1960-61
VICTORIA
SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1960
PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIArviENT PURSUANT TO ACT No. 6372.
(App,....imate Oost of Repo.-1:-Preparation--Not Given. Printing (1,400 copies), .\1395.
By Authority: A. C. BROOKS. GOVERNMENT PRINTER. MELBOURNE. No. 30 --[2s. 9d,]-9497/60. SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
Chairman: G. T. THOMPSON, L.S., A.M.I.E. (Aust.)
Members: R. G. DOWNES, M.Agr.Sc., M.A.I.A.S. R. G. THOMAS, M.Agr.Sc., M.A.I.A.S.
Secretary: ARTHUR TIDD The Hume Reservoir near Bethanga Bridge. Soil conservation is vital to the continued efficiency of the State's water storages.
SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1960
Under the provisions of the Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act No. 6372 (1958), the Soil Conservation Authority has the honour to present to Parliament its Annual Report for the year ended 30th .June, 1960.
Several events of particular significance to soil conservation have occurred m Victoria during this year.
The Parliamentary Public Works Committee, as a result of its enquiry into the need for the enlargement of the Eppalock Reservoir, recognized the urgent need for soil conservation and erosion control work to be undertaken in the catchment to protect the proposed new water storage. Accordingly, it recommended that £50.000 a year should be made available for this work for a period of ten years. This will be the first time in Australia when funds have been made available for conservation works throughout the whole of a catchment to a new reservoir.
The same Committee, when considering the establishment of a Glenelg River Improvement Trust, came to the conclusion that the success of any river improvement work to be undertaken by such a body would depend on soil conservation and erosion control work being carried out concurrently in the catchment. 4
These recommendations indicate that there is a growing appreciation of the advantages of co-ordinated soil conservation and erosion control work over large areas in catchments and the Authority now has the opportunity of applying principles of co-operation in soil conservation which were put forward in the last Annual Report.
Another event of particular interest to the Authority was the enquiry by the State Development Committee into the use of timber resources in the catchments of the State. Many emphatic statements on this subject have been made by various parties in dispute. The Authority considers that the resolution of the dispute can only come from an expanded programme of hydrological investigations carried out by a completely impartial body. The Authority is such an impartial body established to consider and determine land-use within water supply catchments and to undertake any investigations needed to provide information for making such determinations.
PROCLAMATION OF CATCHMENTS. The decision to proclaim an area as a water-supply catchment is made following consultation with the Land Utilization Advisory Council, which was constituted for the purpose of making recommendations to the Authority regarding definition and constitution of catchments and the land-use policy within the proclaimed area.
A proclamation thus gives the Authority the power to determine the most suitable use in the public interest of all lands in the area. It can also determine the conditions under which various forms of land-use are to be permitted.
During the past year, six more catchments have been proclaimed and two others were reproclaimed after revocation because of boundary considerations. The land-use determinations which have followed proclamation during the yeaT or are to follow shortly, are meant to serve particularly the interests of the various Waterworks Trusts administering the domestic supplies of towns round the Macedon area, Kyneton and Geelong.
An earth flow in granite country near Berringama in the Hume C CONSERVATION IN WATER-SUPPLY CATCHMENTS AND LAND USE DETERMINATIONS. Work was commenced in September, 1959, on land-use determinations in the water supply catchments on the Macedon Range. Two preliminary surveys had already been made on Riddell's Creek Catchment and Lancefield Catchment. The first allotment-by allotment survev had been made with the aim of land-use determination in the Riddell's Creek catchment. At the same time general ecological and land-use observations were made over the whole of the Macedon Range catchments to obtain an overall concept of the environment. With the completion of a detailed survey in the Riddell's Creek Catchment, and with additional field work in the other catchments, a general approach to land-use determination was formulated. This approach was based primarily on the needs of the community for a " clean, adequate, and reliable " water supply. The criteria involved are quality of water, the quantity, and its rate of release from the catchment. The land-use must, therefore, be determined in relation to its effect on turbidity and contamination and on the hydrologic cycle. Conditions should favour maximum absorption into the soil, and release of water as subsurface flow rather than surface run-off. Such conditions automatically create the lowest erosion hazard, and thus favour the clearest flow of water. More knowledge is needed of the effect of various types of land use on infiltration, water-holding capacity, and erosion. It must, therefore, be expected that the Authority's determinations will be on the conservative side to ensure adequate protection of water supplies. Keeping the relevant clauses of the Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act in mind, there are two main stages:-- (1) General Stage-the determination of suitable forms of land-use, e.g., forestry, pasture, and agriculture. (2) Specific Stage-~the conditions of each form of land-use, e.g., methods of clearing, rotations. The natural timber has been retained wisely on this steep slope which could easily become seriously eroded if ~ompletely cleared. 6 Stage 1, therefore, lends itself to the formulation of general categories which could be used to indicate the form of land-use for each part of the catchment. In a catchment devoted to forestry only, where the land is designated as State or Reserved Forest, such diverse categories are not necessary. However, in most water-supply catchments, there is Crown land, State :Forest, and alienated land, either cleared and being used for pasture or agriculture. or under forest, scrub, or bracken. The determination must cover the land devoted to roads, reserves, and residential areas if any, and special consideration is required for the streams and the adjoining land. For the .M.acedon catchments, eight general categories have been formulated to cover all forms of land-use. These categories are to be used as a basis for the specific conditions which will be imposed on properties where necessary. For mapping purposes on an allotment basis, these categories are probably only suited to small catchments of the order of 2~5 square miles, or sub-catchments within a larger catchment. The categories are as follow :- 1. Land which should be permanently used for forest purposes where forestry operations shall be restricted to the minimum required for proper forest maintenance to keep the forest in good condition as imposed by the Authority, or as required by the Forests Commission acting as agent for the Authority. 2. Land which should be permanently used for forest purposes where commercial logging operations may be carried out under the supervision and control of the Forests Commission acting as agent for the Authority. 3. Forested land, which if approved by the Authority, may be used for pasture or for agriculture, subject to conditions imposed according to the particular circumstances, the conditions to include, among others, the degree of clearing permissible and the specification of those areas where timber shall be retained. 4. Cleared land at present carrying bracken or other protective vegetative cover on which there shall be no change of land-use except with the approval of and under conditions imposed by the Authority. 5. Cleared land suitable for pasture or for agriculture, subject to conditions imposed by the Authority for the particular circumstances. 6. Land within one chain, or such a greater distance as the Authority may specify from specified streams, springs, o:fftakes, and storages on which land-use shall be subject to conditions imposed by the Authority, but in no circumstances shall cultivation or erection of buildings be permitted. 7. Land which may be used for residential purposes, subject to provisions of other relevant Acts. 8. Land reserved for roads and other public purposes on which any changes from the existing nature and conditions shall be made only after consultation with the Authority. Categories 1-3 deal with forested land, and require additional comment. In No. 1, forestry operations are restricted to a minimum but may, nevertheless, involve the extraction of some trees with the aim of maintaining a satisfactory stand of timber. Many areas around Macedon were logged in rather haphazard fashion in the past, leaving a small percentage of tall trees and a large amount of young regenerating timber or coppice growth, with low, useless scrub. Category No. 2 implies that there is a significant amount of millable timber at the time of determination, and conditions are suitable for some extraction. Category No. :3 implies that some part(s) of the forested area could reasonably be cleared, under supervision, for some form of agriculture, the remainder of the area to be kept under permanent forest. During the year, joint meetings have been held between members of the Waterworks Trusts, Forests Commission representatives, and the District Conservation Officer and Investigating Officer dealing with the catchment determinations. These meetings are aimed at keeping all relevant bodies informed on the Authority's work, and to enable discussion and criticism. 7 Contour furrows on steep slopes prevent erosion at Walwa in the Upper Murray Soil Conservation District. In the Riddell's Creek Catchment this type of land-use determination has been carried through to the stage of publication in the Victoria Government Gazette, using seven of the eight categories. Similar action will follow in the other catchments on the Macedon Range. The gazettal will at all times be accompanied by a news statement in local papers, and notice in writing to all landholders, Government departments, and public Authorities concerned with land-use in the catchment. Landholders will be invited to contact the Authority so that the effect of the determination on their land-use can be specified, usually by means of an inspection of the property. Although most of the work was done on the Macedon catchments. preliminary work has been done on the Kyneton catchment on the Little Coliban River, also the Geelong Sewerage and Waterworks Trust's catchments to the Korweinguboora and Bostock Reservoirs. HIGH MOUNTAIN CATCHMENTS. A special committee of the Graziers' Association, members of the Authority, and cattlemen inspected areas of high country. Bogong High Plains.~A.t the request of the Bogong High Plains Soil Conservation District Advisory Committee, the Authority has intensified its control and supervision of cattle grazing in the high country which forms part of the catchments to the Upper Murray River. Drastic reduction of stocking in the Mt. Hotham area was recommended in last year's report, and numbers were reduced by 50 per cent. As from the 1960-61 season, no grazing will be permitted in the general area of Mounts Hotham, Lock, St. Bernard, and the southern portion of the Razorback. Specific boundaries of the excluded area will be defined. The permissible number of cattle allowed to graze on the Bogong High Plains in the coming season is 6,890. EPPALOCK CATCHMENT. Following discussion with the Land Utilization Advisory Council, the Authority has agreed that the Eppalock Catchment should be proclaimed. The information necessary for proclamation by the Governor in Council will be provided shortly. Considerable progress has been made with preliminary arrangements for undertaking a programme of complete erosion control ami soil conservation work initially in the worst affected part of the catchment which is close to the site of the new reservoir. Discussions with the local Soil Conservation District Advisorv Committee and the Shire Councils indicate a commendable interest and it appears that the Authority can look forward to excellent co-operation from these bodies and the landholders within the catchment. 8 Shingle beds in the Livingstone Creek below Omeo. Heavy rains in January resulted in flood flows and considerable erosion of the banks occurred. Correct land-use in the catchment would minimize this kind of damage. New aerial photographs have been obtained and a soil and land-use survey of the northern part of the catchment has been completed. Three badly-eroded sub-catchments have been selected for planning of works to be undertaken in the next financial year and the planning is well under way. This is a unique project which offers an excellent opportunity of showing the beneficial effects of planned land-use, soil conservation, and erosion control when applied completely over large areas. THE AUTHORITY. The Chairman, Mr. G. T. Thompson, has continued to serve as Chairman of the Wildlife Reserves investigation committee, as a member of the National Parks Authority, and of an Inter-departmental Committee concerned with the orderly development of tourist facilities at Mt. Hotham, and as a member of the executive of the Natural Resources Conservation League. The Deputy Chairman, Mr. R. G. Downes, has acted as the representative of the Authority on the newly-established Victorian State Committee of the Water Research Foundation of Australia and as a member of the research sub-committee. Mr. Downes also represented the Authority at a meeting convened by C.S.LR.O. in Canberra, to enable interested organizations and Departments of the Commonwealth, New South Wales. and Victoria to discuss the urgent problem of the rapid increase of the population of the Phasmatid leaf-eating insect, which is causing the destruction of forests in vital catchments. Evidence for the State Development Committee on the subject of timber resource::-; m water-supply catchments was presented on behalf of the Authority by .Mr. Downes. Mr. R. G. Thomas, member, gave evidence on behalf of the Authority to the Parliamentary Public Works Committee, with respect to its enquiry into the construction of Eppalock Weir. An inter-departmental committee, on which Mr. Thomas represented the Authority was established by the Minister of Lands last year to enquire into the most suitable use of land in the South Gippsland hills which has become heavily infested with the noxious weed Ragwort (Senecio jacobea), presented its report. 