1959-60
VICTORIA
SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
TENTH ANNUAL REPORT
FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1959
PHESEXTF.D TO BOTH Hon;Es OF PAltLL\~IEXT PL'H.SUAXT TO ACT Xo. 11:17:'.
A. C. BROOKS. GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.
No. 14.-[:!s. !ld.]-!l!J:l:!/59. SOIL (ONSERVATION AUTHORITY
Chairman: G. T. THOMPSON, L.S., A.M.J.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: ARTHCR TIDD This is sound conservation farming. Note the cloddy nature of the ploughed ground and how the natural drainage line has been kept untouched to prevent soil erosion. The rising ground has ample tree cover and shade trees have been left for stock while the paddock is under pasture.
SOIL CONSERVAT ION AUTHORITY
TENTH ANNU AL REPORT
FOR TH E YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1959
Under t.hr provi ;-; JOll S of t.hc ~oil Conscrv;ltion and Lancl Utilization Act the Soil Conservation Authority ltas the hononr to pn:,.;ent to Parliament its Annual Heport for the vear end ed :10th June, l\>!)~l. ·'
Tt is vvith an undcrstanc1abl(' Jee1ing of pride lmt with no self-comphwcncv tlwt the A11thorit)' prcscnt0 it0 Ten th Annual Hcpmt.
The first decadr of (~ndeavour to control erosion and to introduce the i(lra.l of conserving the soil to att.ain l1igh pPrmanent production, seen in retro spect, has made a considerable~ impression on those nn':l.s whPre the Authority has been able to concentrate effort .
.Much has 1H"en lcurnccl from resen rclt _to cletennine Lest land use, many engineering worh> have been completed, thous;:Lnds o( landholders have been hclpecl. and manv organizations havr henefitPd lJv aclvisorv scrvice.c;, but the real task is onl y lwgnn. ft could not be otherwise in a SLilt' which coverc; nearly 88,000 square miles of \ \~ idely , diffcr1ncr topography, soils and dimn tv:.;. · e 4
Rnfficient time h;u; past->ml Jwwever, to lw rea.ssured that tlw hasir planning, organization and methods of attack are sound and require only developing to ultimately provide an efficient t'eonomic Koil conservatioll serviee throughout tlw ;State.
CO-OPEHATION I~ SOIL CONSEHVATION. A proper conception of the nature ami value of correct land use and conservation, both to the individual farmers and the community, can only be obtained when large areas have been planned and treated by groups of landholders. To achieve such a worthy objective requires the eo-operation of landholders with each other and with the Shire and Government Department~:~.
Such group action has now been stimulated in several places by the Authority, and these projects are sufficiently advanced for an appreciation to be made of their community benefit quite apart from their value to the participating landholders.
Group action leads to more community benefit, particularly with regard to the protection it affords publie utilities. It also enables a more concentrated and effective use of the Authority's technical officers. It provides a much more convincing demonstration of the value of proper land use and conservation to people in other parts of the district ; it increases the value of the land.
From the landholders' point of view there are some definite advantagell. There is a :,;ignificant increase in produetivity ; the general improvement of land use over large areas reduces the need for non-produetive erosion control works and hence a big proportion of money spent in a group scheme is for land improvement which will, by the inereaRed productivity, nltimately pay for itself.
At present there is no legislative provision for groupR of landholders to combine for the purpose of achieving a eo-ordinated and co-operative plan for soil conservation and improvement of land use as there i~:~, for example, for drainage schemes. An_v group schemes at present operating are the result of the Authority's offir·ers personally convincing each individual that stwh a sebeme would be beneficial. rrhis is not too diilicult where small numbers of landholders are involved, hut where larger numbers are concerned, much time must he spent in trving to convince the pot<:ntially non-co-opemtiv<' rwrson whose farm so freqttPntly seem.c.:; to m·cnpy a kt'Y pm;ition in tiH' pr·oposed plan.
Bt>camw the advantagPs of gronp aetion are becoming more apparent, it ,«Pcms now that smne legislative provit:>ion might he made to encourage groups of people on their own initiative to band together for the implementation of conservation schemes for common benefit if a ~:~nfticiently large majority so desires. Furthermore, since group action is of far more value to the government, both Municipal and State. and to the whole community, they eould reasonablv except to receive a somewhat greater degree of assistance from the V V (lovemment. than they can get as individual landholden;.
Any inereased ( ~overnnwnt assistanee to such groups would be more than offset bv the lmvered cost of maintenance to publie utilities and the general inereafl(' of produ<:tivity. Fmtlwrmore, group pi'Ojects develop within thest> area>'< a mueh hetter cornmunity spirit and a pride in their t1istriets and its achievements.
The Authority is enquiring int An example of good land use in the Mina Valley. Forest cover has been retained on the steep slopes and grazing is confined to the lower slopes and fla ts. Care of the catchments is a vital aspect of soil conservation. CONSER.YA TION IN WATER SUPPLY CATCHl\lEKTN. The volume of work u":socia.tcd with the Authority's responsibility to ensure that water supply catchments throughout the State are not impaired is increasing rapidly. This work involves not only the preliminary study of catchments to provide suitable information for the Land Utilization Advisory Council to consider before advising the Authority on the desirability of proclaiming a catchment. but also the subs<:quent investigations to provide the basic data for making determinations of land-use after the catchment has been proclaimed. The determination of land-use is not a matter to be undertaken lightly and must only be made on the basis of snffieient information concerning the physic;al characteristics of the catchment. The proclamation of a catchment enables the Authority to maintain a close watch on the area to see that no radical changes of land-use which could be contrary to its proper conservation are initiated. Few d(·terminations have yet been made, but with the increasing volume of information being obtained it will be poi-isible to make more cleterminations and thus define the pattern of land-use in the ca.tchmenLs in the public interest. The Authority's policy and public duty is to approach its respon:->ibil ity with a conservative attitude. So far eight catc hment~ have been proclaimed and these are listed in Appendix A. ln addition the Authority, on the recommendation of the Land t'tilization Advisory Council, is in the process of having six more catchments proclaimed. These catchments are the B.omsey, Lancefield, \Voodend, :Vlaced.on and Upper Nfacedon town water supply catchments and the Wimmera catchment above the offtake to the Wimmera- Mallee water supply system. During the year the Land Utilization Ad vi ::;ory Council was a.::; ked to consider la.nd-u::;e in part of the H.ocJdancls Catchment, beGaLLSE' there was a propo::;al that this area be removed from State Forest Reserve and made available for settlement. 8uch a radical change of land use in a water supply catchment requires most careful Gonsideration to determine its possible long-t.Prm advantage:-; or clisadvantagPs in the public interest. (i After a thorough inspection and consideration of information concerning the present and proposed forms of land use, the Council recommended to the Authority that the area be retained for timber production and that the Authority approach t he owners of freehold land in this part of the catchment with a view to coneeting the existing erosion and making improvements to their present methods of land use. It further recommended that the Forests Commission endeavour to increase the fore::;t productivity in the area. In the catchments to the Upper Mnrrav the A.uthority has had the advice not only of the Land Utilization Advisory Council. but also the Bogong High Plains Soil Conservation District Advisory Committee. During the year t his Committee recommended drastic reduction of stocking on those parts of the High Plains around lVIounts Hotham, Loch and St. Bernarcl. The number of cattle in these areas has been reduced bv half and for the whole of the High "Plains the permissible 11\lnlbers for the coming seasor{ total 6,730. At the request of the Committee the Allthority ·will provide more supervision of cattle numbers and grazing location throughout the season. In l\Jarch. 1958, the Government decided ··that the use of any lands in Victoria above 4,500 ft. elevation in the Upper lVIurrav Catchment and contiguom areas, excluding timber stands of commercial lumber, shall hr a matter solely for decision hy the Soil Conservation Authority of this State ". The Upper Murray Catchment has been interprete(l to mean the area draining to the lVIurray River above Yarrawonga and " contiguous " areas to inch1de adjoining high land catchments to southern flowing streams. Because of this directive and the advice of the Bogong High Plains Committee the Authority is now exercising even stricter control over gnn~ing and other forms of land-use on the high elevation land. Grazing is to cen:-;e in the Mt. Hotharn area. as from the season 1961- 62. Development for ski-ing and other tomist uses is to be under strict control. A matter for concern in this catchment i:-; the infe.'it:t.tion of a Phasmatid leaf-eating insect. This insect has been increasing in numbers for some yee1rs ancl eould result in t he destruction of extensive a.reas of fort'st cover. The Authority has asked that a broad research programme be established on a Commonwealtlt- State eo-operative basis so that this destructive insect may he eo11tml\ed without. detrirnent to t.he catchment. The erosive effect o f rushing water tears the so il from tree roots to cut an ever-deepening gully on farming land. 7 THE AUTHOHl'l'Y. Members of the Authority were engaged during the year on several activities a::-::-sociated with, but outside their normal dutie:·s. Recently the Government appointed a \VildliJe Heserve:-; Investigation Committee to consider what areas of land, having regard to present land-ut:~e and other means of the communitv. should be reserved for wild life aml on what terms and conditions. Its membersliip include;;; the Director of Fisheries and Gmne, am\ representatives of the State Riven; and Water Supply Connnis8ioll, Forestt-; Commission, Lands Department and the Soil Conservation Authority. The Chairman of the Authority, lVh. G. T. Thompson, was asked to be tile Chairman of this Committee. The Clminmm is a member of the \'atjowll Parkt-> Authoritv. and ha:-; takPn an adive part in the organization and development of the ;u·tivities nntl polidcs of this body since it was constituted. The (ilutirman is ubo a lllelll ber of an lntenlepattnwntal Committee e;.;tabli~hed to ~npervist• the orderly development of the tourist facilities of the area around }lt. Hotham, pending the eom.:ideration of whPther it :-;hould be prodaimed c~s a ~ational Park. :\lr. Thompson also continue:-; to represent tlH: Authmit,v 011 the executive of the ~atmal Hesources C'onservation LeagnP, which has rPtently begun the prodnetion of a regular publication dealing with variou:-; ntipeets of conservation of all natural resources. The Deputy C'lminnan. M1'. H. ( L Dowm~:-s, has again been appointed by the Council of the Soil Con::;ervation Rocietv of AmPriea as a llJPmber of it.'l International Relations Committee. )Jr. J)owneH has· also heen appointed VicP-C'hairman of a Soil and \Vater Conservation Committee. establi::-:hed bv the IntPrnational Union for Cont OVERSEAS VISITN. In September and October. the Deputy Chairman, :VIr. H. G. Downet:L visited the J.liddle East. The main purpose of the visit was to fulfil an invitation from U.~.E.S.C.O. to pre8ent an introductory paper to an Arid Zone Symposium on Salinity Problems which it had arranged to hold in Teheran. The subject of the paper \Vas " Soil salinity in non irrigated arable and pastoral land a:-; the result of imbalance of the hydrologie eycle." :Mr. DmvneH was also able to accept an invitation which had previously been received to present a paper at the Sixth Gf'neral At->sembly and Seventh Technical :Yieeting of the International Gnion for Conservation of Xature and Natural Hesource8. The major theme of the;.;e meetingH, which were held in Athens. was 80il and water conservation, and the subject of the paper preRented by Nir. I )ownes was ·'Land management problems following disturbance of the hydrologi(' ba lan!'e of environments in Victoria ., . For a period of tv,co weeb vvhieh was available between the;,se conferences, :VIr. Dmvnes visited Israel, where the DirPt'tot· of the Soil Conservation Service and his staff had made excellent arrangements for him to ob.'-lerve a wide range of soil conservation and reclamation problems and the methods h<>ing used to dt>iil with them. Each of these vit->its alone would have hee11 valuable experienee, but together they constituted an extraordinary opportunity to study comparisons and contrasts of land use and soil conservation in that part of the world whieh l1ad been occupied and used bv civilized man for perhaps tlw longest period of time. " There is no doubt tlmt man's use of the land in the Yliddle l~ast has enn8ed eonsidemble damage and loss of productivity, but in Lsrael in the short space of 10 years it has been shown that this damage need not be permanent, and that it can be readilv overcome bv sound scientific- stud V of land H'SOLlfCei'\, from \Vhie h the de' termination of tl~e be,'lt SVStei~S of land use can be m~Ml<' and tht>n implenwnted. Similar t The Authority"::; advisor·\· :w rvic c~ on fnnn lanll::; range from the control and prevention of :::;mull erosion problems on singll· properties to complete farm planning, co-operative catchment projects, and in("lndc share-fanning u,greements with the Authority as the guiding partnl'r in reclaiming badl1· tTockcl. abandoned properties. The trend towards increa ticd :-;oil c-unspn ,,1 ion fnnn planning observed Ill the past few years has markedly increased. A furtller 19 properties have been approved for conservation planning, bringing the total to 4:3. Whereas at the commencement of the year there were 22 co-operat.iv(~ catchrnent project.s, there were 30 at the end of the year. Share-farming reclamation projects in the 1\hllee now total eight, compared with five a year ago, a ncl tl1ere an· an additional two demonstrat-ion areas, making a total of five. These increase~ inrlicate tile grmving appreciatio11 on the p More adequate supervision was made pos::;i l.Jle follo v\'ing the appointment of a third Senior Conservation Officer. This has heen of considerable benefit to la.ndholders, other Government organization:::;, 1-:I:eacl Office staff and the District Officers. Tt has tended to provide greater uniformity of approach to the solntion of problems encountered by District t,IJ p, matter~ Officers and has accelerated lw.w1llng. of d[stril't by. H ead Office staff. Contour furrowing of steep cultivation paddocks in the Colbinabbin Ranges will minimise water erosion. There has been no increase in the numbcr- i'om teen of del'<-'JJtrali?.ed Ui :::c t rict OJhces. The .Yietropolitan and J.Hornin~ton P eninsula districts, now known There lms been A considerable amount of vlanning and advisory work was done in Central Uit>trict with the D epartment of Army and the Commonwealth Department of \Vorks, the departments having realized the need for preventing further erosion on their e:-tablishment: in the Seymour district. There has been a large increase in tl1e amount of aclvi;;nJ:y work provided for the State Electricity Commission mainly in relation to the installation of a high-povver transmission line across vuln ,rable co untry in the rppcr l\lurray Dist.riC't. In all, seventeen inspections were made for the Commission. Inspections for other departnwnts a nd organizations amonlltP.d to 51, these being for the Forests Commission 7, Koldier Settlement Comm i ~sion 2 . Department of Agriculture 8, State :Rivers and Water Supply C'ommi~sio11 10, Hailways Department 2, Education Department 2, State Development Committee l , D epmtment of Navy 1, Postmaster-General's D epartment 1, National Parks Anthoritv ::3, and for organizations such as various 'waterworks trus1;,.; there were fourteen. Several of the inspections carried out for the Department of Agriculture were associated with con::;ervation planning at its Potato R esearch Station, Toola.ngi, whilst others were joint inspection::; to select suitable sites for pasture trials in which the Authority i:::; directly interested. Eighteen talkt1 were given for the Education Department, four( r~en to country schools and four to State School Teachers at LC'nding vacationa l ::;c hools in }'Ielhourne. Strippin g a wheat crop in a formerly badly eroded paddock which has been contour-banked. The broad-based ba nks all ow implements to harvest al l the crop and pre ve nt erosion by wa te r 10 PupilH from Hixteen country t·whools .. the ~amL' number a;,; last year, were taken over various properties by District Officers. vdw alRo conducted parties on inspections of :soil conservation \:vorks on eight oceasiom.:. Suburban schools have shown a continuing appreeiation of the value of a knowledge of soil conservation on the part of their pupils at-> is shown by the fo1lowing figureR relating to exenrsiont-> conducted by officers to the property of ::\lr. J. W. Paync, "Merriview '', Woodstoek. 