as 14% as a result of keeping cattle within 250 metres of their water access point.

Other research (Williams et al, 2002) reported that yearling heifers with access to clean water gained 23% more weight than heifers with access to dam water only. This research also found that when dam water was pumped to a trough, it was preferred over dam water, even though it was the same water. This suggests that cattle might generally prefer to drink from a trough and avoid entering a dam. This not only may be for avoiding dirty water but also being wary about risk of getting stuck. Horses in particular generally do not like to risk entering a muddy water’s edge at the risk of the ground giving way beneath them and usually prefer to drink from troughs.

Stock type Consumption Per

head per day (L) Water Amounts For Sheep and Cattle and horses Daily intake of water by livestock can vary considerably depending on the type of stock, their production status, age and condition, hay intake, quality of feed, local climate conditions, and the quality of water they drink.

Table 1. ‐ Notes ( table adapted from NSW DPI Fact Sheet )Figures quoted for consumption have a wide range; when planning water supply requirements allow for evaporation losses and potential consumption by other animals.

I hope the above article provides the opportunity to consider what your animals are drinking and the water source your provide for them. The investment of fencing dams and creeks and providing troughs is very worthwhile. Some may say that the cost of fencing, time and skills required prevents them from changing their water provision in paddocks. In fact, there are often grants to assist with fencing off waterways and providing alternative water sources for livestock, so ask your Landcare coordinator about it!

‐ Carol McGregor

SHEEP Sheep ‐ Weaners Adult dry sheep Ewes with lambs CATTLE

Lactating cows Young stock Dry stock (400 kg)

References Landefield, M. and Bettinger, J. (2002) Water Effects on Livestock Perform‐ ance. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University http:// ohioonline.osu.edu Williams, WD., Kenzie, OR., McAllister, TA., Colwell, D., Veira, D., Wilmhurst, JF., Entz, T., and Olson, ME. (2002) Effects of water quality on cattle performance. Journal of Range Management. 55:452‐ 460.

Department of Primary Industries Prime Fact Sheet (2002) Water Requirements for Sheep and Cattle. New South Wales.

HORSES Lactating mares Young horses Horses

Table 1

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

2 ‐ 4 2 ‐ 6 4 ‐ 10

40 ‐100 25 ‐ 50 35 ‐ 80

20 ‐ 40 20 ‐40 40 ‐50

Adapting to Changes in Climate.

In March this year, in partnership with Surf Coast and Inland Plains and Geelong Landcare Networks, we hosted a Climate Adaption Presentation, held at ‘Barwonleigh’, Inverleigh.

The Presentation was given by Christin Meyer, a researcher from Germany, sponsored by Mt Hesse station, managed by David Kininmonth, and owned since 2002 by a German family‐owned company specializing in textiles, with a mission to create a model farm that is profitable, and socially and ecologically sustainable.

Over 50 people attended the session which had two parts;

• A summary of feedback on a number of climate topics collected from farmer interviews. Outlining what changes farmers had noticed and what they were doing about them.

• Analysis of each topic and expert advice on ’best practice adaptation’

Farmer observations included; • More summer rain; • Less winter/spring rain; • Later autumn break; • Shorter and earlier growing season; • More heat waves; and • Less run‐off.

Typically, those same farmers have adapted to these changes by: • Making hay earlier; • Using feedlots more; • Sowing more perennial pasture; • Connecting to domestic water supply • Renovating dams; • Minimizing tillage (to conserve soil moisture); • Maintaining more ground‐cover; • Lambing in spring, rather than autumn; and • Sowing crops before the autumn break.

Results of the workshop

Feedback from participants at the session identified WATER and PASTURES as two main areas of concern. The Network plans to run sessions/field days on both these topics in the near future.

Photos;

Above ‐ discussions on the night

Right ‐ Christin Meyer and Graham Anderson ( from Agriculture Victoria)

Excerpts from Christin’s presentation on some of the climate topics follow.

For a pdf version of the full report, please email mandy@ubln.org.au and we will send you a copy.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Climate Analysis

Temperature: •Trend of increasing high pressure systems due to warming oceans •Upward trend: Increase of about 1 degree since 1910 •Main increase in spring temperature •Increase in the variation of temperature extremes

Changes in seasonality: •Shorter springs •Longer summer •Later autumns

Water Management

Impacts: •Higher temperature & more evaporation: Water shortages during summer and autumn & less runoff

Key adaptation challenge:

•Water Infrastructure & improve water use efficiency: avoid leakages, maybe domestic water grid as backup/ desalination plant

Problem: Table from Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, 2015 •Lack of understanding water cycle in SW‐Victoria, dropping groundwater, tapping ancient groundwaters

•Storing capacity: Instead of several shallow dams, better 1 or 2 bigger and deeper dam to avoid high evapotranspiration

Adaptation: ‐ Secure reliable water supply/reticulation and buffer for 2 or 3 years rather than just for 1 year

Drought Management

Impacts: •Business risk & Economic impact: E.g. extra costs

Adaptation: •Good risk management includes to plan for droughts

•Go through budgets, work out expectation costs for feeding Have funds for the worst case of a drought

•Protect resources: Not less than 80% ground cover, avoid wind and soil erosion & feedlots to avoid overgrazing

•Diversifying risk: e.g. both livestock and cropping. livestock more resilient to drought conditions, income during drier times as well when cropping failed.