9 A contour banking system on the lower slopes of a Hanslow Cup winning property at Toolleen in the Campaspe Soil Conservation District. OVERSEAS VISIT. Early in 1960. the Government of Israel asked the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization whether it could obtain the services of the Deputy Chairman, Mr. R. G. Dovmes, to act as an F.A.O. Consultant for t\vo months. The Government of Victoria acceded to the request and in late May, :VIr. Downes proceeded to Israel to assist with soil and water conservation and hydrological projects. Overlooking Lake Cooper from the top of the Colbinabbin Range at Corop. The gullies in the middle foreground are typical of those occurring on the red loams. Soil conservation measures on the higher slopes and improved management are now healing these drains on production. 10 VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS AND INT]}RSTATE. A number of people from overseas and other States visited the Authority under the Colombo Plan or for other reasons. Some spent periods of up to two weeks on discussions and obseTvation of the practical application of soil conservation in VictoTia. ADVISORY SERVICES. The demand for the AuthOTity's Advisory Services incTeased sharply. An officer was stationed at Bairnsdale to serve the Avon and Tambo districts. thus raising the number of dccentmlized offices to fifteen. A Senior Conservation OfficeT and three Conservation Cfficers were transferred from other duties for the urgent Eppalock Catchment Project, and a temporary office has been established at Heathcote. There is an urgent need for at least another six extension officers. With the approval of twelve more farm plans, five co-operative projects, and an additional demonstration area, the Authority now has a total of 112 projects and demonstrations, which are spread throughout the State. In addition to these, the following services were provided. Inspections for other Departments, shire councils, and organizations totalled 317. Fifty of these involved inspections of Crown lands, for alienation of most of which applications had been received by the Department of Lands and Survey. A smaller number of Crown leaseholds, where the leases included an erosion prevention clause, was inspected so that the lessees could be advised of the correct land-use capabilities of the property. One hundred and thirty inspections were made of roadside erosion and of gravel-stripped areas, 87 being for shire councils, and 43 being for the Country Roads Board. The Departments of Army and Works, which are responsible for the maintenance of military establishments in the Sevmour district. received advisorv assistance on seven V ,; ' .J occasiOns. Careful stock management together with contour works have healed this large gully at Toolleen. 11 When gully erosion has been allowed to reach this stage, concrete structures are required to prevent further headward movement. In approved instances the Authority supplies materials to the landholder who builds it to the design provided. The installation of high-tension power lines by the State Electricity Commission, particularly in the north-eastern part of the State. with the attendant creation of erosion hazards by plant movement necessitated 35 inspections to provide advice as to both preventive and corrective measures. There were 95 inspections for other Departments and organizations, these being for the Forests Commission 18, Soldier Settlement Commission 11, Department of Agriculture 12, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission 13, Railway Department 3, Education Department 14, Department of Civil Aviation 2, National Parks Authority 3, and other organizations such as the various waterworks Trusts and Young Farmers' Clubs 19. Landholders requested 670 initial and 515 subsequent inspections. Initial inspections made were 693, and later inspections totalled 1 ,364. Other visits to provide supervision of earthwork construction, check surveys, &c .. amounted to L748. Survey work included, contour furrowing-3,788 acres on 53 properties; contour cultivation-1,489 acres on 26 properties ; graded banks-588 acres on 17 properties ; diversion banks aggregating 176,647 feet--458 on 224 properties ; dams-272 on 217 properties ; contour banks--537 acres on 22 properties ; grassed waterways totalling 1,119 chains--43 on 31 properties; contour ripping-1,735 acres on 28 properties; and grassed chutes-27 on 24 properties. Nineteen excursions, mostly for school pupils, were conducted by district officers over various country properties. Suburban schools continue to avail themselves of the opportunity to have pupils shown soil conservation work carried out by Mr. J. vV. Payne, "Merriview." Woodstock, as shown :--- 1956-57- 31 excursiOns, 1,H02 pupils, 38 schools. 1957-58 38 excursiOns, 2,194 pupils, 42 schools. 1958-59 36 excursions, 3J81 pupils, 46 schools. 1959-60- 40 excursions, 3,026 pupils, 56 schools. Film nights as a form of extension medium have again been used with success. Such evenings have been directly responsible for a number of requests for inspections. 12 ENGINEERING. SeTvice to ivlunicipalities and Other Public Bodies.-Grants to the value of £4,866 were approved during the year. This sum was allotted on the basis of £2 from the Authority to £1 local contribution for works on 21 erosion sites in thirteen different municipalities. Each grant was made following a request from the shire concerned and inspeetion. adv-ice, and a report from the Engineering Division. For various reasons grants to the value of £3,410 were re-voted to twelve shires in respect of a further 26 erosion sites. Service to Landholders.--Designs for 44 structures were prepared, and nineteen grants made to the total value of £1,078, excluding amounts re-voted from the previous year. Due to the dry summer and early autumn and the continued rain since, many farmers were not able to carry out construction work and only sixteen structures were built. Patwan Expetimental Area.--During the year two structures to control erosion on experimental installations were built at the request of the Advisory Committee. :Provision was made in the design of each for future experimentation when staff permits. Su1veys.-Fifty-one surveys were made of sites for proposed gully-head structures, while surveys for ten co-operative projects and ten farm plans were produced. Dtawing Office.-During the recently-completed fiscal year 88 registered drawings were prepared. Twenty-six of these were structures and the remainder were divided among projects, farm plans, gazcttal drawings, survey records, publication diagrams, district plans, &c. Large volumes of miscellaneous requests, e.g., standard structure copies, farm pl~~ overlays, were executed in reasonable time and generally delays were kept to a mm1mum. Improved equipment and an addition in staff assisted in the increased output of the Drawing Office over this period. A concrete chute in Surveyor's Creek at Ruffy. Note the outlets which allow seepage behind the wall to drain away. 13 MECHANICAL SERVICES. Some work in the field creates a need for special machines and equipment which are not available from commercial sources. The Authority is endeavouring with success to overcome these deficiencies by designing and building its own machines and equipment. Small Seeds Harvester.--At the request of the agronomy section of the Research Division, a machine has been developed to harvest the small seeds of certain plants used in stabilizing soils on special localities such as the High Plains and sand-dune country. A light, readily transported machine was necessary owing to the rough terrain frequently encountered, but it appears probable that machines built to a readily-modified design will be useful also for cereal and small-scale harvesting purposes. Portable Emulsion Sprayer.-A light, readily-transported unit for use in small-scale batter stabilization projects was built during the year but to date has not been adequately tested. Sprig Planta.-One of the Authority's problems is the stabilization of sand-rises and dunes, particularly frontal dunes along exposed ocean beaches. A method of mechanizing the laborious task of planting individual sprigs of suitable vegetation was required and this is now under investigation. It is expected that Marram grass and creeping varieties such as Kikuyu and couch grass will be more readily propagated in this way. Prefabricated Gully-head Control Structure.-A prototype of a suspended chute-type of gully-head control structure was produced and installed. The essential features of this structure are that it can be built from standard units, that its length can, therefore, be varied for different sites in order that the length will be sufficient in each case to allow development of a stable batter between the gully floor and the upper part of the structure, that the chute be suspended by cables anchored beyond the sides of the gully and that no cut-off wall is used at the head of the structure. CO-OPERATIVE PROJECTS. Bringing the total to 35, five more co-operative projects were commenced, and brief details of three of these are described. The full list is shown in Appendix " C ". Castlemaine Reservoir Catchment.-The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission constructed a new earth-and-rock-fill dam of approximately 1,000 acre-feet capacity between Elphinstone and Chewton to improve water supply to Castlemaine district. The local catchment to this reservoir of 330 acres was in a badly-eroded condition and it was essential that an intensive programme of soil erosion control and soil conservation be undertaken to minimize silting of the reservoir. The problem was referred to the Authority which planned works and supervised construction. The works included 220 acres of contour ripping, 2,500 feet of diversion banks, 25 chains of prepared grassed waterways, five acres of land-grading. 40 acres of intense pasture improvement, two large gully-plug dams, five reinforced-concrete structures, and the use of an old reservoir to serve as a settling pond. Taylors lA'f!e Project, W~llan.-The planni.ng of this co-operative project was commenced followmg representatiOns to the Authonty by the Country Roads Board which has a recurring problem in the winter months in keeping the Hume Highway trafficable at the 26 · 6 mile point. At this point the Board has placed three culverts totalling 62 square feet in cross-sectional area to take run-off water from a 3,460 acre catchment owned by sixteen landholders. Although the greater part of the catchment is in good condition. being largely improved pasture, lateral gully erosion causes a considerable quantity of silt to be deposited on the highway reserve and on land to the west and t,o the east of the highway. Planning was completed dming the year and the Country Roads Board aareed to co-operate by joining with the Authority in providing £L700 of the £:3,200 requir~d to meet the cost _of the proposed w~rks. These include the co~struction of th~ee soil-saving dams, 128 chams of waterways, s1x structures, and the plantmg and protectlVe fencing of approximately 300 chains of gully. Works are proposed on six properties west of the highway. 14 This gully would have undermined the bridge foundations, but a concrete erosion-control structure prevents the erosive energy of water from doing further damage. By the end of the year arrangements had been made for the interviewing of each of the sixteen landholders in the catchment to the west of the highway and also a landowner immediately to the east, who is one of the main beneficiaries of the scheme. The intention is to explain to each the works entailed and the method of determining individual contributions to the £1,500 to be met by the landholdPrs. Sandy Gully Co-operative Pr~iect.-Sandy Gully is located south of the Corryong to Cudgewa road and about three miles west of the town of Corryong in the Shire of Upper Murray. The eroded gully is the source of great quantities of sand. some of which is deposited on the road and some on nearby flats. The remainder may be carried along the Corryong Creek and the River :liurray to the Hume Reservoir. The gully, which is over 20 feet deep at its head, has eroded through alluvial sands which have been derived from granite. The catchment which is about four square miles in area is in good condition ; therefore, control works have been restricted to the gully itself. As a temporary measure to alleviate siltation of the Corryong-Cudgewa road, the Upper 1\Iurray Shire, with the aid of a grant from the Authority, constructed three silt storage dams in March, 1958, which were successful in trapping large quantities of silt. To treat the cause of erosion, which is mainly due to undercutting of the gully sides and their subsequent slumping, materials to assist in the fencing of the top portion of the gul1y and gully-heads were. provided, and planting of the enclosed area with suitable trees commenced in 1958. In September, 1958, control of the gully became a co-operative project, involving four landholders, the Upper Murray Shire, and the Authority. The main silt storage was enlarged in May, 1959, and a concrete by-wash was constructed by the Upper Murray Shire with the aid of a grant from the Authority. 