1956-57-:31 excursions, 1,902 pupih;, m~ t->chools. 1957-58-38 excursions, 2,194 pupils, 42 Hchools. 1!J58--5~)-:36 excursions, :3,181 pupib, 46 schools. During the year District Officers organized ;)8 film nights at which nttendam·es aggregated :3,640. Of these, 54 were arranged in assoeiation ·with the }lohile Unit of the State Film Centre, :3,460 people attending. 'J'he type:-; of programme;-, ;..;eleeted have hePn well received and a widening field of landholderB has been able to obtain a better appreciation of the nature of the \Vork being undertaken hy the Authority. SlJRVKYS OF EHOSlON ll\ CATCHiliENTS. Following a survey of the Glenelg River Catchment, an officer prepared and submitted evidence to the Parliamentary Public Works Committee established to enquire into the condition of this catchment. 'l'wo officers carried out a similar survey of the catchment to the proposed Eppalock Reservoir to det,ermine the erosion hazard and incidence. They subsequently submitted evidence to the Parliamentary Public \Vorks Committee enquiring into the advisability of constructing an enlarged weir. A fnrther survey was made by these officers of six representative rsamples of country in the northern section of the catchment to estimate the cost of ero~:~ion control works considered nPeeRsarv to minimize siltation. •' ENGINEERlNG. Investigation and Design of 8tructures.-Most of the Authority"s engineering problems are related to investigations and designs for structures to control erosion at gully heads, roadsides, and to protect public utilities. Although the individual problem may not be large, the number is great and they are widrly spreall throughout the State. The selection of an appropriate structure for any given site, whilst primarily an engineering responsibility, has an economic faetor which cannot he overlooked. lf the design is influenced unduly by the use of cheap materials and simple con;-;trudional methods, risk of failure exists : however, the coKt of eaeh structure nmst be kept to a mmmmm. The Authority ha,.;.: built up a :,;eries of ::-;tandanlized design:-; which an: finding increasing acceptance b~, lalHlholders and public bodie:-;. The fund of experience in the value of each design is continually being augmented and although it i:-; realizrd that standardized methods nmst be applied vYith caution, the (lesign and erection of structnret> have generally been expedited by their adoption. Structures on Pannlands.~A total of 45 structures was bnilt during the year. Supply of the bulk of the materials, sueh as eement, reinforcing steel, concrete aggregate, and certain timber sections, was ma(le to the landholders in eaeh ease as the Anthoritv's contribut,ion. The Rum granted in thif' way during tht> year was £2,691. · To reduce cost, the use and adaptation of eonstruetion materials which are remlercd unserviceable in their original application are being investigated. In this regard discarded mine ventilation conduit:-;. fabricated steel pipes and worn dit'nsed rolled steel rails are receiving attention. As all Authority structures on farmlands incorporate eoncTete wholly or iu part, and although landowners in general have been found willing and reHt'(mably experienced in the use of this material, the Authority is continual]~, seeking method:-; of simplifying the problems associated with thi:-; medium of construction. Grants to 111wticipalit?"es.~~-Hrants were made on the basis of £2 from tlw Authority to £1 local contribution to thirteen Municipalities or Public Authorities in respect of a total of 28 sites. A sum of £4.844 wa:-; allocated in thi;; wa \'. tlw total va hw of thP ;;;tructnre~-; built being £7,29!!. , Jl Above.-This photograph appeared in the Authority's Annual Report for 1956. T he caption read. "Siltation on the Corryong-C udgewa road shows how erosion not only affects the farming la nd from which this soil has been washed, but also fill s up table drains, covers roads and ultimately the si lt chokes up watercourses thus helping flooding. Below.-The sa me location 1958. A soil saving dam was constructed on private land by the Shire of Upper Mu rray in co-operation with t he Authority which provides the necessary funds. 12 An Authority-d esigned concrete chute in the Upper Murray Soil Conservatio n District. lt carries run-off water safe ly from a diversion bank system to the gully floor. Of the dra wi11gs sub n1ittcd to the Anthoritv for this pupose b:v' Shire Councils, an increasing nu nt ber made use of the basic designs for road siil.e works adopted by the Authorit)' . A minor administrative difficulty arise,; ftom tfte closure of t he .Municipa l Y ear on 31st August, whereas the Authority':s fiscal year terminates on :Wth June. There is a t endency t lw::; caused Jor construction works, rrgarding which grants were made, to b e incomplete at J une 30, with subsequent requ e;-;t;.; for re-voting being received by the Authority each year. Sw·veys.- The A uthority's activities reqnire a substantia l amount of survey field worl<:, which varies from simple routine in minor localities such as gullyheads, to large-scale operations, where the magnitude of t he problem ii require co-operative treatment involving several properties. 'T'he su rvey or in the l att.(~r case prepa res the basic pl ans, from wh ic l1 fi eld offie;ers then develop the mode of treatment. Ther e is an ever increasing d ema nd for the Authority·s services vvhich rnust ultimatel,v involve expansion of its surveying act1V1t1es. ~om e relief Wi1S afforrl ed hv C'onservat.ion Offic e r ~ providing site ii mve_\'S fo r 67 p:ullyhead r::trnctures rlnring tl1c year. 1Jratl'1·n,r; Qtfice.--The occupation of u nwn ~ o; pa.cious and well equipped Drawing Office in t he ne·w wing h as expecliterl. the work. A total of 61 designs was prepared during the year ; topographical survev plans, catchment Areas, various water supply cat chment plam- for proclamation , nationa l park investigations, forest n~Aerves a nd river-fiat legislation resulted in t he iscme of a furt her 84 dr:nvingc: . Routine servic;es for t he other Attthor1ty Divisions in eonnexion wit h fi eld days, fnrm pla.ns, a.ncl sirnilar work were also executed . Erosion in Rivers, ,Strewn.s and (htllie8 . - - l ~iaisu n on t.bis ]Jroblenl lta :-j been uwintainecl with the Stnt e H ivrrs nncl \\'atcr Snprly Con1mi ssion t hroug h the Erosion Reference C'ommittf>('. Construct?>m Plailf. A rccmT <' nt demand for the Au thority to ('ct rn· out its own cunstru('tion work wa s again noted. I n many Ultit.:s t his wor k would n~ 11 s i st of small concrete structure::; with tlie associa.ted use of steel pipes and sections. timl)er a nd galvanized iron. The A ut.horiLv has fl' lt that it.s services in this reo-arcl a, re best confined to desicrn, financial 1\('lp, a nd t ech ni l'al supnvision. lenving <·onst.l'LLC'tiou to thr lrwclownPr or e l s~ a contractor <~ n v:tgecl or employed hy hitn. ] ~ 'l'll c A nthoritv owns a. numlJer of 1igltt. pnPtlnt<"l.ti c-t_n ·ed fa.rm- t qw tr ;-"tct. or~ :tnd one small (·rawkr traC'tor. \Ia(·ltitws to lWglllen(". t.his :'> mall fon·e ha.ve lwcn !tin'd l'rom the Public Works J)epartmcut. and the C'ountl'v Hw L(ls Board, and ocutsiotwll v from Shire Councils. Jlllecham·wl 8eFuices .- 'l'he ,,-ork of this Nection clurin Q.· the \'(' Since being imported in early 1957. 406 aeres of earthwork lmttrn-; on c:nttl t J~ .--; and embankments have been smTcssfully treated by this equipment. [ t lt n:-; now been a mply demonstrated, and the Ant.hority felt that its task of int rodncing tlw tccltni (p le lwving lwen completed, it shonld no longer continne t.o oprrnic tlwsr machinrs. The Nta.te lDlectricit.1· Commi s,.; ion of Vict.oria madr a 11 acceptn hlc offer ;t.nd the plant has now 1wcn sold. Large concrete structures such as this are necessary to prevent further severe erosion. The run-off water shown above was from a catchment of eight square miles in the Be nall a district. 14 CON~RHYATTON TK NATTOX:\L PARKS. At. the rcqtwst. of the :'\atio11HI 1\lrk::; Authority the ~oil Conserv ]l1t. Bt~f/alo J.Vational Park.-Con s i (h~rab le <'rosion was taking place along the Dingo Dell Ski Run, and it ·was arrangc(l that r cc:lamnt ion work be undertaken hy t.lte Authority. A commrvabon officer, assist,ecl h_1· six NJrlbourne University students. in January carried out the necessary work. This involved wat.cr diversion hy means of hanks, seeding and fertilizing, a.nd cuvering with 11 tllulch of straw and, in places. snow gum brush. Three month::; later an inspection reveale Tl'ilson's Promonotory N a.tional P a.rk. - The problem is one of stahilization of sanr1hill s cast of Big Oberon Bay. of land at the bluff adjac.ent to Tidal River at the camp site in "Norman Bay. and at the foreshore at. Picnic Point. 'The cau::;e of the drift in the sandhills is somewhat obscure. lll-pbced roacb a nd trac.ks in the vicinity of Tidal River and Norrna.n .Bay, which cause funnelling of the strong winds with resulting gouging out of the soil, arc largely responsible for erosion in t hese areas. Trafficking hy holiflay-makers aggravates the trouble. At -Picnic P oint, as at Oberon Bay, it was considerefl necessary to determine, by way of triab, t l1c best species of plants and fertilizers to use to stabilize a nd revegetate unstable fltm es. Experimental plots were established in ~\'I a.v. lT'ype1jeld National Park.- The problem here is an unstable sand dune of somr 25 acres to thE· north of Wonga Hut. The area \\·as sown with rye in late :May, the intention being that in the autumn of 1060 suitnblc trees will be planted in th.e straw which 'Nil! by then hnve fornwd n. protective mulch. A fen cc is })('ing ereetefl aronnfl t he area treated. This economical structure made from split o il -drums and concrete prevents further head ward erosion of a small g ully which has been caused by run-off from a catchment of 50 acres at G lent hompson in the Glene lg Soil Conservation District. 1:) ALT E i TA1'TON OF C'R O\YN LA!' )8. In spite of t he vnriow.; pro\·ic;ionc; or· the 8o7l ('onsro'a!ion and £and Utilizat?.on .:l et, l!J58, whi ch c· ]parl y ind ic;~te tiH; ~·tuth o ri ty·s n'~pon:--illilit.v wit.h resrwct to nwt.t.ers of laud utili;;;a.tiotl t. hroughont the ;-.;tatc, sollle major changes of [;tncl llSe on areas of C'rown hmds are l1eing made without seeking the opinion of t he Authori ty. During tbe year an advertisement calling for applica,tions for the purcbase of ollot.ment s of Crown land in the IVIill ewa was noted by the Authori t.y. As a const ~ quence th Aut hority t enclcrecl the fo ll owing ac1vice to the Lands Department under the provisions of Nect.ion :)8 of the Sod CoJI S!' n'atlon aw1 ~and [rtili-;;ation Act 1\f i8. " That in its opinion the alienation of la ml in the Millewa, which is a low rainfall n.rea, is undesirable and t hat the best private nse of if would he occupancy under perpetual l ea '' t~ with adequate safegua,rds for C0nflervation and erosion cont.rol " . CO-OPERATIVE PHOJE CT8 . The ::w projects now being undertaken are situated in ] 2 districts as follows :- Avoca River 5. ( \.tmpaspe 4-, Pyrenees 4, Northern Wimmera 4, Lower G-oulburn 3. Central 2, rppcr Loddon 2, Glcnelg 2, Moorarbool 1, f' pper Goulburn 1, Upper Murray I , Southern Jlallee 1. To indicate the na,ture of tlwse projects. some are de::;cribed below. C'leve's G·ully, Wallan.· This project was started because a property was beinrr damaged by si lt from a 22-foot de p gully situated in a neighbouring property. Control was difficult because of the soil type and because of very long lateral tunnels ·which were of consid erable depth , l6- I8 feet in places. A_ further complication was t hat the silt stream after reaching t he road boundary ran parallel to it for several chains. It then crossed t he road and spread out across a paddock on the lower sicle. The K ilmorc Bhire Co nnci l bad a const ant ma intenance problem at this crossing. It was decided t o carry run-off water from the 164 acre catchment arouncl the head of the gully and deliver it to t h e road-crossing by means of a series of cliversion banks. Meanwhile the Kilmore Shire clecided to raise the rood level ancl installed three 36-inch pipes to take th e fl ow 1mil er the roafl_ Th e new wing which was completed during the year provided urgently ne eded space for a laboratory and drawing office as well as accommodation for officers in the Research and Engineering Divis ions, but more office space is still required. lh r\'}JC COSt of' the banks, although C'Olllll An Authority-designed concrete structure at the head of a gully in a badly eroded and salted area near Lexton in the Pyrenees District. 17 Although no concentrated effort has .vet hf·en made to devr·lop Nuh-catdnnent :3. considerable work has been done. approximatelv i)OO ane;; having already banked and served by watenvny:-;. 