Blandfordia

North Shore Group (ACN 002 680 408) November 2017

David Bolton from Council spoke at the October General meeting on Reducing stormwater impacts on our local creeks. SQIDs in catchments http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/environment/water-catchments/catchments-remediation-program

David gave a very concise and informative overview of various strategies that are used within the shire to reduce the impact of stormwater. Within the shire there are five catchments: Hawkesbury-Nepean, , , Upper and . The Upper Lane Cove River catchment flows ultimately into Harbour, whereas all the others flow into the Hawkesbury River. There are 3 main pipe systems installed: water mains, stormwater (usually untreated) and sewer mains. Surface type affects the rate and volume of rainwater runoff. Those surfaces that are less permeable result in a higher and faster rate of runoff. A more natural surface results in higher infiltration and a low runoff. Typical pollutants are cigarette butts, bottles and leaf /grass litter. HSC has a Catchment Remediation Rate as part of its rate system to enable processes to be implemented to try and minimise the damage and pollution to our waterways. Between 1997-2017 more than 440 treatment devices were installed and are operational across the Shire. Over recent years about 1200 cubic metres of rubbish has been removed each year. Different devices are used to trap different pollutants. Catering for the variations between the large gross solids to the very fine/ colloidal particulates is a complex task. Examples of devices include trash racks, deflective trash racks, litter basket traps, end of pipe nets, channel nets, pit inserts, underground vaults, wetlands and biofilter raingardens or bioretention basins. The latter attempt to maximise the spread of water to increase the amount of water treated. Plant selection is critical to maximise the microbiological activity of desirable organisms and create a sophisticated filter system. Plants used include Carex appressa, Kunzea ericoides, Juncus usitatus and Callistemon spp. All the infrastructure requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Other strategies used by HSC to improve the waterways include aeration of some ponds with fountains, creek bank protection and street sweeping.

How can we help? Dispose of rubbish and materials correctly, compost or mulch garden waste, minimise the use of fertilisers and pesticides and mulch gardens to aid water retention.

Remember: rain drain creek river ocean

Many thanks to David who agreed to come and do this presentation at short notice due to the unavailability of the scheduled speaker.

Written by and images by Jan Williamson

Blandfordia Page1 David Bolton’s talk obviously had the effect of raising our awareness of the problems and solutions.

Naa Badu Lookout, Barry and Rae seated, Berowra Waters in background A device spotted by On Saturday morning October Jan W at the Pennant 14th, following our talk on Hills Community "Urban Impacts on bushland" we Centre walked from Berkely Close to Joalah Crescent, Berowra, to see how urban run off has impacted on the steep slopes below suburbia.

Among other flora we saw waratahs and Darwinia procera. NPWS say that Lasiopetalum joyceae is there but we did not see it. The number of walkers on this popular trail far out numbered we APS members. There was a large group of active retirees from Adelaide doing the Great North Walk, also several teenage groups and Asian tourists. This trail is on the northern edge of Berowra Valley National Park. Written by Rae Rosten. Image by Noel Rosten

KC Bushcare group working in KWG

To implement our October meeting's talk on managing stormwater impacts on bushland, our group decided to weed below a stormwater drain draining Richmond Avenue, St Ives. This drain, which discharges next to the KWG boundary fence, has facilitated a dense weed plume of crofton weed, lantana and cassia that heads down the side of the ridge towards Ku-ring-gai Creek. We will weed on both sides of the fence for as far as we can go down the slope. The photo shows some of our bushcare group (some are also APS NSG members).

Sue Bowen, Convenor

November Quarterly Gathering: BEE there The North Shore Group will host the final APSNSW Quarterly Gathering for 2017. The event will be at Caley’s Pavilion in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden at 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives on 18th November 2017. The guest speaker will be Bronwen Roy. Bronwen is a PhD student at Western Sydney University studying the impact of pathogens on honeybees and native bees. She will be speaking about Australian native bees. Tea and coffee will be available from 10.30 am. There is opportunity for a self-guided walk in the extensive grounds – maps are available from the Visitors Centre near the Garden entrance or join an APS NSG led guided walk. The guided walk will start at Caley’s Pavilion at 11 am and take about 1 hour. Please wear walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and bring water.