15 In September. 1959, four experimental " live-pole " willow silt dams were constructed in the gully-bottom as part of the attempt to stabilize the gully floor. The trees have grown well and are having a good effect. A mile of fencing material was granted to a landholder in 1959 to enclose portion of the middle section of the gully. \Villows, poplars. and tamarisks have been planted in this section. More plantings were made in winter. 1960. The results of tre1~ plantings to date have been encouraging. However. much remains to be done before this gully ean be considerPd stable FARlVI PLANNING PROJECTS. The complete conservation planning of individual properties has been approved for a further twelve farms to bring the total throughout the State to 55. District distribution is shown in Appendix "C ". For various reasons, progress on many plans has been slow. However. those who have proceeded with the adoption of their plans have found they are proving economically sound. R. H. Wake. Thou-gla.~-The Authority has assisted :\lr. Wake to alleviate erosion and wet conditions on his 300-acre dairy farm. The wet conditions and uncontrolled run-off. with resultant erosion. were due primarily to \Vater originating from steep hills beyond the property. A plan was developed to control this excess water by intercepting it with diversion banks leading to the heads of prepared grassed waterways. Graded banks below the main diversions take run-off from the pasture land itself to the waterways. Paddocks have been planned to fit in with the banks and waterways. The scheme so far has involved the construction of some 27 chains of waterway, two diversion banks totalling 2,400 feet, and graded banks over 24 acres. All were constructed in March and April, 1960. Three dams, two of 600 cubic yard capacity and one of 400 cubic yards, have been installed along the larger of the two diversion banks to provide stock water in each of three paddocks formed by the plan of subdivision. Inadequate provision for drainage has resulted in serious erosion of this road in north-eastern Victoria. 16 Contour banking in the background and contour furrows nearer the camera meet different conditions in the control of run-off water on this property. V. F. and J. R. Wilcox, Achewn.--The planning of this 427-acre property was carried out during the year. Partly virgin country, other sections had been partly cleared, and some had again reverted to ti-tree scrub, bracken, and seedling native trees. Prior to purchase by the present owners, the farm had changed hands on a number of occasions. There was no subdivisional fencing and the boundary fence had fallen into a state of disrepair. This has now been rectified and the fence made rabbit-proof. Previous land-use was scrub-forest grazing by a few cattle or dry sheep on the basis of one sheep to 20 acres. Scattered sheet erosion was evident and active gullying due to tunnelling was occurring along one drainage line. Note the contour furrows which have prevented excessive run-off and assisted in the healing of this gully. 17 The plan of subdivision separates soils of di:fl'erent production potential, and the principle was adopted of first improving the better-class land from which the highest returns could be expected for the outlay incurred. An area of 60 acres in the north-western corner was selected for clearing and cultivating for the introduction of improved pasture species. This area is now under pasture. Wood-lots are to be retained to supply farm requirements, including shade and shelter, and to control erosion. An extensive fodder conservation programme has been planned. This includes forage crops of oats and peas for grazing and ensiling, and crops of chou mollier, turnips, and rape. In addition, meadow hay will be conserved as fodder. Conto1tr Pla.nning fo1· Vineyards.-For several years the Authority has assisted Messrs. B. Seppelt and Sons, Great Western, with planning the layout for extensive new plantings of vines. Because of the special difficulties associated with achieving a suitable layout, considerable preliminary survey and mapping have been necessary. Various techniques have been tried in the field and a method has been devised which appears to satisfy the particular requirements of both vine culture and soil conservation. This method will enable the contour planting of some 200 acres of vines. DEMONSTRATION AREAS. Demonstration areas are usually established in badly eroded areas which are often so unproductive that the owners are unlikely to undertake rehabilitation. In reclaiming them the Authority does so to demonstrate to the individual and to others with similar problems, that seemingly unproductive land may be rendered productive by appropriate conservation measures. A recent project is described. Pentland Hills Pr~ject.-Extensive erosion on this property which adjoins the "\Vestern Highway three miles west of Bacchus Marsh, has caused unfavourable comment for a number of years. The area was severely sheet and gully eroded, tunnels were widespread, as were siltation and salting. Contour cultivation is important on easily erodible soils. Here, first-year growth of perennial rye grass shows how each row provides a barrier to run-off and so minimizes erosion. 9497/60.-2 18 Correct gate location is an important factor in p!anning farm subdivision. Stock trafficking through this badly-placed gateway has concentrated run-off along the stock tracks with consequent erosion. Early in 1959 the Authority decided to undertake a reclamation project, after the owner of the land had agreed to lease 50 acres to the Authority for a period of seven years. Contour furrowing, ripping, and surface-working have aided the establishment of improved pasture which was sown in the autumn of 1959. Dive1sion banks, grassed waterways, grassed chutes, gully structures, tree planting, correct placement of subdivisional fencing, and other works are all being employed to prevent further erosion. Opportunity has thus been taken to show the public a great variety of control and improvement measures on a smalL readily-accessible area. VEGETATIVE CONTROL. The Authority has continued its policy of granting supplies of fencing material to ensure that planted gullies, landslips, and sown waterways, are protected from stock. Consequently an increased number of gullies has been planted with appropriate trees and grasses in all the better-rainfall districts. Instruction to landholders in how best to plant trees to control gully erosion, leaving the bulk of the planting to the individual, has made it possible to assist a larger number of farmers. Twenty-seven grassed chutes on 24 properties were installed under the supervision of district officers, bringing the total constructed during the past six years to 149 on 1i~2 properties. The length of grassed waterways installed totalled 1.120 chains in 43 waterways on 31 properties. Subdividers of seaside properties have found that foreshore and near-foreshore erosion due to wind action can prove most troublesome. Principals of real-estate firms have sought and obtained advice concerning ways by which the sand may be stabilized. SOIL CONSERVATION COMPETITIONS. The new practice of holding a Hanslow Cup Competition in any one district every fourth year, has been very favourably received by landholders. In the five competitions conducted, the total number of entries was 199 compared with the record of 185 entries established in 1959. 19 Number i Competition District. of 'Vinners. Judges. Entries. Tambo District (Gippsland Division) 17 Mr. John Bindi .. Mr. F. D. Runge, Senior Con- servation Officer Glenelg District (Western Division) 36 Messrs. P ..J. l\tlunro and Sons, Mr. C. R. McCracken, Con- Casterton servation Officer Lower Goulburn~Murrav Districts 30 Mr. L. J. Bradshaw, Earlston Mr. D. H. Elvery, District (North-Eastern Divisi~n) Conservation Officer Campaspe District (North Central 54 Mr. A. E. Tranter, Toolleen '' Mr. G. B. Sluiter, District Division) Conservation Officer Western Mallee District (Mallee 62 Cr. H. Heintze, Murrayville .. Mr. A. E. Newton, District Division) Conservation Officer ---- SOIL AND ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS. REGIONAL SURVEYS. The survey of the Glenmaggie Catchment (800 sq. miles) has been completed and the report is now being published. Although the field work for the Glenelg area (4,690 sq. miles) and the lVIallee (14,000 sq. miles) was completed last year, the preparation of the reports for publication has taken longer than was anticipated, but it is expected that both will be completed during the coming year. Progress on other surveys has been satisfactory. Grampians (3,000 square miles).-During the year, 500 square miles were surveyed in the eastern part of the survey area between Willaura and Glenorchy to complete the field work for the Grampians Survey. The thirtBen land units recognized can be briefly described as follows. The extensive areas of Ordovician sediments around Ararat were divided into the Ararat unit of hilly topography and the Jl!loyston unit of rolling topography. The soils and vegetation are the same in both units, namely, gravelly solodic soils supporting Long Leaf Box, Yellow Box hybrid, and Red Stringybark on ridges and upper slopes and sometimes on middle and lower slopes ; and Yellow Box. Yellow Gum, and Red Gum on lower slopes and flats. The granite country was divided into three units. The Lex·ington unit between Ararat and Moyston and also near Great ·western is undulating to rolling with gritty solodic soils supporting Red Gum. The .ll![okepilly unit (the Black Range) near Stawell consists of high hills of gritty soils, and nearer to Stawell the granite country around " The Sisters" rocks has been called l'he Sisters' unit where Red Stringybark and Long Leaf Box grow in shallow gritty soils with bright red clay subsoils. The low-lying land adjoining the creek systems draining the granite and Ordovician sedimentary country have been grouped into the Salt Creek unit draining the northern parts, and the H opkins River unit draining the southern parts. · There are four small areas of low stony hills named the .1.1Vlt. Dryden unit, which are remnants of trachytic and andesitic lavas. The solodic and skeletal soils support Yellow Box and Red Gum. Between Stawell and Ledcourt, two similar land units have been separated. The Illawarra unit between Stawell and Lake Lonsdale is a gently undulating plain with Yellow Gum and Red Gum on shallow solonetz soils of the flats, and of low rises on which there is Long Leaf Box growing on deep, gritty soils formed on Tertiary sands and gravels. Between Lake Lonsdale and Ledcourt, the Ledcourt unit shows similarities in topography and vegetation, but the soils on the rises are shallow sandy loams or clay loams over clay. The broad intervening flats commonly have heavy gilgaied clays supporting Hed Gum and also shallow solonetz soils with Yellow Gum, Grey Box, Yellow Box, and Hed Gum. The extensive flat plain acting as a tr:;tnsition zone from the mountains to the plains is named the Lake Fyans unit, and shows -.-ariation in soils and vegetation. The soils vary mainly in the depth to the clay subsoil. There may be 15 to 25 inches supporting Red Gum and Yellow Box, or about 36 inches supporting Apple Box, Peppermint, and heaths, or, as sandy rises with clay as much as five to six feet below the surface, supporting Apple Box and heaths. 20 Neglect, ignorance, and abuse have resulted in this degraded land which is riddled with tunnels and gullies. Soil conservation is important to our continued prosperity. Between Lake Fyans and Lake Lonsdale is a small area of gently undulating country called the Bella'ura unit, where loamy sand over clays at eight to 12 inches support Yellow Box and Yellow Gum. Along the foot of the Grampians between Pomonal and Hall's Gap is the Pomonal unit composed of Brown Stringybark and 1\'Iessmate forests in sand over orange clay soils with or without large pieces of ironstone, and developed on the mottled zone of laterite. The boundaries of the 45 land units of the Grampians Survey were drawn on 20 chains to 1 inch aerial photomaps and finally reduced on to 2 miles to 1 inch county plans (counties of Lowan, Borung, Ripon, Villiers, and Dundas). Hume Catchment (4,000 square nn:les).-Routine field work was completed and a programme of minimum sampling of the soils was devised and completed. This should enable an assessment of the variability of chemical and physical properties of the major soils and provide an indication as to whether. more intensive sampling will be necessary. Photo-interpretation of stereo-pairs to delineate land forms on the photomaps was completed early in the year and tentative land -system boundaries were drawn on county maps. Lack of topographic survey detail over most of the mountainous part of the area and the lack of suitable topographic maps for most of the catchment will necessitate the drawing of a new base-map. Because of the quantity of data collected in the field, a method of using punch-cards was examined to see if it could assist in the extraction of correlations. Eildon Catchment (1,500 square miles).