'f'hi:-; work by individual land holden; eonfornu; with the overall plan of rontml. Control in tlw other :m h-<'atdmwntH shou lrl prove less aH the:v ar<' more gentlv nndnlating. FAH:\1 RECLA?IlA l'f()I\ J>Rf I.JE( 1TH. All eight ::melt projeets tlre :-;ituat.ed in tl1e )Jnllee and have been undertaken on a 8hare basis with approved farmerl'l. Ntu·h persm1s. usHally financially unable to undertake the without assistanc<', apprecinte that appan·ntly den~lict and abandoned blocks can again be made productive provided smmd farming methmls are adopted. Brief detaib of these projeets follow. A. B. Elliott, C.A. n. Daalko. -· Neven years ago an agreement was made between the Authoritv and Mr. A. B. I<:lliott. wherebv he would farm the abandoned 640 acre C.A. }), PariRh of Daalko. a few miles south of' Torrita on the Onven-Murravville railway line, under a plan drawn up by the Authority. Some 280 acre; only wer~ ::;nita.ble for eereal-growing, the remaining i360 acres of dnne::; and drifting sand \Vere then virt.ually unuseable, in fact two ::;and dunes were knmvn as the '' Daalko Alps ··. ln all, there were nine sand each covering from one to 2!) acres. Hye has been used initially in bringing about the stabilization of the dunes, which, over a period of years, have been sufuciently Hatte11ed down to enable sowing of their full extent. Wheat hms been sown in rotation with other c.ereals on the better type soils, the returns from 9.242 hul'lhels, and from rye, :3,894 bushels, amounting to £8,812. In addition periodic grazing for 400 sheep has been obtained for periods of np to one month. All the better type soils have been KO\'.'B to improved pasture including barrel medic, whilst the higher sand rises are ahnost, all coven•d with lucerne. A 1,350 cubie yard dam has been installed, and over one rnile of fencing ereeted. The estimated value of the land is now £6 per 1wre, or just under .£4,000. In 1D52 there were no buyers at 25s. per acre. ,/, Arbuckle, 1'/ega Reserve.--1'hiH reserve is situated between the Tiega railway f>iding and the Ouyen-Pinnaroo Highwav. For yean; it was the focal point for some nitieism that erosion was place on Crown land and was not being treated. In HJ57, arrangements were made with the Department of Lands and Survey whereby the reserve was handed over to the Authoritv to enable conservation measures to be applied. The most eeonomie means of reclai~ning the area ~was under a share-farming agreement with a local landholder. Applications were received and in .Tnly, 1957, on the advice of the NortllPrn :YlaliPP Di:-;triet. Advisory Commit.t(,e. ~Ir Arlmckle was selected as th(' share-farmer. The reserve was fenced at Authority expPnse after the Department of Land~-; ha(l agreed that if the land we.r<' alienated in the futnre the Authority would be reimbursed to the then value of the fence. Fallowi11g of the eroded eleared land, approximately 180 aeres, was commenced in Angnst. This was followed by the elearing of rabbit harbour on the rising country a The cultivated land was :- FA1U1 PLA~~lNU PHOJECTN. Complete conservation plannin~ of indi vidnal properties is now being undertaken \Vith 43 landbolders in various parts of the i"tate, t:he diRt.rict distribution being as follows.-- Upper ({oulburn 10, Upper Lorldo11 4, OvPn"l 4, Central :t AvoC'a Riv•'r :3, 1\ioorarbool 3, Campaspe 3. Pyrenees 2, Y arTa 2, Lower Ooulburn 2, Routhern Gippslaml L Tambo L Northern Wimmera 1. Cpper 1\hunl.\' 1. Routhern JHallee L Western 1'lallee L Wel'ltern Uippsland 1. !l!l3:!jii!l.-2 18 Whilst many are stilJ in th<:> early stages of planning, several are well advanced and have proved economically sound to the inclividnalR. Particulars of one which is progressing rapidly are given below. lf. P Heine, Howquadale.~Early m 1951 the previous owner of this property ;;;ought Authority assistance for the control of serious gully erosion. Two structures were approved and catchment treatment was Tecommended. From then until early 1957, when Mr. Heine purchased the property, further conservation work;;; were undertaken, but in a somewhat haphazard order. In July, H)58, Mr. Heine asked that a complete farm plan be prepared for the 3,000-acre property. Following the usual practice a base plan was prepared showing the land classes, exisiting fence lines and dams. It was decided to concentrate first on planning in detail the better class most productive land, of some 500 acres, that falls towards the Howqua River. For the time being no planning has been done for the steep uncleared hilly eountry. The future subdivision segregating, where practicable, different land classes was first considered. It entailed the realignment of some existing fencing and the erection of some miles of new fencing to achieve the desired paddock size of 50-60 acres. Inadequate water supplies necessitated the selection of twelve sites for additional dams. These were surveyed and to date eight have been completed by Mr. Heine with his own plant. 'fopdressing, a major factor for development of this farm, at approximately 1 cwt. per acre per annum has been proceeded with. Approximately 100 acres have been cleared, cultivated and Rown on the Pontour with a suitable clover-grass mixture. DEMONSTRATION ARRAS. Peterson's Demonstration.~This demonstration area Is situated beside the Coleraine-Harrow road at Konongwootong, 6 miles from Ooleraine. Soils are derived from glacial material and comprise grey sandy loams over mottled yellow and grey clays. The erosion includes two heads of a large gully system and a landslip. Both gullyheads, 15-20 feet deep in unstable soiL were approaching road culverts. During the year water was diverted from above these heads to a concrete chute structure eonstructed a few years ago. Owing to the rapidity with which the gully floor had been eroding, a small soil-8aving dam was installed below the chute to prevent undercutting. To stabilize the toe of the slip a concrete soil-saving dam was built in 1956: this has proved moRt sueeessfu]. Rome success has followed the planting of Hiver sheokeR, Tamarisks, BoohiaJla, and Kikuyu graRs along the gully sides and floor. The landslip, four acres in extent, has been unstable for a long time. To control it and the gullying, the Authority made available 1,000 trees and fencing material in 1956. Since then, over 1,500 trees have been planted and rabbits excluded. Principal varieties have been the eucalypts Brown mallet, Spotted gum and Manna gum, Pines, Blackwood, assorted ~Wattles, and River sheokes. Saline areas have been planted with Pigface and Galena, both of which have done welL A number of Black wattles has grown voluntarily. Results are most promising but complete stability has not yet been achieved. 10 \'1~(; ET ATI V f<~ ('O~THOL. The :-:ati~fclctorv results obtained 1Jy w.;ing vegetation to stabilize ('Jocling gullim; and land~lips, particularly in the Ulenelg, Moorarbool, Yarra, and Upper Goulburn Districts, but also in other districts, have caused a considerable increase in the demand by landnolders for this type of advisory assistance. The stage has been reachecl ·when less time ran be spent on any one property showing the landholder the manner in which trees and cuttings should be planted. Fuller participation hv the ]a]](] holder in this work mnst be forthcoming so that District Conserv~ttion Offic:ers al\C] their assistants may provide a fair distribution of their expert aelvice. l)nring the year c;ome RO lanclhok!ers received assistanc:e and advice in planting 15,750 trees and cuttings, compared with 47 landholders planting a consiclerably lesser nnm1wr of trees in the pn·viouc; vear. Above. This photograph of the Satimer-road landslip in the Glenelg district which was used as an Authority experimental area, was taken in 1951. Below. A recent photograph shows the transformation from an ugly eroding menance to stable attractive land by means of vegetative control. There has been a considerable incrca~c in the length of grassed waterways surveyed, practically 2,800 chains in 41 waterways on :34 properties compared with some J ,:200 cl1ains in 4] vvaterways on :37 properties in 1957-58. In the great majority of cases these have been designed to safely dispose of run-off water from adjacent eropping land per medium of graded contour banks. 20 Twenty-Rix graHRed chutes have lwen installed on 22 propertirs to prevent fnrthrr headw~nd gully eroRion. ThiR is onl.v two fewer than in 19!57-5R and hring:s the total conRtrncted during the pa:st five y(•nr;; to 122 on 108 propPrt.ies. The Authority has continued itK policy of granting supplieK of fencing material to ensure that planted gullies, landslips and ."own waterways are protected from grazing stock. SOIL CONSERVArriON COMPETITIONS. The Authority records with sincere regret the death, on 1st October, 1\)58, of Mr. Harold Hanslow, O.B.R, the man responsible for initiating Roil Conservation Competitions in Victoria. During his lifetime, Mr. Hanslow donated five silver cups for perpetual annual competition in various localities ; his will makes provision for further material contribution to aid soil conservation competitions. The Authority, on behalf of many appreciative landholders, desires to acknowledge the unique services to the State, in the field of conservation, of one who had no personal interests to further but was actuated by an intense love of the land and a consciousness of its importance to the national welfare. ·During the year, it was decided that soil conservation competitions should be extended to cover the whole of the State, but that it was both impracticable and undesirable to have a. competition in each district every year. Competitions will now each be held over a group of four adjoining districts, each of the four districts to be in turn the venue of the annual competition. The existing five competitions are to be varied in a manner that gives each competition and the Hanslow Cup associated with it a direct link with the earlier competition. A sixth competition will be commenced as soon as possible. This proposed programme conforms with the wishes of the late Harold Hanslow. Details are shown in Appendix " B " With the change in the nature of the competitions, those organizations which have criven financial support throughout the life of the }Jallee Soil Conservation Competition, ~ere consulted as to their continued support for the proposed changed competition. Their views as to the desirability of a central competition fund to which they and other organizations might contribute, and from which funds could be drawn for trophies for the several competitions, were also sought. Response to this suggestion being favourable, donations to such a central fund were sought from a number of commercial organizations. Responses for the year's competitions were most gratifying and there is every prospect of continuing support. 1'he resultant donations from thirty firms and organizations made possible the award of substantial trophies to the three principal award winners in each of the five competitions. The Authority det>ires to acknowledge its appreciation of tlw help of all donort>. The 1959 competition diRtricts, number of entries and winners are set out in the accompanying table. When it is realised that the introduetion of the new scheme meant that the area over which the competitions were held was considerably less than formerly, the record IHlmber of 185 entries was partieularly gratifying. Field days on winning properties were well attended on all occasions. Nn. or Ent.raHt,;. \Yilllll'L A I'OeH Ri n•r . , P. :\Inrtin, HL i ::Vlr. G. K Coghlau, DiKtric1 Con Arna.ud servation Officer Pvrenee.-> :Vir, .J. lles and :VIr,,. T. }1urnane. Mr. D. R. Paterson, Di,1riet Con Elrnhursf ;;;en·ation Officer Upper Uoulbum ll Met>i'ir~ ..J. H. Rutherlaml and ~on~, Mr. Isolated trees on sand rises in the low rainfall area of the Mal lee create air cu rrents which cause wind erosion to expose roots and ultimately kill the t ree. ~OIL AKD ECOLOGICAL SORVEYS. Glenelg.-- All field work, including extensive soil sampling, has been completed for the extended survey area embracing the ·whole of the Counties of Follett and Normanby, and part of the County of Dundas. It is expected that the reports and maps for the whole area will be ready for publication next year. :Most of the field work last summer was on the basaltic plains in the eastern part of the survey area. The information gained may do much to elucidate the problems of soil genesis on the basalts of Far \Vestern Vi ctoria. An important factor in this genesis, hitherto somew hat neglected, seems to be the age of the basalt. On the basis of the pattern of soils r.ncl topography, six different basaltic landscapes may be recognized, and their relative age assessed. This informn tion, ha.s been presented in more detn,il to a r·.ommit.tce of the Australirm Acaclemv of Science, which is oc-c upid in collating informatiotl on the dating of !2- nd-surface::; of Tertiary and Qua.rternan· agf'. · A detailed examin ation of the Eccles lanck;ystcm, comprising 21,000 a,(·.res of :-; tony rises around Mounts Eccles and Na.pier, was undertaken to provide data on its suitability for pines. The chief conclusions ·were as follows. The chief soils, namelv the Corangamite stony loam (normal phocw) and the Dummore O'rganic loam, are probitbly suitable for pines (Pinus radictta) , although the shallow phase of the first-named tvpe may not be suitable. Mechanical problems may be serious on the more rugged areas, esprcially of Corangamite stony loam . Recommendations included the defining of the mn,jor areas of the different soils, together with trials of mechanical implr.ment t; . J.liallee.- The ::;econcl draft of the report has now been completed, incorporating result::; of soil analytical work, and it is expected that the report and the map will be ready for pnblication during the coming year. G1'mnpians.- During the year tlw deeision was made to extend portion of the ·western boundary of the survey to link up with the existing survey of the Shire of Kowree. The additional area amount0 to 240 square mile~) west of the railway line between East Natimuk and Toolondo. 22 Approximately four-fifths of the Grampians survey area has been covered and 35 land units recognized, described and delineated. These land units have been grouped into 12 land systems which may be cursorily described as follows. The Grantpians land-system compriset' the Grampians mount<:tins and the Black Range and was described in the previous annual report in terms of the cuesta land-form. The .Ltloora Valley land system itl associated with the Urampians land system. It is a flat depositional plain of mainly podsol soils supporting heath, heath woodland and short dry sclerophyll forest formations of Apple Box and Brown Stringybark. Also there are shrub woodlands of Red Gum and Yellow Box growing on deep solodie soils. Between the Moora and Victoria ValleyH itl the granite eonntry of the Jlirranatwa land-system consisting of high hills of Brown Stringybark and iliesBmate forests, and lower rolling eountry of deep, gritty solodie soils supporting n woodland of Yellow Box, Swamp Gum, Manna Gum and Red (}um. The basalt plain within the smvey area <' CLENOR{!/Y enelg 61R,ver SAL AI()RAL REFERENCE lswl SOUTHERN I wtl WARRATONG DARRAGAN WIMMERA 0GRAMPIANS ~ CHERRYPOOL loT I DUNDAS TABLELAND ~MOORA ~ MIRRANATWA ~KARABEAL VALLEY [EJPARRIE HAMILTON YALLOAK ~WILLAURA [8] 24 Ulenrnagg,ie.