VICTORiA, 1980

SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

THIRTIETH ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT No. 6372

By Authority.· F. D. ATKINSON, GOVERNME\J"T PR IN TER. MELBOURNt:

No. COVER PICTURE In the preparation of land for some practtces are known to reduce soil erosion better than others. The Soil Conservation Authority is examimng a number of such croppmg practices, mciuding the use of minimum tillage and the modification of the fallowtng process. When tested, the results of the investigation will be communtcated to farmers. lt is m ways such as /his that the Soil Conservation Authonty has contributed to the agncultural producltvity and conservatron of Victoria's sotls during a period of almost thirty years Chairman: A. MITCHELL, M.Agr.Sc., D.DA

Deputy Chairman: D. N. CAHILL, B.Agr.Sc., Dip.Ag.Ex.

Member: J. S. GILMORE

The principal objective of the Authority Is to achieve the adoption of soli-conserving land use practices by all/and users In the State.

Specific alms are: • To achieve correct systems of land use and management on all land In the State so there Is neither loss of soU nor Its fertility. • To control erosion and reclaim eroded land. • To ensure correct land use In water supply catchments, with the object of protecting water quality and maintaining sustained yield. • To provide a service to /andholders which w/11 ensure the efficient utilisation of "on farm" water resources In areas outside designated Irrigation areas. • To promote community awareness of the need for sol/ conser­ vation. • To provide advice and co-ordinate the policies and activities of government departments and public authorities on the alienation, occupation, care and use of Crown lands, to ensure that soli erosion does not occur. • To control shallow extraction of soli, sand and gravel, to ensure soli protection during and after extraction.

CONTENTS

Page 1 INTRODUCTION

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES 3 The Minister 3 The Authority 3 Standing Committee on Soil Conservation 4 Visits Overseas and Interstate 5 Visitors from Overseas and Interstate 6 District Advisory Committees

6 Group Conservation Areas and Conservation Projects 6 Special Projects 8 Grants to Landholders and Shires 8 Soil and Water Conservation Loans 8 Farm Water Supplies 8 Conservation Engineering 8 Extension Activities 11 Commonwealth Extension Services Grant Funds 12 Assistance to Other Organisations 13 Extractive Industries 13 Conservation of Coastal Foreshores 14 Water Supply Catchments

14 Land Studies 16 Land Capability 18 Hydrology 20 Investigations into Dryland Salting 22 Cropping Management 22 Management of Native Pastures 23 Alpine Activities 24 Soil Erodibility 24 Land Disturbance 25 Publications and Information

27 Administration 27 Staff Development 28 Accommodation 28 Library 28 Finance 29 Statement of Expenditure and Income

APPENDICES 31 A. Table 1.: Summary of Main Advisory Activities 32 B. Table 11.: Summary of Main Works Completed (including all Projects)- 1978-79 33 C. Table Ill.: Water Supply Catchments Proclaimed Under Provisions of Soil Conservation and Land Utilization Act 1958 35 D. Table IV.: Water Supply Catchments-Land Use Determinations and Land Use Notices Made by Soil Conservation Authority 36 E. Staff-Numbers, Distribution and Function 37 F. District Advisory Committees

SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY THIRTIETH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 1979

Under the provisions of the Soil Conservation and Land Uttlization Act 1958 No. 6372, the Soil Conservation Authority has the honour to present to Parliament its Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1979.

BENCHMARK REPORT The 27 of February 1979, was a day of some significance for soil conservation in Australia. On that day the summary report of the Commonwealth-States Collaborative Soil Conservation Study, entitled "A Basis for Soil Conservation Policy in Australia" was tabled in Federal Parliament and received the support of all parties. Subsequently the report was tabled in most State Parliaments. This comprehensive study, undertaken during 1975-1977, revealed for the first time the full extent of soil erosion and land degradation throughout the Nation. it also put forward practical recommendations which would ensure their treatment The report estimated that $675 million. at 1975 values, would be required for capital works to treat existing soil erosion problems in Australia. For Victoria, the cost was estimated to be $122 million. Of this amount, $50 million would be required over the next decade, in situations where there would be irreversible damage to the land resource or serious off-site effects if action is not taken. There are two significant things about the report The first is that it does more than catalogue problems-it also seeks solutions. These are contained in thirty-two important recommendations addressed to Commonwealth, State and Local governments. There is an embracive recommendation that "soil conservation activity in Australia be intensified and extended and better integrated with policies for rural areas and planning for coastal, urban, recreational and mining areas". But perhaps one of the most important recommendations is one which recommends the provision of financial assistance by the Commonwealth to the States for approved projects. The acceptance of this recommendation would be a landmark. lt would be a Federal acknowledgement that the well-being of the Nation, as well as that of the constituent States, is inextricably bound up with the fate of its primary resource-the soiL

THE ECONOMICS OF SOIL CONSERVATION One of the fourteen volumes of the Collaborative Soil Conservation Study is a detailed economic evaluation of the Eppalock Catchment Soil Conservation Project in Victoria. The project was commenced in 1960 and completed in 1975 at a cost of $1.2 million. The project formed the prototype of the Authority's Group Conservation Area approach. lt was planned and administered by the Authority, which provided technical and other assistance, including the construction of soil conservation works. to 373 landholders over an area of 827 square· kilometres. The economic study shows that the project gave an internal rate of return of 25.4%, with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.0 (using an 8% discount rate). The quantifiable benefits are increased stock-carrying capacity, reduced siltation of Lake Eppalock with consequent protection of the storage capacity and water quality, and reduced road maintenance. Unquantified benefits include flood mitigation" and a reduction in the spread of gully erosion and in the rate of soil and fertility loss. The results strow that soil conservation can pay: the Eppalock Catchment Project was a very sound investment not only for catchment landholders but for the community as a whole.

2 REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

The Minister In April 1 979. the Authority, accom­ panied by members of the Public Service Following the elections in May and re­ Board. made a comprehensive inspection allocation of portfolios of the Cabinet. the of SCA works and projects throughout Honourable W. A. Borthwick, M.P., Minister north-central Victoria. Subsequently, in for Conservation for nine years. became June, Board members inspected the Minister for Health. The Authority wishes to offices at Box Hill and Kew and met Head record its appreciation of the considerable Office staff. help given and understanding shown by the Honourable W. A. Borthwick during his term The Authority expresses its apprecia­ of office. A warm welcome is extended to tion for the loyal and dedicated service our new Minister, the Honourable Vasey given by its staff throughout the year. Houghton, M.L.C. Standing Committee on The Authority Soil Conservation The Chairman of the Authority, Mr A. The fortieth meeting of the Standing Mitchell, serves as a member on a number Committee on Soil Conservation, held in of State instrumentalities. He is Deputy Adelaide, between 25 and 29 September Chairman of the Land Conservation 1978. included inspection of soil conserva­ Council, a member of the Environment tion problems and activities on the west Protection Council, a member of the State coast of South Australia. One of the main Co-ordination Council and is the Victorian items considered was the Collaborative representative of the Standing Committee Commonwealth-States Soil Conservation on Soil Conservation. He is also Chairman Study The Committee also expressed its of the Thomson Stage Ill Committee and concern about the lack of specific convenor of the North-East Alpine Areas Commonwealth funds for urgent soil Working Group conservation works. A working party was Mr D. N. Cahill is Deputy Chairman of formed to establish the terms of reference the Authority. His responsibilities include for a National Soil and Land Resources soil conservation and erosion-control Survey Committee. programs, land capability investigations By invitation, Mr Mitchell attended a and extractive industry controls. He meeting in Sydney of the Standing represents the Authority on the Coastal Committee on Agriculture. during August Management and Co-ordination Comm­ 1978, where resolutions of the thirty-ninth ittee, the Extractive Activities Co-ordination meeting of the Standing Committee on Soil Committee and the Flood Plain and River Conservation were considered. Sub­ Management Committee of the River sequently, the Australian. Agricultural Murray Commission. Council endorsed the recommendations Mr J. S. Gilmore, Member. has and comments made by the Standing responsibilities which include the super­ Committee on Soil Conservation in its vision of grants and loans made to Executive Review of Report 1 of the landholders for soil and water conserva­ Commonwealth-States Collaborative Soil tion, and the oversight of the twenty-three Conservation Study-"A Basis for Soil District Advisory Committees of the Conservation Policy in Australia". Authority He also represents the Authority The forty-first meeting of the Standing on the Natural Resources Conservation Committee was a special meeting held in League and the Victorian Irrigation Melbourne on 3rd and 4th April 1979, Research Advisory Services Committee. mainly to consider recommendations of

3 Report 1 of the Collaborative Study, tabled consider and report on soil loss prediction in Federal Parliament in February. In research administration; dryland salting addition, working parties were formed to and publicity and extension.

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD INSPECTION OF SCA COUNTRY WORKS In April 1979, members of the Public Service Board made an inspection of Soil Conservation Authority works and projects throughout north-central Victoria. With Lake Eppalock in the background, VIsits Overseas and Interstate the Chairman of the Board, Mr M Brown (centre) is seen discussing Soil Overaeas: Two officers attended an Conservation Authority involvement in the Erosion Assessment and Control Con­ continuing protection of Lake Eppalock ference, in Christchurch, New Zealand, catchment with Mr D. Elvery (right), the including a short study tour. An officer SCA Regional Officer at Bendigo, visited Nebraska and Kansas, USA, as a watched by the Chairman of the Soil member of a Rotary International Study Conservation Authority, Mr A Mitche/1 Exchange Group. Seven weeks were spent (left), and Board members T. Bennett and studying cropland-erosion control. and K. Hayes. extension techniques. Another officer spent six months in Canada, as an agricultural exchangee under the auspices of the International Agricultural Exchange Association. interstate: Officers made interstate visits for the purpose of studying soil

4 conservation research at CSIRO practices necessary for keeping such (Canberra), and the Waite Institute (SA). erosion within any required limits. The Officers also attended the following Authority, along with its counterparts in conferences or symposia: Agricultural New South Wales and Queensland, is Engineering Conference (Toowoomba, endeavouring to adapt the equation to Old.); Australian Landsat Conference Australian soils, for estimating soil loss from (Sydney, N.SW.); Land Resource Assess­ cultivated land or from land disturbed by ment Workshop (Marburg, Old.) and the such things as building construction. annual conference of the Soil Conservation Another visitor brought to the Authority Service of New South Wales. for the express purpose of assisting in the development of soil conservation work, VIsitors from Overseas was Mr K. H. Northcote, Senior Principal and Interstate Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Soils. Mr Northcote spent four days in the A highlight was the visit to Victoria in March field in late April1979 advising the Authority 1979 of Professor W. H. Wischmeier, who on soil description and classification lead a US team which devised the according to his Factual Key for the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Classification of Australian Soils. Professor Wischmeier, Emeritus Professor of the Agricultural Engineering School, The Authority assisted several countries Purdue University, Indiana. USA, was in matters to do with conservation, by brought to Australia by the Authority and hosting representatives with soil conserva­ spent nearly three weeks in Victoria tion interests. Visitors came from New assessing the conditions here so that he Zealand, Israel and Portugal, and from the could gauge the local applicability of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the USLE and offer advice on its further use. United Nations. The Universal Soil Loss Equation is a Assistance was also provided to other device for determining the potential erosion Australian States through visits made by under specified conditions of land use and individuals from Western Australia, Queens­ land management. and for determining the land, New South Wales and Tasmania.