-Much of the field work has so far been directed towards gathering pedological, geological, and ecological information in the forested areas of the Delatite, Howqua, and J amieson Hiver Valleys. A limited amount of work has also been done in the cleared country at the northern end of the catchment. and inspections have been made of all the Alpine grazing areas and of most of the areas i~ which logging operations have been carried out. 21 Field work so far appears to indicate that the forested areas and most of the Alpine country are in general in good condition, and that the cleared areas are contributing a much heavier sediment load to the streams entering the reservoir storage than the forested areas, which is entirely out of proportion to the acreage involved. G-ully and sheet erosion are both aetive, and planned conservation measures will be needed to control them. On the other hand, hydrological considerations are more important in the forest, and particularly in alpine areas, and more attention must be given to these aspects in future planning in the catchment. In addition to field work, several lines of investigation have been followed out. Fire reports, made available by courtesy of the Forests Commission, have been searched, and information on location, area and species burnt, cause (man or lightning) and date of occurrence of fires recorded on punched cards. This information will enable the fire history of the area to be largely worked out. and the effect of fire frequency on different classes of country may be indicated by supplementary field work. A rough topographic model was constructed, and it was decided that a better model would be worthwhile as an illustration of the topography, and it is intended to construct this at a scale of 2 m. = 1". A base map was compiled, and reduced to 2 m. = 1". Sources of information were Lands Department topographic sheets, :Forests Commission assessment plans, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission surveys of the Hescrvoir, Blue Line Base (County) plans, and aerial photographs. The map shows creek lines, roads and tracks, and is so far the only suitably accurate map of the whole area available. Eppalock Catchment (820 square rndes).-A survey on a land-unit and component scale over the northern half (::350 square miles) of this catchment was undertaken as part of the general programme of conservation in the catchment as described elsewhere. Field work was completed during ApriL J\lay, and June, with assistance from the Field Division. Eleven land-units were recognized and delineated (see Table 1). Two catchments were seleeted in the most severely-eroded cmmtry (Wild Duck and Mountain Creek land units) for intensive work by the Field Division. The Native Dog catchment comprises 10 square miles and will discharge directly into the enlarged reservoir. Goodall's Creek catchment occupies seven square miles and will discharge two miles above the full supply level of the new reservoir. A third catchment along the Wild Duck Creek was selected, although in this area sheet ero.sion is less severe. TABLE 1. EPPALOCK LAND SYSTEMS AND LAND l'NITS. i I Dlst Ina;ui..;hing Relative Geology. Topograph~·. Land rults. I Rainfall. I J·~ro~ion ~rrrrs. Har.ard. I inr·llf's. I Wild Duek Ordovi0ian 1)ndulnting to I l. Skdctal . Wild Duck :!l ~22 ! Y(•llow p:nm ~('VNO rn udstonPs, hilly 1 2. T~o;qns nlmut I ~f_ountnin 2~--2() ; nrf'v a.tHl red 8f>Vf'fC sandst.OJH'S, J 2 indws [ Creek I h~JX with quartz reefs . 3. T>trad PROJECT SL'RVEYS. These are surveys, usually over restricted areas, to provide specific information required sooner than would be obtained in the normal programme of regional surveys. Stewart's Creek Expen:rnental Area.-A soil survey of Stewart's Creek Experimental Area was made and a report prepared. Because of the hydrological work in the area, it was decided to define the mapping units in terms of those features of soil and topography considered to be of direct influence on the moisture status of the soil. The features used were the texture and structure profiles, amount of rock in the profile, depth to bedrock, slope gradient, and position on the landscape. Eight soil-topographic mapping units were recognized from various combinations of the above features and related to the moisture status of the soil. Farrn Plan Survey at Corop.~-A survey of 800 acres on the property of C. G. Speers, Corop, was performed. Five soil types were delineated on aerial photographs for the use of the Field Division. Londonderry and 11Joyston Reserves.~Requests for the alienation of the Londonderry and Moyston Reserves in the Moyston land unit have been mttde, and a report describing in detail the ecology, erosion hazard, and possible land-use of the reserves was prepared. Big De8ert.-Soon after the extensive fire had occurred last summer an inspection was made and a report given on the erosion hazard to meet the demands of local Shire Councils and the Press. In connexion with the proposed alienation of 2,000 acres of Crown land in the Big Desert, assistance was given to the Field Division in estimating the erosion hazard; this instance showed the necessity of having aerial photographs for accuracy in assessing unalienated land. Soil salting of non-irrigated land is increasing in Victoria. Overclearing and ove1rgrazing are contributing causes. Reclamation is difficult but research is being continuously carried out to ascertain suitable treatments for restoration. 23 HYDROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. STuDIES m· THE CoMPLETE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE. Continuous Recard of Run-Off on four-acre Catchments in Pastoral Land.-A refinement of the method of calibration of the catchments at the Parwan Experimental area reported in the Tenth Annual Report has now been adopted and applied to both the north and south-facing groups of catchments. The statistical analysis and correlation was made of the logarithmic transformations of the particular values for run-off The correlations obtained for both volume of flow and peak flow from a range of storms in the north-facing catchments are excellent and for the south-facing catchments satisfactory. From the results obtained since the treatments were imposed it is already possible to gauge the effect of the improved pasture (sub. clover and Wimmera rye grass) treatment by comparison with the control. During the spring of 1959 statistical analysis showed that reduction in run-off is attributable to the improved pasture on both aspects, e.g., on 21st October a storm of 124 points produced 18·5 points of run off (Peak 0·10 cusecs) from the control, whereas from the improved catchment only 1· 0 pt. (0 · 01 cusecs) was recorded and such a difference was shown to be statistically significant. However, once the improved pasture had dried off, this effect of reduction in run-off was lost. In fact, in one specific case on 27th November the reverse happened, i.e., for southerly aspect run-off from the control (2·0 surface pts. and 0·05 cusecs) was significantly less than that from the improved pasture (17 · 0 pts. and 1· 65 cusecs). This could be attributed to the fact that the control carried a dense sward of perennials in contrast with the improved catchment which was devoid of good vegetation at this stage. Furthermore, the varying reaction of these experimental catchments to the autumn rains of 1960 could be interpreted as a direct result of aspect difference. On 7th May, 1960, the run-off recorded from the control on the northern aspect was 23·0 pts. and 0·18 cusecs, and improved catchment was 21·5 pts. and 0·13 cusecs. Such a difference could not be regarded as significant, whereas on the southern aspect the reduction was found to be significant, i.e., 18·5 pts. and 0·04 cusecs from control and 3·0 pts. and 0·01 cusecs from improved catchment. The more favourable micro-environment on the south aspect would promote a better germination and this in turn would exert an effect on the water relations of the catchment. Continumts Record of Run-Off on Forested Catchments.-At the Stewart's Creek FJxpcrimental Area five flow-recorders were installed during the summer and records were obtained for the 1960 wet season. Meteorological equipment has been installed and some particular attention given to the means of obtaining reliable measurements of rainfall both above and below the forest canopy. Standard 8-inch diameter rain gauges mounted at the top of two steel masts 85 feet and 95 feet high are used for measuring the rainfall above the trees. Water from the gauge reaches a collecting bottle at the ground by means of a plastic tube. The rainfall at the forest floor is being measured at present by groups of seven standard 8-inch rain gauges at five different sites. It has been found that measurements by the individual gauges show considerable variability and that many more gauges would be required to obtain a reasonably accurate mean value for rain falling on the forest floor. For this reason a trough gauge is now being compared with standard groups in an open area with a view to replacing batteries of rain gauges within the forest by a trough gauge, which, by virtue of its bigger collecting area should give a better value for rainfall below the trees. Plastic tubes have been installed to enable the measurement of the soil moisture in the catchments throughout the year by means of the neutron-scatte1ing device. A site for another hydrological experiment in a wet forest area (60-inch rainfall) has now been selected. This comprises a group of six catchments at Reefton, ranging in size from 200 to 450 acres. Preliminary surveys of the sites for measuring weirs and an estimate of their cost, together with that of the other necessary equipment have been made. 24 PEAK FLUW INVESTIGATIOKR. Investigations at Forsey's Crossing near Charlton.-Following the work done last year on peak flood marks in the Forsey's Crossing catchment near Charlton, an attempt has been made to locate suitable marks in other gullies in the State, in order to provide run-off data applicable to conservation works. To date, few suitable gullies have been located, and these have only two or three marks. Whilst these flood lines will provide useful information for individual projects, a series of about six marks is needed to make a complete analysis worthwhile for comparison with other areas. It is planned to continue the search in the coming summer, and also to reduee the original report to a short paper suitable for publication. Four-am·e Catchments-Peak Flow Recorcls.-Results from peak flow recorders on four small catchments subjected to different conservation treatments were inconclusive. The long-term effect of the various conservation treatments is being followed and reliable conclusions cannot be drawn from results over one year. Limpet Level Recorders.-Recordings have been infrequent and of low magnitude at the various sites. RAINFALL AND RrN-OFF RELATIONS. Dookie-Cosgrove Project.-Data have been collected for the last two years. Although such an investigation is far from conclusive as yet, certain trends have been noted and were discussed in the previous Annual Report. Effect of Improved Pastures on Steep Cowntry. -Poor establishment of the sown species at Kanumbra and Navarre has prevented any hydrologic comparison being made of the pastures under question. However, at Stawell, the desired establishment has been effected on some plots. This allows a comparison to be made between native pasture and sub. clover with respect to their ability to retain rainfall. There is more run-off from the sub. clover plots during the summer period than the control (nat,ive pasture). On the other hand, little difference exists between these treatments during the growing season of the sub. clover. It should be noted that comparisons to date merely indicate trends and are not statistically significant. Also, as the recorders used do not give a continuous record, it often happens that the overall result from a series of rainstorms is the only available data instead of a set of individual recordings for each storm. Nevertheless. despite these disadvantages, the results tend to confirm the fear that under certain conditions the practice of topdressing and pasture improvement with annual species on steep hill country could increase the erosion hazard. Vegetative control of gully erosion is given considerable attention by the Authority. Cumbungi has healed this once active gully at Casterton. 25 View of portion of sand stabilization plots at Wilson's Promontory. The ability of plants to withstand sandblast and stabilize sand is under test. AGRONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS. LAND DEVELOPMENT PLOTS. The Kentbruck Heath Unit experimental area is being maintained and grazed under an agreement with a local landholder. The investigations into the growth rate of pines on deep sands in the Parish of Drajurk has been continued. Measurements made in December gave an average height of 3·2 feet for Pinus radiata planted in 1957 and an average height of 4·4 feet for those planted in 1956. SAND STABILIZATION. Species Trials.--The experimental plot at Wilson's Promontory has given useful information about species for control of foreshore sand drift. Marram grass (Amnwphila a1·enaria) and AgropyTum juncezforme, one of the sea-wheat grasses, have made rapid and effective growth. Creeping Groundsel (Senecio crassifolius) and Hairy Spinfex (Spinifex hirsuius) are growing welL while Pigfaee (Cfarpobrotus a,equilateralus). although badly damaged by sandblast. is surviving. The above-mentioned species with the exception of the native. Hairy Spinifex, have shown responses to added nitrogen and phosphate. Of the many species sown as seed none has survived, but some self-sown seeds of A.qropyrurn junceifomze have germinated and grown welL and further tests with this species will be made. Various untried species have been added to the plot during the year. Tests W'ith Temporary Stab'il?.zers.---For areas of sand further inland from the coast and accessible to machinery, a number of temporary mechanical stabilizers have been tested in association with drilling of rye. Following encouraging results with the use of a cold-water soluble starch " Stabilose " in laboratory tests, a field trial was established on a site at Rye. This was well tested by strong winds and proved unsuccessful in stabilizing the sand. A further trial was carried out at Rye in which several methods of sand stabilization were tried. 26 These included the incorporation of different rates of mulch into the sand, dusting of damp sand with cement, application of different rates of bitumen emulsion and a further trial using Stabilose. Gale-force winds thoroughly tested the treatments. The only treatments surviving these winds were those where mulch was incorporated into the sand. SALTING INVESTIGATIONS. Revegetat£on of Salted Land--Kamarooka.