-During the early part of thi~ year the report on the reconnaissance survey of the Glemnaggie Catchment was completed. A short period in the field durino: this time was devoted to checking on features which were inadequately described. e The final report contained sections on the climate, geology, physiography, soils, vegetation, soil erosion, land-use, land forms and descriptions of the units of survey, the land systems, in terrm; of these features of the environment. Each land-system was illustrated by a simple diagram showing the generalised relatiow;;hip between these features. Photos were used to illustrate aspeeh; of the eatchment, and a map of the catchment at a scale of approximately 5 miles to 1 indt showing the land system boundaries war:; included .. The final section of the report contaiued suggestions for further re::;eareh ·work m the catehment. A survey, and report to Stage :3b. on portionH of the Glenmaggie Catchment was undertaken to determine what problems would be encountered in applying the Stage 3b survey techniques, as developed in the \Yest of the State. to the mountainous country of the east. Two areas were surveyed. One was the settled country in the south of the catchment consisting mainly of undulating to rolling foothills, alluvial flab;, and rounded, basalt capped hills. In this area the survey methods in use in the west of the State proved suitable. The other area eon::4isted of steep to very sh'PP mountainous country around Licola and in the headwaters of the i"\erpentinc Creek. Difficult access and tbe complexity of the pattern of soils due to the extreme topography made the work involved in proceeding to a Stage :ib surve;' far out of proportion t,o the value of the information obtained. It was recornmended that areas of nncleared land which are too steep for agricultural development be surveyed to no more detail than btage 2 level ; for steep, cleared country it would be desirable to have more detailed information and t->urveying to Stage 3b is recommended. The eountry of low relief. whether cleared or not should he surveyed to Stage 3b level. Those areas whPre a ~3b survev would be de;;;irable will be determined from the information provided by the i"\tage 2 survey. Hume Catchrnent.-}'ield vwrk on this surve.v was carried out during January to May, 195SJ. The mot->t inacce::;sible areas were tackled first and work progressed on to the more accessible :1nd settled areas. The greater part of the catelmwnt has IWI\' heen I'OYered. However, ;;;ome areas which were visited previously may have to be revisib~d to obtain more information. The country in the south of the catchment along the Livingstone Creek and around Omeo and Benaml1ra remains to be surveyed. vvhilst Cudgewa-Corryong and ~Iurray Vallev areas in the north have not yet been t->urveved. ,j •! • The ::;urveying of these areas should complete the field \Vork necessary for a ;:;tage 2 8nrvev. However, it is felt that a number of areas of unalienated land with slopes which wouhl permit safe clearing should be given further attention. These areas support poor quality fore8t in contrast with other areas of low relief where valuable alpine ash forest grow, e.g., Six Mile Plateau-Mt. Pinnibar area. The areas eoneerncd are the Koetong-;:;helley-Lake Findlcy area, the country in the Buembah River along the Benam bra-Tom Groggin track and the Limestone Creek country. These areas range in elevation from about 2.200 ft. at Koetung to a bout 4,000 ft. in the Limestone Creek areas. A number of primary land-forms has been recognized. These are, alluvial flats, old stream terraces, colluvial fans, foothills, montane, and plateau. The soils of the catchment seem to he more dosely related to altitude and climate than to geology. At the highest altitudes where \Vinter 'snow lies for several months the alpine humus soil is predominant on all rock types. At Jmver elevations soils similar to transitional alpine humus soil have a fairly exten:-;ive llii:itribution on most types of rock. 25 Lower still below about 4,000 ft. elevation, brown poclsolic soils are the dominant on most metamorphic, Orclovician or granitic rocks. At elevations below about 2,000 ft. and on lesser sloping country, red podsolics develop with grey-brown podsolics on steeper slopes, and occasional brown podsolics on moister sites. The grey-brown podsolics seem to occur chiefly on granitic or gneissic rocks but a red form occurs on Ordovician sediments and schistose metamorphics. The great chemical variability of some of the gneissic metarnorphic-granite complexes Reems to be a fa,c tor in the distribution of the rec1 posolic and grey-brown podsolic soils in this area. R.ed and yellow podsolic soils are also the major soil::; formed on post-Pliocene alluvial terraces and so me alluvial cones. Chocolate soils have been recorded from the newer ba::;alt on the Benambra Creek. Alluvial soils, small occurrences of meadow soils and grey podsol soil::; are to be found on alluvial flats of ]{ecent geological origin. The vegetation of the catchment varies considerably. The alpine country supports tussock grasslands of Poa austrahs and herbfi.eld of Poa a.nd Celmisia long~fo lia wit h other herbs such a Lepton-hynchus sqwxmatus and Ca1·ex spps. Low shrub communities or heaths of Hovea. lonq~folia , Kungea muellaii a.ll Scenes like t his are a reminder of w hat has happened in the Mallee in t he pas t and w hich could be repeat ed if conservation practices are no t applied. Twelve feet of so il has bee n removed by the w ind. 26 The drier slopes in the north of the catchment have tall woodland of E. terett:corm:s, E. albens and E. elaeoplwra as the dominant vegetation. :Native grasses, mainly Poa australis, Themeda australis and Danthonia spps. form the ground flora under these drier communities. Erosion of the exposed alpine peaks and ridges by wind sometimes reache:,; severe proportions. Entrenchment of stock tracks, trampling of bogs by cattle and the general opening up of the grassland and herbfield sward to wind sheeting seem to be the dominant forms of erosion on the alpine country. Some gullying in drainage lines has been seen. The sub-alpine woodland and wet sclerophyll forest areas are in a generally satisfactory condition as regards current erosion. The dry sclerophyll forests are probably in a fairly satisfactory condition, however occasional extensive fires in this country for the purpose of reducing its fire hazard leave the soil exposed to erosion for several years. This is regarded as undesirable. If it is necessary to use fire for pre-suppression work such fires should be confined to strategic localities, preferably ridge and spur tops, and not allowed to spread indiscriminately. The rolling to hilly country in the Omeo--Benambra country is extremely prone to gully erosion with some very serious examples. The cleared hilly to steep country around Tallangatta and up the valleys of the l\1itta River and Tallangatta Creek is prone to slumping in years of excessive rainfall. Generally, however, this country is surprisingly stable. Streambank erosion of the major streams, particularly the swift flowing Mitta Hiver, is a serious problem. Perhaps the most serious erosion in the catchment this year has occurred during the last spring and early summer around the edge of the reservoir itself. The wave action of the reservoir when at its new high level has resulted in extensive caving. This is very bad opposite the new Tallangatta township and from there down the reservoir-particularly on the northern and eastern sides, which face the prevailing winds. PRO.JECT SURVEYS. These are surveys, usually over restricted areas, to provide specific information required immediately, or sooner than would be obtained in the normal programme of surveys. In general, the principles and stages used for the Hegional Surveys are followed, but the immediate requirements of the project may allow short cuts. Lancefield Town Water Supply Catchment.--At the request of the Lancefield ·waterworks Trust to the Authority to have this catchment proclaimed under Section 22 of of the Act a survey of the physical environment of the catchment was made. Information on the climate, geology, physiography, soils, erosion and the original vegetation, together with details of present land-use was presented in a report to the Land Utilization Advisory Council at the December meeting. Seaspray Survey.-An inspection was made of about 10,000 acres in the parishes of Blencoe South, \Vulla-Wullock and Dulungalong, County of Buln Buln. The report will describe the general ecology of the area, and group the ecological components into four land-use classes, namely, land most suitable for perennial pasture and/or cash cropping, annual pasture, pines, and laud not suited for development at present. HYDROLOGICAL INVESTIUA TIONS. STUDIES OF THE CoMPLETE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE. Continuous record of run-off on four acre catchments in pastoralland.-These catchments at the Parwan Experimental Area have been in the process of calibration since 1955 and this lapse of time has nmv been deemed sufficient to give a reasonable assessment of the rainfall and run-off characteristics fJf each catchment. Consequently the followiug treatments were imposed in the autumn of 1959 rcatchment 1---Succession back to woodland. Northerly I Catchment 2-~Sown to ~Yimmera ryegrass, Subterranean clover Aspect ~ (Bacchus Marsh) and Cluster clover. Catchment 3--<..--:ontrol. Catchment 4-To be subjected to harsh treatment in the form of Southerly I burning and grazing Aspect ~ Catchment 5--Sown to same mixture as (Jatchment 2 l Catchment 6-Control From now on each catchment will be subjected to controlled grazing. 27 A statistical approach to the treatment of the data is being adopted, and the method put forward by Wilm, Reinhart*, and others should be satisfactory. This method consists of making an analysis of the calibration data and so establishing a relation between the control and the catchments subjected to treatment. In this \vay a prediction curve for each catchment to be treated may be determined. After treatment, departures from this prediction curve can he analysed statisticall.v and the effect of the treatment may be assessed. These principles have been applied to the data from the northerly facing cat.ehments. Regression analyses have shown a reasonable correlation between the control and the two catchments to be trrated, with respect to peak flows and also the individual flows from these catchments. Catehment. ltr•m, I. Corr. Coetf. }~rror of ~Estimate. o· () O' (J ,o iO Individual flow~> (Error of estimate in 8ttrfaee PointH) .. 4·83 Peak flowK (Error of estimate in ensees) ·93~) ·0573 Ruch a correlation cannot be obtained from data of the southerly facing catchments, owing to insufficient occasions of run-off. However. with a degrading treatment to be employed, sufficiently large differences may show up and can then be employed in an analysis of the effects due to various treatments. Continuous record of run-of}' on forested catchments.-The development of Stewart's Creek Experimental Area and the installation of instruments has proceeded during the year. Already some instruments are being read regularly and by October 1959 all the proposed equipment should he installed. The experimental area, which con~;ists of about 400 aere.s of State Forest., has been identified by a single strand of wire around the boundary. Neither timber cutting nor vehicular traffie is permitted in the experimental area. 'rhe Forests Com1nission has constructed 1! miles of all weather track for easy access from Daylesford. A small shed to serve as a storeshed and workshop has been erected. The State Rivers and \Vater Supply Commission has completed a topographical survey, at 5 ft. contour interval, over the whole of the experimental area. A plan of the area is now available. Soil sampling and determinatiom of field capacity, wilting point, and porosity have been made. Equipment for regularly measuring soil moisture has been ordered. Trees have been eleared from 3 acres of the forest to make a site for measuring rainfall, evaporation, wind, humidity and temperature. At present twenty-eight hand rain gauges measure the " below canopy " rainfall in the forest but even more will be required to obtain a suitably accurate estimate. Cut-off walls, approach channels, and H type flumes for the measurement of run-oft' l1ave been installed in five forested catchments having areas of S) • n. 10· 6, 43 · 6, 62 · 4 and 67 ·5 acres. respectively. These weirs are not yet recording since the water level recorders have not arrived in Australia. PEAK FLOW INVESTIGATIONS. lnvest1:gations at 1/orsey's Crossing near Charlton.-These are aimed at obtaining discharge ~ata from eroded catchment~ by mea~ur~ment of the flood marks on gully walls. Th1s was undertaken first as a pilot excerCise m~ the method, and seeond to provide data for the conservation planning of the area. The Forsey's Crossing Catchment, about 60 square miles in area, lies south of the Calder Highway between \Vedderburn and Charlton and the flood measurements were taken in the south-western sub-catchment near the settlement of Nine Mile. 28 Scour marks on the gully walls in a region with a stable floor level give a record of the height reached by waters of a number of successive floods. Measurements of gully dimensions, slope and channel roughness enable the peak discharges, in cnsecs, of the various floods to be determined. This was done for a number of points in the gully systems. Since a high flood remove~:~ the records of any previous lesser floods from the gully ·walls, the series of marks records a series of the highest unrepeated floods since the wall surface \vas exposed. Examination of the daily rainfall records showed that the largest unrepeated storms followed the same pattern as the flood discharges, and on this basis the storms and the floods svere correlated. An analysis of the relation::;hip of peak flood to storm ::;ize shm\·ed that the larger storm produced floods which could be predicted by a fairly ::.;imple relationship. The smaller storms produced much smaller floods than predicted by this relationship, and this difference was taken to be the rmmlt of decreased run-off percentages, owing to water absorption by the soil. This effect was not noticeable after about 150 points of rain had fallen, and it appearts that beyond this ra.infall, virtually all the water which falls, runs off. The difference between the actual floods and that expected from the rule describing larger floods was calculated in terms of percentage run-off for storms of various sizes. The frequency of occurrence of various storm sizes being known from rainfall records in the area, it was possible to obtain an estimate of the total amount of water running off the area per annum, based on the average annual rainfall figures for the standard 30-year period. This showed that on the average about 7 per cent. of the annual rainfall of 16-17 in. runs off. Yiuch of tl1is run-off is due to a few large storms, so that in a year without big storms, the run-off will be lower, say 5 per cent, and in a year with big storms may be high, say 9 per cent. The relationship of floods to storm size shows that it is possible for very large peak floods to occur in the gullies, so that if the gullies were dammed for water storage (for \vhich they are very suitable), special safety precautions would be necessary to handle the peak of the fioods. 4-acre Catchments with peak flou' recorde,rs.-Bach of the 4 catchments located in the Parwan Experimental Area has been calibrated since 1906 and now treatments have been imposed. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the extent to which various soil conservation measures will reduee the peak flow. The following treatments have been imposed (1) Contour furrowing. (2) Contour ripping. (:i) Chisel ·ploughing. (4) Control. A reasonable correlation has been obtained of the peak flow from catchment 4 with those from eatchments 1, 2 and 3. It is intended to approach the problem of treating the data in the same manner as was outlined previously. Limpet peak flow recorders. Thit-i projeet was im;tigated during the last twelve months to measure the peak flow of floods which pass over gully structures. The idea was held that, with a knowledge of rainfall and also catchment characteristics, the information would not only be of use to the Engineering Division in the design of future structures, but also add to the P.canty ::;tore of hydrological data in the State. The apparatus designed by the Engineering Division consists of a magnet placed on an upright metal bar. Underneath this magnet and surrounding the bar is a cork which can move vertically with the height of water around the recorder. The upright metal bar, magnet and cork are enclosed ~n a fibrolite tube ope!! to water at the bottom. In its upward movement the cork carnes the magnet above It. The cork drops back when the flood recedes leaving the magnet at the maximum height wl1ieh the flood attains and giving a record of that height for a particular flood. These recorders are placed on the concrete wing walls of the structure, but some feet baek from the notch. In this way a measure of the total head is obtained and a simple calculation based on noteh formulae allows the peak flood to be deduced. Thirty UW) of these recorder!' have been plaeerl at :.;;uitable sitPs throughout the Rtate. OenoraU.v, only ;;;mall flows were reeorded, hnt there are a few worthy of note, especially iu the Upper Goulburn Distriets where :.;;ub:.;;tantial flows wen~ extensive last spring. I . Landholder P. Re!d, Booralite i Cotton's Pinch, Yea I A. J. Bett, Y rn Date 15.8.58 I 16.H.5H '· Storm H.ninfall 80 pts. in l hom Peak Flow (cu'lecs) tiOO Catchmrut DPtail~ , 200 acres of fairly 3,000 a.cres of un 235 acres of steep 2:34 acres of Hteep steep slopes at the dulating country country with country with vary headwaters ; sat with fairly good varying cover, but ing cover, but not urated catchment coYer on a ela v contour furrowed. contour furrowed. with fairly good loam. This stoni1 ' Catchment wet (Otherwise it re- cover but short ; occurred on a wet. i prior t.o storm embles Cotton's clay soil in dined ratchment Pin rh} to 'wash away The two examples from Yea were included to demonstrate the effect of contour furrowing in reducing the peak of the flood. 'rhe reduction of peak flow becomes even more pronounced if the shape faetors of eaeh catchment are taken into account. It is hoped that with the accumulation of such results, definite evidence can he produced to test certain assumptions whieh must be made whenever erosion control works are designerl. RAINFALL AND RuN-OFF RELATIOXN. In these investigations run-off from small areas (3 ft. 6 in. x l ft.) are related to the total possible run-off obtained from metal catchments of the same shape and size. Dookie-Cosgrove project.-Results have only been collected for one year in \vhich there have been few heavy falls of rain and it is too soon to extract hydrological data of any significance. However, an analysis of the data illustrates eertain points which are pertinent in a discussion of catchment control. Uncontrolled gravel stripping is recognized as a practice opposed to good conservation measures, and this is borne out by plots plaeed on such country. It appears that the yield of ·water from any substantial storm (50 points and above) is affected solely by the nature of the ground surfaee and such factors as slope, aspeet and type of rain, have no appreciable effect on the overall run-off, although . such factors would, undoubtedly influence the rate at which such run-off would occur. Results from these plots shows that the run-off coeffieient falls within the range of 30-RO per eent. However, a figure of 60 per cent. for this coefficient should give a rt>asonable guide to the run-off issuing from such oounhy. . . Data so far obtained on the Dookie elay loam, a well structured and permeable soil, appear to confirm the findings of Downes (1949)* for the same soil type. He showed by means of a special type of infiltration, that there was a decrease in infiltration with an increase of slope on areas having an adequate vegetative cover, whereas on areas from which the vegetative cover had been removed, the infiltration remained reasonably constant. This rneans that with increasing slope on well vegetated aTeas there is a large increase of run-off, but on areas where the vegetation has been removed, although there may be a large run-off on the lower slopes this rloes not inerease greatly with increasing slope. The current run-off trials indieat.e similar trends. Instead of areas with good cover and the vegetation removed, the distinction is between good and poor vegetative cover on these different slopes. On the steepest slope there was little difference in the run-off obtained from the plots having different quality of vegetative cover, whereas for the lower slopes there was much greater run-off from plots having poor vegetative cover in eomparison with those having good vegetative cover. In analysing results from the other :-;oil typt>s, inf'ufticient data has rendered it unwise to draw any r.onclusions a.hont either the run-off eoefficicnts which might 1>e designa.ted to those particular sections, or the variation:-; in run -off d tte to ccrt.ai n fa.c:tors. · Effect of improved zxtstv,res on steep cov,ntry. These investigations are being carried out in co-operation with agrostologists of the Department of Agriculture, to determine the. possible hydrologic changes when poor native pastmes are changed to improved annual pasture which is now possible on steep slopes by means of aerial topdressing. These measnrements have Leen made for only one year and calibration is incomplete, consequently comparisons of the various treat.ments cannot be made. Furthermore, the dry season has not enabled sufficiently vigorous growth in the )/'avarre area to have caused any possible significant changes. However, there is one important piec;e of information to he derived from the data at hand. This comes from the plots at Kanumbra, and illustrates the necessity for maintaining cover on these slopes throughout, the drier seasons. These plots had an early cover of Cape-weed. Prior to the drying off of this Cape weed, maximum recorded run-off was 18 · 5 per cent. However, once this species had dried off 52· 3 per eent of the rainfall on 18th Decernber, 1958 was recorded as run-off. This is the type of result vvhieh, if proved conclusivel.v, would illnstrate the hazards of developing a.nm1al vegetation at the expenfie of perennials. Well-ridged fallow into which the trash has been worked minimises wind erosion. AGRONOlVIIC JNVE8TTGATTOKS. L.\Nn D:r:vELOPi\lF.NT PLOTS. The investigations to determine the fertilizer requirements, species, and best method of development of the Kentbrnek Heath unit have been co~p l eted and a full report of the results is being compiled. An agreement wa.s drawn up w1th a loc~l landholder to graze and mainta.in the experimental a.rea and to keep records of stockmg and stock health. Due to inadequate stocking, rushes have regenerated tl1ickly on part of the experimental area. 31 The investiga.t.lons into the u:·w of the Kentbruck unit for pasture growth ha.ve heen conelu<1N1 , l10wrvrr ohservations on the growt.h of pines rtre hei ng ron t.i nu en. J:>reviou:; results have sl1own the difficulties and exrense of development of the Killara unit in the Parish of Drajurk, where about half the area comprises deep sand. Investigations into the relative growth rate of two species of pines on the deep sands C\.n({ their fertilizer requirements hR.ve been contlnnerl. :-\AND tlTABILIZATION. Coastal Sand 8tabilization.- -A delica.te balance exists on coastal chmes between the vegetation and the surface sand. vYhen the protective cover of vegetation is Jestroyecl, exposing the sand to wind, erosion takes place. With increased numbers of people trafficking over sand dunes to get to beaches, vegetation is being destroyed and wind erosion of coastal dunes iR becoming more rommon around the coastlin e. Known methods of stabilizing these areas are very costly both in terms of money and labour. In an attempt to find a more suitable and less costly means of control, an experimental plot was established in the autumn on eroding coastal sand dunes in co operation with the National Parks Authority. The aim of this trial is threefold. First to find the most suitable plant species for coastal sand stabilization, second, to find the fertilizers required in this environment, anrl. third to gauge the COf;tfi involve(! in a large-scale sand stabilization proj ed. Tests with temporary sa1ul stabihzers.- A major difficulty in revegetating eroding sand dunes by sowing with seed is that young plants are very susceptible to Clestruction by sand blast in the first few weeks after germination. A c:ommercial temporary sand stabilizer man t~ factnrec1 from starch and used sneressfully in Holland rail ed " Stabilose '' JS nncl er teRt. · Using a. wincl tunnel preliminary observations have been macle on the ability of thi-; material to stabilize sand. Preparations are lmiler way to test " Stabilose ·· both with germinating serds in the wi nc1 tunnel anr! nu unRta blr- sand in the fir1d. A good establishment of dry land lucerne pasture un der a cover crop of barley in the Mallee. ~L\ LTns·c Txvi~sTtnATIONs. Demonstration salt trial --Ra,qlan lmlf'-anP rbmonstratlon plot was sown in autumn 1 B58, on a salted area nt Raglan. The ;:.;eeds, fertilizen;, aud techniques w,;ed were those currently recommended to landholders for reclamation of non-irrigated salted land. This plot has demonstrated that provided the 8alted areas are cultivated, mulehed, sown and fertilized in dw recommended manner, a good vegetative cover will resnlt. Soil samples taken from the plot and adjacent eomparable area8 were tested for salt concentration. They indicated dmt :surface salinity has h(~en ronsiderably reduced on the plot area. Testing of plants for salted arew;.~A number of l:lpecies of shrubs, trees and creeping plants are under test for salt tolerance at Raglan in the Pyrenees District and at Konongwootong in the Glenelg District. Of the species planted Galenia secunda, v~:sphyma australe and Atriplex nnmmularia appear the most promising. Conditioning seeds for grmt•1:ng in salted areas.-Claims have been made in other countries that pre-soaking certain seed in salt water gives increased germination on salted areas. Tests carried out in the labomtor.v have given no evidence to date that this conditioning of seed increases germination. Ho·wever, the pre-soaking of seed in water prior to so>ving in a saline environment does increase germination. lVliscELLAXEoc:s INVESTIGATIONS. Fertilizer reqwire·rnents.-Plots were established on deep ;:;and at Willaura in 1957 to determine the fertilizer requirements of this country so that the best land-use could he determined. The results of this t.rial, while indicating the elements required in addition to phosphate, were inconclusive, hence a further trial was wwn in 1958. The results from this set of plots were also inconclusive. They \vill be harvestt>d again in spring 1959 in order to determine the traee element requirement of this sand. Batter Stabilization lnveBt?:qatt:ons.-Investigations have been continued to find suitable plants for use with the Finn equipment for hatter stabilization. One of the most, promising species tested is rounded pigface (Disphynw australe). This perennial evergreen has a low growing habit, roots fi'Om the nodes, and grows rapidly, giving a dense cover. lt is a free seeder and grmvs under a wide range of conditions. Seed was gathered by hand and tested for germination. This was very low; however, after chemical treatment of the seed with pota:-;sium nitrate the germination percentagE' was satisfactory. A pot trial is at present under way to determine the main fertilizer requirements of this species. Several hundred plauts have been grown in tubes for planting out in various locations. Seed has been sown through the h.vdroseedcr (part of the Finn equipment) on clay batters. General adoice on plants, seeds and fertilizers.-Advice on tree8, plants, seeds and fertilizers for use in various location;,; for the revegetation of eroded country and the prevention of erosion have been made to district officers and G-overnment Departments such as the Country Roads Board, State Eleet.ricity Commission, Melbourne and ::\'[etropolitan Board of \Vorks, and the Victorian Railways. Snou.' gums for plant£nq ·in the high country.-A.pproximately 500 snow gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) have been grown in tubes by the Natural Resources Conservation League for the Authority. Thi::.; seed required conditioning at, low temperatures for germination. This was done by the Forestry Depa.rtment of the University. These trees will be planted in the late spring on eroded areas in the high eountry. Tree planting project-Pctrwan Bx·perimenlal Area.--ln spring 1958 approximately 1,000 trees of many different species were planted on portion of the White Elephant Hills in the Panvan Experimental Area. These hills are honeycombed with tunnels, badly gullied, and have been Rtripped of the topsoil by severe sheet erosion. The object of the tree ph:mting is to fin d t.he most 'inita.ble tree:::; for revegeta.tion of the hills ancl also to in vcstigate t.li Not-withstanding the very dry summer nnd antumn, over-all snrvival rRtes exrerr1erl expectations, being approximntelv RO per cent, A section of the mai n laboratory, In the foreground is a model dam trial, LABOl{ATOHY LNVESTIGATIONt:l. The improvccl facili ties of the new laborat.orv have enabled new fields of soil research to be investigated ancl a considerable amotm t"of new equipment i ~ being pro('mccl for this purpo;;;e. A programme of rainwa.trr :sampling tmrl chemical analysis from five sites wit hin Vir-toria was continm~r1 during the Jntcrnational Geophysical Year. This work was completed at the end of 1958, and the collated analytical results were forwarded to I.G.Y. H eadquarters in Geneva. Monthly rainwater sampling and analysis is being continued at one site (Seymour) to provide continuity with proposed future studies, and to give fnrther information on annmd vl'lri ations in ionie accessions. Soil chemical stnrl.ie::; lmve been made on a large number of samples collected during the course of t he soil anC! ecological survey of western Victoria. 8:=tmpling for this project i:::; not yet eo m p1ete( l · · ChetniGal data on typical Victorian soil::; was provided for the visit to Australia of Dr. Guy Smitll , Dire('tor of Soil;;; Tnvc::otigation::> for t he Soil Conservation Service in the C ni ted State::;_ Analytical methods adopted are ba::oed mainly on eurrent practice in the laboratories of the Division of Soils, C.S.l.R.O., with modifications where necessary to adapt these to the needs of a particul£u project. · 0932/59.