VISITING SOIL SCHOLAR Professor W. H. Wischmeier, Emeritus Professor of Agncultural Engineenng, Purdue Umversity, lnd1ana, USA, shows the shallow depth of the agriculturally productive layer of soil at a site in north­ central Victona, indicative of much of the farming land of this State. Professor Wischmeier visited Australia in March 1979 at the InVItation of the Soil Conservation Authority, for the purpose of assisting 1! to further develop /Is so1ls invesligalion program.

5 District Advisory Committees Group Conservation Areas The Authority has twenty-three District and Conservation Projects Advisory Committees to assist it in its work. Group projects in co-operation with The range of activities of District Advisory land holders are a major aspect of Authority Committees increased substantially during activities. the year and now embraces the planning of Committee programs to accord with Where groups of landholders recogn1se District work priorities, interchange Comm­ that a co-operative approach is needed to ittee meetings and regional conferences. solve erosion control and soil conservation problems they can request Authonty assistance with technical adv1ce. planning Attention was given to such items as: of works and financial help on a proJeCt •The establishment and extension of basis. Group Conservation Areas and Group A Group Conservation Area project Conservation Projects. constitutes a formal agreement between all •Soil and Water Conservation Loans. parties concerned to adopt a methodical •Authority activity in Proclaimed Water approach to achieve soil conservation. Supply Catchments. Where the interdependence of works is of •The provision of farm water supplies. less importance within an area of erosion hazard. the less formal Conservation Specific items dealt with by District Project may be constituted. Advisory Committees were: One hundred and fifty-one Group •Hill-country management. including Conservation Areas. totalling 5816 km 2 and aerial seeding. involving 2171 landholders. have been •Dryland salinity, including channel requested to date. Works are operational or seepage. have been completed in 84 Group •Unwise land clearing. Conservation Areas, involving 2693 km 2 •Cultivation practices. including the and 1195 landholders Three were drifting of light !allows. commenced this financ1al year. •The effect of aphid infestations in Mallee land. In addition to these Group Conservation •Alpine grazing. Areas. the Authority has commenced or •The erosion of roadsides. completed work in thirteen Conservation Projects, involving 3822 km 2 and 1 262 District Advisory Committees were landholders. Two projects were comm­ active in assisting the Department of Crown enced this financial year. Work in Lands and Survey to form district advisory Conservation Projects is administered on a committees along similar lines to those grant basis. within the Soil Conservation Authority.

In West Gippsland, the District Advisory Special Projects Committee there co-operated with the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Puckapunyal Restoration and Board to set up a sub-committee to report Conservation Project to the Committee regularly on the condition Work on the Puckapunyal project has now of sand dunes in the Kilcunda-lnverloch been completed. The project, which started area and on their protection against in 1971, involved the massive task of damage from rabbits. reclaiming and controlling runoff from 21 500 hectares of land, on which the In East Gippsland, a local sub­ existing erosion had been accentuated by committee was set up by the District pressure from tracked vehicles. Advisory Committee there, to advise it periodically on the condition of land leased lt has cost over $3.5 million to bring for alpine grazing. about the required level of restoration. This

6 involved 300 kilometres of gully battering, major assistance from the Department of the planting of 300 000 trees and the Crown Lands and Survey, the Forests sowing down of 21 500 hectares of deep­ Commission of Victoria and the State rooted perenn1al pasture. Rivers and Water Supply Commission. The Soil Conservation Authority organ­ The Army is responsible for the ised and carried out the restoration w1th maintenance of the project.

PUCKAPUNYAL ARMY RANGE RESTORA T/ON This project, costing in excess of $3.5 million, was completed this year. it was commenced in 1971 and involved the reclamation of 21 500 hectares of land which had been ravaged by Army manoeuvres. Almost the entire Range was sown to deep-rooted perennial pasture by the method shown here, as a chisel plough with seedbox attached makes its final passes over a less-difficult section. To prevent the washing out of the restoration work, concrete and earthern structures were required at strategic places, such as the flood-detention dam seen in the second picture.

7 ProJect Treecover hundred and fifty inspections were made. A joint venture between a co-operative Request for irngation schemes fell. landholder, Mr. Colin Hall, the Forests Four hundred and seventy-five dams Commission, the Lands Department and were surveyed, compared with 512 in the Soil Conservation Authority, established 1977-78. Pipeline schemes fell from Sixty­ the first Garden State Treecover Project, one last year to forty-seven this year. In near Stawell, in the Pyrenees Soil addition to advice to individuallandholders, Conservation District. assistance was given to group water supply A bald, prominent, steep rocky hill schemes, in which several land holders co­ comprising about 36 hectares. is being operate to obtain supply from a common planted with 10 000 trees as a demonstra­ source. tion of the aesthetic and environmental Farm water supply investigations mto advantages of this 'lost' community seepage losses from dams and water amenity. harvesting continued Soil analyses were A second sheet-eroded hill of about the made and advice given on the suitability of same size is being planted at Wedderburn. soils for dam building and on ways of overcoming problems associated w1th Grants to Landholders and dams built from unsuitable materials. Shires Conservation Engineering During the year. 26i grants valued at $196 616 were approved for land holders Fifty-three structures were designed and and shires outside group project areas. fifty-six structures were built throughout the This compares with 262 grants valued at State. $2i 2 123 in 1 977-78. The average value of Significant advances were made in the each grant fell from $809 to $753. development of alternative and improved The actual expenditure on landholder methods for gully-head control. Four and shire grants was $159 903, up 50 per experimental structures were installed-a cent. on the average of the preceding two cable-suspended pipe structure; a drop years structure with mortar-filled sandbags; a loose rock structure with filter-cloth Soil and Water Conservation underlay; and a reno mattress rock structure. also on a filter-cloth underlay. Loans Sixty-eight loans valued at $345 963 were Extension Activities processed for soil and water conservation projects on rural properties. Extension continued to be the main activity of field operations. Soil conservation was Funds allocated to Soil and Water promoted through direct contact, meet1ngs, Conservation Loans remained at $250 000, field days. newsletters. school excursions, commensurate with the average for the lectures, press statements and radio preceding three years, the balance of the interviews. amount being made up from Rural Finance Commission sources. Farmers and shires were the main recipients of advice. More than 15 500 The assistance and co-operation of the visits were made by Field Operations Rural Finance Commission in processing Division staff for the purpose of advising and administering recommended loans is clients on the adoption of soil conservation gratefully acknowledged. practices. Of these, inspections to individual farm properties and to those Farm Water Supplies within Group Conservation Areas, totalled 8580 (9550 in 1977-78). There was a strong demand for farm water supply schemes. One thousand five Extension activities such as landholder

8 group meetings, school excursions and Hanslow Cup Competitions: The soil radio talks, fell from 320 to 250, as demand conservation competitions which the increased on the Authority for the provision Authority conducts annually are an of information to planning and construction important aspect of extension to land­ bodies. holders Over the years, these competitions, The Authonty continued to assist the known as Hanslow Cup Competitions, have growing number of !armlet owners. kept landholders abreast of developments Assistance is provided in the form of in soil conservation and helped to foster a specially prepared pamphlets and in good working relationship with landholders. assisting other organisations which run Details of competitions held during the year seminars, field days and adult-education are: courses for !armlet owners.

Competition Winner Judge Northern Mallee (1978) Wait Bros .. Annuello D. 0. Luke North-Central (1978) L. R & V. Douglass, Buckrabanyule B. R Radlord South-Western (1979) N. E. & S. J. Lawrance, Gatum C. F. Paul North-Eastern (1979) N. K Miller, Yea D. A. Forsyth

Schools Education Service: The work of Valley Group Conservation Area, to study developing the SCA School Education soil erosion and soil conservation. Service was continued by the secondary Exhibits and Displays: Two maJOr school teacher on secondment from the developments were achieved through the Education Department. This involved the year: organisation of in-service education • Liaisons with the Graphic Arts Schools of activities, and assistance in functions Bendigo and Swinburne Colleges of organised by the Geography Teachers Higher Education were highly successful. Association of Victoria and by the Soil and In the former case, the Mallee Land Water Conservation Society. In-service Management mobile display proved very education tor teachers totalled 300- effective in farm extension and schools teacher days, on subjects ranging from extension. The "What is Soil?" schools dryland salting to catchment conservation display. completed by the Swinburne and the use of fragile coastal dunes. group, gave every indication of being Excursions for students totalled the successful in pilot exposures to school equivalent of 3000-student days. SCA classes officers conducted excursions and lectures • As a result of the development of the for farm apprentices, and for Agricultural schools "What is Soil?" display, the SCA Certificate and Farm Management adult Mobile Display Unit can now be used for students from Longerenong Agricultural year-round programs by meeting a College, Ballarat School of Mines and strong demand from schools during the Glenormiston Agricultural College. As late summer and winter months. The these participants are usually practicing spring and early summer period will farmers. this form of extension is given a continue to be devoted to the rural shows high priority. circuit and to the large, machinery field Once again, there was a high number of days at Elmore, Gippsland and school excursions (38) to the Parwan Wimmera.