-Plots were established in 1\'lay on an area at Kamamoka, which has recently begun to show signs of salting. A substantial area of land is involved, most of which has been recently used for wheatgrowing. Included in the trial is a plot using similar seeds, fertilizers, and techniques of the demonstration salt trial at Raglan. Additional to the usual salt-tolerant pasture species are plots containing the salt bushes, Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and Creeping Saltbush (A. sernibaccata), and a Bluebush (Kochia bremfol1:a), which is recommended for planting on saline areas in Western Australia. Demonstration Salt Trial-Raglan.- Observation of the demonstration salt trial established at Raglan in 1958 was continued. Although its condition is still far superior to the surrounding untreated areas, there is an increasing amount of Buckshorn plantain appearing and some renovation may be necessary. Species being tested for salt tolerance at Raglan shmv that Disphyma australe is growing strongly and spreading rapidly. Atriplex nummularia was also making good growth, but, unfortuPately, was attacked by white cockatoos and severely damaged. One of titA species of pigface obtained from South Africa is also making fairly good growth. MrscELLANJWUS INvEsTIGATIONs. Fert£lizer Requi,rements.-Plots established on deep sand at Willaura in 1957 showed a statistically significant response to the addition of an undivided group of trace elements. In the following year a further set of plots was established to separate the active constituent of this group. However, no response could be obtained nor was the response in the 1957 plots apparent at this harvest, despite the fact they they had been topdressed in the autumn. In 1959 both sets of plots were again topdressed. but in the spring insufficient material was produced to harvest. It was considered that apart from lack of plant nutrients in these sands, serious problems arise because of their low water-holding capacity, and the high rate of leaching of applied fertilizers. These problems would be overcome if the organic matter in the sand were increased. In an endeavour to achieve this, strips of various green manure crop species were sown in autumn. If sufficient bulk of organic matter is produeed, this crop will be turned into the sand in the spring. A slowly available complete fertilizer was used to overcome nutrient deficiencies and to prevent rapid leaching. Pasture species will be sown next autumn on these strips. Batter Stabilization.--It many instances where batters need to be stabilized, the area concerned is so small or in such a difficult situation, that it is less costly to treat the area by hand than to use machinery such as the Finn equipment. Additional to this, many of the most suitable plants for batter stabilization work are difficult to establish in the field from seed, and require establishment from cuttings or tubed plants. To compare the effectiveness and cost of the different methods of hand-planting on batters, a trial was established at Moorabbin in September,. 1\)59, in co-operation with the Victorian Railways. As a result of this trail it is now possible, given the features of a particular site, to make recommendations on the method of treating it, having regard to the time required to achieve stability, finance available, and type of cover desired. Testinu of species formerly untried in this work continued, and some useful new ones have be~n found. A pot trial eonducted to determine the fertilizer requirements of roundQd pigface (Disphyma australe) revealed that it responds to a nitrogen phosphate 27 One method being used to measure the percentage of ground cover, and its composition, on Mount Hotham, so that the trend towards deterioration or recovery can be ascertained. and potassium fertilizer. However, this species which looked very prom1smg in its native environment and in preliminary trials has been disappointing in larger plantings. Although it makes excellent growth it is severely attacked by birds or insects which either restrict its growth or kill it. General Advice on Plants, Seeds, and Fertilizers.-Advice on plants, seeds. and fertilizers for use in stabilization of eroded country or for use in the prevention of erosion, has been made to district officers and to Government departments, such as the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Country Roads Board, and the Victorian Railways. SpeAJies T1·ends and Erosion Control 1:n Alp1:ne Areas.-Following the decision to ban cattle from grazing the badly damaged alpine herbfields in the Mt. Hotham area, ecological investigations were begun to see whether these areas will stabilize naturally with the exclusion of cattle or whether conservation works using vegetation and mechanical measures are necessary. Fixed transect lines and fixed quadrats were laid down on various vegetative associations to determine the proportion of bare space to vegetative cover and the percentage composition of this cover. Future measurements along these transects and quadrats will indicate the trend towards deterioration or improvement, and also the relative importance of individual species. Indications to date are that the most important native primary colonizers are Celmisia long~folia, Kunzea muellarii, Grevillea australis, and Leptorrhynchus squamatuB. A set of plots was established where seed of various species, both native and introduced, is being tested under different surface covers. The object of t,he surface covers is to protect seedlings from frost-heave, which is a major factor preventing seedling establishment on bare spaces in alpine areas. Four hundred tubed snowgums were planted out for trial on eroded patches around the Hotham area. ProP_agation, Distribution, and .Testing of Van·ous Species.-Seed of several potentially useful species has been harvested With the small-seeds harvester. Some of this has been sown direct in suitable locations, while seed of other species is being tubed bv the Natural Resources Conservation League before being planted out for testing. V 28 Supplies of Creeping Groundsel are being increased by cutting back present stocks and planting out these cuttings. Several small nurseries have been established in as8ociation with district offices. In these, small supplies of materials suitable for particular problems in erosion are being grmvn and maintained. Tree Planting Project~Parwan Experimental Area.. ~-Measurements and observations on the survival, height, and spread of species planted in the Parwan tree-planting project have continued. At this stage it appears that the most suitable species for revegetating areas such as the White Elephant Range are Sallow Wattle (Acacia longifolia), Golden Wreath Wattle (A. saligna), and Drooping Sheoke (Casum·ina stricta). Average height of both species of acacia after fourteen month's growth was 2 ·1 feet, while the sheokes averaged 2 · 8 feet. "Live-pole" Dams as Silt l'mps.-" Live-pole" "X., frame willow silt-dams have been used with success in New Zealand for aggrading and stabilizing gully floors. Several of these dams were constructed for trial in Sandy Gully at Corryong in an endeavour to stabilize this gully floor. " Live-pole " dams are constructed of two rows of freshly-cut willow poles driven into the gully floor>' bound and braced together and securely tied into the bank on either side of the gully. The willow poles grow, wirenetting is tied on to the downstream side of the structure, and silt begins to accumulate. This is bound with a network of roots from the poles and as the height of silt increases and water spills over the drop created by the silt, its energy is largely dissipated in the dense mat of willow roots and debris. These dams have operated well initially, and if successful will prove very useful for gully erosion control work in the higher rainfall areas. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS. Soil Analysis.-A major activity of the laboratory staff :is to carry out comprehensive analyses of soil profiles sampled during the course of the various soil and ecological surveys. The results of these analyses are incorporated into the reports of each particular survey. Analyses of samples from the Glenelg Regional Survey occupied the greater part of the year, but these are now almost completed. Sampling for the Hume Catchment Regional Survey was carried out during the summer, and a start has been made on the analytical work for this project. This is expected to occupy several months, and arrangements have been made to see that the sampling for other regional surveys provides continuity of work in the laboratory. New analytical methods are being tried continuously. and where beneficial are substituted for existing techniques. A plummet balance has been purchased for particle size analysis of soil, and a glass prism spectrophotometer for use in calorimetric determina tions. Rain water Studies.-Litter and rain water collection devices have been set up under the canopy of Red Gum trees of various ages on the Dundas Tableland, north of Coleraine. The object of this experiment is to find an explanation for the better growth of improved pastures which can be noticed under such trees, and to demonstrate that the retention of trees on what was originally Savannah woodland country is beneficial to the grazier. Che~ical analysis of the litter, and of t~e rain water percola~ing through the canopy, is bemg used to measure the return of nutnents to the surface soil. Early results from this study indicate that the rain water is the most important pathway for this return of nutrients, and that the contribution made by litter fall is less significant. .Most workers on Eucalypt litter have tended to regard nutrient transfer by rain washing as negligible, and this experiment will be continued until this point is clarified. Monthly rain water analyses are still being made on Bamples collected from near Seymour, where a. special gauge ~or the purpose. has bee~ :seu up sin~e _1954.. This is providing informatiOn on the relatwn between salme accessw:1s and vanatwns m annual rainfalL 29 Weekly sampling and analysis of rain water, collected in a special all-polyethylene rain-gauge in the meteorological enclosure at the Stewart's Creek Project, was commenced in June. This will be used to measure the amount of various ionic substances falling on the catchment with the rain. At a later stage sampling of surface run-off will be commenced to study the effect of different land uses on the composition and quality of the run-off water. Early results from the rain water analysis project indicate that the accession of ionic material is very low during the winter months. Soil Physics.~-A soil moisture meter has been purchased which works on the principle of the moderation of fast neutrons by hydrogen nuclei. Lined access holes are used and by lowering the instrument's probe unit to the desired depth, the soil moisture content can be obtained without further disturbing the soil. Measurements may be repeated at will at any site. This equipment is intended for use in the routine measurement of soil moisture in the various experimental catchment projects undertaken by the Authority, and a series of access holes has been provided in the Stewart's Creek Catchment. The field use of this equipment has been delayed by a succession of circuit faults, but it is hoped that regular rnoistme measurements will start shortly at Stewart's Creek. The study of the suitability of soil materials for the construction of farm ponds has continued, with particular reference to the areas of Victoria with solodic soils, where dams frequently fail by tunnelling. Small-scale model tests have shown that certain chemical conditioners can produce the slight degree of permeability necessary to prevent drying cracks in these soils. One per cent. of slaked lime mixed with a layer of soil on the upstream face prevented failme in model dams made with this type of material. Sodium chloride (common salt) had a similar effect for a short while, but the effect was only temporary. It is possible that other chemicals, such as iron sulphate might be even more efficient. Tests are continuing, and it is hoped to put in field trials shortly. Previous tests have shown that a layer of sandy material on the upstream face prevents the failure of dam models made from solodic soils, and the practical aspects of keeping such a layer on the face of an actual dam are being studied. An advisory service is being provided for District Officers, whereby samples of material for proposed dams are sent to the laboratory for testing. :Much work needs to be done on the development of more accurate tests for this purpose. The inspection of a large number of dam failmes shows that while many failed because the only material available for their construction was unsuitable, there were many which failed because there had not been sufficient attention given to maintaining a proper moisture content while building, or because no adequate compaction method had been used. ECONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS. A study of farming practices in the northern .Mallee, which was referred to in previous reports, has now been completed. The findings are based on records of operations on nineteen farms during the period 1957~58. The records for twelve farms included all farming operations, but for the other seven farms the records were for cropping operations only. Three aspects of farming were considered. The efficiency of cropping operations was found to be related to the shape and size of paddock. The time for an initial ploughing of a unit area decreases with the increase of the length of the "run", while the working of the fallow, sowing and harvesting require less time per unit area the greater the acreage of the paddock. Many cultivated areas are too small for the efficient operation of machinery, and savings of about £2 to £6 in fuel costs and £4 to £8 in labour costs per 100 acres were found to be possible by an increase of the size of many cultivated areas. With regard to the ultilization of farm machinery it was found that because many ty-pes of machinery are only used for a relatively short time during the cropping cycle, the depreciation and interest segment of their cost of operation per working hour was very high. The records revealed that there was inadequate work for many of the owners (full-time working managers) of the twelve farms investigated. 