-3 Rmall-scale model tests are being eonduct,ed in the laboratory to investigate methodi' of preventing failure of farm dam::-; :msceptible to tunnelling. This problem ariRes when dams are constructed of the subsoil elay of solodic soil types. Those soil:" are of widespread distjrihution in Vietoria, and damR conRtructed from the material often develop large tunnels through the bank in the course of a few seasons. [t appears t.hat this is brought about by the readiness with which the day disperses, forming an extremely impermeable sheet on all surfaeeH in contaet with the water. When water level is low during the summer this sheet dries, and From theoretical considerations it appeared that a layer of coarse grained, porous material spread on the upstream face of the dam would help to prevent this trouble by (a) reducing the dispersion of the clay, and so preventing the development of an impermeable layer (b) reducing evaporation from the clay during period;;; of low water level (c) damping out the effects of sudden rises in water level. Small-scale model tests have been conducted using clays from solodic soils, and failures of the type mentioned have been reproduced after a few cycles of wetting and drying. Similar models to which a layer of sand or sandy loam have been added showed no signs of leaks when given the same treatment. A field trial will be laid out to test the practical application of this theory. Newly acquired apparatus for measuring soil moisture 1·n situ will be m;ed to study conditions within the test bank;;;. Physical studies of soils in the Stewart's Creek hydrological experimental area have been made to provide a background against which any changes in porosity or water holding capacity of the soils, occurring as a result of different land utili;.mtion practices, may be measured. This work has been completed, and tht> information collated for further referenee. ECONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS. Lancl-ttse survey of sheep Janners.-1'his project was outlined in the Eighth Annual Report and a summary of the comparison between past improvements by farmers and their future plans, was given in the Ninth Annual Report. Further findings in the 200-- 2,000 acreage group, consisting of 45 farmers, are summarized below. The extent of improved pastures, the level of superphosphate purchases, family relationship, education and taxation concessions, were the factors associated with gross income in 1956-57. These factors were aHsociated abo with either expenditure in the past (1954-55 to Hl56-57), or intended expenditure (1957-58 and 1958-59), or both. Farmers whose holdings were substantially under improved pasture intended to spend more on permanent improvements in the future than the other farmers. Similarly, farmers with relatively high total expenditure, or expenditure on permanent improvements during past years were more inelined to expand their improved pasture acreage. About a third of the 34 farmers whose holdings were seriously eroded had no contact wit~h the Authority. The following table shows a comparison between those farmers who had contacted the Authority and those who had not. In this table, under the heading "contacted S.C.A. ", two farmers are shown as farmers doing no erosion control work. One was unable to proceed with the necessary work because the catchment to his holdinO' belonged to a neighbour who was unwilling to eo-operate. The other farmer was advised by the Authority in 1957 to postpone the control of a gully until the proposed water disposal area became adequately grassed. Farmers listed under the heading "not eontacted S.C.A. " can be discussed in the order they are shown in the Table. . One of the two farmers shown as having done erosion control works did the work himself and considered it adequate, but this wa,s found to be insufficient by the inspecting surveyor. The other farmer engaged a eontractor for the work and had only a hazy idea about the existence of the Soil Conservation Authority. Three of the last Hev(_•n farmers claimed no <>roHion on their holdings but these holdings were found to be s<>riouHl.v t>roded when im;peetcd by a Conservation Officer. The remaining four fanuers dt>eid('ll on making erosion (·ontrol works onl.v after they were given an explanation. at the time of d1e iHtNviPw. eonceming tlw activities of the Authority about which they knew little or nothing. The1w fanners were also in the area to which a District Conservation Officer was appointed only ree<•ntly, or where (in one instanee) the farm was located on the fringe of a ~oil C'onr;('rvation Authority Di~>tTiet. about 40 mil(~S from its district offieP. TABLE 1. ( 'onhH·ted tWA. Xot ('ontacted ~('A. Umup ..; of Parmers with-- 1 Erosion control worb rlonP .. 7 :\o 2 IS 2 Ero;.;iott ('Oiltrul works intf>ndt•d s ;};) !I 3 Ero?'ion runtrnl works (lO!ll' and to Jw cnntimwd 1\ :!1\ lU ~------21 2 Totnl ~;) lOO ll Jo(l Of the 31 farmers with seriou;.; erm;ion on their holding:-; 1::~ had an average annual total expenditme over £1,000 in the pa::~t. Twelve of these farmers had contacted the Authority. Of the remaining 21, with less expenditure, only 11 had sueh a contact. This is some indication of the greater interest in soil eonservation of th(me f Only ;'55 per cent. of the fanners with serious erm;ion on their holdings have attended field dayH held by the A.uthorit~'· Farnwn; who attended field Of the 45 farmers, four had debt8 between £1,000-£2,000, three between £3,000-£5,000 and Jive between £5,000-£7,000 at 1st Jul.Y, 1H57. All these debts were owed to trading bank8 for loans made since Hl50. With one exception, farmer~:~ with over £1,000 debt used the borrowed money (partly or wholly) on improvements and/or machinery. Farmers who purehased land during the last ten years were the main users of borrowed money for improvements and machinery, and most of them, with sueh newly ae(1uired land. wished t.o Hl'lf~ horrmwd money for improYPment. in the future n,lso. Study 1if' jiuminq pracl'ice:) in the Xorthern Jl1allee.~-Heference was made to this studv in the preceding two Annual H<:>ports. These records are now being analyse(l m dPtall and the findings will lw published shortlv. Detenwinah.on of Costs of Earthworl.·s. -ln May. 1~5~, an invet>tigation wat> reeommenced into the noiit.s of (·onstructing various kinds of conservation earthworks. The aim of the inve8tigation is to provide District Officers with eoclts of types of proposed works for landholders in their districts. The works covered are contour furrowing, contour ripping, contour banks, graded banks, diversion banks and waterways. The work is being carried out by a Conservation Officer working from Head Office, a8sisted by ofticers stationed in the various di8tricts in which measurements are being obtained. The proeedurc is to conta.et landholders where conservation earthworks have recently been or are to be constructed under Authority 8upervision. It is expected to obtain from the landholder, the type of tractor or other machine, and the type of implement(s) used, the hours worked on the particula,r job, and the fuel consumption per hour. If done by a contractor, the landholder is asked to supply the cost of hire per hour and the total number of hours. At the end of the financial year, three district8 had been visited, and measurements were made on tho8e propertie8 where accurate time and cost figures were supplied by the landholder. It is expected that much useful information will have been collected during the season 1959-60. PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION. Press.-All sections of the Press have given the Authority excellent co-operation. Press releases and feature articles from the Authority and special articles by members of the Press have resulted in wide publicity. A typical example of the heightened appreciation of the importance of Soil Conservation and co-operative support by the Press was the printing by a number of journals and papers of a farmer's bulletin on " Soil Salting ., , which was published by the Authority. .:VIany requests for the bulletin were received as a result. Publications.-The eleven publications produeed dming the year were:-- Annual Report 1957-58. " Catcl1ment ~alting in Vietoria ", F. Cope. (in pres;.;). " Roil Salting" (based on above). I~'ive Roil Conservation Competition Reports. Some Aspects of Soil Conservation (Shov.· literature). Factors Influencing Recent Farm Improvements, DR. I. ::vloLNAR. Accession of non-nitrogenous ionR diHsolved in rainwater to soil m Victoria, .J. T. HuTTON and '1'. I. LESLIE. Shows.-The Authority again participated in the :Yielbourne Royal Agricultural Show and the Bendigo Show. Shortage of personnel and transport prevented displays at other country centres, as has been the practice in former years. Rad-Z:o and 1'elevision.--Mr. R G. Downes, Deputy Chairman, made broadcasts over radio stations, and appeared on a television educational programme. In addition to newR items released hv the Authoritv, a number of other broadcasts were made by officers. · " Films.-A short documentary film of the Finn Batter Stabilization Equipment in action has been produced and is being used in farmers' film nights. Work is progressing on a film dealing with Hanslow Cup Competitions and soil conservation in the l\IaJlee. Film Tours.-The Authority continued its country film tours. These film showings are arranged in co-operation with the State Film Centre, and have been organized for the past six years. Colour Slides.-Two slide projectors are now held, and the collection of colour slides has increased to 2,200. These deal with many aspects of erosion, conservation, ecology and farm planning. Library.-Fifty new books have been added to the library, which now has 650 volumes and 500 special reports. Recent book purchases include the 10-volume Austral1:an Encyclopedia. Periodicals received in the library are: 15 quarterlies, 25 · monthlies, and 15 weeklies. These cover conservation, agriculture, and ecology. Film Library a·nd Distribution of Literature.-Borrowings from the Authority's film library continue, and distribution of publications has increased considerably. :-n Field Days.-The Publications and Information 8ection has taken an inereasing part m the organization and management of field days.· Newsletter.-The newsletter "Scan" has been published at regular monthly intervals. Advertising.-Film tours, soil eonservation eompetitions and field days were advertised in appropriate weekly journals and country newspapers. Appendix " D " gives details of distribution of literature, film borrowing, film tours, and colour slide borrowings. DISTRICT ADVIHORY COlVDUTTEg8. At the eommencernent of the vear there were six committees-Xorthern Mallee, Avoca River, Pyrenees, Lower Goulbtirn, Upper (}oulburn, and Bogong High Plains. . Owing to the constitution of four :Yiallee 8oil Com;ervation Districts-~orthern. Southern, Eastern, and \Vestern-neeessitating a realignment of the boundaries of the former Northern Mallee District, the committee operating in this latter area was disbanded. A new committee will be created for the new Northern .Mallee District. During the year four additional committees were appointed, for the Central, CHenelg, Upper lVIurray, and Northern Wimmera Districts. lVIembers have continued to prove of considerable assistance to the Authority in the eonduct of soil conservation eompetitions, in the provision of advice to District Officers with respect to the obtaining of the eo-operation of landholders in catchment projects, and by the manner in which they have dealt with matters which the Act requires shall be submitted to committees for their opinion. Avoca River Distn:ct Advisory Omnmittee.-rrhe 38th, ;)9th and 40th meetings were held during the year. Matters with which the committee interested itself included land rating and soil conservation, the desirability of stationing a second Assistant Conservation Officer at Charlton to assist t.he District Conservation Offieer with the increasing amount of work, the reintroduction of subsidy on superphosphate to encourage soil conservation. At the 39th meeting on 21st January, 1959, the annual meeting, ilfr. A. Small was elected Chairman. Bogong High Plains District Adv,isory Committee.-The committee decided that owing to the hazardous condition of the Mount Hotham area, total numbers of cattle permitted to be grazed on the whole area under the control of the Committee would be reduced by 800 head to 6,730 during the next season. Central District Advisory Commdtee. ~This committee was formed during the first half of the year and has held three meetings. At the inaugural meeting on 5th Pebruarv, 1959, lVIr. Ian Robertson was elected Chairman. The most important matters dealt with have been associated with water supply catchments in the Mount Macedon area, several Town Waterworks Trusts being vitally concerned with the maintenance of adequate supplies of unpolluted water for rapidly increasing demands. Accordingly the committee has had to perform its functions as required under the provit:~ions of Part IlL, Division 1 (Water Supply Catchment Areas) of the Soa Conservation and Land Utilization Act 1958, by advising the Authority of its opinion as to the use of land in such catchments. Two co-operative projeett:~ in the vicinity of \Vallan have also oceupied the committee's attention. Glenelg District Advisory Oommittee.-This committee held its inaugural meeting on 2!:3rd April, when Mr. 8. Burston was appointed Chairman. This committee suggested the idea, since adopted by the Authority, for all committee members to be supplied with suitable forms on which they can record requests for inspections received by them to assist the District Conservation Officer. Luwer Gmdburn D£strict Advisory Committee.-The 24th meeting of this committee wa~ held at Benalla on 22nd October, when, with Mr. D. :McCormack as Chairman, considerable time was devoted to the problem of successfully reclaiming extensive gravel ~tripped areas, particularly in the Dookie-CosgTove Co-operative Project area where conservation works are being undertaken to minimize erosion on numerous properties and to alleviate flooding and siltation on the Rl1epparton Rhire Council's Cosgrove-Caniambo Road. Pyrenees D£strict Advisory Uornm£ttee.-Five meeting~ were held during the year. One important matter considered wa~ the aseert.aining of whether survey and legal costs associated with the transfer of small areas of land from one landholder to another, could be waived or considerablv reduced in cases where for conservation treatment it is desirable to have land to the catchment boundary under one ownership. The matter is being considered by the Department of Lands and Rurvey. The committee organized a most successful <·onference, including a visit to "Westgate ,. , the property of Mr. H. R. Dalkin, Armstrong, when di10trict earthmoving contra0tors were able to discuss and observe conservation work:-> involving earth movenH'nt. As the :38th meeting, held at Ararat on 2nd April, was the annual meeting, there was a retirement of office-bearers. Mr. F. Boatman succeeded Mr. T. A. Riehardson as Chairman. Members were largely instrumental in the obtaining of a record number of entries, 75, for the 19;)}) Pyrenee::; Distriet Noil Cono;ervation Competition, culminating m a most 1'Uccesf'ful field da,v on the propert,v of tlw winner::;, }fr. ,J. Iles and his sister, :Mrs. T. "!VIurnane. Opportunity was taken by member:-> to accompany an Authority ecologist on a tom of portion of the thampians Soil Rurvey area, when soil elassifying and mapping were explained, the purpose of such surveys being to determine the possible use and the productive potential of the area under ronsideration. Upper (/ou.Umm Distr£ct Adv£sory Cmnmittee.-Thc 28th meeting was held on 17th September, 1H58 at Mansfield when members indicated their concern at the recurring flooding of farm land and the lVIaroondah Highway in the vicinity of the confluence of the Goulburn River and Home Creek. It will give its full support to the Authority's proposed scheme of soil conservation worh; in tlw catchment. of Home Creek. 