Support for Landcare to be part of this research project was provided by Regional Landcare Facilitator Funding 13

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

WALK THE BARWON FIRST THREE LEGS, TO BARRABOOL

It starts not far from Victoria’s wettest place, where the annual rainfall is over two metres (or used to be!). And it ends at Barwon Heads, made famous in the Seachange TV series. But what’s the Barwon River like in between?

Well, more than you might think, as a growing group of walkers are discovering. Inspired by Jennifer Morrow of Bambra, assisted by teams of Landcare helpers, and enabled by scores of agreeable landowners, the group has so far walked the river from its source in the Otway Ranges above Barramunga, as far as the Barrabool hills, in three stages over three years.

On the way they have seen: • Land‐cover change from tall wet ash forests, to dry foothill forests, into cleared farming land, and thence to grassy woodlands • Geology change from steep Otway slates and sandstones, into wide floodplain, and then into volcanic basalt, and last into limestone hills at Barrabool • The river itself evolve from babbling book ‐ at one point turned into a natural lake by landslip ‐ to wide, slow maturity, after the Leigh adds its flows.

• Farming change from dairying, to beef cattle, and sheep grazing and cropping • Farms cleansed of weed infestations, and once‐cleared farms revegetated with new trees and shrubs, and • Farms that have suffered extremes of drought and flood, one so big it left cows stranded high in trees.

Not least enlightening has been the re‐tracing of history: from the traditional owners (the Waddawurrung people); the early colonists (including the amazing story of William Buckley), squatters and settlers (including Swiss as well as British); the later settlers who cleared the uplands; and now the tree‐changers.

Overall, the outcome has been much more than a lesson in natural history and geography; the walk has fostered bonds between walkers themselves, and their hosts the farm owners, and with the history of the first peoples; all of which taken together has to be good for Landcare. After all, Landcare is about people and places where they live and work, and finding a lasting unity between them. So in essence, this is a story about capacity‐ building. And there’s more to come.

The 2016 Walk ‐ Inverleigh to Barrabool Hills

This leg of the walk engaged 61 walkers, travelling a total of 33 km, and crossing 19 properties, and innumerable fences. Over the four days, 73 species of birds were sighted, and plenty of native flora and flora were recorded. But most of all, we heard from people who knew much more about this river than we did.

Walk launch ‐ the confluence of the Barwon and Leigh Rivers Uncle Bryon Powell welcomed everyone warmly with a smoking ceremony, aromatically supplied by native‐cherry foliage (also called “cherry ballart”). The ceremony is a symbolic reminder that we are all part of the land and not above it, and we need each other. Negative and destructive thoughts are dispelled by the smoke, as we reflect that the native cherry cannot exist alone, but lives symbiotically with other plants in mutual co‐dependence. Equally, we need each other and nature to survive – long‐term.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

From Barwonleigh to ‘The Hermitage” On the north side of the river, past Barwonleigh gorge, we saw the remains of Dr Hope’s bluestone flour mill and water flume. But what stands out from here on is just how much bigger the river is compared with the Upper Barwon, with the Leigh’s added flows. The former supplies most of Geelong’s water, the latter just a few riverside properties.

From here on, you can’t cross the river by foot (except in a few rocky barriers).

At the Hermitage On a very hot day, we arrived at The Hermitage in good time, thanks to some urging by Lachie Gordon, who had been anxious about walkers dehydrating in the heat. No doubt just to re‐hydrate, half the company shed modesty and outer clothes alike, slithering and splashing into cool deep water shaded by red gums, bounded by a green grassy bank, where us prim others watched with a mix of envy and admiration.

(An image from the first civilization came to mind: who wouldn’t want to camp here?)

Day Three ‐ Belvedere to Pollocksford Bridge Canoeing! Somehow we got the hang of it, and spent an hour with a stiff tail‐wind, scooting down‐stream, covering more ground in a straight line (about 3.5km) than we had over the last day‐and‐a‐half, zig‐zagging on foot. That’s mostly because the river here straightens out, and except for a couple of rocky spots where portage was necessary, we found it all quite exhilarating and easy‐going. Though the banks slid past, we could see that they were flatter and more accessible to stock than in the previous, contorted section.

Partnership with Barrabool Hills Landcare Group.

The walk visited many properties this year belonging to members of the Barrabool Hills Landcare Group, who also provided leadership and logistical and financial support for this leg. Pictured are the walkers on ‘Belvedere’ ‐ owned by Kaye and Brent Rodden.

Next year, we will engage multiple partners as we travel through Geelong, Lake Connewarre and down to Barwon Heads.

Photo credits ‐ swimming in the river (above) ‐ Rod Hall all other pictures ‐ Alan Dow

This is an edited version of the full walk report by Peter Grieg which can be found on the UBLN face book page 15

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Birregurra Landcare Group formed

Over the past couple of years you may have noticed subtle changes around Birregurra’s park, creek, golf course and heritage walk.