9 NORTHERN MALLEE NORTH-CENTRAL HANSLOW HANSLOW CUP-1978 CUP-1978

A large crowd gathered at the Mr and Mrs L. R. Douglass, field day on the properry of Wait "Marohn". Buckrabanyule, Bros., Annuello, the wmners of rece1ve the Hanslow Cup for the Northern Mallee Hanslow North-Central Vtctona for 1978 Cup for 1978. the from the Chairman of the morning session this sect1on of Authonty, Mr A Mitche/1. the crowd watched with interest as two new surface-working machines to Victorian farmmg­ a blade plough and a rod NORTH-EASTERN HANSLOW weeder-were demonstrated. CUP-1979

SOUTH-WESTERN HANSLOW At the field day on the winning CUP-1979 property of N. K. Miller. "Giendaloch", Yea, visitors were Mr N. E Lawrance, his wde Sue impressed w1th the amount of and son Robert, receive the permanent pasture whtch had trophies presented by Mr been established and was bemg Mitchell for their maintained on the steeply property "Banool", at Gatum, in sloping hillS. western Victona.

10 SCA CARAVAN-A MOBILE Commonwealth Extension CLASSROOM Services Grant Funds The SCA mobile display caravan, used to The Authority received $92 530 under the promote the message of soil Commonwealth Extension Services Grant conservation, through its use at Funds, tor 1978-79. As well as paying the agricultural shows and field days, is now salaries of three officers (Training Officer, also being used as an adiunct to class­ Photographer and Farm Water Supply room teaching about soil, as it travels Extension Officer), these funds were used from school to school. Students and their for a range of extens1on, training and teacher at Koo-wee-rup High School are applied research activities. Included in seen as they work through the current these were: caravan display, WhiCh asks the question "What is Soil?': • Nine training courses involving 235 officers. • Overseas and interstate study tour by Authority officers.

ENGINEERING !NIT/A TIVES The Authonty is experimenting With a number of novel approaches towards solving engmeering problems. One such, is the installation of fibreglass structures. wh1ch are manufactured. This one is undergoing a testing period as a permanent msta!!ation in a gully near Bacchus Marsh.

11 • A visit to Australia by Professor W. H. CSIRO, South Australia, to assist with Wischmeier of the USA, to further the soil classification. development of research into soil • The production of two displays for the conservation. SCA mobile display unit. • A visit to Victoria by Mr. K. H. Northcote,

Assistance to Other Organisations Authority staff made 3220 inspections to assist other organisations. This compares with 2800 inspections in 1978. Major contacts with other organisations were:

Department I Organisation Form of Assistance Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation -Land capability assessment Country Roads Board -Erosion control; gravel extraction; and highway engineering Crown Lands and Survey -Crown land management: foreshore restoration; and reclamation of gravel pits Defence (Army Office) -Puckapunyal, Mangalore, Bandiana Fisheries and Wildlife -Wildlife on Farms Project; fish hatchery surveying; and stream erosion Forests Commission -Forest management for water supply catchments and advice on roading Gas and Fuel Corporation -Erosion control (pipeline route} Garden State Committee -Project Treecover Hanging Rock Reserve Committee -Planning Lake Hume Committee -Planning Land Conservation Council -Inspections or research Alpine Study Area (South Gippsland District No. 2 Study, Ballarat Study Area) Minerals and Energy -Mine environs restoration Ministry for Conservation -Environment assessment National Parks Service -Erosion control at Discovery Bay Public Park, the Ninety Mile Beach and other foreshores River Improvement Trusts (various) -Stream bank erosion control and revegetation Drainage State Electricity Commission -Powerline reading State Rivers and Water Supply Commission -Stream improvement Land clearing evaluation (Buffalo Dam} Subdivision advice Gravel extraction advice Channel seepage investigations (Mallee) Shires and Councils (various} -Land capability assessment Silt control Town and Country Planning Board -Land use planning Victorian Railways -Runoff control Upper Yarra and Dandenong Ranges -Land capability assessment

12 Extractive Industries Conservation of Coastal A major factor 1n ensuring the control and Foreshores reclamation of extractive industrieS sites The Authority provided advice and finance has been the operation of the Extractive in the form of subsidies for soil Activities Co-ordinating Comm1ttee which conservation and erosion control is comprised of the Soil Conservation measures to authorities managing coastal Authority. the departments of Minerals and foreshores. These included numerous Energy and Crown Lands and Survey, the committees of management, the National State Rivers and Water Supply Commission Parks Service, the Department of Crown and the Forests Commission. Lands and Survey, the Fisheries and Regional committees now exist in the Wildlife Division and private landholders. north-east, south-east and north-west of Grants totalling $90 000 were made the State and others are being developed to available for works including the planting of cover the south-west areas. A main feature the sand-stabilising marram grass, the of their effort has been to encourage in user erection of protective fencing and organisations the long-term planning of the construction of pathways to provide use of their resources of stone, sand and erosion-free access to the beach A further gravel. SCA staff carried out over 600 $30 000 of special grant funds was inspections with respect to extractive provided to municipalities within Port Phillip activities dunng the year. Bay, for beach protection in areas used The Authonty continued 1ts assoc1ation intensively by the public. with the Crown Land Management Division During the year, the Coastal Manage­ of the Department of Lands on reclamation ment and Co-ordination Committee was of gravel pits established, under the provisions of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. This Committee, using working parties of officers from the departments involved, produced a study of the physical resources of the coast from Barwon Heads to Cape Otway. This "Barway" Coastal Manage­ ment Study will provide a basis for future planning and management of this section of the coast. A similar study has been commenced for the section of coast between Corner Inlet and Seaspray. Stablllutlon of Aboriginal Archaeo­ logical Relics ProJect: There are about sixteen hundred Aboriginal archaeological sites along the Victorian coast. Most are degraded. Over the next decade the increase in recreational use of coastal

EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES Much progress has been made in achievmg better management of soil, sand ahd gravel extraction. This old gravel pit. which was unUI recently eroding (left foreground above). has now been res/aped like the banks in the picture beneath, and will be resown to vegetation.

13 areas is expected to worsen the Implementing Land Use Determlnatlons degradation and Notices: Field inspections for water The year saw the completion of a catchment supervision totalled 620 (670 in project to determine a suitable program for 1977-78) stabilising such sites. Along nine represen­ The Authority was involved in a tative coastal stretches, 155 sites were Supreme Court action to restrain a classified in terms both of archaeological developer who proposed to build a large significance and of feasibility of stabilisation. holiday complex within the protective buffer Six experimental areas, mostly associ­ zone of the Lake Eildon Land Use ated with coastal dunes, were established Determination. This resulted in a consent for assessing various stabilisation tech­ declaration that the planning permit for the niques chosen for such types of site. Using development was void and of no effect this information, programs for the A County Court action was brought stabilisation of each of the nine against a landholder for non-compliance representative coastal stretches were with conditions. imposed as a result of devised, including a program for the whole repeated Infringements of the Land Use Victorian coast. Determination of the Riddells Creek catchment. The case was proved and was Water Supply Catchments the first such prosecution in Victoria. Considerable progress was made in the MaJOr submissions were made to the Proclamation of water supply catchments. Town and Country Planning Appeals Ten catchments were Proclaimed, bringing Tribunal on an application to build houses the total to sixty-one, totalling 31 218 km 2 on the foreshore of Lake Cairn Curran. This The catchments Proclaimed were: problem was successfully resolved. Painkalac Creek. The domestic water Non-point Pollution of Water Supplies: supply to Aireys Inlet. A leaching experiment was conducted in the SCA laboratory to test the mobility of a Tennent Creek: The domestic water supply 5:2:2 NPK fertiliser used on potato-grow1ng to Phillip Island. soils in the catchment of Bungal Reservoir. Nine Mile, Clear and Hurdle Creeks: The Although there was a significantly higher domestic water supplies to Yackandandah level of all three elements 1n the leachate and Beechworth. from the fertilised soils, it was not possible Bakers Gully. The domestic water supply to to conclude what proportion of the leached Bright nutrients would ullimately reach the reservoir Creswick Catchments: The domestic water supply to Creswick. King River (Lake William Hovel!) Agri­ cultural irrigation supply. Land Studies Gellibrand River (South Otway). The Regional Surveys domestic water supply to Warrnambool. Gtppsland Lakes Catchments (20 000 Buck/and River: The domestic water supply 2 km ): Field-work started in November 1978 to Porepunkah in the catchments of the Latrobe, Thomson, Monument Creek: The domestic water Avon. Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo supply to Lancefield. Rivers. Field observations in the mountain­ No Land Use Determinations, Notices ous section have been mostly completed, or Conditions were made during the year. and a start has been made on the foothills At present there are thirty-one Land Use and plains Determinations and three Land Use Gtppsland Lakes Area (2060 km2): The Notices. These have a total area of 2890 report, dealing with the minor catchments 2 km . surrounding the Lakes, was published as

14 TC12 in the SCA Technical Communication General series. Meetings were held with the Department ol 2 Otways Catchment (3360 km ). The final Agriculture to further the co-ordination of draft of the report was prepared. survey activities in Victoria.

Avoca Catchment (3600 km2). Field-work A map and explanatory paper were was completed and the first draft of the prepared on land classification of Victoria report commenced. for the Atlas of Victoria Committee. Work did not continue on the reports of A project on remote sensing, to the Yarra catchment, Campaspe catch­ examine the potential application to ment, and the catchments to the north of integrated land surveys of Landsat and Port Phillip Bay, because of the pressure of other multivariate data. is being carried out other activities. in association with the School of

Agriculture and Forestry, University of PUTTING LAND SYSTEMS Melbourne. INFORMA T/ON TO WORK Further data on land systems were A lack of understanding about provided to the Land Conservation Council sol/ characteristics can for the Ballarat Study Area. Field-work was create costly problems tor the done in the South Gippsland Study Area, community. In the Silvan land Distnct 2. system, this landslip cut Land systems were identified and across a road. The slip mapped in the Shelbourne and Bealiba­ occurred because an Biack Range Group Conservation Areas. in excavated pond undercut the the Cosgrave Reservoir catchment, in the batter of the road, already southern part of the Big Desert, and in the weakened by seepage from Yarra catchment. orchard irrigation above it. SCA land systems information Undisturbed soil cores were tested to is assisting planning and provide information on porosity and water­ construction bodies to avoid holding capacity for several projects. pitfalls such as this. including the Avoca Catchment Survey.