Lunch (bring your own) and plant sales from 12 noon.

The Meeting begins at 2.00 pm. Afternoon tea will be provided after the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there. Barry Lees (APS NSG President) (PS. APS NSG members who would like to contribute to, and/or assist with, afternoon tea,

please contact Jan Williamson on 9875 2262 or [email protected] ) Image by Noel Rosten

Blandfordia Page 2 Wildlife in the ‘ burbs

It was part of a standing frame I was making for a disabled child. Looks like the python mistook it for a custom-made sunbaking device. Image by Barry Lees

Barry Lees ( in his spare time!!!) volunteers for TAD http://www.tadaustralia.org.au/

New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae in our backyard Image by Noel Rosten

Blandfordia Page3 WALKS & TALKS Programme for 2018 At this stage we are planning to offer a reduced program starting in June 2018 but with a monthly walk beforehand in March, April and May. We will have a lunchtime meeting at 1pm on 13th November after the 'Leptospermum' presentation to discuss plans for 2018. We hope you can come. At the meeting we will try to get rosters for: Welcome Table Projection of Presentations Microphones Setting up tables etc Printing of Notes Plant Stand Care of Plant Signs Bob Failes, Bill Jones,Wendy & Phillip Grimm

SPEAKERS in 2018 The committee would like YOUR input. Another year is drawing to a close and attention turns to the next year. The president & committee have the task of drawing up the new programme of speakers at the monthly meetings. Every endeavour is made to make the programme as relevant and as interesting as possible for the membership. This entails many hours of work.

If you know of anyone whom you consider would be a good choice, or if you have a topic that you would be particularly interested in, please contact Barry Lees. 9653 3691 [email protected] If you have a speaker, please try and get up to date contact details to give to Barry.

The local pair of galahs have been very busy doing house renovations this year. The scar was significantly smaller a few months ago. The offsrpring is almost ready to fledge- let’s hope that it survives. It peaks out of the hole every now and then.

Jan Williamson Olearia tomentosa on Berkeley Fire Trail (Uncommon) Image by Noel Rosten

New Library Books

8. Hope, C. & Parish,S. Amazing Facts about Australian Native Plants

9. Hornsby Shire Council. Look-Alikes Handbook: Identification of similar native and weed species 3rd Edition

10. Karouta-Manasse, F. Discovering Australian Flora. An Australian National Botanic Gardens Experience

11. Martin,S. Bush Tukka Guide

12. Minchin, R.F. (Bob) Wildflowers of Tasmania. A Field Guide

13. Stewart, A. & Bishop, A.B. The Australian Native Garden. A Practical Guide

14. Watsford, P. Plants of the Forest Floor. A Guide to Small Native Plants of Subtropical Eastern

Blandfordia Page 4 *********GROUP ACTIVITIES********* The Group Activity is held on the weekend immediately after the general meeting. It may be either Saturday or Sunday.

SUNDAY 12th November Working bee at Fern & Orchid House KWG We will meet at 10.30 am at the propagation shadehouse at KWG (next to Information Centre) to pick up orchids and take them down to the Fern & Orchid house. We will prune tall shrubs and tree ferns, plant more orchids and ferns and tie orchids to the vertical poles, as well as do a general cleanup. Please bring your secateurs, saws, ladders, planting tools and lunch for afterwards in Lamberts Clearing. Working bee will be cancelled if weather is wet. Please contact Sue Bowen on 0478 957 951 if uncertain

Christmas Party Friday 8th December 2017 will be held at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden 420 Mona Vale Rd St Ives 6.30 pm for 7 pm. (Plant sales from 6 pm)

Please fill out the party attendance list that will be circulated again at the November meeting and include details of your food contribution (salad, dessert, meat or savoury dish, pre-dinner nibbles) or ring Sue 0401 362 921 Email [email protected] or Jan 9875 2262 [email protected] with your intention to attend. BYO alcoholic drinks and wine glasses; punch is included

Notices and Reminders

APS NSW EVENTS APS NSW Quarterly Meeting SATURDAY 18th November Meeting at 2.00 pm. See page 1 for full details. APS NSG will be hosting this event at KWG.