The newly formed Birregurra Landcare Group (formerly Birregurra Landscape and Landcare) has been active with volunteers committing two‐three hours of work each week weeding, trimming, planting and mulching.

The park now incorporates a butterfly garden and a frog pond, as well as new plane trees linking the walk across the bridge between the east and west ends of the park.

The link extends into the Birregurra Primary School, with the children eagerly participating in planting sessions over the past two years. A Mother’s Day planting three years ago ‐ now a gentle copse of natives between the frogs and the butterflies – is a bird haven and a tribute to many local mums.

You will also notice plantings along the creek on both sides of the Main Street bridge. Despite the harshest of summers, the bulk of these plants have thrived, drawing birdlife, stabilising the creek banks and improving the water quality.

Generous donations of plants and cuttings from many locals have been used to transform the golf course bank from the Uniting Church to the Club house. What was once a weedy and unsightly mess is now a park‐like walk with ground covers, shrubs, flowers and fruit and nut trees, and a family of topiary ‘emus’.

At the top of the golf course near Bowden Street, the group has done extensive clearing, landscaping and planting, which is all ongoing.

The Heritage Walk has been redesigned with new interpretive signage and plantings along the walk.

Along Main Street, Ron Eichler has installed hanging bags of geraniums that add splashes of colour to our town.

We are also delighted with the work of tree surgeon, Wayne Knight, who pruned our lovely old stone pines near the kindergarten. It took a lot of lobbying over a number of years but the trees now look loved and cared for and spectacular when you drive in from the west.

We are currently in consultation with Colac Otway Shire to improve the Main Street plantings, especially the plane trees on the south side of the street. We are hoping to increase infiltration of water and nutrients to the roots of these trees and are asking council to assist with this.

So far our activities have focused very much on the town in an effort to enhance what we have ‐ and that will continue. But Birregurra has always been linked to the river and we hope to concentrate future efforts on keeping that link alive with attractive plantings and re‐establishing old walking tracks.

This will mean cleaning up the blackberry, ivy and other assorted weeds that colonise the banks of the Barwon, and clearing the mass of poplar suckers that choke the waterway and impede the growth of indigenous trees.

Some deciduous trees will be retained for their lovely autumn colour.

It is hoped that by planting many native trees and shrubs, the bird life will increase in variety and numbers as the plants establish and grow. We have already seen this in areas revegetated with grevilleas, hakeas, eucalypts, acacias, lamandra, kangaroo paw, etc.

There is a spot near the bridge where Water watch staff monitor salt levels and water quality so we will be able to follow the river’s progress back to health.

On May 13th, prior to the Upper Barwon Landcare Network AGM, Janet and Lach Gordon, Claire and James Dennis, Jane Dennis, Sue Walpole, Ian Court, and Lyn and Geoff Downard hosted a walk along the Heritage Trail to look at our work. We followed it through to the park to see the Butterfly Garden, Frog Pond and the creek.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

We pointed out to the interested visitors the proximity of the town to the river and the Bunting Dale Mission plaque at the Uniting Church.

We are always looking for new members. At present we meet on Tuesdays at 9.30am and would love to see new faces. We generally meet at different locations around town, so if you’d like to be added to the mailing list to receive notification of where we’ll be meeting from one week to the next, please email Claire Dennis at: cdennis09@gmail.com Anyone with an interest in Landcare is most welcome. ‐ Lach and Janet Gordon

Pictures‐ Previous page Top , Beautifying the streetscape in Birregurra, Bottom, Working bee on the Heritage Trail, This page, Group office bearers Ian Fox ( treasurer), Lach Gordon (president), Claire Dennis ( secretary)

Farm Talk

All landcare members received ‘Farm Talk’ (an Agriculture focussed version of ‘Tree Talk’) in November last year, which showcased a number of field days, on farm demonstrations and workshops that were delivered by the Network, many in partnership with others.

This publication was well received, and it is hoped that we can regularly produce a similar newsletter ( maybe annually) based on this theme.

Copies of Farm Talk are in the office, or an electronic version can be found at https://issuu.com/pennyroyalcreek/docs/farm_talk

Carp Catching Competition The Winchelsea Land & River Care Group ( formally Barwon Rivercare) have raised the profile of the group in Winchelsea by running a ‘Carp catching Competition” in town for local residents and families and keen fishermen. In partnership with the Men’s Shed the competition was held in November last year, with another planned later this year.

The group also hosted a Native Grassland Species event and a tour is planned for Spring.

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Turramurra Music Camp (Geelong Folk Club ) – this annual city/country connection, initiated by Richard and Pat Gilbert, was held in October last year. The group participated in a tree planting and nature walk in the Murroon area, ending up with a social get‐together with local landcare members at Gosling Creek Winery. Many thanks are due to the members of the club who pay towards the cost of the trees and volunteer their effort in planting and guarding them.

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Designing and managing your horse property On Tuesday 17th May I attended an evening at Marcus Oldham college for a presentation by Alayne Blickle. Alayne, from Idaho USA, is the creator and director of ‘Horses for Clean Water’, an environmental education program for horse owners.

The event gave tips on designing a ‘chore efficient’ property with managing weeds, mud, dust and your pasture with rotational grazing, containment areas and on‐farm composting of your manure. The aim is to have healthy horses and healthy land.