'l'he eonnnittee later met eattlemen from the Ei1don Ca.tchment as it wished to obtain their views eoneerning correct land use in this proclaimed catchment, it being a responsibility of eommittees to advise the Authority as to management of such areas. At a subsequent meeting of the committee on 18th December, 1958 it was decided to appoint a loeal committee of three cattlemen to advise the District Advisorv Committee on matters of land use within the catchment. " Upper Murray Distr£ct Advisory Umnmittee.-Mr. J. Roper wa::> elected Chairman at the inaugural meeting on 27th May, when the Authority Member, Mr. R. G. Thomas, outlined the functions of members and the organization of the Authority. LAND UTILIZATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. The Council held four meetings during the year, two of which were associated with field inspections. In September, 1958, forested country to the east of Melbourne was inspected to observe and compare the water flowing from catchments which had been subjected to logging both recently and sometime previomsly with that from catchments where there had never been any logging. The genemi impression was that the water flowing from all catchments was clear even immediately after rain. In February, ] 959, the Council accompanied by technical offieers from the respective Departments of the members, inspected the Rocklands Catchment, giving particular attention to an area of country adjacent to the northern shores of the reservoir. Recommendationc-; of the Council are diseussed eh;ewhcre in this report. 3)J The Council is watching with interest the setting up of the experimental catchments at Stewart's Creek and has asked that a second group of experimental catchments be established in forested areas having a higher rainfalL STANDING COl\flVIITTEE ON SOIL CONSERVATION. The annual meeting of the Standing Committee was held in Canberra in November, 1958. Representatives of the Commonwealth Departments of the Interior, Primary Industry, C.S.I.R.O., and the State Soil Conservation Services of New South 'Vales, South Australra, Tasmania, and Vietoria were present. Mr. G. T. Thompson, Chairman, attended from Victoria. Soil conservation aetivitie:-; in the Federal Capital Territory and the Cotter Catehment area \\'ere in:-;pected prior to the meeting. The desirability of extemlive pine plantingR on a town water supply eatchment such as the Cotter was questioned as the water yield may thereby be reduced and the Committee suggested that a research project be commenced to compare the run-oft' between pine and eucalypt areas. Owing to the risk of severe erosion in the early stages of pine plantations, the Committee considered that slopes too Rteep for mechanical equipment should lw exc-luded from future plantations. As information conceruing fiow from smi:tll catchment~ under varying conditions is inadequate, the Committee expressed interest in investigationt> of this kind in hand in Victoria and New South Wales and a:-;ked that results be made available to various bodies responsible for soil conservation throughout the Commonwealth. The Committee decided to ask that a suitable proportion of Commonwealth Extension 8ervice Funds be allocated bv the Commonwealth direct to the Soil Conservation Service of New Sc·uth WaJes and the Soil Conservation Authority of Vietoria. The next meeting of the Standing Committee will be held in Tasmania in November, 1959. ADMINISTRATION. Stajf.-'l'otal staff at. the end of the year was 89 persons, an increase of four over the previous year. Of this number more than half were located in country centres. Twelve permanent positions were vacant, and of these, four were in each of the Field aud Engineering Divisions. Three of these positions will be filled shortly. The Authority is still experiencing difficulty in obtaining sufficient graduates to meet its requirements. This is particularly so in the case of the Engineering Division, where the Rhortage of staff is severel.v hampering work. To eueourage young engineers to make ~oil conservation their career. engineering students have been employed 011 survey and drafting activities during the university vacation. 'l'he n:-;e of these men ii'i valuable t.o the Authoritv and to the students. and the experience gained is an essentia 1 part of their eonn;e. The Authority is continuing it;.; programme of decentralization, and during the year arrangements were completed for the stationing of an officer at Bairnsdale. Officers 'vill then be stationed in fifteen country centres and new centres will he established when trained staff are available. However, additional positions are required in the Field Division to meet the increasing demand by landholders. Creation of six additional positions of Assistant Conservation Officer· is now being sought. It is with regret that the Authority reports that dming the year .Mr. P. C. McNaught, District Conservation Officer, Upper J:Iurray Soil Conservation District, was killed in a motor accident near Tallangatta. Mr. R E. Kelly was transferred from Ararat to take charge of the Upper Murray District. The Authority wishes to record its appreciation of the loyalty and euthusiat>m of all its 8taff during the year. Staff Training.-Public Service Board.-During the year an officer attended a Training and Methods Officers' eonrse at the Royal Melbourne Technical College conducted by the Publie Service Board in conjunc-tion with the Royal lVIelhourne Technical College. A total of three officers attended induction or '' C " Class Training Comses at the Public Service Board, and one officer attended a Supervision Course, also conducted at the Hoyal Melbourne Technical College. Three officers of the Authority attended an internal induction cour:,;e conducted by Training and Methods Officers from tJ1e Premier's Office, Audit Office, Public Service Board, and the Authority. Stqff School.-'l'he Annual Staff School \vas held from bt to 12th December, 1958. The first week was devoted to tuition of the offiecrs sitting for all the soil conservation examinations. In the second \Veek the school was attended bv all officers of the Field Division and also by rnore senior offieen; from other Divisim1s. Talks were given by officers of a number of other Departments and the Authority wishes to thank all organizations involved for their assistance. Staff Examiinations.--The 1958 examinations conducted hy the Board of Examiners were held from 1st July to 8rd .July, H)58. Messrs. A. Stirling, R. E. Kelly and J. Ankema passed the Preliminary Examination. Messrs. R. Rothols, J. Langford, D. HuffanL B. Ehhs, C. McCraeken and J. Allinson passed the Final Examination. STAFF AND RMPLOYMENT FIUURES AS AT 30TH J t:NE, 1957, 1958 and 1959. llt·;ul Olli<'(', <'ountry (:Nltret::. lHf>l. JHJK. 1~)5H, H)5H. Administrative Staif 11 J 1 12 5 Field Operation~ 0 7 ts 37 Research ]U 1 l ]2 -, Engineering !:) ~ i ' ') •) ') Pttblications and lnformahon " ,) ,) ------~·------'l'otah.; 3\l 41 Staff' employed under Public Service Act 84 Casual labour employed at 30th .June, 1959 5 Total Staff 89 Vehicles.-At :30th June, 1959 the Authority operated 7 cars, 1 truck, 22 utilities and vans. 5 four-wheel drive vehicles, and 6 tractors, a total of 41 vehicles. This is an increase ~f three vehicles over those operated in 1957-58. During the year, in pursuance of a policy of maintaining vehicles in the most economic operating condition, ten vehicles were replaced. Housing and Office Accmnmodation Head Office. During the year a new two-story brick wing was occupied. Although this provided suitable space for officers of the research and engineering staff, the accommodation at Head Office remains overcrowded. Plans have been prepared for the erection of a single story office block to provide additional accommodation, and the Authority hopes that work will be commenced during the coming year. Baimsdale.-Arrangements have been completed for the stationing of an officer in the town, and accommodation is being sought. 41 Bacchus Mwrsh.-Office accommodation has been obtained at the Court House, and urgently needed repairs at the Departmental residence will be carried out shortly. Benalla.-It is expeeted that the district staff will soon he able to occupy the space provided in the new Public Offices. Benrligo.-Plans have been completed for the erection of a residence at Bendigo for the District Conservation Officer. Broadford.-Residence of the District Conservation Officer 1s almost completed and will be occupied early in the new financial year. Mm·yborough.-Provision luu.; been made for the Vistrict Conservation Officer m the proposed Public Offices. Ouyen.-Arrangements are being made to secure more suitable office accommodation in the town. Se'J Lake.-Better office accommodation has now been secured in the town. Generally, the position regarding housing and office accommodation in country centres is regarded as satisfactory, but difficulty is being experienced in some areas in providing departmental re8idences. Finance.-The total amount voted to the Authority including amounts voted in the supplementary estimate was £162,160, and total expenditure amounted to £159,9ml, £2.251 less than the amount provided. Revenue for the year amounted to £4,816. During the year an amount of £2,000 was provided from the Commonwealth Extension Services Grant, a reduction of £1,000 on the amount previously available. A number of publicatiom; was produced from funds available from this grant and the cost of exhibits at the Royal Agricultural and other shows was also met from the fund. In the coming financial year the opening of new rl.istricts, appointment of additional Distriet Advisory Committees. and further increases in the number of requests for the Authority's assistance will mean that additional funds will be required in all subdivision;,;. A statement setting out expenditure for the financial year 1958-59 together with details of funds available for the year 1959-60 follows. ExPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1958-59. £ £ Salaries .. 107,078 Contingencies 13,500 Miscellaneous- Experiments, Demonstrations, Reclamation and Catchment Projects 7,500 District Advisorvv Committees .. 450 Purchase and _Maintenance of }lotor Vehielcs, Plant and Machinery 18,500 Loans and Grants and Assistance 9,998 Publications and Information .. 2,883 39,331 159,909 42 EXPENDITURE-VOTE AND LoAN-FINANCIAL YEAR 1958-59. £ Buildings, Rents, &c. 13,077 EsTIMATED ExPENDITURl<~ .FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1959--60. tlalaries .. 124,555 Contingencies 13,525 Miscellaneous- Experiments, Demonstrations, Hedamation and Catchment Projects 8,000 District Advisory Committees Fees and Salaries and Travelling Expenses of Members 600 Purchase and Maintenance, &c., of Motor Vehicles, Plant and Machinery 18,500 Loans, Grants and A!-!sistance under section 14 (3) (c) of the Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act No. 6372 10,000 Cost of Publications, &c. 3,500 40,600 178,680 EsTIMATED ExPENDITURE-VOTE AND LoAN-FINANCIAL YEAR 1959--60. Buildings, Rents, &c. 44,242 G. T. THOMPSON, Chairman. R. G. DOWNES, Deputy-Chairman. R. G. THOMAS, 1\'fember. ARTHUR TIDD, Secretary. 43 APPENDIX" A." PROCLAIMED WATER SUPPLY UATUHMENTS. .N1um•. Oate or / ..\rea I l'rodamat.iou. ; (•quare miles). 1 Main t:se of Water Stored . Hume 3.7.50 3,900 Irrigation Upper Barwou 11.11.5:.3 3i5 Town Water Gisbome-Sut1hury H.10 .54 2~ Town Water Parwan l.:l.5G 61 Irrigation Upper Goulburu 19.1.57 1,370 Irrigation Glenmaggic 4.12.57 740 Irrigation Rock lands 17.9.58 520 Stock and Domestic Riddell's Creek 21.4.5f) 2 Town Water -·····-·-~··------~~----- 44 APPENDIX " B ." SOIL CONSERVATION COMPETITIONS. Com}Jet.ition. Hoil Conf.l.t'Tvat.iou Hist.ril't.s, i'.hown in order in whieh ComJwt.lHon will be ht:>hL l\Ialiee Soil Conservation Competition Northern Malice District, comprising the Shire of Mildura. formerly Malice Soil Drift Control Western Mallee District, comprising the Shire of Walpeup. Competition Southern Malice 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, compnsmg the Shires of Ararat, A voca, Lexton, tion formerly Pyrenees District Ripon and Stawell. Soil Conservation Competition , Glenrlg 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, compri11ing the Shires of Arapiles, Dunmunkle, Kowree and Wimmera. Northern Wimmera District, comprising the ShireH of Dimbool11, Kaniva Lowan and Wimmera. North Central Soil Conservation Avoca River District, compr1smg the Shire;; of Bet Bet, Charlton, Competition formerly Avoca River ; Donald, Gordon, Kam 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 Shire8 of Ballaarat, Bungaree Creswick, Glenlyon, Kyneton, :\ialdon, ilietcalfe, Newstead, Talbot and Tullaroop. North Eastern Soil Conservation Upper Goulbum District, comprising the Shires of Alexandra, lYlansfield Competition formerly Goulburn and Yea. Catchment Soil Conservation i Lower Goulburn and Murray Districts, comprising the Shires of Benalla, 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 1\'lurray, Wodon~a, Yackandandah and the Kiewa valley in the Shire of Bright. Gippsland Soil Conservation Com Tambo Dilltrict, compnsmg the Shires of Omeo, Orbost and Tambo. petition formerly Upper Murray Avon District, comprising the Shires of Avon, Bairnsdale and Maffra. Region Soil Conservation Corn 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, Warra~ul, W oorayl and the Borough of WonthaggL Southern Soil Conservation Com Yarra District, com1Jrising the Shires of Berwick, Broadmeadows, Bulla, petition Cranbourne, Dandenong, Doncaster and Templestowe, Eltham, Fern Tree Gully, Flinders, Frankston and Hastings, Healesville, Lillydale, Melton, Mornington, l\Iulgrave, Phillip IRland, Upper Yarra and W erribee 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. 4f> APPENDIX "C.'' SU!YBL\RY OF FIELD DIVISIOX ACTIVITIES. PROJI<~UTS MW DEMONSTRATIONS. Ninety-five projects and demonstration;; are at present being carried out by the A utlwrity. 'J'hese are summarized a~ follows >-· Farm Planning ProjectR-- Vpper Goulburn Distriet- Howquadale \V. P. Heiue Ti-Tree Creek H. C. )!orris Glenburn J. R. ,Jaekett Glenburn G. T. and R. W. Wright Glen burn D. W. Main Alexandm .I. R. Hall Flowerdale L. Collins Flowerdale J. T. Eckersley Yea M. D. Spanjer Acheron .T. Squire Upper Loddon Distriet. Kyneton R. T. Borbidge Kyneton J. Guilfoyle Redesdale D. Fisk Baringhup W. Lewif'l Ovens District~ Everton R. W. Spowers Greta South P. J. Dummett :\immungee C. J. Orton Bowman's Forest n. Witherow Central Di~trict Kilmore .f. Pavne Broadford A. R: .Te:ffrey Seymour 1<]. Cappur-Wf'hh Avoca River District Ycungroon A. John Charlton W. Polkinghorne Wychitella R. Bird Moorarhool DiRtrict- Glenmore .J. T. 0. Dickinson Pty. Ltd. Glenmore Northcote Bovs' Farm' Bamganic R. McKenzie " Campaspe DiHtrirt Corop L. B. Dutton Eppalock .J. Edwards Strathfieldsaye M.. T. Crowe Pyrenees District . Armstroug11 H. R. Dalkiu Waubra N. E. and J. M. Bath Yarra District Mickleham Kinnear Bros. Nutfield A. Arnold Lower Goulburn District Devenish '1'. Trewin }[urchiBon EaBt R. Lovt>n Southern Gippsland Dit~trict Seaspray D. Wood Western GippRland District Leongatha Routh P. NI. O'Sullivan Tambo District- Bumherra.h .. T. W. Kettle Northern Wimmera District - Dim boo la D. R. Launer 4G APPENDIX "C "-cont£nued. Upper Murray District~ Corryong Romm1 Catholic Church Property Southern Mallee District - Sea Lake L A. Alien Western l\iallee District Tutye .. K. Brown Fa.nn Recla1na.tion Projects Western Mallee District~ C.A. 9 Daalko A. B. Elliott C.A. 27 Boulka A. H. Weir C.A. 6 Gnarr C. Rankin Tiega Reserve .J. Arbuckle Ouyen Rifle Range Reserve Slliuda.ming amngemont Northern Mallee District- l~ between Jandholder and C.A. 4 Tunart D. R MeGregor I Soil Conservation Authority Eastern Malice District~ C.A. 16 Piangil West L. H. Langley Jl Southern Mallee District.