15 Land Capability basic planning tool and there is a rapidly increasing demand from planning bodies, Land capability rating systems developed for the Authority to provide information of by the Authority predict the response of this type. land to a particular use and so enable Land capability assessments carried provision to be made to reduce undesirable out for planning bodies during the year side effects. For this reason they are a were:

LAND CAPABILITY STUDIES FOR PLANNING BODIES

Shortened Study Title Purpose Progress

Westernport Bay Development of Report being published Catchment (Pakenham and procedures: tnput to Hastmgs) regional planmng

G1ppsland Lakes Environs Development of Report in preparation procedures: input to strategy plan

.. The Cups" Area-Shire of Input to local planning Field-working program Flinders

Erosion and 1ts Control Input to local planning Report completed During Urban and Drainage Development of the Melton Area

Wonga Park Area-part of Input to planning Report in preparation Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

East Lilydale Area -part of As above Field-work in progress Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

Mooroolbark Area-part of As above Report in preparat1on Upper Yarra Valley and Oandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

Kilsyth Area-part of Upper As above Report completed Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

Capability Study for As above Draft report completed Recreation in the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

16 Shortened Study Title Purpose Progress ------~------·---···--- Rural Land Study As above Draft report completed (Capability for Grazing and Intensive Agriculture) in the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority Planning Area

Shire of Violet Town Input to municipal Draft report completed planning

Shire of Yea As above Draft report completed

Shire of Myrtleford (part) As above Draft report completed

Shire of Bright (part) As above Draft report completed

Shire of Winchelsea As above Field-work m progress

Albury-Wodonga Rural Input to planning Report completed Development Plan (Land capability information for Wodonga area)

Use of Land Capability Assessment In the relevant planning or management Water Supply Catchment Land Use authorities. These reports usually cover the Determlnatlons: Land capability assess­ areas controlled by those authorities even if ment is now a basic procedure in larger than the catchments concerned, to determining land use in water supply encourage the authorities to use the land catchments. Before Land Use Determina­ capability ratings and the Determinations tions are made and implemented in water as a basis for their planning decisions. supply catchments, reports on land Land capability reports for this purpose capability for the various kinds of land use have been prepared for the areas referred involved are prepared and discussed with to in the following schedule. LAND CAPABILITY FOR WATER SUPPLY AREAS Area Purpose Progress

Shire of Ballan Input to municipal Report in preparation planning scheme SCA Land Use Determination

Shire of Buninyong As above Field-work in progress

Shire of Bannockburn As above Field-work in progress

Shire of Bungaree As above Report completed

Creswick (Cosgrave) As above Report completed Catchment

17 Other Land Capability of the pnnc1pal soil types, under a range of Activities climatic conditions. Town and Country Planning Board: The A simulation study of effluent-d1sposal Land Systems Map of Victoria, produced by systems commenced, with the aim of the SCA, has been used by officers of the evaluatmg a range of domestic effluent­ Town and Country Planning Board to disposal systems (1ncludmg standard assess the erosion hazards applying to the trench-type absorption fields), under a subdiv1s1on of rural land into small lots. The range of typical Victorian environments. Board has produced draft reports for e1ght From th•s Simulation study, draft rating shires, using this approach systems will be prepared of land capability tor each different disposal system, to allow Land capability mformation collected by the best disposal system to be chosen for SCA for its Gippsland Lakes Enwons Land the so1l /land type being cons1dered Capability Study, was made available to the Board, In the preparation of its Gippsland Soli Testing: Atterberg limits, Unified Soil Lakes Land Use Strategy Plan. Classification, dispersion, and particle-size analyses were performed to assist with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board ot determination of land capability ratings for Works: The Authority assisted the various uses. Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in the production of iand capability Instruction In Land Capability: Six information to evaluate alternative develop­ training courses in land capability ment proposals for urban development. assessment were run to maintain staff effic1ency m th1s field. Implementation of Land Capability Provisions: The Authority provided witnesses at three Town Planning Appeal Hydrology Tnbunal hearings and two Local Govern­ The Authonty is carrying out long-term ment Arbitrator heanngs. These experiments in nineteen catchments appearances were in support of shire located at four centres; Parwan, Stewarts councils which had issued planning Creek, Reefton and Long Corner Creek. permits Incorporating aspects of land use The experiments have two purposes: the planning recommended by the Authority. prediction of runoff from small un-gauged catchments and the determination of the New Land Capability hydrological significance of changes in Assessment Techniques land use. The Authority continued to develop land The method adopted is one of capability assessment procedures both tor calibratmg catchments, followed by its own use and that of planning bodies remeasurement after a planned land use around the State. change. From the data so collected, Land Capability for Rural Subdivision: A predictive models can be devised which new system for rating the capability of land can be used to forecast the hydrologic tor rural subdivision has been produced. consequences of land use changes. Land Capability for Agriculture: Draft One model being tested, model TP149, rating tables for grazing, intensive holds promise of being suitable for agriculture and potato growing have been application anywhere in Victoria. prepared and are being evaluated. In the Stewarts Creek Experimental Land Capability for Absorption for Area. measurements over a period of six Effluent Disposal: A two-year study of soil years following conversion from eucalypt absorption of household waste water, forest to pasture have shown an average continued. Monitonng of so1l-water tensio­ increase in runoff of 65%. meters in three septic effluent -disposal A further 'study located at Watch bed systems produced data on the performance Creek and Cope Creek on the Bogong High

18 Plains. will examine the hydrologic effects The Authority acknowledges the advice of land use change in the alpine and assistance given by the Forests environment. Initiated by the Authority, the Commission, the State Rivers and Water study is funded by the Ministry for Supply Commission, and the Melbourne Conservation and will be carried out on a and Metropolitan Board of Works in the contract bas1s by the Caulfield Institute of conduct of 1ts hydrologiC investigations. Technology.

HYDROLOGY STUDIES Hydrological measurements are used by the Authority to gauge the movement of water wtlhin catchments so that adequate predictions can be made about factors such as runoff and water absorption

In the leading picture, open coils collect rain-water which would normally reach the ground as stem-flow by way of forest trees Tubes lead the water to the receptacles seen in the second picture, and the flow is recorded. 19 Investigations into Dryland valleys and plains, which is critical for Salting dryland salting in Victoria. 1t is hoped that results,will indicate the future severity of the Establishment of VIctorian Inter­ dryland salting problem in this and similar Departmental Technical Committee on areas and provide a guide to the Dry/and Salting: This committee was development of effective solutions. established in October 1978 with the Work so far has involved the principal objective of co-ordinating and determination of groundwater conditions stimulating detailed investigations into beneath a 600-ha salinised flat and also in dryland salting problems in Victona. it contiguous areas. The hydraulic character­ complements the work of the Standing istics of the soils. alluvium and bedrock are Committee on Soil Conservation Interstate being determined preliminary to the hydro­ Working Party on Dryla[ld Salting, which is logical modelling of the ground-and soil­ collating information Australia-wide. water systems The project is 1n Hydrologic Characteristics of Soils conjunction with the State Rivers and Water Relevant to Dry/and Salting In VIctoria: A Supply Comm1ssion and is financially fundamental cause of the problem of supported by the Reserve Bank of Australia dryland salting and its continued spread, is (Rural Credil Fund) the accession of excess water underground as a result of clearing. The factors Mineral Reserves Salinity Investigations: controlling the rising water-tables and the A preliminary investigation, initiated by the release of salts, are the nature of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission sediments laid down, the weathering of to determine the depth of saline water­ sub-surface rocks, the porosity and tables critical for wheat crops has been permeability of the soli, and the type of started in the Mineral Reserves area at vegetation growing on the land. The Tresco. south of Lake Boga. A line of bores Reserve Bank of Australia (Rural Credit has been drilled to below the level of the Fund) is supporting a project in which the groundwater. The concentrations of salt in general objective is to determine these the samples taken have been determined factors quantitatively in certain forested by the Commission. while soil analysis. catchments and cleared catchments near physical descriptions and interpretation are Bendigo, where information on the being carried out by SCA. movement of salt IS already available. Submissions on Salting: Evidence was Kamorooka Dry/and Salting Investiga­ presented by the Authority to the tion: Following a pilot pro1ect last year, Parliamentary Public Works Committee investigations commenced this year into inquiry into salinity control and drainage in northern Victoria. the nature of dryland salting at Kamarooka, north of Bendigo. This locality is The Authority also supplied comment representative of a zone, the junction of the on an impact statement prepared by the

DRYLAND SALTING INVEST/GA TIONS In an effort to find a solution to the causes and control of dry/and salting, the Authonty has a number of concurrent investigations underway At Kamarooka, north of Bendigo, an investigation is being made into the almost complete devastation of a flat of 600 hectares and of the nature of the groundwater beneath it. 11 Is hoped that the results obtained here will point the way towards effective solutions for similar areas affected by dry/and salting.

The ptctures show the bare. crusted surface of the test area. and the dead and dying trees. The left-hand bottom picture is of testing apparatus which Is measuring the rate of water infiltration into the soil and, at right, a close-up of one of the infiltration rings.