ANPSA 2018 Conference HOBART Grass Roots to Mountain Tops Monday 15th to Friday 19th January 2018 http://www.apstas.org.au/conference.html Highlights are Pre and post Conference tours on King Island, Bruny Island, alpine and rainforest areas of the Tasmanian mainland and Hobart & E nvirons including National Parks and World Heritage areas. An excellent program of speakers, A J Swaby Address, Conference dinner, Reception at Government House, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens 200th year, excursions to local plant communities and member’s gardens, Study Group focus and of course, socialising with old and new friends. Key Dates: 15th December standard registration closes. Follow the links on the ANPSA website Home page http://anpsa.org.au to the Biennial Conference website.

Brian Roach Plant Sale & Open garden Sunday 10th December 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at 47 Eucalyptus Drive Westleigh. Free Entry. 0418 115 630 – [email protected] Perhaps of particular interest will be the availability of our special plant, the dwarf form of the NSW Christmas Bush, Ceratopetalum Johanna’s Christmas. https://www.johannaschristmas.com.au/

Blandfordia Page 5 Plant Propagation at KWG on Next Meeting of our Nor th Shor e Gr oup Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm on 8th & 22ⁿd November 2017 Contact: Friday 10th November 2017 (7.30 pm for 8 pm) Margaret Hamilton on 9488 5234. Ku-ring-gai Council Bushcare at KWG Willow Park Community Centre, Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby on Wednesdays (fortnightly) at 8.50 Topic : Ferns and fern allies am 1st, 15th & 29th November Contact: Sue Bowen on 0478 957 951 Presenter: Sue Bowen Members and friends are always Bac kground: Sue will be talking about ferns and fern welcome at these activities. allies, particularly those found in the K u-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. Sue is a plant ecologist who spent Monday Walks and Talks at the most of her working life obtaining and managing Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden environmental approvals for Sydney Water’s Priority St Ives. Sewerage Program. Now retired, she spends her time Meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am talk, gardening (in her own garden as well as for E asy Care Gardening), doing bush then a walk finishing around 12:30pm. care and propagating native plants with APS NSG. She is also the NSG Cost $2 for APS NSG members and $5 Correspondence secretary. Growing ferns, such as the one pictured, is just for non members. one of her gardening interests. Contact: Wendy 9144 5600 November Programme 6th Grasses (Poaceae) General business will include the election of 2018 Committee. 13th Leptospermum and Baeckea Pam & Jim Lawler will have cards for sale. 13th November: There will be a W&T 2018 planning meeting at 1pm at Caley’s Pavilion Christmas Party Friday 8th December at K WG

Do you have a plant that you can’t identify or a plant that you want others to know about? Either way, please bring a specimen along to any meeting. Someone is sure to be able assist you or will be keen to hear about your Committee Notes October 2017 experience in growing your plant. Our members have a wealth of knowledge The committee discussed the and experience which they are more than happy to share. following ● APSNSW Strategic Plan implementation & implications ● Webmaster for APS NSG Committee Contacts ● APS NSW website and APS NSG President: Barry Lees 9653 3691 content on same. Secretary: Sue Bowen 0478 957 951 ● Regular plant ID at general Address for general correspondence: meetings Australian Plants Society, North Shore Group, PO Box 141 ROSEVILLE 2069 ● 2018 Programme Email: [email protected] ● Notice board at general meetings Website: www.blandfordia.org.au Membership Applications and Renewals with payments (including a cheque, if applicable) should be mailed direct to PO Box 141 ROSEVILLE NSW 2069 Membership Applications & Renewals can also be completed by downloading the form from our website & recording your details online & emailing to [email protected] or by post to PO Box 141, ROSEVILLE 2069. For your convenience, an EFT payment option is now available.

Newsletter Editor: Jan Williamson 9875 2262 [email protected]

Newsletter submissions: Deadline for submissions is the third Friday of the month. For the December 2017 edition this will be 17th December 2017. Blandfordia The Newsletter of the Australian Plants Society North Shore Group PO Box 141 ROSEVILLE NSW 2069 Blandfordia Page 6