Alayne’s website has some great information for horse owners www.horsesforcleanwater.com This night was organised and funded through the Corangamite CMA Regional Landcare Facilitator program.

Horses for Landcare is a program developed by Corangamite Landcare facilitator Karen O’Keefe, a pilot program was run in the Woady Yaloak catchment area with great success.

The Horses through Landcare program looks at all aspects of managing horses on pasture including water, suitable plants for grazing, weed management, shelter, fencing and socialisation.

The information caters for all horse owners, from people keeping a horse on a small block on the edge of town through to large agistment properties and horse businesses.

Karen is hoping to expand this program across the Corangamite region, for more information or to register your clubs interest please contact Karen O’Keefe on (03) 5232 9132 or karen.okeefe@ccma.vic.gov.au - Sarah Brien

Integrated Pest Management for Horticulture.

In early May, the Network hosted a workshop with Paul Horne and Jessica Page of IPM Technologies. The focus of the workshop was geared more towards small farm practices ‐ horticulture, vegetables, vineyards etc . ‐ to complement the workshops delivered last year for broad‐acre farmers and cropping. Sixteen people attended the day, which was held at Blake’s Winery.

Topics included the basic principles of IPM, pest and beneficial insect information, and bug identification. (using magnifying glasses and bug samples.) This event was made possible by a Regional Landcare Facilitator Grant.

Above, Blake’s Winery vineyard, Below, Jessica Page demonstrating bug ID ‐photo from Karen O’Keefe

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Sub Soil Manuring ‐ is it working?

Can readily available organic products (compost, chicken litter) achieve long term structural improvements on difficult soils?

Many landholders in the region have experienced the challenges of heavy basalt soil. In summer and autumn it is too hard and dry, and in winter too sticky, wet and poorly drained ‐ with cracks you can lose a phone (or more!) down. This soil makes it difficult to establish pasture, allow plant roots to develop, and even to graze without excessive pugging.

Irrewarra farmer Bruce Bilney and soil and pasture extension officers from Agriculture Victoria, Corangamite CMA and Surf Coast inland Plains Landcare Network have established a trial to determine if locally available organic products, such as compost produced on‐farm from waste products, and chicken litter, can provide the long‐term chemical and structural changes to this type of soil to address these challenges, essentially extending the growing season these soils allow, and make living with them somewhat easier.

The trial involves paired paddocks, with compost and manure applied both to the surface, and also using the trial technique of “sub soil manuring”, where the products are “injected” into the heavy clay subsoil.

Since incorporating the compost in October last year, Bruce has already noticed improvements in the soil and in hay production. The lime and gypsum site yielded two bales of silage/ht, the subsoil composted site yielded four bales/ht, while the surface compost sites yielded approx ten bales/ht. These sites were also noticeably easier to work, were less waterlogged and had no cracks.

It will be interesting to see the longer‐term effects, and the trial will be monitored by Agriculture Victoria for another two years. A field day held in May, attended by Irrewarra and other interested farmers, included an analysis of the site by Agriculture Victoria Project Research Officer Renick Peries ( pictured) and inspection of a soil pit which had been dug on a couple of the trial plots.

Home Paddock Farming ‐ Nourishing Connections

Initiated by members from East Otway and Wurdale Landcare groups ‐ the concept of ‘Nourishing Connections’ is a bringing together of any landcare members, across the different groups, who share similar interests in home farm skills. This could include fruit tree pruning, vegetable gardening, organic or regenerative farms, hydroponics, poultry or pig keeping etc.

The East Otway Group ran the first ‘Nourishing Connections’ activity on Bee Keeping on a lovely winter night on 4th June at the Bambra Hall. We started the night with home‐brewed hot soup & home‐made bread (all locally sourced!),after which our resident bee expert Alfred Wittosch enchanted us with his passion and knowledge for bees. Alfred was very entertaining, enlightening us on the wonderful world of bees, their behaviour, how they set up their hives, what happens with the queen bee and the different roles the bees have in the hive. It’s a very complex society, which Alfred only touched on.

We were lucky enough to sample some of Alfred’s wonderful honey at the end of the night and enjoy some home‐cooked honey cakes.

A big thank you to Alfred for providing his time and expertise to a group of 40 enthusiastic people, also to Wendy Robinson‐Koss, Jennifer Morrow, Jo Zydbel, Judy Lumb & Jill Stewart for the yummy soup, bread & cakes.

Here’s looking forward to the next Nourishing Connections event!

‐Jill Stewart

Tasting Alfred’s honey ‐ photo Jill Stewart

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You can join the ‘Home Paddock Farming’ Group on Facebook and keep up to date on events and information

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Farm Tree and Landcare Association (1986)(FTLA) ‐ AGM 2016 On Monday 30 May I attended this historic and interesting AGM at the Melbourne Town Hall (Yarra Room)

The FTLA is one of two organisations in Victoria responsible for the various Landcare networks and groups plus related weed, wildlife, catchment, land management groups etc..The other organisation is the Victorian Landcare Council (VLC). Victoria was the birthplace of Landcare, nearly thirty years ago, and followed the pioneering work of John Fenton of Branxholme, and many others in the Hamilton district in the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s.Further developments funded by the Potter Foundation were largely in the Cavendish area (The Pot‐ ter Plan). The pre‐history of Landcare has been regrettably unrecognised. Landcare was formally established by Heather Mitchell (Victorian Farmers Federation) and Joan Kirner (Minister for Conservation Forests and Land) in 1986.