20

Ministry for Conservation on the effect of a soil during various stages of the growth of scheme to dispose of salt-laden water by the crop. From this information. computer evaporation at Lake Tyrrell. in north-west models for predicting yield will be Victoria. developed to estimate yields when the soil­ conserving techniques are in use under Dryland Salting In the VIctorian Mallee: various seasonal conditions. Trials with tall wheat grass (Agropyron elongatum) and of Puccine//ia cilia la for site The field-work is now in the fourth year treatment in very saline and waterlogged of the five-year investigation. In the final conditions on heavy soils in a semi-arid year, techniques will be applied at farm winter-rainfall area, have been en­ scale. couraging. Allied to this investigation is a project on Investigations into channel seepage the economics of conservation cropping, saltmg in the Watchupga-Birchip area being carried out by Latrobe University continued. These investigations, in con­ under contract to the Authority. junction with the State Rivers and Water Cultivation Practices In the Mallee: Supply Commission. are providing useful Comparative cultivation trials continued in demonstrations of salinity control for local eastern Mallee. Five trial sites were located farmers. Long-term monitoring of water­ at Chinkapook. where observations were table and salinity levels is adding made of soil moisture, soil stability and significantly to the understanding of resultant crop yield. Treatments included seepage and salinity problems and their fallow preparation by disc and tyned possible solution. implements, conventional cultivation Soli Salting Surveys: Various assess­ systems and a trash-retaining system. ments have been made at places such as the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges and the Otway District. Trees of different species have been planted on salt land at Management of Native Sheep Pen Creek, near Benalla, to assess Pastures their potential for survival and restoration. Problem Areas of ClaBB 5 Country: An Guidelines for Treatment of Dry/and experiment was established in spnng 1977 Salting: A booklet entitled Bibliography of on steep hills in the Pyrenees district. The Dry/and Salting Problem and Guidelines for aims of this experiment are: Salt-Affected Site Revegetation, was to improve the pasture stability by completed and distributed. manipulating the timing and intensity of grazing to match the season and the phenology of the desirable and Cropping Management undesirable species present: Conservation Cropping Management to observe the extent to which plant Investigation: The Authority is examining productivity and forage quality are the suitability of various cultivation affected by grazing: machines, the use of minimum tillage and the modification of fallow for cropping on to obtain data about shifts in botanical soils in north-western Victoria These composition and to determine the practices are known to reduce soil erosion period beyond which individual and the purpose of the investigation is to species of plants should not be determine their effect on yield so that grazed: economically feasible soil-conserving to assess the effect and usefulness of practices can be recommended. the rest-rotation system of grazing. From small field plots, crop yields are A number of plots were established to determined and measurements made of allow various treatments of grazing and the water content and other parameters of resting at different periods. 22 Data so far obtained show that, for the State Electricity Commission and the Soil test period at least, the time when the plants Conservation Authority. A report presenting ought not to be heavily grazed is the spring detailed results of this research is in and early summer, if pasture stability is to preparation. be maintained. lt was also observed that there appears to be a correlation between Additional Ecological Reuarch on the tillering and the growth of roots, in such Bogong High Plains: A series of species as Danthonia, Poa and Stipa. permanent transacts was established to When the experiment has been monitor changes in vegetative cover and completed it is expected that the composition in grassland-herbfield information regarding the effect of grazing ranging from those dominated by Poa and grazing management on the various (snowgrass) near Mt. Jim and Mt. Fainter, to assemblages of species will help to define those rich in Celmisla asteliifolia (snow a suitable land use of long-term animal daisy) on Mt. Nelse and Mt. Bogong. productivity for this class of land. Most of the sites are grazed during the summer but the grazing intensity at each Alpine Activities site is unknown and is likely to vary greatly between sites. The alpine area is Victoria's prime source of water supply, producmg 25% of the Experimental plots were also estab­ State's water. lished to assess vegetation trends on Mt. Bogong on land recently withdrawn from The alpine area is also very sensitive to grazing and on an adjacent area currently damage and most difficult to reclaim. Yet it grazed. is the scene of an escalating demand for its use for both winter sports and summer lt will take up to five and possibly, ten recreation, as well as the more traditional years before vegetation trends become pursuits of forestry and cattle grazing. apparent at the various sites and worthwhile results can be produced. During the year, Authority staff continued their responsibility for the Study of Vegetation Changes After Fire supervision of grazing and earthworks on the Bogong High Plains: In December above 1220 metres altitude. These 1977 a small burnt and unburnt area was earthworks included not only new roads, fenced near Mt. Jim, to assess the relative but also the development of recreational recovery in a grazed and ungrazed facilities costing over $5 million. Other situation. Permanent transects were matters of significance were the provision measured at that time and again in January of information to the Land Conservation 1979. These measurements indicated that Council on the Alpine Study Area and the the herb population recovered better in the continuation of ecological investigations on fenced area than it did in the unfenced the High Plains. grazed area. These are detailed below: Bogong High Plain• Experimental Plots: Ecological Investigation In the Mt. In the 1940s. plots in a range of vegetation Hotham Area: Cattle grazing ceased on associations were established by Mrs S. G. Mt. Hotham tn 1960 because of severe M. Carr (then Research Officer for the Soil erosion there. At the lime. ecological Conservation Board), to determine the investigations were established on Mt. vegetational changes which might occur Hotham and Mt. Loch to document such under grazed and ungrazed conditions. The recovery as might occur on the badly vegetation on the plots was remeasured damaged alpine vegetation. Measure­ during January 1979, by staff and students ments have been taken regularly since from Melbourne University Botany School, 1960, the most recent in March 1979. under Mrs Carr's direction and with These indicate a reduction in bare ground financial support from the Botany School, from 4 7.88% in 1960 to 19.27% in 1979. 23 Soil Erodibility Land Disturbance Universal Sol/ Loss Equation: Professor Land Disturbance at Construction Sites: W. H. Wischmeier, the deviser of the SCA officers gave advice on the control of Universal Soil Loss Equation for soil loss, erosion or sediment, on a range of was brought to Australia by the Authority, in construction protects, to determine how order to gauge the applicability of the USLE SCA land drsturbance guidelines could and to obtain advice on its use. A program most effectively be implemented. The mam of positive action in furthering the use of the protects to be serv1ced were: Mitchell River USLE has been prepared as a result of the Dam. TanJil River Dam, Melton Drainage visit. Study. Hume Freeway (Euroa to Badda­ gmee) and various urban subdivisions. Soli Erodlbll/ty Project: Th1s two-year project, to be completed in February 1980. Mulch Spreader: A replacement mulch is to determine relative ·erodibility ratings for spreader purchased by the Authority a selection of Victorian soils and, if operated well dunng the season. Thirty possible, to apply these to the erodibility hectares were mulched at seven different factor m the Universal Soil Loss Equation locations throughout the State, including Falls Creek. Much other work was done on In all, twenty-two Victorian soils have been tested. The soils chosen included a sites m group projects. representative range from the Yarra Aquaseeder: Trials were conducted with catchment. and soils from Northern Victoria the aquaseeder (hydraulic seed and mulch which exhibit varying degrees of erosion spreader) to hnd a mulch less expensive when cropped. The project is being carried than wood-f1bre pulp, currently $330/tonne. out in collaboration with the Division of Newspaper showed promise and will be Soils, CSIRO. An SCA off1cer is based in evaluated further. Five s1tes, totalling eight Canberra for the two-year penod, where he hectares were seeded during the year. has the use of a versatile rainfall and runoff Stab/1/satlon of Earthworks at Mltche/1 simulation laboratory and other facilit1es at River Dam Site: In co-operat1on with the the laboratories of the Division of Soils. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Chemical Analysis of Sol/: Chemical trials of temporary revegetation were analyses performed included detailed carried out at the Mitchell River Dam site 1n studies of the soils sampled for the Soil Apnl 1979, on ftve adjacent s1tes. Erodibility Project, from catchment investi­ The aims of the field trials were: gation protects, from agronomic plot sites to provide a vegetative cover on the and from grazing areas on the Bogong High disturbed area as quickly as possible: Plains. to test species and methods which Physical Analysis of Sol/: The method would be suitable for the area when used for particle-size analysis was the maJor construction work is expanded to give more detailed information completed; on the coarser fractions. This made it to demonstrate that temporary stabilisa­ possible to report results rn both the fract1on tion of excavation works can be an sizes of the International So1l Science integral part of an overall proJeCt. Society and the United States Department of Agriculture, and also gave data required The pilot tnal on two roadside batters at for nomograph evaluation of the Un1versal Ulydale, to test the usefulness of the Soil Loss Equation erodibility factor (K) stabiliser "Holdgro", proved promising. lt is Particle-size data in USDA terms is useful intended to repeat the experiment. in relating local so1ls to land capability ratings developed m the United States. Th1s Blackberry Control: The Department of extra informatiOn was completed for the Crown Lands and Survey IS carrying out an Yarra Project and a detailed survey at extens1ve blackberry spraying program in Lysterfield. the Woods Point and Gaffneys Creek

24 areas. lt requested assistance w1th the Gaffneys Creek in April 1979, to try to revegetat1on of the sprayed areas, because obtam a quick covermg of the ground by natural grasses and shrubs are very slow to exotic grass species, both on the stream recolonise them, resulting in eros1on and flats and on the steep Side-slopes, and so to soil loss. With the help of the Department, a prevent erosion and recolonisation by revegetation trial was established at blackberries.

Publications and Information The year under review consolidated the work methods and production techniques developed in the several prev1ous years. Significant developments were the volume of technical reporting and virtual completion of conversion to the new SCA symbol and to ISS paper SIZeS.