- Wild Dog Hill N. Sands Conservation Reser·ve~ Northern Wimmera District---Reserve of 21)6 acres of dune count.ry at. Lake Hindman;h. Demonstrations-- Pyrenees District- Xavarre Hills, reclHmation of tunnelletl country, 22 aerPs. Avoca River District- Char! ton West Reserve, contour-furrowing and regrassing. J effcott Hills Reserve, eont.onr-furrowing and regrassiug. Moorarbool District- Pentland Hills, reclamation of slleet, tunnel, and gully eroded 50 acres adjoining We:>trm Highway, hy pasture improvement, contour ripping an Lower Goulhurn Dist,rict~ Bailieston, reelamat,ion demon~tration of 10 acres of Rheet and tunnel-ero Co-operative Projects~ Avoca River District~ Buckrabanyule, control of hill and adjacent cultivation land hy contonr layout., grasst>tl waterways, and improved rotations ; protection of roads. Barrakee, control of hilly Crown land and reclamation of adjacent gullied cultivation hmd on two properties ; protection of water ehannel and roads. Forsey's Crossing Catchment, embraee:> 60 square miles of mainly fiat to gently undulating land fringed by hills ; together with improved land management, an ohjectin; is to impound wat-er in portions of numerous gullif>K, in order to hoth control flow awl provide Home water for flmall-scale irrigation. Ylount Jeffcott, graded contour banking and grassed waterways to proteet sloping arable land surrounding t-he mount which was contour furrowed in 1948. 'l'here are five landholders concerned and their co-operation was obtained h,v the ,\ ,~oca Rivpr Distriet AdYisory CommitteP. Mount Gowar, the Axoca River Di~triet Advi8ory Committee organized the necessary eo-operation between the four landholder~ with properties in the 700 acres of lesser Hloping arable land of the mount·. Two a11d one half miles of waterways will take run-off water from graded hanks. 47 APPFNDIX " C '"-cmrtinued. Campaspe Di~o>t.rict.·· Rhelbourne Catchment, impro,·ed subdivi,;ion, pasture and grazing managenwnt, eoutour furrowing and banking, some gully blockings ; 400 acre catchment. rihelbourne-Wooclstock Catchment, exce;;s run-off from a catclmtent of 2,300 acres has resulterl in ,;iJtation of Reveral propertieR with accompanying reduction in cropping. Treatment involves eontour-furrowing, graded banking and gras:o;ed waterways. Murphy's Creek, ;;ituated to wuth of Shelbourne and Woodstock-Shelbourne Co-operati,·e Projects ; many active gullies, ,;iltation, damage to Marong Shire strurtnres ; pasture improvemf'nt and subdivision planned ; eighteen landholders concernt>d. Lakey's Catchment, i,; a cat.chmenr of 1,200 anes to a tributary of Bradford Cref'k; eleven landholders and Shires of Marong and Maldon concf'rned ; gullying, siltatiou in cultivation paddocks, sheet and tunnel erosion, flooding and siltation in vicinity of Bendigo-Maryborough-road at J,aaneeoorie; par;t.ure improYement and Kubdivision. Pyrenees District~ Ledcourt, Stawell, cont,rol of 3,000 acre catchment on seven propertieR; protect,iou of Western Highway. Charley Combe Creek, Huangor--contour furrowing, pasture improvement, gully stabilization including tree-planting, to reduce siltation on Western Highway. ~avarre Hills Catchment, comprises 5,856 acres in the Parish of Navarre, on nine properties ; farm-planning-correct subdivision, paRture improvemrnt, <'ontrol of run-off watt>r t.o obviate silt,at.ion on Shire roads. )falakoff Catchment, 3,355 aere:; from which run-off water is causing siltation of road::;; improvecl Rnh-clivision and pa.;,tnre>~. Xorthern Wimmem Distriet- Lil Lil Dam, Dimboola, reduction and eontrol of rnn-off from eult.ivation land hv improved rotations, pastures and eontour works. Currip Swamp Catchment, Kiata, eontour layout and imprc,n• Lowrr Goulburn District-· Uoorambat, cont,rol of hill:> arHl lowPr enltivntion lnnd owr lllllf' prop<·rtif'H; road protection. Dookie-Cosgrove Catchment, im'olves 36. ~roperties a!td the Rhepparton Shire Council over 30 square miles ; aims t,o mm1m1ze eroswn on catchment and siltation of Cosgrove-Caniamho and other road~ by improved rotation», gra.rlNl hanks and waterways, and pasture improvement. C'ashel Co-operative, Dookie, situated east of Dookie township ; takes in part of northel'ly uspect of Mount Major; seven landholders, induding Dookie Agricultural College ; approximate area of 2,000 acres ; gullying, sihation, slteet erosion, Roak!l due to lack of adequate cover on the mount ; grasRed diverRi01l hank,;, scour-filling; improved grazing managPment. Central District-- Cleve's Gully, Wallan East, 164 acrt> eatchment on four propertie~; l:levere gullyino and tunnelling causing silt.ation on W oodstock-W allan East-road and property o~ adjaceiJt fiats ; rliversion banks const.ructed by contraetor paid by landhoiders, charged on basis of estimated pereentage of benefit derin•d by raeh an<1 t.he proportion of the acreage involved hv each. and the Authority. Taylor's Lane, situated south west of Wallan township ; gully t>rosion, siltation of farm lands and Hume Highway ; eleven landholders and Country Roads Board involved ; pasture improvement, vegetat.ive cont.rol measures and soil-Raving dams in gully, grassed waterway. 4-k APPENDIX " C '"-continued. lJ pper Loddon Dist-rict- Brwmsehi's Hills-concerm; a landholder, the Forests Commisllion and the Talbot Rhin• Council ; gullying be;;ide and siltation on Talbot~Ciunes-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 Maryborough--Rathscar-road 12 miles from Maryborough ; diversion banks, contour furrow11, structure, fencing; six landholders, all co-operRtive. Glenelg Di~trict- Nangeela Catchment, involve~ :>omP IU mile~> of broken drainage lines over the 2, 700 acre catchment from which eroded soil is deposited on the Casterton-Dt'rgholm road ; control measmeH include fencing of gullies and vegetatiYe cont.rol. 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 hy Rtabilizing the eroding gully with trees and gra;;ses. Moorarhool Distriet- Bissell's-road, Bacchu::; .Marsh, control of siltation on this road and a neighbouring property by catchment improvement was ;;ought by the 13aechus Marsh Shire Council in 1955. Co-operation of the five landholders and the Forests Commission has been sought; improvement of forest flom con·r, Jlll:>turc improvement, diverflion of run-off from main ~ully to a waterway. Upper Goulburn Ddrict~- Cotton's Pinch, Yea, improved pastmes and contour worh on t lw ;)()() acre catchnwnt to Jarge gully beside Yea lVhwRfir•ld-J·oad, together with extc•nsi ve t1·ee- planting hy Authority in and he,.,ide gully. [J pper 1\1 unay District~ Randy Gully, Corryoug, invo]ye,; control of a Ltrw· multi-lwadPd aetively eroding gully which deposits silt on the Corryong~Cndgewa-road : four landholders, tlw Upper ::.\1urray Shire Coum:il and the Authority an, eo-opt>rating in control measures-silt dams, a concrete structure, feneing and tree-planting. Routhern Mallee District - Mystic Park, contour banking, cultivation an;[ ~owing with cereal rye mHl pasturP species 1,400 acres of wind-eroded land of gentle slopes from whieh run-off affected roads am\ other utilities. Vr,getatite Control of Gullies rmd Lrmdshps Gienelg District- Grm;sdale, utilization of Htabilit~t•il gully 1Jy fpncin~ and planting trees fmitahle for commercial use. Rowe's Slip, Balmoral-road, stabilization of landslip aml gully affecting road, by fencing and planting of suitable trees and grasses. Satimer-road, Caf'terton, protect-ion of road and briilge by stabilization of landslide und minor stream with trees and grastles. Peterson Bros., Coleraine, stabilit~ation of landslide and gullies by tree and graKs planting. Beaton's Slip, '-'" ooton~ Yale, stahilit~ation of lamlslide by tr!'e-planting, trees guardt>d from rabbits. Upper Gonlhurn Dilltrict- Cotton's .Pinch, Yea, fencing ami planting of gully and environs alongside mam Y ra~Mansfield-road as part of Cotton's Pinch Co-operative Projeet. Exper·iments- Glenelg District- Huf's Plots, Croxton East, to determine :>pecies and fert·ilizers most suitable to provide cover in salt~affected land -Palestine st-ra.wberry clover well eKtablished in one year. Oven:; District~- 1\Iount Hotham, Species and method of sowmg trials on gravel-stripped area. FIELD !JAY:':'. r'it>ld Day,; conducted and a.ttende Soil Cousen·;ttion Autlwrity (ot.lwr) 3 Other Shtte Department~ (attended for e .\lachiner.v .Finu>< 24 AGRTCUL'l'UI:L\L SHOWN. BROADCASTS, LECTD~E:-;, ETC. UHicers of the J)j,-iHion participated in puhlicizin).! the work of the Authorir~- a,; hdlow": nrmukasts. ('J -.. 'I 3 ±•) -17 I,) .-)~ (Attvlldan('<' :l,ti 10) \rOHKS RECORD. The followinf! analysis indieatos the e:-.tent to which rlH• ~eiTIC<'s of ofticers <11'1' 111 dc•Jna11d :· Initial .Lnspeetions Req uestP• 1 .-JH lnitia.l luspeetions .\Imle IF;:! In iti WUHI\:' C.\HIUED OCT DURING 'l'HE YEAH FOH WHICH SOHn~Y M-i:-ilB'l'ANCE AND SUPEH\'1:-\10.\" WERE GIYEK. ..\l'!l'"· l'r••!wrtli•:--, Cont "':1 Furrowing 1,:-lit ::~.-) Comou r Hi ppi ng .. I ,7:-,; :}:,! Comom t~nidt· line" for cnlt.i1·ation !,If!.-, I I' ·)•J Conrni!l' H:m ks l /ll \I -·) Um.d .. d C"<~ll tour Ban b 4.-,:; !O l'l'i'}t<'l'tiP" Ura;-;~•·.tl \ratel'\\ra\~s IKUiOt Divt~r,:i<•ll Bankll . I f>7 Ji77 Ku rv<'Y" for Du m:< ( :ra.ss···d ('hut••s This l'PJH'i'H('Iits 11 total of 4HG propt•rties on whieh work wm; carrif>d out.. llt t'ewPr thau in l!lrli-38. SDIMARY OF IXSI'ECTI0.\8. I!Wi TO 30TH .ICXE, 1!1.-J!I. H"'Jlli'"ts for lnihal lnspectiom; reeein;d front l\l·Hi to :30th .Tune, Ul.}!l ;-l,3K2 approximatel.1· . .\" um her of Initial J nspections Outstanding at 30th .J unr, 11)5!1 2K4 ; therefore. tht• total nu m her of indiYJdua I propertiel:l inr;pectetl fwm 11)4(i to 30th cltme. 195\l 5,098 approximately. h ;l!]clition, between lf;t .July, l!J54, alHl 30th .Jane, 195!~1, 1,788 Suhsequnnt fn~peetious ha.ve been ma<.i<· This g1n'H a total of at l!•a:-lt 1\,1'1-(f-i inspectimh' madf' f'lllf'n 1!\4() for a similar number of jobs 011 pmperlih. ~l!J;{~ .-,:· .. 4 50 APPEND IX " D ". DISTRIBUTION OF LI'rElL\TURE. City LOANS OF SOIL CONbERVATlON AUTHORITY FIL:\IR. Bonmunent Bodies Commercial Organization;; Lctnd-HKe Organization" EflucatiOJml Bo COUNTRY FILM TOl'RS. Detail.~. ·Country Di;;tr·icts Visited l!i Country Towns Visited f)!) Total Attenda11ccs .. 4,287 A Y£>mge A ttt•mhmcPs per showing lj.') COLOUR SUDE PROGIUMMES. Colour ,.,Ji;]e;; loane APPENlHX "E." DISTRICT ADVISORY Co:\HHTTEEB. Aroca, H1:cer. A. ~mall. ·' Tot.tington ", St. Arnawl (Chairmau). E. W. White, Ridge-street, Wedderhurn. F. 0. Sander;;on, Coonooer Bridge, da Charltoll. F. R. B. Coghill, Private Bag 2R, Boort. R B. Cirax, "Hlairgowrie", Bet Jki. R. F. L. Nicolson, State Ri\•ert~ uncl Water ~uppl~· UcnnmisRion, Birchip . •J. F. Allinwn. High-stred. Ch.nlton (8eaetat!J). Bogong !Ii,qh Plnins. U. T. Thmll]JSOll, :- Cent rill. Cr. I. R l{niH~rt.~on, "Gitihorne l'ark ''. Ui:dmnl\' (C'hairman). F. N. Clrimwade, Box H\R, Broatlford. 1\. :\. E. Hc~rding. " Kimherlt>Y ", Broadfonl. A. Watkin-\\'vmH', "Strathardlr· ··, Hidd(~ll',; Creek K. ::Vlc Don•·ll. · ·' flh•ng Oler.elq. s. ll. Bur~toH, " No~s ... ca~tf'l'l·Oil (Clutirman). H. n. C'I'PI'll, Box 2:\ Coh•rninP . . 1.. \. Nlwrp, .. \\';tiTa\l·ong'', Hranxhobtw. L. U. Ta,·lor, Printtl' Bag, Col<>raitH' 1>. H. H,:ard. ·' Attun.ga ·•, lllPnthompeoll. :-;, \Y. JlargPtt~. DPjJHl'tllH'lll or .\gricnltnn-, Hamilton. U. B. Eh!J,, \\-h~·tp-stn·Pt. ColeraiHP (.'leuetary). Dou·er fiu,/!1)//n•. j). \lr-Cormac·k, Turnlmll-strPI>t. Euroa (( 'lwinilrw ). •T. C. l'<'nnington. Warn•nhayn<'. Dr. :-\. Plowman, "Ht. Hillier". llP\t'nislt. (;. :-\. \\',tll. \'iold Town . . \ ..1. Dixon. l~ands I>Ppartrut>nt, :-iheppHr1otl. (:}. W. llPxter, I kpnrtrnent. of Agrieultm·•·. Euroa. K. B. T•~ny, 18A }lair-street, Hnnalla (Sernlrtt'fJ). P.IJl'?llee.-;. F. H. Boatman, Ulenlofty, 1·ia Elmlnm;t (Chairm1111). T. c\. Hirha.nbon, "Uorinn \orth ··, Dobir, Yia Ararat. :\I. .K L. \\'Mkin, '' BPlmont ·•. Ht·aul'ort. A. (;, Holden ... On:rdale ··, Xtawell. \V. H. 1\:an•, ·' Ballaka\'(' ", Elmllllrst. C. H. UrPE;ll, Land~ D<'jJartnwttL Arnrat. L. l ). ( :an,idt•. :-\tat.e Pn hlie Offict'.,, \'inePltt-;;t n~l't, Anm1.t (Secrdnrr;) Upper Grml/JIIr 1/. A. W ..Jonl'..;, '·Brilliant 1{;,-;tute '', Ka!lumln·a (Oitairrnan). P. A. Heid. Printte Ba.!!. }laHsfield. J. Td1an, '' Wappan ··. Bounie lJoon. K. \Yebh-Wnn•, "Yirmha", Yea. ;\. H. lk Fpper J[ttrrrty . .J. F. Bo]wr, ·' :Vlount. Yorke ··, Tawonga. (Clwirmrm). K. c\. I )nUHlllOIHl, \Vodong-a. U. C ..]anis, "Ho8eworthy ", Cndgc\m. B. L'. FrasPr, "Heatlwrlil' '', Ta.llangatta . .J. L. Jlilelwll, Lawls D!'Jmrtml'Jtt, .Vrelbourne. C. \V. \rat,-;on, For!:'sts Commisc;ion. \rangarHtta. 1L E. ]\p]]y, Towong strP<'I, TallaHgatta l;~ecrl'/ary). 32 APPENDIX "F.'· Ji'U]LD DlV!RIOX~SF:NIOH AND 1HHTRICT OFFICER~. Rend Qffice: 37M C'otham-roa(l. KPw. E.4 ('rel. WY Vll"'\1, 'VY ::\077). Chief Con,;pn·a.tion OffitN~-H R. Diekiuson. i-leniot· Cotlf>t'tTatinn Offi(·<~r~:VT. 8. \Yood. Senior C'oHseJTJlt.jon OfliePr -A. Mitclwll. Senior Conse1TMio11 Offi<·<·r F. D. Runge. District Co11sernttion OtliePr~-G. B. Sluitrr. District ()j{iees : _\vocn l{i.,•er District--High-street, Charlton (Tt•l. Chnrlton .'i2). Dit>triet Consermtion Oftieer-.1. F. Allinson. Campaspe Distrid-Public OflicPs, Haq.rrea\·cs-strect., BPudigo (Tel. Bendigo 3 ;)1'.78) Box 206, Post. Offire, Bendigo. Di,.;triet Con>~crvntion Oflicer-J ). H. f<]l ,·ery. Central Ddrict-High-,.;trcet, HroadfonL Box 171, Post Office, Broad ford. Di:=;trict CouKernttion Officer-D. R. Paten.;on. Glenelg Di;.;trict-Whyte-street, Coleraine ('L'eL Col<'rainP 201 ). District Cousernttion Oftlcer-G. B. Ehh;;. Lower Goullmrn Di;;t.rict-·lth lVIair-;;treet, Bt•Halla (Tt:l. lkualla 7 t:!). District Conservation Officet·~---K. B. Tt•rrv. Moorarbool District ~Court House, Maiu-~treet, Jhcl'hus 1larsh (Tel. lhc<'llll« .\lar,:h ;}()] ). Ui~trict Conservation Offief'r- A ../. Wnllis. We:-;tern .\Iallee Distriet--:\litchell-strPet, On.n;n, (Tel. On.nn ].-lii). Box l'\1, l'o4 Otfit<'. Ouycu. District Consm:n1tion Oftiet'l' .\. I~. !he. Oven,.; District-State Public Offiee.~, Faithfnll-;;t.reet, Wan~amtta (1\·l. \\-,lll!! Pyrenee,.; Dist.rict-Htatt• Offices, v'incent-street, AmrM ('1\·l. Antrat li+O). J)i,.;triet ConRen·;ttion Ofticer~---L. D. Sontlwm 11,tllt~(' Diiltriet -Be:-~t-Kt.reet, :-;..,,. Lake (Tel. H1'11 Lab· HH). Box I W, Post Otliet\ Hea Ltke. District ConsCJTation Ofticer .\. K x.. wtou. Upper (}onlbum District ~DmYtH'\·-strPPt, .\h•xandr·t (1'••1. .\l.·xandm :!:!11). Dixtrirt Conspn·ation Offiel'r C. F. PauL Up)l\'1' Lmldon lliKtriet · -B~wk of Xc\\' Houth WnlP~ Bnilding . .\!.tn·hornliJ.dL J:ox 71, l'o~t Oftice, }lnryborough ('I'PL .\lat'.d>Orough 7!ll'). J)i~trict· Consernttion Officer --K. U. Knight~. Upper :Hurray Di~triet -Towoug-street, Tallangatta (1\·1. 72). Distrid Cmt~<,rnttion Officer -H. E. Kcll_\·. Northern 'Vimmera IJistrict~" Kuruga ··. \Varra.cknalwal-road. )}imhoola (Tel. Dind•oola ;)3). Box H4. Post Otfit·P. Dimboola. Di~triet Const•n·atiou Officer-G. E. Coghlan. B.;r Aurhority: A. C. BROOKS. Government Printer. Melbourne .. SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS e Werrimu1L Mll-DURA NORTHERN REFERENCE Shire bowt.d::vy RIPON Shire 12c:Lme WESTERN WALPEUP Oistrtct bo!Ula't:tr!f Murrd.yvi-Ue• OVENS K&.t'\iV&• t'-• rJ ' J I ~ / .T !A B 0 Swift!! Creek. l ~ ' T-110 '? I ' I I I ORBOST G ( / ' GLENELG ;-' / C..stertcn, • -...... -' ) \ r