Over the last seven years the FTLA and VLC have been in merger discussions. At the 2016 AGM there was unanimous agreement from delegates that a merger should proceed and a new organisation, (possibly named Landcare Victoria), established. The model for the merged entity has a State Executive, a paid State Secretariat, an elected Committee of Management, and a Policy Advisory Council. FTLA currently has 606 member groups and conducts Landcare program reviews, Landcare web gateway, appears at Senate inquiries, has an advocacy role ,produces the magazine, helps with facilitator programs and organises Landcare insurance. Clearly the new body will have many advantages of scale when lobbying, purchasing and internal efficiencies.

The AGM featured guest speaker Paul Foreman from Central Biolinks Alliance. The Alliance is an overarching group taking in a massive part of central Victoria. Just some groups involved are Landcare Networks, Flinders and Melbourne Universities, Bush Heritage ,CMAs, Arthur Rylah Institute, City of Bendigo, Australian Conservation Foundation, National Parks, Birdlife Australia ,Wilderness Australia and DELWP. The Alliance aims are large‐scale environmental restoration, protection of threatened species, setting up reserves on private land, prevention of any further land clearing, schools program, broad community involvement, protection of old trees, old growth forest and native grasslands. This is an exciting organisation and Paul discussed several of their programs including protection of sugar gliders and Leadbeaters possum, (which research has shown have superior survival in old growth forest). Survival of the pygmy possum has benefitted by deliberate mixing of isolated populations to improve the gene pool. Several slides demonstrated decline of old trees, ’leaky systems’, that is ‐where landscapes that were once sponges are now sieves, and well‐intentioned but mistaken rehabilitation, (planting trees on original native grasslands). Paul also spoke of the Great Eastern Ranges Partnership set up to prevent decline of native species and improve connectivity of landscapes for the entire length of the Great Dividing Range.

The day also featured a forum on global megatrends, (farm size, climate change, population growth, urban spread) and what threats and opportunities this means for the next thirty years of landcare. Michael Reid, National Rabbit facilitator then discussed The Rabbit Action Network and the current status of Calicivirus strains K5 and V2.

Here’s hoping next years AGM we will be one big happy family….

‐ Lach Gordon Birregurra Landcare

The Central Biolinks Alliance was formed in March 2016, and currently comprises 12 member landcare networks, conservation management networks and environment groups. It extends from the Grampians across to the Australian Alps and from the Dividing Ranges to the Murray River.

More about the Alliance can be found at www.centralvicbiolinks.org.au 20

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Hidden Treasures – The Brolga

Did you know that only a few minutes drive from Winchelsea in the wetlands east of Lake Murdeduke, the Gellibrand lakes and Kelly’s swamp, we have a population of the beautiful bird the brolga?

These large long necked cranes can stand up to 1.8 metres high. An adult bird can have a wingspan of between 1.7 and 2.4 metres.

When I first arrived from England in 1980, I worked as a jillaroo on a sheep and cattle station called ‘Mount William’ near Willaura. In my first week of work there I was sent to collect a piece of farm machinery from a neighbouring farm, and as I drove the ute past Lake Muirhead I happened to notice a flock of regal birds – brolgas – how could I not as they appeared to be dancing! Slamming on the brakes, I watched a courting display that brought tears of delight to my eyes.

A pair of brolgas standing opposite each other with half‐opened and shaking wings, bowing and bobbing their heads as they advanced then retreated from each other. Then they jumped high in the air, next they were plucking grass with their beaks, which they threw to their object of attention who would respond by throwing back their head trumpeting a loud wild, love song. The excitement of this festival of courtship spread amongst the group until the whole flock leapt and pirouetted like enchanted ballet dancers. The image has never left me and forever changed me. And although I have never seen that sight again, it stirred something deep inside me – a gratitude for this beautiful new country I was learning about and the wonderful surprises its wildlife gave me.

Because there are only a few places in Victoria that provide suitable brolga habitat, we are very lucky to have ‘our’ brolgas. Local brolga records show that they breed here in the remaining shallow wetlands, they move to local flocking sites and feed on plants, insects, invertebrates, molluscs and crustaceans and in stubble paddocks adjoining the wetlands.

Under the ‘Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act” 1988, the brolga is listed as ‘threatened’ . Estimates of the bird’s Victorian population show it has reduced to between 600 and 650 birds. Unfortunately, most of these are ageing adult birds. As with many threatened species, the chronic threat to the brolgas is habitat loss and land degradation. The gregarious, dancing birds, with which we share the same life support system, need our help.

As well as habitat loss, the main threats are introduced predators like foxes that take the brolga eggs and kill the chicks. But the biggest threat to the bird is we humans, from the draining of the wetlands, to the duck hunters during duck season who disturb the birds and leave behind lead shot in the wetlands.