30 For the more efficient use of both machinery and labour it seems that a likelv solution is a larger farm size, and to a limited extent only, the introduction of som"e side-line production. The inf01mation obtained from this studv will be of value to the Authority when considering possible share-farming agreements for soil conservation and reclamatio'n work in this part of Victoria. Determination of Costs of EMthworks.-Progress has been made with this investigation, although the total number of examples measured is still not sufficient to provide districts with a reliable representative set of times and costs. At the 30th June, 54 properties in eight districts had been visited and various types of earthworks were measured. The results are being expressed in terms of time or cost per linear foot for diversion banks, time or cost per acre for contour and graded banks, contour ripping and furrowing, and time or cost per square chain for grassed waterways. PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION. The continued expansion of the Authority has been reflected in the work of this Section. All sections of the Press, radio, and television have been most helpful and co-operative. Press and Journals.-Many news releases were iss11ed and published in both metropolitan and country Press. In addition. articles on soil conservation have been written for the metropolitan Press, and news items were supplied to columnists. Magazine articles have been written following issued by the editors of such widely-circulated and responsible journals as "B.H.P. Review" and "Vacuum Review". Assistance has also been given to the Natural Resources Conservation League's journal " Victoria's Resources ". Radio and Telev£sion.~-Soi1 conservation and news items have been broadcast both on radio and television. A number of talks bv members and officers has also been broadcast. " The Authority's display at the Royal Agricultural Show, Melbourne. 31 Publications.-The ten publications produced were Annual Report, 1958-59. Five Soil Conservation Competition Reports. Conservation at Woodstock~ Pamphlet. The Buckrabanyule Project--Pamphlet. "A Reconnaissance Survey of the Glenmaggie Catchment", by RowE and DowNES, was sent to the printer. The Conservation Game of " Snakes and Ladders " (Show material). Shows and D,isplays.-The Authority's display at the Royal Agricultural Show received favourable comment. It was exhibited at the Bendigo and Wangaratta Shows, and the Authority provided displays at minor country shows and at exhibitions in the metropolitan area. Field Days.-~Press publicity, Press advertising, handbills, and programmes were prepared for field days held on Hanslow Cup-winning properties. Field Days were organized and managed in co-operation with the Field Division. Attendances are reported elsewhere. Film Tours.-~-Sixty-five country towns were visited in a series of fifteen soil conservation film tours which were arranged in co-operation with the State Film Centre. A total of 4,960 people, which represents an increase of 673 on the previous year, attended. Press advertising, Press releases and posters were prepared. Newsletter.-The newsletter "Scan" has continued to be edited and produced. Film Product1:on.-Scripting and film editing of the land-use film "1\'lallee-Land of Challenge" was completed. The film is a 16-mm. colour documentary with a sound-track commentary. It deals with the .Mallee Hanslow Cup Soil Conservation Competition and with the progress of conservation farming. Library.-There are now 680 books, 800 special reports, and 40 booklet boxes, containing booklets and leaflets arranged under subject headings. The library receives for circulation 72 periodicals (weeklies, monthlies, and quarterlies) covering soil conservation, agriculture. and science. During the year a duplicated library list of all books, arranged according to subjects, was produced. Sundry Activities.-Severalmeetings of District Advisory Committees were attended. A talk was given to Prahran Rotary Club and assistance given in the screening of films and film slides at talks by officers. Appendix " D " shows details of distribution of literature, loan of films, film tours, and colour slide loans to other organizations. Publications distributed totalled 24,277. DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEES. The Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act provides for the creation of District Advisory Committees, the majority of members of which must be landholders. Following upon the Authority's decision to constitute four instead of two conservation districts in the lVlallee and so provide a better service to landholders, the former Northern 1\'lallee District Advisory Committee, which had a long record of valuable service, ceased. New committees were elected in the Northern, 'Vestern, and Southern Mallee districts ; a committee was also formed in the Northern 'Vimmera District. There are now eleven District Advisory Committees, and the Authority wishes to express its appreciation to committee members for the considerable interest and energy which they have displayed in the performance of their duties. They have helped considerably in stimulating interest in soil conservation competitions, suggested demonstration areas, and undertaken such activities as organizing field days. 32 • A few large gullies such as this one in the Omeo District are contributing considerable amounts of sediment to the Livingstone Creek which is a major tributary to the Mitta Mitta River. In many instances committee members have carried out useful liaison with landholders whose eo-operation could not otherwise have been so readily obtained. Landholder members' local knowledge has also been of considerable assistance to District Conservation Officers, and hence aided in the more efficient carrying out of the Authority's responsibilities. Indications of Committee interest in soil conservation were requests for special talks on regional surveys and other aspects of conservation works which were given by Authority officers. LAND UTILIZATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. The Council held five meetings during the year, one being associated with an inspection of the Eppalock Catchment. During the year the Council made recommendations to the .Minister and the Authority with respect to the use of land in the Rocklands Catchment. It also made recommendations to the Authority with respect to land-use in the 1VIacedon Catchments. the proclamation of Eppalock Catchment, and the establishment of hydrological experiments in a high rainfall forest area. The recommendations and Authority action are discussed elsewhere in this Report. 33 STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOIL CONSERVATION. The annual meeting of the Standing Committee was held in Hobart in November, 1959. Representatives of the Commonwealth Departments of Primary Production and Interior, and of the State Soil Conservation Services of New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria were present. During the three days before the meeting the Committee inspected soil conservation and erosion-control work in many areas between Launceston and Hobart. The inspection had been designed to show members a cross-section of the erosion problem in Tasmania. Tasmania is the only State which has no specific soil conservation legislation and one of the main items on the agenda was a discussion of the desirability of having such legislation to aid the development of a suitable programme of soil conservation. The Committee agreed that it would be desirable if from time to time representative technical personnel from throughout the Commonwealth could hold symposia on particular aspects of soil conservation. The Committee also agreed that the increasing population of Phasmid insects in forested catchments of Victoria and New South Wales constituted a threat to catchment stability and that a thorough ecological investigation of the problem should be initiated. ADMINISTRATION. St~.-Total staff at the end of the year was 91, an increase of two over the previous year. As reported in previous years the difficulty in obtaining engineering and drawing office staff is severely hampering work of the Engineering Division. The extensive programme of soil conservation and erosion control work to be undertaken by the Authority in the Eppalock Catchment will impose an even greater strain on the Authority's resources. It will be necessary to accelerate the development of the Authority to cope with this work. Additional positions are being sought to enable this development to take place. With the creation of these positions it will be possible to further decentralize the Authority's services. During the year, officers were stationed at Bairnsdale and Mildura, and a District Conservation Officer was appointed for the Western Gippsland District. The Authority now has officers specifically responsible for the work in eighteen of the State's proposed 26 districts, and the remaining districts will be staffed as trained officers become available. In the meantime, limited services are being supplied by officers in adjoining districts or at Head Office. The loyalty and enthusiasm of the staff contributed greatly to the success of the Authority's activities. St~ Training.-The Authority continued to operate its own training programme and at the examination held on 6th to lOth July, three officers, Messrs. A. Fisher, R. Kelly, and B. Nicholson, passed the Final Examination, and six, l\:Iessrs. A. Beveridge, F. Hall, G. O'Meara, 1\L 0' Meara, D. Sanders, and G. Stephinson, passed the Preliminary Examination. The Annual Staff School was held at Deepdene from 30th November, and the co-operation of other departments in providing lecturers is appreciated by the Authority. The Authority co-operated with a number of other departments and organizations in providing speakers for similar schools or conferences, and during the year officers attended several of the Training Courses conducted by the Public Service Board. Vehicles.-At 30th June, 1960, the Authority operated 8 cars, 1 truck, 22 utilities and vans, 5 four-wheel-drive vehicles, and 6 tractors-a total of 42 vehicles. This is an increase of one over the number operated in 1958-59. 9497/60.-8 34 During the coming financial year it will be necessary to replace the Allis Chalmers HD7 tractor, and in view of the capital outlay involved additional funds will be sought for this purpose. Housing and Qffice Accommodation-Head Office.-Work has commenced on a new single-storey block to provide additional accommodation which is urgently required to relieve crowding. Plans are also being drawn for the provision of storage and workshop accommodation. Alexandra.-Activities of the District Officer are being hampered by lack of ··suitable storage facilities for materials, but it is hoped that facilities will be provided shortly. Bairnsdale.-An officer was stationed in Bairnsdale during the year, but difficulty IS being experienced in obtaining a departmental residence in the town. Bacchus Marsh.--Shortage of funds has prevented urgently-needed repairs being carried out at the Departmental residence. However, it is expected that these will be undertaken during the next financial year. Benalla.-The Lower Goulburn Soil Conservation District staff has now moved into the new Public Offices at Benalla. Bendigo.-Tenders have been invited for the construction of a Departmental residence and it is expected that work will commence shortly. Broadford.-~The residence for the District Conservation Officer was completed during the year and he is now stationed in the town. Oamperdown.-Space has been provided for the Authority m public offices being erected at Camperdown. Ooleraine.--Although arrangements are being made for an office to be opened at Hamilton as the centre for the Glenelg District an officer will continue to be located at Coleraine. Hamilton.-Arrangements have been completed for· the District Conservation Officer for the Glenelg DistriGt to be stationed at Hamilton as soon as accommodation is available . .ilit:ldura.--An officer has been stationed at Mildura to work in the Northern Mallee Soil Conservation District and office accommodation will be obtained as soon as possible. In general, the situation regarding office accommodation in country centres is considered to be satisfactory. In one or two towns where offices are considered below standard, attempts are being made to secure more suitable accommodation. Difficulty is still being experienced, however, in providing departmental residences in district centres and tbis oould delay opening of some districts. . F1:nance.- The total amount voted to the Authority during the financial year was £182,605 and expenditure totalled £181,220. During the coming financial year the Authority's activities in the Eppaiock Catchment and in other areas, the appointment of new committee::·, and establishment of new districts will necessitate the provision oi a.dditional funds. A detailed statement of expenditure in 1959-60 and of funds available to the Authority in 1960-61 follows. 35 EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1959-60. Salaries and Payments in the .Nature of Salary £ £ Salaries and Allowances 126,592 Payments in lieu of long service leave 703 127,295 General Expenses- Travelling and Subsistence 10,256 Office requisites and equipment 2,776 Books and Public'ttions, other incidental expenses 3,250 Postal and telephone expenses 426 Motor Vehicles-Purchase and running expenses 15,374 Plant, Machinery, and other Equipment 3,126 Publicity 1,317 Experiments, Demmmtrs,tions, Reclamation, and Catchment Projects 6,750 43,275 Other Services- District Advisory Committees 650 Loans, Grants, and Assistance 10,000 10,650 Total 181,220 ExPENDITURE--VoTE AND LoAN--FINANCIAL YEAR 1959-60. Buildings, Rents, &c. 3,882 EsTIMATED ExPENDI'l'URE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1960-61. Salaries and Payments in Nature of Salaries £ £ Salaries and Allowances 141,241 Payments in lieu of long service leave . 