Major publications for the year were: (i) General Extension SCA Annual Report-1977-78 Hanslow Cup Competition Reports- Northern M a/lee Competition -197 8 North-Central Victonan Competition-1978 South- Western Victorian Competilion-1979 North-Eastern Victorian Competitlon-1979 SCAN-November 1978 and May 1979 Editions The Stewarts Creek Expenmental Area The Bountiful Lake E!ldon Catchment (Reprint) Advisory Aids Booklets (9) Reprinted courtesy Department of Agriculture, New Zealand Soils Aids Pamphlets Nos. 15-29 were either initiated or reprinted as reproductions of material published in the various Hanslow Cup Reports from 1976to 1978. Titles were: No. 15-The Great Cultivation Debate No. 16-Aerial Seeding and Pasture Management on Steep H111 Country No. 17 -Soil Salting No. 18-Loans for Soil Conservation No. 19-Pyrenees Hill Country Management No. 20-Soli Drift in the Mallee No. 21 -Dry/and Salting in the Mallee No. 22-Upper Goulburn Steep Hill Country Management No. 23-Cultivation of Arable Land No. 24-Piants Suitable for Different Uses in the Mal/ee No. 25-Cropping in North-Central Victoria No. 26-A Pinch of Salt No. 27-"Damn I've Run Out of Water'" No. 28-The Hanslow Cup . Victoria's Premier Land Management Trophy No. 29-Water Supplies for a Small Farm (ii) Schools Extension: Blowing in the Wind-Levels 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, and Teachers Guide, October 1978: class-set books. prepared tor use with the SCA Mallee Land Management mobile display. 25 (iii) Technical Reports and Training Manuals: A Study of the Land in the Gippsland Lakes Area ---B. M. Nicholson; item TC 12 in the SCA series of Land Studies Mount Dandenong Foothills Land Capability Study-Kilsyth Study Area-July 1978, M. Ransom, A. Harris, B. White Inquiry into Salinity Control and Drainage in Northern Victoria-July 1978; evidenr::e presented to Parliamentary Public Works Committee Land Capability Assessment of the Glenmaggie Planning Scheme Area-July 1978, R. T. Costello The Environment and Coastal Land Use-September 1978; SCA workshop notes Using Your Camera as a Work Too/-September 1978, R. J Noonan; SCA training manual Study Tour of Condoblin, Cobar and Broken Hill Areas-May 1977 -October 1978, H. Alien, J Gilmore, R. Leivers. D. Luke Trilinear Diagrams and Representation of Soluble Ion Data from Soils-November 1978, J. J. Jenkin Painkalac Creek (Aireys Inlet) Catchment-D. A. Forsyth, S. W. Ransome Creswick Water Supply Catchments-B. J. Osborn Lance Creek Catchment-!. Master Nine Mile Creek, Clear Creek and Hurdle Creek (Lake Kerford) Catchments-R. Clutterbuck and R. McLennan Tennent Creek (Candowie Reservoir) Catchment-1. Master Bakers Gully (Bright) Catchment-A. Arch and R. McLennan King River (Lake Will/am Hovel/) Catchment-R. G. Patrick Buck/and River (Porepunkah Water Supply Scheme) Catchment-December 1978, A. Arch and R. McLennan; proposals for Proclamation, prepared for consideration by Land Conservation Council Control of Erosion on Roadworks-January 1979. T. J. Richmond. Reprinted by courtesy CAB Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses-A Guide to Conservation Planning-February 1979, W. H. Wischmeier and D. D. Smith. Reprinted courtesy USDA Bibliography of Dry/and Salting Problem and Guidelines for Salt-Affected Site Re vegetation in Victoria- February 1979, Agronomy Section, SCA A Study of Land Capability in the Shire of Bungaree-February 1979, P J. Jeffrey, R. J. Costello and P. King A Report on the Monument Creek Catchment-J. H. Kraan A Report on the Gellibrand River (South Otway) Catchment-March 1979. S. W. Ransome and R. McLennan; proposals for Proclamation, prepared for consideration by Land Conservation Council Codes of Practice: (1) Small Sewage Treatment Plants, (2) Septic Tanks-May 1979. Reprinted by courtesy Department of Health, Victoria Land Capabtlity Assessment of the Creswick Water Supply Catchments-May 1979, L D. Russell 1978 SCA Staff Conference Manual Additional to the above listings, numerous reprint and other items were processed.

26 Administration were neld: one at Coleraine, one at Hallam and one at Bendigo. Staff-General Land Capability Assessment-Six Although the Authority submitted applica­ courses were held: two at Warburton, tions for urgently required additional one at Ballarat, one at Benalla and positions, particularly in areas of Catchment two at Bendigo. Management and Investigation and other support staff such as Works Assistants As well, nineteen officers attended (Conservation Assistants) and Clerical courses in interviewing, effective presenta­ Assistants, no new positions were tion. letter and report writing and approved during the year. In addition, the supervision, conducted by the Mmistry for restriction on the ability of the Authority to Conservation Training Group. fill existing vacancies placed an undue strain on officers in certain areas of importance. External Training Seventeen officers are undertaking either Staff Development full or part-time degree courses at Melbourne, Monash, Deakin, New England, In-Service Training Adelaide and Macquarie Universities The Authority conducted nine courses Another is engaged in a similar qualifying involving two hundred and thirty-five course at a College of Advanced people. The courses were: Education. Soils Recognition-Three courses Thirteen Works Assistants (Conserva-

EXTERNAL TRAINING

Th1rteen Works Assistants Assistants; have been underlakmg certificate courses in applied sc1ence and Resource In 1979. seven officers course At/eft, Works Assistant Ken Polmear, Bacchus Marsh, receives h1s certd1ca1e from /he Chairman, Mr A M;tchell. m the presence of the then Mtmsrer for Conservation. the Hon. W. Borthwick. Lands Dept. Photo 27 lion Assistants) have been undertaking With the limited funds at its disposal the part-time certificate courses in applied Authority continued to experience difficulty science (Conservation and Resource 1n maintaining a reasonable standard of Development). Seven officers have now housing and office accommodation. completed the course and four of these officers were presented with their Library certificates in April 1979. The Authority Library, although relatively Authority officers presented the subject small, is actively used by officers and "Interpretation and Extension" at Frankston outside organisations, as is evidenced by Technical College as part of this certificate the following statistics: course. Internal External Loans 4555 44 Staff Conference Items photocopied Officers from all Divisions attended a staff in lieu of loan 2187 81 conference at "Erskine House", Lorne, Acquisitions 522 from 28 to 30 November 1978. This was the first time for over thirteen years that the conrerence was held at a country location. Finance Accommodation Late in the financial year some services were curtailed because of restrictions on Work commenced on the much needed telephones, repairs and maintenance of renovations and extensions to the vehicles, travelling expenses and postage. Coleraine office. Total expend1ture for the year was Staff at the Hamilton office were $4 749131. an increase of $152 028 over relocated in more spacious accommo­ the previous year. dation, and the Upper Murray District Following is a statement of expenditure Centre transferred from Tallangatta to and income for the 1978-79 financial year. Wodonga.

28 STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND INCOME

EXPENDITURE Vote Funds

Expenditure Estimates 1978-79 1979-80 Salaries and Payment in Nature of Salaries- $ $ Salaries and Allowances . 2416521 2 580 000 Payment in Lieu of Long Service Leave 12 000 Overtime

General Expenses- Travelling and Subsistence 70 652 86 500 Office Requisites . 21 199 33 500 Books and Publications 36 900 81 250 Postal and Telephone Expense . . . 88 768 101 100 Motor Vehicles-Purchase, Maintenance and Running 185 935 345 500 Incidentals 9 969 13 100 Laboratory Equipment 6 901 9 000 Publicity 20 733 25 100

Other Services- District Advisory Committees-Fees and Expenses 6 898 7 500

Total Expenditure from Vote Funds 1978-79 2 864 476

Total Estimated Expenditure from Vote Funds 1979-80 3 294 550

Loan Funds (Works and Services) Water Supply Catchment 279 548 355 300 Other Conservation Projects . . . . . 507 929 731 100 Grants and Assistance to Landholders and Shires 159 903 190 000 Crown Land and Foreshore Erosion Control 89 943 160 000 Purchase of Plant and Machinery 36 000 65 000 Farm Water Supply Advisory Services 29 819 33 000 Buildings and Maintenance-Expenditure by PWD 54 067 85 000 Special Grant Assistance in Proclaimed Water Supply Catchments . . . . Erosion Control Port Phillip Bay 30 000 50 000

Total Expenditure from Loan Funds 1978-79 187 209

Total Estimated Expenditure from Loan Funds 1979-80 1 669 400

Other Funds Commonwealth Extension Services Grant 106 827 45 000 State Rural Employment Scheme . . Special Youth Employment Training Program 38 210

SCA Trust Accounts- Soil Conservation Competitions 1 451 500 Puckapunyal 454 569 335 000 Dryland Salting (Kamarooka District) 3 464 Dryland Salting (Bendigo District) 3 661 Hire of Plant . . 9 286 Land Capabilities Study 8 317

contmued over page-

29 Expenditure Estimates 1978-79 1979-80 $ $

Army School Health 6 988 Gippsland Lakes 51 898 Land Resources Data Bank 12 775

Total Expenditure from Other Funds 1978-79 697 446

Total Estimated Expenditure from Other Funds 1979-80 380 500

Total Expenditure from All Sources 1 978-79 4 749 131

Total Estimated Expenditure from All Sources 1979-80 5 344 450

INCOME Trust Account- Soil Conservation Competition Trophies 1 248 Dry Land Salting (Kamarooka District) 12 350 Dry Land Salting (Bendigo District) 11 150 Hire of Plant 3 533 Army Health School 3 000 Gippsland Lakes Study 60 000 Land Resources Data Bank . . . 54 000 Land Capabilities TanJii-Mitchell Rivers 12 000

Total Receipts to SCA Funds 157 281

Contribution to Consolidated Fund- Recoup of Administration Expenses (Puckapunyal ProJect) 65 497 Rent of Departmental Houses 18 424 Farm Water Supply Fees . 3 852 Sale of Government Property 7 324 Total Contribution 95 097

A. MITCHELL, Chairman

D. N. CAHILL, Deputy Chairman

J. S. GILMORE, Member

30 APPENDIX "A"

TABLE I

SUMMARY OF MAIN ADVISORY ACTIVITIES-1978-79

Reg1ons Totals ACI!Vity for 1977-78 So~th- North- North- South- State Western Western Eastern Eastern Non GCA Activities Initial Inspections Made 284 351 197 410 1242 1281 Initial Inspections Outstanding 53 74 56 42 225 250 Subsequent Inspections Made 143 188 214 139 684 713 Subsequent Inspections Out- standing 27 96 72 13 208 145 Other Visits 746 1269 634 666 3315 3599

Group Conservation Activities Visits During Planning 79 29 106 2 216 324 Vtsits for Execution of Works 695 456 352 199 1702 2130 Visits for Reviewing GCA Plan 70 67 41 178 297 Landholders Present Durmg GCA Visit 368 275 149 58 850 819

Special Aspects Farm Water Supply Advice 366 546 190 444 1546 1790 Water Catchment Supervision 52 230 84 247 613 669 Inspection Regarding Extraction of Sand, Gravel, etc. 43 117 211 226 597 426

Extension Activities Talks and Lectures Given 12 32 9 46 99 75 Radio and TV Broadcasts Made 2 10 2 14 9 Field Days and Excursions Held 9 18 19 23 69 46 Meetings of Landholders Held 4 4 7 1 16 33 School Excursions Conducted 17 20 8 44 89 102 Show or Trade Exhibits Staged 1 15 5 21 16 Field Days, Tours. etc. Attended 71 157 58 90 376 410 Press Releases 14 4 8 3 29 39