Surely you would agree that it is our responsibility and duty to protect these birds and their habitat. There are many sympathetic landholders and farmers who take on the work to protect and ensure the birds’ survival.

Landholders are working to survey and monitor brolga sightings, document nesting, egg laying and fledgling numbers – all with the aim of gaining local knowledge to protect these hidden treasures in our area.

I cherish a hope that the sight of a pair of brolgas returning to their roost silhouetted against a darkening inky sky, their outstretched necks and their long legs trailing behind their tails , echoing the bugle call through the evening air ,will be a sight and experience that many more will have as I did all those years ago.

‐Jennifer Morrow

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

The Linking Environment and Farms

Project (LEAF) update.

The LEAF Project, a partnership between Otway Agroforestry Network (OAN) and Upper Barwon Landcare Network, was designed to develop a matrix of biodiversity between the Otway Range and the Brisbane Ranges. The first stage has been focused on the area between the Otways and Inverleigh.

The biodiversity can be: productive and multipurpose (agroforesty); for its own sake (biodiversity); designed to link existing revegetation and/or remnant vegetation; designed to enhance existing farming practices; service farm and farmer needs; and/or diversify farm productivity. It is based on the premise that if farmers revegetate to meet their own needs the resulting biodiversity in a catchment will be more diverse with more significant outcomes than if particular priorities have been addressed – these priorities are usually set by an outside authority. Evidence indicates the farmer‐first approach works well, particularly as a result of farmers wanting to add to what they have done, year after year.

Most recently the focus has been on the Victorian Volcanic Plains (VVP) between Winchelsea and Inverleigh and on a birds monitoring project.

The VVP component has been supported by a Communities for Nature Grant (Victorian Government) a Natural Resources Conservation League (NRCL) grant and the Norman Wettenhall foundation.

Nine landholders between Winchelsea and Inverleigh have completed various forms of revegetation as part of the project – three have committed to additional revegetation this year . Close to 20ha of land is included which will add to an already significant area revegetated by local farmers. This project has enabled: a link between Mt Pollock and the Barwon River (almost continuous) mostly along waterways; increased vegetation along the River itself and increased vegetation around wetlands in the flood plain. Wildlife habitat is clearly visible and on the increase with many farmers understanding the ecosystem services they are gaining including reduced wind and water erosion, cleaner river and dam water and shelter for vulnerable animals. (see map below for features at some of the sites between Winchelsea and Inverleigh) This part of the project adds to the 29 landholders in the upper catchment of the Barwon who are also part of the LEAF Project, a total of 38 landholders and 41 Projects.

The region has been a managed landscape for more than 200 years so will never be the same as it was prior to European settlement. It will, however, be more diverse and more sustainable than it has been as a result of work done over the many years of landcare.

‐ David Curry .

Map showing three of the ten revegetation sites between Winchelsea and Inverleigh and their connectivity

1 3

2

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Site 1 ‐ connecting to red gum remnant which links to the Barwon River. Also links to other shelterbelts/wildlife corridors on the farm

Site 2 ‐ LEAF Bird monitoring site. Links the dam site to waterway, which links to revegetation corridor on adjacent property. Aim is to revegetate down to site 3.

Site 3 ‐ cluster of sites, linking revegetation at Murnong to the river. Plantings along the creek and drainage line , link ultimately to Mt Pollack.

LEAF Bird Monitoring This project is designed to utilize community interest in birdlife and possibly to act as an ongoing monitoring tool for biodiversity improvement or change over the whole landscape. This part of the project is specifically supported by the Norman Wettenhall Foundation.

The Bird Monitoring project , now into its second year, has captured the interest of local birdwatchers with approx 65 sites being regularly monitored by 45 volunteers. The project has two main aims, a) to provide ongoing data of bird species in a variety of habitats of varying conditions in Picture credit ; Trish Stephens the network area, and b) to build on the Bird ID skills of the local community and encourage their participation. A great outcome of the project has been the engagement of many Birregurra people who informally drop into the office reporting sightings in their gardens. Many thanks also to the Geelong Field Naturalist Club, particularly Craig Morley for their expertise and mentoring in this project.

Methodology for the survey ‐ a 20 minute , 2 hectare sighting once a season, over two years ( 8 sightings in all) will give approx 90% of the bird species in the area. Sites are described according to their level of vegetation ‐ paddock, wetland, revegetation site, remnant bush etc, and their level of connectivity to other vegetation. It is hoped by this process we can see if there is any impact on bird populations and distribution by these factors.

To date we have seen 152 species across the sites.

LEAF Project ‐ Community Engagement Funding from the Communities for Nature LEAF grant has enabled the Network to support a number of community events.

These include; • ‘Designing a LEAF farm’ activity with the Birregurra Primary School • Nature walk and other activities as part of the ‘Landcare Champions Club’ with the Birregurra Primary School • Interpretive walk in the Bambra Wetlands with the Deans Marsh Primary School • River Ramble along the Barwon river with the Winchelsea Primary school • Indigenous species of the Victorian Volcanic Plains workshop at the Barwon Walk in 2015 • Engagement of Martin Scuffins for raptor presentation at the 2016 AGM. • Support for the production of ‘Tree Talk”

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

On‐ground projects 2015 ‐2016

Birregurra Bush Garden A Communities For Nature Grant of just under $10,000 was used to fund revegetation at the Birregurra School and Birregurra Park, with 3000 indigenous seedlings planted in Winter/Spring last year.