5,720 146,961 General Expenses- - Travelling and Subsistence 11,500 Office requisites and equipment, printing and stationery 2,750 Books and Publications, other incidental expenses 3,250 Postal and Telephone expenses 430 Motor Vehicles--Purchase g,nd running expenses 9,500 Plant, Jfachinery, and other Equipment 500 Publicity 1,400 --~--- 29,!330 Other Services--- District Advisory Committees-·Fees and travelling expenses of members .. 1,200 1,200 36 Loan Funds- Eppalock Catchment . . 50,000 Other Projects 10,000 Purchase of Plant, Machinery, and Equipment . . 16,000 Loans, Grants, and Assistance under Sec. 143 (b) of Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act 10,000 86,000 263,491 EsTIMATED ExPENDITURE-VoTE AND LoAN-FINANCIAL YEAR 1960-61. Buildings, Rents, &c. 55,750 G. T. THOMPSON, Chairman. R. G. DO\VNES, Deputy-Chairman. R. G. THOMAS, Member. (deceased 5th January, 1961) ARTHUR TIDD, Secretary. 37 APPEND IX "A". WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS PROCLAIMED DURING 1959--60. Date of Area Name. Proclamation. (square miles). Main Use of Water Stored. i Wimmera 12.9.59 1,700 Stock and Domestic Riddell's Creek (Reproclaimed after revocation of Proc 13.3.60 2 Town Water lamation of 21st April, 1959} Gisborne-Sunbury (Reproclaimed after revocation of Proc 13.1.60 2! Town Water lamation of 6th October, 1954} Lancefield 23.3.60 7! Town Water Romsey 23.3.60 3! Town Water Woodend h Mount Macedon 23.3.60 3! Tmvn Water :\'laced on ..) 38 APPENDIX " B ." SOIL CONSERVATION COMPETITIONS. Competition. Soil Conservation Districts, shown in order In which Competitions arc being held. Mallee Soil Conservation Competition Northern Mallee District, comprising the Shire of Mildura. formerly Mallee Soil Drift Control Western Mallee District, comprising the Shire of Walpeup. Competition Southern Mallee District, comprising the Shires of Birchip, Karkarooc and Wycheproof. Eastern Mallee District, comprising the Shires of Kerang and Swan Hill. Western Soil Conservation Competi Pyrenees District, compr1smg the Shires of Ararat, Avoca, Lexton, tion formerly Pyrenees District Ripon and Stawell. Soil Conservation Competition Glenelg District, comprising the Shires of Dundas, Glenelg, Mount Rouse, Wannon, and the Parish of Grassdale and that part of Tahara in the Shire of Portland. Southern Wimmera District, comprising the Shires of Arapiles, Dunmunkle, Kowree and Wimmera. Northern Wimmera District, comprising the Shires of Dimboola, Kaniva Lowan and Wimmera. North Central Soil Conservation Avoca River District, compr1smg the Shires of Bet Bet, Charlton, Competition formerly Avoca River Donald, Gordon, Kara Kara and Korong. District Soil Conservation Com Campaspe District, comprising the Shires of East Loddon, Huntley, petition Marong, Strathfieldsaye and Waranga. Central District, comprising the Shires of Broadford, Gisborne, Kilmore, Mclvor, Newham and Woodend, Pyalong and Seymour. Upper Loddon District, comprising the Shires of Ballaarat, Bungaree Creswick, Glenlyon, Kyneton, Maldon, Metcalfe, Newstead, Talbot and Tullaroop. North Eastern Soil Conservation Upper Goulburn District, comprising the Shires of Alexandra, Mansfield Competition formerly Goulburn and Yea. Catchment Soil Conservation Lower Goulburn and Murray Districts, comprising the Shires of Bena.Ila, Competition Cobram, Cohuna, Deakin, Euroa, Goulburn, Nathalia, Numurkah, Rodney, Shepparton, Tungamah, Violet Town, Yarrawonga. Ovens District, comprising the Shires of Beechworth, Bright (except Kiewa valley), Chiltern, Oxley, Rutherglen and Wangaratta. Upper Murray District, comprising the Shires of Towong, Upper Murray, Wodonga, Yackandandah and the Kiewa valley in the Shire of Bright. Gippsland Soil Conservation Com Tambo District, comprising the Shires of Omeo, Orbost and Tambo. petition formerly Upper Murray Avon District, comprising the Shires of Avon, Bairnsdale and Maffra. Region Soil Conservation Com Southern Gippsland District, comprising the Shires of Alberton, Morwell, petition Rosedale, South Gippsland and Traralgon. Western Gippsland District, comprising the Shires of Bass, Buln Buln, Korumburra, Mirboo, Narracan, Warragul, Woora yl and the Borough of Wonthaggi. Southern Soil Conservation Com Yarra District, comprising the Shires of Berwick, Broadmeadows, Bulla, petition Cranbourne, Dandenong, Doncaster and Templestowe, Eltham, Fern Tree Gully, Flinders, Frankston and Hastings, Healesville, Lillydale, Melton, Momington, Mulgrave, Phillip Island, Upper Yarra and Werribee Moorarbool District, comprising the Shires of Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Bannockburn, Buninyong, Corio, Grenville, and Leigh. Otway District, comprising the Shires of Barrabool, Bellarine, Colac, Hampden, Heytesbury, Otway and Winchelsea. West Coast District, comprising the Shires of Belfast, Minhamite Mortlake, Portland, Warrnambool and the Boroughs of Port Fairy and Koroit. 39 APPENDIX "C ". SUMMARY OF FIELD DIVISION ACTIVITIES. PROJECTS AXD DEMONSTRATIONS. One hundred and twelve projects and demonstrations are at present being carried out by the Authority. These are summarized as follows :~ Farm Planning Projects- Upper Goulburn District~~ Howquadale .. W. P. Heine Ti-Tree Creek J. J. Corrigan Glen burn J. R. J ackett Glen burn G. T. and R. W. Wright Glen burn D. W. Main Alexandra .T. R. Hall Flowerdale L. Collins Flowerdale J. T. Eckersley Yea M. D. Spanjer. Acheron J. Squire Crystal Creek A. E. Fullwood A~heron V. F. and J. R. Wilcox Yea A. Sinclair Barjarg P. and M. Berry Upper Loddon District-· Kyneton (Formerly R. T. Borbidge) Kyneton J. Guilfoyle Redesdale D. Fisk . Baringhup W. Lewis Ovens District- Everton R. W. Spowers Greta South .. P. J. Dummett Murmungee .. C. J. Orton Bowman's Forest D. Witherow King Valley .. J. G. Aston Central District- Kilmore J. Payne Broadford A. R. Jeffrey Seymour E. Cappur-Webb Trawool E. C. and R. C. Webb Avoca River District-- Yeungroon A. John Charlton~ W. Polkinghorne Wychitella R. Bird Moorabool District Glenmore J. T. 0. Dickinson Pty. Ltd. Glenmore Northcote Boys' Farm Bamganie R. McKenzie Lara " Serendip," Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife Campaspe District~ Corop L. B. Dutton Eppalock J. Edwards Strathfieldsa ve M. J. Crowe Corop ' C. G. Speers Pyrenees District Armstrongs H. R. Dalkin Waubra N. E. and J. M. Bath Yarra District Mickleham Kinnear Bros. Nutfield A. Arnold Lower Goulburn District Devenish T. Trewin Murchison East R. Loven Locksley J. Jeffries 40 APPENDIX " C "--continued. Farrn PUJ,nni119 Proje~:ts~-continued. Southern Gippsland District-- Seaspray D. Wood Western Gippsland District- Leongatha South P. M. O'Sullivan Tambo District--- Bumberrah T. W. Kettle Northern Wimmera District- Dimboola D. R. Launer Jeparit W. J. Pitt Upper Murray District-- Corryong Roman Catholic Church Property Thowgla R. H. Wake Bethanga J. Condon Southern Mallee District-- Sea Lake I. A. Alien Western ::\iallee District-- Tutye K. Brown Farm Recl4mation Pro._iects- Western Mallee District C.A. 27, Boulka A. H. Weir C.A. 6, Gnarr C. Rankin Tiega Reserve J. Arbuckle Ouyen Rifle Range Reserve Share - farming arrangement Northern Mallee District- between landholder and C.A. 4, Tunart D. R. McGregor Soil Conservation Authority Eastern Mallee District- C.A. 16, Piangil West L. H. Langley Southern M:allee District-- Wild Dog Hill Bowd Conservation Reserve- Northern Wimmera District-Reserve of 256 acres of dune country at Lake Hindmarsh. Demonstrations- Pyrenees District--- Navarre Hills, reclamation of tunnelled country, 22 acres. Avoca River District--- Charlton West Reserve, contour-furrowing and regrassing. Jeffcott Hills Reserve, contour-furrowing and regrassing. "Bald Hill," Woosang, an area of 80 acres severely gully and sheet-eroded, with some salting, which it is intended to reclaim by employing appropriate soil conservation practices. Moorabool District- Pentland Hills, reclamation of sheet, tunnel, and gully-eroded 50 acres adjoining Western Highway by pasture improvement, contour ripping and furro'\>-ing, banking, waterways, structures, grassed chute, tree planting in gullies. Lower Goulburn District--- Bailieston, reclamation demonstration of 10 acres of sheet and tunnel-eroded land in catchment to Goulburn Weir, by contour ripping, tunnel ripping, pasture improvement. Co-operative Projects- Avoca River District--- Buckrabanyule, control of hill and adjacent cultivation land by contour layout, grassed waterways, and improved rotations; protection of roads. Barrakee, control of hilly Crown land and reclamation of adjacent gullied cultivation land on two properties ; protection of water channel and roads. Forsey's Crossing Catchment, embraces 60 square miles of mainly flat to gently undulating land fringed by hills ; together with improved land management, an objective is to impound water in portions of numerous gullies, in order to both control flow and provide some water for small-scale irrigation. 41 APPENDix " C "-continued. Co-operative Projects-continued. Avoca River District--continued. Mount ,Jeffcott, graded contour banking and grassed waterways to protect sloping arable land surrounding the mount which was contour-furrowed in 1948. There are five landholders concerned and their co-operation was obtained by the Avoca River District Advisory Committee. Mount Gowar, the Avoca River District Advisory Committee organized the necessary co-operation between the four landholders with properties in the 700 acres of lesser sloping arable land of the mount. Two and a half miles of waterways will take run-off water from graded banks. Campaspe District-- Shelbourne Catchment, improved subdivision, pasture and grazing management, contour furrowing and banking, some gully blocking ; 400-acre catchment. Shelbourne-Woodstock Catchment, excess run-off from a catchment of 2,300 acres has resulted in siltation of several properties with accompanying reduction in cropping. Treatment involves contour-furrowing, graded banking, and grassed waterways. Murphy's Creek, situated to south of Shelbourne and Woodstock-Shelbourne Co-operative Projects ; many active gullies, siltation, damage to Marong Shire structures ; pasture improvement and subdivision planned ; eighteen landholders concerned. Lakey's Catchment, is a catchment of 1,200 acres to a tributary of Bradford Creek; eleven landholders and Shires of Marong and Maldon concerned; gullying, siltation in cultivation paddocks, sheet and tunnel erosion, flooding and siltation in vicinity of Bendigo-Maryborough-road at Lanecoorrie; pasture improvement and subdivision. Pyrenees District- Ledcourt, Stawell, control of 3,000-acre catchment on seven properties; protection of Western Highway. Charley Combe Creek, Buangor, contour-furrowing, pasture improvement, gully stabilization including tree-planting, to reduce siltation on Western Highway. Navarre Hills Catchment, comprises 5,856 acres in the Parish of Navarre, on nine properties ; farm planning-correct subdivision, pasture improvement, control of run-off water to obviate siltation on Shire roads. Malakoff Catchment, 3,355 acres from which run-off water is causing siltation of roads ; improved subdivision and pastures. Northern Wimmera District-- Lil Lil Dam, Dimboola, reduction and control of run-off from cultivation land by improved rotations, pastures, and contour works. Currip Swamp Catchment, Kiata, contour layout and improved farming practices over nine properties comprising 5,000-acre catchment. Diapur Dam Catchment, 21 properties in 18,000-acre catchment to railway dam ; improved rotations and contour layout. Yanipy Swamp, Kaniva, measures to reduce flow from extensive catchment to swamp are in progress ; waterways, graded banks, contour ripping. Lower Goulburn District- Goorambat, control of hilly and lower cultivation land over nme properties ; road protection. Dookie-Cosgrove Catchment, involves 36 properties and the Shepparton Shire Council over 30 square miles ; aims to minimize erosion on catchment and siltation of Cosgrove Caniambo and other roads by improved rotations, graded banks and waterways, and pasture improvement. Cashel Co-operative, Dookie, situated east of Dookie tovmship ; takes in part of northerly aspect of Mount Major ; seven landholders, including Dookie Agricultural College ; approximate area of 2,000 acres ; gullying, siltation, sheet erosion, soaks due to lack of adequate cover on the mount; grassed waterways, diversion banks, scour-filling ; improved grazing management. Lawson's Road, Devenish, involves two catchments, 630 acres and 150 acres, run off-from which has caused erosion on properties and Shire roads ; Benalla Shire Council requested that an attempt be made to reduce run-off and safely dispose of that water which does so; five landholders concerned plus another two who would benefit; requires improved land-use in the catchment and construction of a 6,700-ft. x 100-ft. wide waterwav through two properties to overcome interruption to natural drainage pattern, and installation of culverts and other works by the Council 42 APPENDIX " C "--continued. Co-operative Projects-continued. Central District- Cleve's Gully Wallan East, 164-acre catchment on four properties; severe gullying and tunnelling causing siltation on Woodstock-Wallan East road and property on adjacent flats ; diversion banks constructed by contractor paid by landholders, charged on basis of estimated percentage of benefit derived by each and the proportion of the acreage involved by each, and the Authority. Taylor's-lane, situated south-west of Wallan township ; gully erosion, siltation of farm lands and Hume Highway ; seventeen landholders and Country Roads Board involved ; pasture improvement, vegetative control measures and soil-saving dams in gully, grassed waterway. Upper Loddon District- Brusaschi's Hills, concerns a landholder, the Forests Commission, and the Talbot Shire Council; gullying beside and siltation on Talbot-Clunes road ; contour-furrowing in forest reserve by Authority plant, tree-planting and protective fencing along roadside, silt traps in gullies in catchment. Rathscar Co-operative, 2,000-acre catchment abutting l\1aryborough-Rathscar road, 12 miles from }iaryborough ; diversion banks, contour furrows, structure, fencing ; six landholders, all co-operative. Castlemaine Reservoir Catchment, 220 acres contour ripping, 2,500 feet of diversion banking, 25 chains grassed waterway, 5 acres land grading, 40 acres pasture improvement, two gulley plug-dams, five RC. structures, in 330-acre catchment to S.R. and W.S.C. reservoir of 1,000 acre feet. Glenelg District- Nangeela Catchment, involves some lO miles of broken drainage lines over the 2,700-aere catchment from which eroded soil is deposited on the Casterton-Dergholm road; control measures include fencing of gullies and vegetative control. Smoky Creek, Branxholme, commenced in 1957 at the instigation of the Dundas Shire Council, which was concerned at siltation at Smoky Creek Bridge; six landholders are co-operating by stabilizing the eroding gully with trees and grasses. JYloorarbool District- Bissell's-road, Bacchus Marsh, control of siltation on this road and a neighbouring property by catchment improvement was sought by the Bacchus Marsh Shire Council in 1955. Co-operation of the five landholders and the Forests Commission has been sought ; improvement of forest floor cover, pasture improvement, diversion of run-off from main gully to a waterway. Upper Goulburn District- Cotton's Pinch, Yea, improved pastures and contour works on the 500-acre catchment to large gully beside Yea-".