District Advisory Committees DAC Meetings Held 15 22 14 25 76 65 DAC Inspections Conducted 11 23 16 25 75 60

Inspection for Other Departments State Government 211 420 373 527 1531 1248 Commonwealth Government 6 32 30 22 90 108 Local Government 167 269 285 568 1289 1269 Other Organisations 32 37 86 315 470 175

31 APPENDIX "B"

TABLE 11

SUMMARY OF MAIN WORKS COMPLETED-(INCLUDING ALL PROJECTS)- 1978-79

Projects lnd•vidual Properties Totals Works Item 1978-79 1977-78 1978-79 1977-78 1978-79 1977-78 Gully Structures- Concrete Chutes Drops and Weirs No. 24 28 27 12 51 40 mJ 690 651 607 78 1297 729 Groynes and Silt Traps No. 188 137 3 188 140 m 665 1596 22 665 1618 Grassed Chutes No. 3 6 17 5 20 11 m2 397 175 2341 436 2738 611 Fencing- Protective km 71.6 67.9 28.4 16.4 100.0 84.3 Subdivision km 14 13.6 4.4 9.6 18.4 23.2 L/Hs 7 20 3 15 10 35 Revelment m 22 20 22 20 Earth works- Diversion Banks m 22 845 11 072 56 622 38 395 79 467 49 467 Head Batters No. 64 46 10 3 74 49 Grassed Waterways m 6740 1670 4673 8410 4673 ha 10.8 4 11.3 14.8 11.3 Graded Banks m 10 200 2960 4741 13 030 14 941 15 990 ha 300 46 203 700 503 746 Gully Plug Dams No. 10 8 7 6 17 14 m3 8250 4670 4050 4600 12 300 9270 Gully Battering m 17160 12 584 15 515 7070 32 675 19 654 Contour Furrows ha 216 509 6.1 725 6.1 Contour Ripping L/Hs 3 2 4 6 7 8 ha 39 22.2 23.5 30.1 62.5 52.3 Contour Cultivation Survey L!Hs 1 1 7 9 8 10 ha 25 20 210 128 235 148 Farm Water Supply- Dams Surveyed No. 31 20 444 492 475 512 Capacity Mega- litres 48.2 22.5 1469 1421 1517.2 1443.5 Drainage/ Irrigation L/Hs 20 15 20 15 Pipelines L!Hs 47 61 47 61 m 42045 109 777 42 045 109 777 Tree Planting- Trees No. 73116 55 964 5850 5475 78 976 61 439

Seed/Mulch ha 32 84.9 3 35 84.9

32 APPENDIX "C"

TABLE Ill

WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS PROCLAIMED UNDER PROVISIONS OF SOIL CONSERVATION AND LAND UTILIZATION ACT 1958

Date of Date of Use of Name of Catchment Proclamation Gazettal Area (km') Water Hume 4.7.50 5.7.50 10 062 I Upper Barwon 4.11 53 11 .11.53 145 T Parwan 24.1.56 1.2.56 157 I Upper Goulburn 18.12.56 19.1.57 3535 I Glenmaggie .4.12.57 4.12.57 1909 I Rocklands 17.9.58 17.9.58 1342 I Wimmera Systems 2.9.59 4.9.59 4386 S&D Riddells Creek 12.1.60 13.1.60 5 T Gisborne-Sunbury 12.1 .60 13.1.60 6 T Lancefield 22.3.60 23.3.60 19 T Romsey 22.3.60 23.3.60 9 T Wood end 22.3.60 23.3.60 4 T Mount Macedon 22.3.60 23.3.60 3 T Macedon 22.3.60 23.3.60 3 T Eppalock 19.7.60 20.7.60 2116 I Cairn Curran 29.5.62 30.5.62 1594 I Sun bury 29.5.62 30.5.62 18 T Djerriwarrh 27.11.62 5.12.62 26 T Tyers River 30.1.63 6.3.63 317 T Kilmore 25.5.63 29.5.63 5 T Bunyip River 25.6.63 3.7.63 39 T Trawalla Creek 8.10.63 16.10.63 108 S&D Lorne 15.7.64 22.7.64 28 T Healesville 8.9.64 16.9.64 3 T Upper Kiewa 24.2.65 3.3.65 409 HE Mirboo North 24.2.65 3.3.65 8 T Orbost (Rocky River) 18.5.65 26.5.65 23 T Lake Merrimu 31.8.65 8.9.65 85 I & In McCraes Creek 9.11.65 812.65 5 T Billys Creek 1.3.66 9.3.66 21 T Drouin 1.3.66 9.3.66 14 T Tarago River 30.5.67 7.6.67 114 T Lake Nillahcootie 19.9.67 27.9 67 413 IS & D Lake Merrimu (Goodmans Creek) 13.2.68 21.2.68 39 I in & T Gellibrand River 5.11.69 12.11.69 507 TIn Ryans Creek ...... 3 3.70 11.3.70 77 T Rosslynne Reservoir (Jackson Creek) 89.70 16.9.70 85 T Tarra River . . " . . . . 26.1.71 17.2.71 28 T Rosslynne Reservoir (Riddells Creek) 14.9.71 22.9.71 21 T Micks Creek 26.4.72 3.5.72 5 T Lal Lal Reservoir 6.6.73 13.6.73 219 T Betka River 18.9.73 26.9.73 108 T Thomson River (Stages 1, 1 (a) and 2) 25.9.73 3.10.73 332 T Lake Merrimu (Lerderderg River) 15.4.75 23.4.75 218 I & In Avoca Town Water Supply 19.8.75 27.8.75 10 T Nicholson River 19.8.75 27.8.75 451 T Honeysuckle Creek 25.5 76 2.6.76 25 T Cann River 27.7.76 4.8.76 632 T Running Creek (Hurstbridge) 3.5.77 11.5.77 20 T Moorabool River (Sheoaks) 16.5.78 24.5.78 460 T continued over page- 33 APPENDIX "C" -continued

TABLE Ill

WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS PROCLAIMED UNDER PROVISIONS OF SOIL CONSERVATION AND LAND UTILIZATION ACT 1958

Date of Date of Use of Name of Catchment ProclamatiOn Gazettal Area (km') Water Stony Creek 16.5.78 24.5.78 26 T Painkalac Creek (Aireys Inlet) 16.5.79 13.6.79 34 T Lance Creek 16.5.79 13.6.79 20 T Tennent Creek (Candowie Reservoir) 16.5.79 13.6.79 19 T Nine Mile, Clear, and Hurdle Creeks 16.5.79 13.6.79 63 T Bakers Gully (Bright) 16.5.79 13.6.79 7 T Creswick 16.5.79 13.6.79 33 T King River (Lake William Hovell) 16.5.79 13.6.79 332 I Buckland River 12.6.79 20.6 79 322 T Monument Creek 12.6.79 20.6.79 9 T Gellibrand R1ver (South Otway) 12.6.79 20.6.79 183 T Use of Water: Symbols used: (I) Irrigation, (In) Industrial, (T) Town Water, (S) Stock, (D) Domestic, (HE) Hydro-electric

34 APPENDIX "D"

TABLE IV

WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS-LAND USE DETERMINATIONS AND LAND USE NOTICES MADE BY SOIL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

:Jate of Gazettal Name of Catchment of :Jeterrninat1on Area (km2) or Notice

Rocklands (Parishes of Tyar, Daahl. Yat Nat) 16.9.59 160 Riddells Creek 27.7 60 5 Lancefield, Romsey 18.1.61 28 Gisborne-Sunbury 18.1.61 6 Wood end 18.10.61 4 Eppalock (Shire of Newham/Woodend) 14.11.62 14 Upper Barwon 30.1.63 145 Macedon and Mount Macedon 8.4.64 5 Sunbury . . 10.6.64 18 Djerriwarrh Reservoir 8.7.64 26 Kilmore 2.6.65 5 Healesville 2.3.66 3 Eppalock (Kyneton Water Supply) 2.3.66 12 Eppalock (Northern Section) 2.3.66 258 McCraes Creek 21.9.66 5 Lake Merrimu 2.11.66 85 Billys Creek 14.12.66 21 Rocky River (Orbost Water Supply) 2.8.67 23 Bunyip River . • 7.8.68 39 Lake Merrimu (Goodmans Creek) 2.7.69 39 Tarra River 9.6.71 28 Lake Cairn Curran (Notice only)* 16.2.72 55 Tarago Reservoir 16.5.73 11 4 Micks Creek 25.7.73 5 Lal Lal Reservoir (Notice only)* 14.11.73 18 Thomson River (Stages 1, 1 (a) and 2) 11.9.74 332 Ryans Creek 30.10.74 78 Mirboo North 4 12.74 8 Tyers River 7.5.75 317 Avoca Town Water Supply . . . 24.9.75 10 Rosslynne Reservoir (Riddells Creek) (Notice only)* 21.7 76 5 Upper Goulburn (Eildon) 2.3.77 868 Rosslynne Reservoir (Jackson Creek) 18.5.77 85 Stony Creek 21.6.78 26

'Land Use Notices are interim controls on changes 1n land use, specified under the provis1ons of Section 22 (2) of the Soil Conservation and Land Utfhza/10n Acr 1958.