Plants in the park, including the Frog Pond, are going well, but the school site is suffering from the lack of rain in the last 6 months, and a dry site with shading and competition from large trees.

Otway LEAF Project ‐ as detailed on the previous pages, we are now in the third year of a large Communities for Nature Grant of $150,000 which is nearing completion. Nine properties have participated in the project which has enabled the Otway LEAF project to extend into the area between Winchelsea and Inverleigh. The project is being managed by David Curry in partnership with the Otway Agroforestry Network Tree fund – the Network has discretionary funds from past River Health projects and donations, to support on‐ ground projects. In 2015 this fund was used to help pay for wallaby protection for a revegetation site in Deans Marsh, and provided most of the funds for the Turramurra Tree Planting event.

CCMA Waterways Frontage Protection Program 2015 ‐2016. (previously ‘Securing the Health of the Barwon”) The Corangamite CMA offers partnership with Landcare in delivery of this State ‐funded program with a 16% management fee for all projects where the landholder agrees to Landcare involvement. This entails the duties of joint site visits, managing the tree orders and contractors and directly dealing with the landholder. With the increased budget for this program in 2016 ‐17 we have worked hard to put ourselves in the position of obtaining as many projects and as much funding as possible from it! This includes actively seeking and developing expressions of Interest with members, promoting the program and employing a Waterways Officer on short term contract (Sarah Brien) to deliver this project. We currently have twelve project proposals in the mix. Due to delays, the program will probably not be able to plant any trees in 2016, which is disappointing.

Landcare Group and School revegetation activities

Birregurra Landcare Group and UBLN planting and garden care with the Birregurra School children at the school plantings ( Birregurra Bush Garden)

East Otway Landcare Group annual planting day and activities with the Deans Marsh School at the Bambra Wetlands

Winchelsea Land and River Care Group planting with the Winchelsea Primary School on the Barwon River in town.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

OUTSMARTING THE BUNNIES - Rabbit Control Project In partnership with the Surf Coast and Inland Plains and Geelong Landcare Networks, we have run a series of workshops on rabbit control in the wider Geelong ‐ Otway region. Funding has been received from both a Victorian Government Landcare Grant and a Rabbit Action Group Grant . The workshops are designed to give information on rabbit control methods and tools, plus showcase some on‐ground best‐ practice activity ( e.g. baiting techniques, effective ripping, and warren blasting ) . To date two workshops have been completed, with the on‐ground demonstrations planned for later this year.

Rabbit Eradication ‐ the recipe for success. It seems that old advice is still good advice. Best‐practice rabbit control methods have not changed much since the 1960’s ‐ because they work!

A proven sequence of actions to get the best results •

Start your control with baiting when there is not much else for the rabbis to eat. i.e. Summer or in autumn before the break when the numbers are lowest

•

Follow baiting closely with destruction of habitat ( ripping warrens etc )

•

Ongoing monitoring to check for any reopened warrens, fumigation if necessary

Evidence shows following these steps in sequence can provide up to 17 years of rabbit control, with only low cost/effort maintenance required, to desired population levels ( less than one spotlight rabbit per km. )

Calicivirus update ‐ there is much interest in the potential release of a new strain of Calicivirus into the wild rabbit population. This strain may be able to increase the effectiveness of the virus, but the experts warn us it is not a ‘silver bullet’ used in isolation, it still needs to be incorporated into best‐practice rabbit control to get overall results.

Calicivirus is a naturally occurring virus in rabbit populations around the world. Only one strain (Czech 351) was released in Australia for bio control in 1995/6. Many rabbits are resistant to the virus in one of four ways: •

Some rabbits are genetically resistant to the virus.

RABBITS ‐ What’s the Economic Impact?

•

If kittens catch the virus when young and survive, they develop an antibody ( and self‐vaccinate for life)

$200 million in lost production annually

•

If the mother has survived the virus, Kittens are protected by a maternal antibody

$7 million in control efforts annually

•

A benign version of the virus exists in the wild population, which, if caught, protects the rabbit.

Myxomatosis and Calicivirus ‐ benefit of about $70 billion over the last 60 years.

The new strain for release ( K5) can be effective in the last instance, but not the Control by land managers adds a further others. It is expected to raise control by between 10 ‐ 40%. It has other features which may make it more effective , but until it is released the results will not be $200 million benefit each year known. More on the virus can be found at http://www.pestsmart.org.au/boostingEnvironmental costs of rabbits; the effect on rabbit-biocontrol-rhdv-k5-national-release/ native flora, native fauna, ecosystem health,

To complicate matters, another new strain has been discovered in Australia, soil health, and carbon sequestration potential introduced accidently. This strain has no antidote which is of concern to rabbit is unquantifiable. breeders and pet owners. Any release of a virus into the environment must be done carefully and is subject to stringent controls. Delays in the K5 release have resulted.

Rabbit Scan ‐ this online tool ( described by one of the creators Peter West in a presentation) can be useful in mapping rabbit populations and saving time and money in designing eradication programs.

