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A u t u m n 2 0 0 5 E U S S Victorian I andcareandcare LL & CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT Plantations benefit birds

Controlled traffic farming

Managing grasslands with grazing Editorial contributions Carrie Tiffany CONTENTS PO Box 1135 CONTENTS Mitcham North 3132 Phone 8802 4304 E-mail: [email protected]

Mailing list enquiries Landcaring Beverley Wallace for the Yarra Platypus encounter Victorian Farmers Federation Phone 9207 5527 8-9 16-17 Fax 9207 5500 E-mail: [email protected]

Advertising Bonang River Cypress pine Paul Crock revival survival Phone 0418 377 264 Fax 9428 4676 20 22-23

Cover photograph: Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management is published for the Victorian Landcare Kookaburra by Andrew Chapman. community by the Victorian Farmers Federation in partnership with the Department While every effort has been made to of Sustainability and Environment, Alcoa World Alumina Australia and the Victorian ensure the accuracy of statements in Catchment Management Council. Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Magazine the Victorian Farmers Federation, its partners, agents, servants, and contractors disclaim all responsibility for the statements quoted herein. The Shearers: Andrew Chapman A touring exhibition

“These images have been shot in outback, Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia – semi-arid areas that have always been the backbone of Australia’s once thriving wool industry. Falling world prices for wool, the global move to synthetics and a seven-year drought have seen farmers struggle to make ends meet.

“Most of The Shearers has been shot in dry and dusty conditions in the back blocks of Australia, areas that many Australians are not familiar with. As a documentary photographer this is a rich tapestry to shoot images from.” – Andrew Chapman

Exhibition dates:

April 28th – July 5th 2005 Museum of the Riverina, Wagga, NSW.

August 15th – November 20th 2005 State Library of NSW, Sydney.

December 1st 2005 – January 15th 2006 Mildura Regional Art Gallery, Mildura, Vic.

January 22nd – March 22nd 2006 Broken Hill Art Gallery, Broken Hill, NSW.

May 3rd – July 16th 2006 Horsham Regional Arts Centre, Horsham, Vic. From the editors

2005 Victorian Landcare Awards In this issue the Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, invites everyone to send in nominations for the 2005 Victorian Landcare Awards. There is a category for everyone so consider nominating yourself, your group and/or others doing great work in caring for our State. Remember, you Interest in on-ground works in the Woady Yaloak Catchment is at an all-time high after the catchment group won the Sensis Landcare Catchment Award in 2004. Pasture projects, like this don’t have to be in a Landcare group to chicory and phalaris paddock at Dereel, have been especially popular. enter. Entries close on Friday 1 July 2005. For more information or an entry form please contact the DSE Customer New DSE State Co-ordinator Service Centre on 136 186 or visit www.dse.vic.gov.au Categories for the 2005 David Lucas has joined DSE as the Victorian Landcare Awards new Statewide Landcare Community The Woady Yaloak Catchment Group Development Co-ordinator. won the Sensis Landcare Catchment 1. Alcan Landcare Indigenous Award at the 2003 Victorian Landcare David has spent most of his professional Community Award Awards and went on to line up against life in West and Central Africa working some very impressive projects from around 2. Alcoa Landcare Community in collaboration with the Environment Australia before taking out the National Group Award Ministries of the Cameroonian and award in September 2004. Guinean Governments, a variety of local 3. Bushcare Nature and international non-governmental Alice Knight, past chair of the Woady Conservation Award organisations and many diverse local Yaloak Catchment Group, said winning the communities. award brought an almost overwhelming 4. Murray Darling Basin demand from people within the catchment Commission Rivercare David’s key area of interest is in working wanting to get involved in projects. Award with local communities to overcome obstacles to increased capacity and “It was very exciting. The publicity from 5. Australian Government innovation. the awards really increased the uptake of Landcare Regional Award on-ground works. Many landholders are “This leads us to address the root causes 6. National Landcare Program working away as individuals or with of environmental problems and find new Individual Landcarer Award neighbours but when they saw the ways to sustainably manage natural catchment group on the television and in 7. Natural Heritage Trust resources to the economic and social all of the papers it was a great reminder for Coastcare Community benefit of whole communities,” David said. them of the broader projects they could Award David returned to Victoria with his young link up with. 8. Landcare Australia Local family last year and is looking forward to “The Woady Catchment is a productive Government Landcare working closely with the Landcare catchment and we have had very strong Community Partnerships community across the State. interest in some of our cropping projects Award and the Pro Graze courses we are running,” Alice said. 9. Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award David Lucas comes to Alice encouraged other groups to enter Landcare after working the awards. on capacity building 10. Westpac Landcare Education projects in Africa. Award Landcare community “Woady applied many times before This photograph across the State. was taken during a actually winning, but we got there in mountain climbing the end,” she said. expedition in Fiji.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 3 Letters

Best letter The prize for the best letter in this issue goes to Jim Blucher for sharing his experiences of dealing with feral cats. Jim will receive a copy of The Little Green Handbook, by Ron Neilsen. A fascinating read, Neilsen argues that with proper global management we can have both global economic growth and a sustainable future.