35 APPENDIX "E''

STAFF-NUMBERS, DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION

STAFF DISTRIBUTION

PubliC Serv1ce Mmistenal Board Appomt- mems { SeclJOn 13 Total of S.CaM L U. Acl) Head Office 59 4 63

South-Eastern Region and Districts: Yarra 14 14 Avon and Tambo 7 8 South and West Gippsland 3 3 Moorarbool 6 3 9 Lilydale 3 1 4

South-Eastern Regional Total 33 5 38

North-Eastern Region and Districts: Lower Goulburn 16 5 21 Upper Goulburn 5 4 9 Ovens 2 2 Upper Murray 2 2

North-Eastern Regional Total 25 9 34

South-Western Region and Districts: North and South Wimmera 6 6 Pyrenees 4 4 8 Glenelg 6 6 12 Otway 6 1 7

South-Western Regional Total 22 11 33

North-Western Region and Districts: Campaspe 14 2 16 Avoca River 4 4 8 Upper Loddon 2 2 Northern Mallee 2 3 Eastern Mallee 2 2 Western Mallee 3 1 4 Central 7 5 12

North-Western Regional Total 34 13 47

TOTAL 173 42 215

STAFF BY FUNCTION

Field Operations 103 31 134 Research and Investigations 33 4 37 Administration 33 7 40 Publications and Information 4 4

TOTAL 173 42 215

36 APPENDIX "F"

DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Avoca River B. C. Curnow, Department of Agriculture, State Offices, Bendigo (Chairman) F. 0. Sanderson, "Bromley Park", Coonooer Bridge A. M. Scott, Private Bag, Pyramid Hill J. W. S. Radford, "Crittleton", Private Bag 101, St. Arnaud A. Small, "Tottington", St. Arnaud J. K. Donovan, Forests Commission, St. Arnaud R. F. Chaffe, Soil Conservation Authority, High Street, Charlton (Secretary)

Avon E. E. Cumming, "The Retreat", Glenmaggie (Chairman) D. Vernon, "Lamana", Goon Nure R. Blandford, Private Bag, Stratford N. F. Chester, 3 Mill Street, Heyfield R. E. Pitman, Department of Agriculture, Bairnsdale D. F. Stevenson, Forests Commission, Traralgon J. Aukema, Soil Conservation Authority, State Public Offices, Bairnsdale (Secretary)

Bogong High Plains J. S. Gilmore, Soil Conservation Authority, 378 Cotham Road, Kew (Chairman) J. A. Newton Brown, Julians Lodge, Falls Creek G. B. Fitzgerald, "Shannon Vale", Omeo W. J. Hicks, Box 69, Dederang Roadside, via Wodonga E. A. Weston, Eurobin R. K. White, Principal Hydro-Engineer, Kiewa, S.E.C., Mt. Beauty F. F. Holt, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Wangaratta (Secretary)

Campaspe D. N. Lowndes, Eppalock (Chairman) W. I. Bell, 124 Neale Street, Bendigo R. G. Johnson, Hunter A. G. Weeks, Elmore H. J. Vinnicombe, Calivil K. L. Bishop, Department of Agriculture, Bendigo A. A. Stirling, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 206, Bendigo (Secretary)

Central G. S. Whitely, "Coban", via Woodend (Chairman) B. T. O'Sullivan, "Wattle Park", Seymour T. T. Orde, "Burncranna", Mount Macedon (Waterworks Trust Representative) A. S. Tomlinson, "Redlands", Kilmore A. T. Campbell, Kilmore, P.O. Heathcote South I. L. Franklin, Forests Commission, Macedon B. R. Radford, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 33, Broadford (Secretary)

Eastern Mal/ee E. L. Pay, Private Bag, Kerang (Chairman) J. H. Wright, Box 19, Manangatang G. A. Cullinan, Box 112, Birchip R. F. Gormann, Box 172, Sea Lake N. K. McSwain, Department of Agriculture, Swan Hill K. McK. Mills, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Birchip T. W. Speedie, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 56, Swan Hill (Secretary)

continued over page-

37 APPENDIX "F" -continued

Glenelg D. H. C. Murphy, "Karadeen", Casterton (Chairman) H. K. Cowland, Box 92, Casterton A. C. Campbell, "Crowlands", Cavendish A. H. Baulch, "Mt. Koroite", Coleraine D. R. Heard, "Attunga", Glenthompson J. C. Heath. Department of Agriculture, Hamilton J. C. W. Langford, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 228, Hamilton (Secretary)

Lower Goulburn I. N. Bayles, "Chatsworth Park", Tabilk (Chairman) Mrs. J. I. Symons. "Orunga", Almonds, via Lake Rowan M. J. Hodder, Thoona Road, Glenrowan T. Gall, Nalinga, via Dookie G. P. Mahoney, Department of Agriculture, Benalla R. Waugh, Forests Commission , Benalla J. F. Wood, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 324, Benalla (Secretary)

Moorarbool J. G. Henderson, "Inverness", St. Leonards (Chairman) H. A. Boardman, "Carramar", Sheoaks, via Bannockburn G. D. Duncan, Department of Agriculture, 166 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne Miss A. Harris, Town and Country Planning Board, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne E. W. Gillespie, Toolern Vale R.S.D., Melton G. D. Simpson, "High Plains", Bacchus Marsh R. Me D. Moodie, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 214, Bacchus Marsh (Secretary)

Northern Mallee B. E. Wait, Kooloonong (Chairman) ,1. M. Douglas, Werrimull F. A. Etheridge, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Red Cliffs N. L. Gowers, P 0. Box 307, Red Cliffs A. E. McLean. Annuello G. N. Thomas, Department of Agriculture, Mildura R. L. Leivers, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 1156, Mildura (Secretary)

Northern Wimmera V. G. Champness, P.O. Box 16, Kaniva (Chairman) C. 0. Pietsch, Box 79, Dimboola D. Dykstra, Department of Agriculture, Horsham F. N. Pit!, Jeparit L. G. Atkin, Box 28, Brim A. H. Laverty, Box 9, Nhill I. R. MeAl pin, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 1 79, Horsham (Secretary)

Otway R. P. Bingley, "The Meadows", Rokewood (Chairman) I. J. Boyd, Naroghid W.S D, Cobden P. B. Kee, Cooriemungle W.S.D., via Timboon A. J. Holding, "The Ranch", Linton J. R. Channon, Forests Commission, Ballarat D. J. Watson, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Camperdown K. G. White, Soil Conservation Authority, Colac (Secretary)

38 APPENDIX "F"-continued

Ovens J. L. Baldwin. Laceby (Chairman) S. P Humphry, "Avondale". Springhurst H. B. Branigan, Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Wangaratta R J. Ritchie, Forests Commission. Wangaratta A. J. Armstrong, Porepunkah RT. Chamberlain, "Bioomfield Park", Everton M. C. O'Meara. Soil Conservation Authority, State Public Offices, Wangaratta (Secretary)

Pyrenees F. R Boatman, Glenlofty, via Elmhurst (Chairman) L. J. Millar, Wayside Mail, Beaufort E. J. Ball, "Morella", Lexton C. E. Price, Stawell H. R. Dalkin. "Westgate", Armstrongs, via Ararat R. W. Howlett, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Ararat K. G. Knights, Soil Conservation Authority, State Public Offices, Vincent Street, Ararat (Secretary)

Southern Gippsland D. A MacAulay. Jack River (Chairman) D. F. Stevenson. Forests Commission, Traralgon P J. Rathjen, "Mount Pleasant", Flynn, via Traralgon P. Newcombe, "Dalvarra", Fish Creek N. H. Paulet, Flynns Creek Upper, via Traralgon J. C. Vinall, P.O. Box 161, Morwell S. B. Ellwood, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 268, Warragul (Secretary)

Southern Wimmera A R Gross, 8 Francis Street, Horsham (Chairman has not been appointed) A T. Heard, "South Wonwondah'', Box 58, Horsham G.J.Cranage. Box72, Edenhope R. J. Elliott, "Yonda", Noradjuha J. D. Gillespie, Forests Commission, Horsham L W. Loeliger, Lubeck L R McAipin, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 179, Horsham (Secretary)

Tambo D. K. Richardson, Cobungra Station, Omeo (Chairman) J. Armit, Bindt C. F. Marshal!, Box 428, Orbost F. H. Kramme, Johnsonville E. K. Gidley, Forests Commission, Bairnsdale M. J. Lee, Department of Agriculture, Bairnsdale F. M. Garden, Soil Conservation Authority, State Public Offices. Bairnsdale (Secretary)

Upper Goulburn J. Tehan, "Wappan". Maindample (Chairman) G. A Scott, Wairere Road, Mansfield K Webb Ware. "Yirraba", Yea P. 0. Miller, Cathkin H. B. Prewett. Forests Commission. Healesville D. J. Cannon, Department of Agriculture, Benalla D. F. Martin, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 69, Alexandra (Secretary)

continued over page-

39 APPENDIX "F"-continued

UpperLoddon K. O'Connell, Majorca Road, Cansbrook (Cha1rman) J. D. Carstairs, "Currawinya". Langley F. T Longmire. "Fairview", Werona T. F. Long, Bowenvale Cr. R. Kinnersley, Tourello, via Creswick B. J. McConchie, Department of Agriculture, Ballarat B. J. Osborn, Soil Conservation Authority, Box 71, Maryborough (Secretary)

Upper Murray G. C. Jarvis, "Roseworthy", Cudgewa (Chairman) I. A. Roper, "Kadumbra", Tawonga • L. H. Jewell, "Keelangie", Private Bag 20, Tallangatta K. H. Godde, Tallandoon, via Tallangatta H. B. Branigan, Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Wangaratta C. A. Almond, Forests Commission, Wangaratta C. F. Paul, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 95, Tallangatta (Secretary)

Western Gippsland W. J. Edgar, Forests Commission, Traralgon (Chairman) I. M. Gibson, "Leathorne", Trafalgar East H. C. Berry, Wonthaggi H. A. Hewson, Warragul T. D. Kelly, Nerrena Road. via Leongatha P.C. Medling, Department of Agriculture, Warragul S. B. Ellwood, Soil Conservation Authority, P.O. Box 268, Warragul (Secretary)

Western Mallee J. B. Griffiths, Department of Agriculture, Walpeup (Chairman) G. D. Anderson, Bronzewing, via Ouyen A. K. Burstall, P.O. Box 36, Underbool A. G. S. James, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Ouyen H. M. Mitchell, Yaapeet K. C. Duthie. Woomelang D. 0. Luke, Soil Conservation Authority, P 0. Box 89, Ouyen (Secretary)

Yarra A. McD. Bethune, Fincks Road, Bayles (Chairman) A. J. Thompson, Link Road, Silvan South B. F. Mullens. "Nanowie", Yea Road, Dixons Creek Miss A. Harris, Town and Country Planning Board, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne P. L. Petersen, Blake Street. Shoreham D. G. Hill, Soil Conservation Authority, Suite 6, Whitehorse Plaza, Box H1ll (Secretary)

40 No. 14014/79 Price $1.40