There may be opportunity to create a local version of this tool. It can be found a www.feralscan.org.au or downloaded as an app

(Information for this report sourced from presentations by John Matthews Biosecurity Manager DEDJTR, 3/3/16) 25

Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Gorse Control

Weeds are regularly quoted as the biggest issue facing Landcare, and most farmers reasonably expect themselves and their neighbours to be diligent about weed control, especially those covered by law. And they expect the law to be used against neighbours who are recalcitrant.

Sometimes, the law is applied to farmers who are not recalcitrant, but are diligent ‐ both in their own and their neighbours’ eyes. When the law deems them to be non‐compliant, they are hurt, not just by the fine, but by damage to their reputation, and they often perceive the law to have been applied unfairly, even arrogantly.

So this note is about the law, for it’s likely that non‐compliance results from misunderstanding, rather than deliberate recalcitrance. Gorse is used to illustrate the case, because it’s common in our district, and is currently the focus of officials entrusted to apply the law.

The Law

Gorse (or furze) is a “regionally controlled” weed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act. Officials may nominate a “project area” for special attention, if it contains an infestation, and all landowners within that area are notified of the procedures that then follow: • Notification of an inspection in due course • Provision of advice about eradication methods • Notification of a specific inspection date • Inspection of the property • Provision of a ‘direction notice” for eradication works still to be done • Follow‐up inspection after a grace period of 6 to 7 months (legally, only one month is required) If necessary, an “infringement notice” is issued, which carries a statutory fine for non‐compliance, followed by a second “direction notice” or a “land management notice”, and which allows contractors to be engaged by officials to eradicate the gorse, with costs awarded against the landowner.

The official policy is that fines are the last resort, and that all stages in the process are to be explained verbally to landowners wherever possible. Also, landowners have a right of appeal to an independent body (or they can make a court appeal) if they feel that the law has been applied unfairly. But they need to allow time for this.

Please note that this interpretation of the law is unofficial, and should not be relied upon. Readers are urged to rely upon the detail of official notices.

Also, readers are urged to make contact with officials, because they are often unable to get in contact with you.

Reaction

When normally diligent landowners who have tried but failed to comply with the eradication standards, and who thus find themselves at the pointy end of these procedures, they understandably sometimes feel that: • Their efforts though not fully compliant should be recognized rather than punished • Recalcitrants should be dealt with, rather than those who have tried to comply, • And Shires, too, for not eradicating roadside gorse, and • Weeds other than just gorse should not be ignored.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

•

Officials are sometimes heavy‐handed if not arrogant, and ignorant of the practical realities of gorse eradication: • For example, they overlook the benefits of gorse in controlling erosion in gullies (particularly on black soils) • And the difficulties of reaching gorse in inaccessible places, • And the doubtful efficacy of mulching.

Some of these views would be worth explaining to officials personally (and politely), because their responses will be instructive (I know, because I did it).

Take‐home message

I have heard and can readily understand both sides of this story. In the end, here’s the take‐home message for members: • Eradicate gorse (and other weeds) on your property (though this will be a continuing annual exercise, because seeds last for 25 years).

• Officials prefer carrot to stick, that is, voluntary compliance, rather than penalties, • And they focus on one weed in one area to demonstrate results, which they hope will then be applied to other weeds.

• They provide information, and are as patient and as personal as they can be, but in the end • The law must be applied, for everyone’s benefit.

• And don’t leave it to the last minute to get in touch with officers, and take action.

One hopes that reason and civility will prevail in the way that neighbours in this district are famous for.

Finally, two relevant bits of information: • Groups and Networks can apply for a ‘Gorse Task Force’ project. If successful, money from this project would

1. Help Landcare give advice and support to landholders

2. Provide money to landholders to offset the cost of chemicals or other eradication methods, and

3. Help work together as a community on this shared problem as weeds do not respect boundaries.

• Shires are now legally responsible for gorse on their road reserves, but have yet to find eradication funds.

The Landcare network is working hard to develop and keep good working relations with both our relevant shires. The Surf Coast Shire regularly meets with the landcare groups in its area to discuss weed plans and priorities, and we are also represented on the Weeds Consultative Committee at the Colac Otway Shire.

‐ Peter Greig

Murroon Gorse Task Force Project

In 2015 the Murroon Landcare Group received a ‘Gorse Task Force’ grant of $5000 to help control Gorse on the waterways of the Matthews and Gosling Creeks. As well as small pockets of infestation on their farms, many landholders had identified the return of this weed into the revegetated buffer on the creeks. There is also a patch of Gorse on the Middle Murroon road which is the responsibility of the Colac Otway Shire. The Gorse Task Force provides 50% reimbursement towards landholder costs for gorse removal, usually for herbicide and labour, and requires landholders to sign a three year management agreement. Once a the program is completed, the department traditionally follows up a year or two later with a compliance program.

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016

Riverwalk 2016

Tree Talk is produced by the Upper Barwon Landcare Network

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Members’ photos and articles are always welcome.

The Upper Barwon Landcare Network is proudly supported by;

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Upper Barwon Landcare Network Tree Talk 2015 ‐2016