\iansfield road, together with extensive tree-planting by Authority in and beside gully. Upper Murray District- Sandy Gully, Corryong, involves control of a large multi-headed actively-eroding gully which deposits silt on the Corryong-Cudgewa road; four landholders, the Upper Murray Shire Council, and the Authority are co-operating in control measures, silt dams, a concrete structure, fencing and tree-planting. Sugarloaf Project, Corryong, severe gully erosion in granitic soils ; seven landholders concerned in catchment ; planning of conservation works completed ; 60-80 acres contour ripped ; vegetative control of gully erosion, with protective fencing, to be undertaken. Southern JYiallee District- Mystic Park, contour banking, cultivation and sowing with cereal rye and pasture species 1,400 acres of wind-eroded land of gentle slopes from which run off affected roads and other utilities. Wyperfield Park-Y aapeet road Project, initiated at instigation of Southern Mallee Distriet Advisory Committee, between Authority, Karkarooc Shire Council, Lands Department, and neighbouring landholders, C. A. and L. E. Schmidt ; to prevent drift-sand blocking the only road to the Wyperfeld National Park ; involves dune stabilization, levelling, fencing, rabbit control. 43 APPENDIX " 0 ".-continued. Co-operative Projects--continued. Ovens District- Sleeping Dog Creek Co-operative Project, 155 m.p. Hume Highway; co-operation sought by Country Roads Board which has continuing trouble with highway flooding and siltation ; catchments covers some 2,000 acres in Parishes of Byawatha and Carraragarmungee in the Shire of Wangaratta. Vegetative Ccmtrol of Gthllies and Landslips Glenelg District- Grassdale, utilization of stabilized gully by fencing and planting trees suitable for commercial use. Rowe's Slip, Balmoral-road, stabilization of landslip and gully affecting road, by fencing and planting of suitable trees and grasses. Satimer-road, Casterton, protection of road and bridge by stabilization of landslide and minor stream with trees and grasses. Peterson Bros., Coleraine, stabilization of landslide and gullies by tree and grass planting. Beaton's Slip, Wootong Vale, stabilization of landslide by tree-planting, trees guarded from rabbits. Upper Goulburn District- Cotton's Pinch, Yea, fencing and planting of gully and environs alongside main Yea-Mansfield road as part of Cotton's Pinch Co-operative Project. Experirnent~- Glenelg District-- Huf's Plots, Croxton East, to determine species and fertilizers most suitable to provide cover in salt-affected land. Palestine strawberry clover well established in one year. Ovens District-- Mount Hotham, species and method <:>f sowing trials on gravel-stripped area. 44 FIELD DAYS. Field Days conducted and attended were as follows :- Soil Conservation Authority (Hanslow Cup Competitions) 6 (Two in 1959 competition ; total attendances = 1,650) Other Departments and Organizations 10 16 AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, BROADCASTS, LECTURES, ETC. (1958-59 figures in parenthesis.) I Meetings. Edncational Shows. BroadciiJ!ts. Lectures. Excursions. Film Screenings. ·~ 7 (9) 7 (3) 49 (43) 72 (47) 59 (73) 62 (58)* • Attendance 4,173 (3,640). WORKS RECORD. The following analysis indicates the extent to which the services of officers are in demand (figures in parenthesis relate to 1958-59, 1957-58, and 1956-57). Initial Inspection Requested 670 (541 ; 591 ; 532) Initial Inspections made 693 (652; 655; 575) Initial Inspections Outstanding .. 250 (284 ; 399 ; 482) Subsequent Inspections Requested 515 (367 ; 379 ; 296) Subsequent Inspections Made 577 (405 ; 402 ; 270) Subsequent Inspections Outstanding 151 (142 ; 142 ; 155) Further Inspections Needed 256 (169 ; 161 ; 159) Further Inspections Made 787 (476 ; 409 ; 302) Other Visits 1,748 (1,690; 1,538; 1,292) Surveys Outstanding 395 (402; 423; 474) WORK CARRIED OUT DURING THE YEAR FOR WHICH S1JRVEY ASSISTANCE AND SUPERVISION WERE GIVEN. (Figures in parenthesis relate to 1958-59 and 1957-58.) Acres. I Properties. Contour Furrowing 3,788 (1,872; 2,921) 53 (35; 56) Contour Ripping 1,735 (1,757) 28 (32) Contour Guide lines for cultivation 1,489 (1,045) 26 (18) Contour Banks 537 (1,319; 1,655) 22 (23: 39) Graded Banks 588 (433; 723) 17 (10; 20) ------'·-~----··--- Number. TA!ngth. Properties. Grassed Waterways 43 (41 ; 41) 1,119 chains (2,797; 1,191) 31 (34; 37) Diversion Banks 458 (409; 445) 176,64 7 feet (167 ,677 ; 228,369) 224 (197 ; 223) Surveys for Dams 272 (133 ; 227) 217 (115 ; 197) Grassed Chutes 27 (26; 28) 24 (22; 26) This represents a total of 642 properties on which work was carried out, compared with 486 in 1958-5H, and 598 in 1H57-58. SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS, 1946, TO 30TH JUNE, 1960. Requests for Initial Inspections received from 1946 to 30th June, 1960 = 6,050 approximately. Number of Initial Inspections Outstanding at 30th June, 1960 = 250; therefore, the total number of individual properties inspected from 1946 to 30th June, 1960 = 5,800 approximately. In addition, between 1st July, 1954, and 30th June, 1960, 2,365 Subsequent Inspections have been made. This gives a total of at least 8,165 inspections made since 1946 for a similar number of jobs on properties. 45 APPENDIX "D ". DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICATIONS. 1959-60 City and Suburban School Students 8,200 Country School Students 914 University Lecturers and Students 562 Teachers 2,412 Student Teachers 370 Agricultural Colleges 392 City and Suburban (other than students) 322 Country (other than students) 335 District Conservation Offices (for local distribution) 5,220 Government Departments 270 Other States 383 Overseas 230 Hanslow Cup Competition Reports 4,800 24,410 1958-59 24,277 COUNTRY FILM TOURS. 1958-59 1959-60 Country Districts Visited 16 15 Country Towns Visited 66 65 Total Attendances .. 4,287 4,960 Average Attendance per Showing 65 76 LOANS OF AUTHORITY FILMS. Government Bodies 16 10 Commercial Organizations 8 2 Land-use Organizations 10 5 Educational Bodies .. 24 19 58 36 COLOUR SLIDE PROGRAMMES. Slides Loaned to Educational Bodies 674 945 Slide Programmes Supplied to Educational Bodies and Farmers' Organizations 20 34 46 APPENDIX "E ". DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEES. Avoca River. A. Small, " Tottington," St. Arnaud (Chairman). E. W. White, Ridge-street, Wedderburn. F. 0. Sanderson, Coonooer Bridge, via Charlton. F. R. B. Coghill, Private Bag 28, Boort. R. B. Gray, " Blairgowrie," Bet Bet. R. F. L. Nicolson, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Birchip. J. F. Allinson, High-street, Charlton (Secretary). Bogong High Plains. G. T. Thompson, Soil Conservation Authority, 378 Cotham-road, Kew (Chairman). N. Gow, Wandiligong, via Bright. H. H. Fitzgerald, Livingstone Crossing, Omeo. J. F. P. Roper, "Mount Yorke," Tawonga. H. H. C. Williams, General Superintendent, Kiewa, S.E.C., Mount Beauty. J. L. Mitchell, Lands Department, Melbourne (Secretary). Central. F. S. Grimwade, Box 168, Broadford (Chairrnan). Cr. I. R. Robertson, " Gisborne Park," Gisborne. R. A. E. Harding, " Kimberley," Broadford. A. Watkin-Wynne, "Strathardle," Riddell's Creek. K. McDonell, "Glengarry," Darraweit Guim. J. A. Incoll, Forests Commission, Macedon. D. R. Paterson, Box 33, Broadford (Secretary). Glenelg. J. A. Sharp, "Warrawong," Branxholme (Chairman). P. J. Munro, " Brecon," Casterton. H. D. Creen, Box 25, Coleraine. L. G. Taylor, Private Bag, Coleraine. D. R. Heard, "Attunga," Glenthompson. S. W. Margetts, Department of Agriculture, Hamilton. G. B. Ebbs, Whyte-street, Coleraine (Secretary). N orthe:rn M allee. J. R. Gordon, Irymple (Chairman). A. J. Brown, Carwarp. V. W. Ruche], Meringur. F. 0. Wood, Werrimull. A. L. Tully, Lands Department, Redcliffs. G. K. Treloar, Forests Commission, Mildura. A. G. Rae, Box 89, Ouyen (Secretary). Northern Wirnrnera. N. G. Watt, "Golden Grove," Werrap (Chairman). Cr. L. R. Hensley, Diapur. M. Bourke, Areegra, via Warracknabeal. V. G. Champness, Kaniva. W. J. McKenzie, Dimboola. D. R. Rooney, Longerenong Agricultural College, Dooen. G. E. Coghlan, Box 144, Dimboo:ta (Secretary). Pyrenees. A. G. Holden, " Overdale," Stawell (Chairrnan). F. H. Boatman, Glenlofty, via Elmhurst. T. A. Richardson, "Gorinn North," Dobie, via Ararat. M. E. L. Watkin, "Belmont," Beaufort. W. H. Kaye, "Ballakaye," Elmhurst. C. H. Green, Lands Department, Ararat. L. D. Garside, State Public Offices, Vincent-street, Ararat (Secretary). Southern Mallee. W. J. Mclnerney, Box 151, Sea Lake (Chairman). R. C. Pianta, Tempy. J. A. Fisher, Yaapeet. B. P. Foott, Private Bag, Beulah. P. M. Finlayson, Department of Agriculture, Sea Lake. R. F. Nicolson, District Engineer, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Birchip. A. E. Newton, Box 140, Sea Lake (Secreta-ry). 47 APPENDIX " E "-continued. Upper Goulbttrn. A. W. Jones, "Brilliant Estate," Kanumbra (Chairman). P. A. Reid, Private Bag, Mansfield. J. Tehan, "\Vappan," Bonnie Doon. K. Webb-Ware, "Yirraba," Yea. A. H. Beetham, Forests Commission, Healesville. L H. Cameron, Department of Agriculture, Rutherglen. C. F. Paul, Box 69, Alexandra (Secretary). Upper Murray. J. F. Roper, "Mount Yorke," Tawonga (Chairman). K. A. Drummond, W odonga. G. C. Jarvis, "Roseworthy," Cudgewa. B. C. Fraser, "Heatherlie," Tallangatta. J. L. Mite hell, Lands Department, 3ielbourne. C. W. W atson, Forests Commission, W angaratta. R. E. Kelly, Towong-street, Tallangatta (Se~-retary). Western Mallee. F. 0. Beer, Tutye (Chairman). R. N. Mariager, Murrayville. J. A. Rose, Walpeup. J. V. Vallance, Pier Millan. 'A. P. Mann, Walpeup Research Station, Walpeup. C. V. Fletcher, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Ouyen. A. G. Rae, Box 89, Ouyen (Secretary). 48 APPENDIX "F." FIELD DIVISION-SENIOR AND DISTRICT OFFICERS. Head Office: 378 Cotham-road, Kew, E.4 (Tel. WY 1381, WY 3077) Chief Conservation Officer-H R. Dickinson. Senior Conservation Officer-M. S. Wood. Senior Conservation Officer-A. Mitchell. Senior Conservation Officer-F. D. Runge. District Conservation Officer-G. B. Sluiter. District Offices : Avoca River District-High Street, Charlton (Tel. Charlton 52). District Conservation Officer-J. F. Allinson. Avon District-Main Street, Bairnsdale {Tel. Bairnsdale 790). Box 187, Post Office, Bairnsdale. District Conservation Officer--B. M. Nicholson. Campaspe District-Public Offices, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo (Tel. Bendigo 3 5878). Box 206, Post Office, Bendigo. District Conservation Officer-D. H. Elvery. Central District-High Street, Broadford, (Tel. Broadford 226). Box 33, Post Office, Broadford. District Conservation Officer-D. R. Paterson. Glenelg District-Whyte Street, Coleraine (Tel. Coleraine 261). District Conservation Officer-G. B. Ebbs. Lower Goulburn District-State Public Offices, Benalla West (Tel. Benalla 742). District Conservation Officer-K. B. Terry. Moorarbool District-Court House, Main Street, Bacchus Marsh (Tel. Bacchus Marsh 301). District Conservation Officer-A. J. Wallis. Western Mallee District-Pickering Street, Ouyen (Tel. Ouyen 156). Box 89, Post Office, Ouyen. District Conservation Officer-A. G. Rae. Ovens District-State Public Offices, Faithfull Street, Wangaratta (Tel. Wangaratta 448). District Conservation Officer--J. C. W. Langford. Pyrenees District-State Offices, Vincent Street, Ararat (Tel. Ararat 640). District Conservation Officer-L. D. Garside. Southern Mallee District-Best Street, Sea Lake (Tel. Sea Lake 96). Box 140, Post Office, Sea Lake. District Conservation Officer-A. E. Newton. Upper Goulburn District-Downey Street, Alexandra (Tel. Alexandra 220). District Conservation Officer-C. F. Paul. Upper Loddon District-Bank of New South Wales Building, Maryborough. Box 71, Post Office, Maryborough (Tel. Maryborough 798). District Conservation Officer-K. G. Knights. Upper Murray District-Towong Street, Tallangatta (Tel. 72). District Conservation Officer-R. E. Kelly. Northern Wimmera District-" Kuruga ", Warracknabeal Road, Dimboola (Tel. Dimboola 33). Box 144, Post Office, Dimboola. District Conservation Officer-G. E. Coghlan. By Authority: A. C. BROOKS, Government Printer, :Melbourne.