A new book is now up for grabs so please send your letters to Carrie Tiffany (address on page 2). Letters must include a name, address and telephone number and be less than 300 words. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

Dear Editors, There are many areas of moss beds in the Kiewa Valley that are very healthy I write on behalf of the Alpine Conservation and have been grazed continuously for and Access Group in response to the article over 150 years. on restoring our high country mosslands in the last issue. Lightning strike and aboriginal burning assisted in keeping moss beds healthy. The facts are that less than 1% of the alpine Aboriginals used moss to carry fire as it grazed area is covered in moss beds. Extended will smoulder for weeks. Cattle are a bed areas only occur in very slow moving water necessity to maintain healthy fuel load where filtered subterranean water is forced to reduction and soil aeration which many the surface by clay seams or rock barriers. scientists seem to know nothing about. A moss bed will not survive on rain alone. These facts are backed up by my lifetime’s Water purification by moss beds is infinitesimal. experience of experimentation and ownership Water is purified by subterranean seepage and of moss bed land. when flowing over gravel in catchment streams. Only a very small percentage of this water Alan Mull flows through moss beds. Mt Beauty

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 4 Dear Editors, roast chicken. Now after nearly two Our first decision was to leave our much decades of trapping I rarely hear a cat loved ten-year-old cat behind with family I believe the cat problem is one of our own calling in tomming season. and to visit it often. How could we enjoy making... our new environment knowing that our The bird species count in the garden has When we shifted to this area 40 years ago cat may be preying on the many small increased from the original eight to about 50 we brought our ageing suburban cat with us. birds that visit our garden and most with nine of these species using the garden for Although our cat died a few years later we importantly, those small animals and breeding. We also grow fruit trees and roses still noticed birds being killed in our garden. birds that we don’t see? and find the birds very effective at controlling The unwanted kittens from the township four aphids and codling moth. On the issue of tree guards cooking newly kilometres away were being dumped nearby. planted tube stock, I too have experienced Jim Blucher Over the next ten years as the size and plant this problem. I have changed to using wire Morwell diversity of our garden increased so did the netting formed into a cylinder with wire number of bird species, and the number of ties and placed over two stakes. As these birds being killed. Dear Editors, trees only need protecting from rabbits and not the elements I have seen great I turned to cage traps and after some trial I can relate to your reader from Gannawarra results. and error was catching a feral cat every Shire concerned about the issue of domestic two or three weeks. The most effective cats. In 2003 our family moved 30 kilometres Kaye Sullivan bait proved to be the carcase of a fresh out of town to the edge of a National Park Mt Richmond surrounded by native bush.

Message from the Minister for Environment

As the Minister for Environment, Holding regular forums with the Landcare I encourage all Landcarers and members I am delighted to be responsible for community is a key milestone within the of other community groups to consider the Victorian Government’s support Government’s Victorian Action Plan for nominating themselves and others. Second Generation Landcare. Over 450 of Landcare through DSE’s Victorian Congratulations to the 2003 Victorian Landcarers and stakeholders came Landcare Program. Landcare Award winners, Woady Yaloak together and explored opportunities for Catchment Group and the Northern After nearly two decades of Landcare making community Landcare even United Forestry Group, for going on to win in Victoria, the Victorian Government stronger. It was fantastic to see so many at the 2004 National Landcare Awards. continues to be committed to effective Landcare volunteers involved and natural resource management and demonstrating that they care. I am proud to have the task of continuing recognises Landcare as a vital community to build on the success of Landcare and It gives me great pleasure to call for movement that provides opportunities for achieving the vision for Landcare in nominations for the 2005 Victorian landholders to work together to address Victoria of Healthy Landscapes – Landcare Awards. The Awards are a great problems in their local area. Sustainable Communities. opportunity for individuals, community In July, I was pleased to be invited to close groups and networks to reflect on their John Thwaites the 2004 Victorian Landcare Forum. achievements and celebrate their successes. Minister for Environment

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 5 Around the News from the Regional L

Mallee The Mallee Regional Landcare Support Strategy was launched in Ouyen in March. The strategy, which will be implemented over the next five years, State Industry Landcare Co-ordinator Ian Linley recently visited the region to meet with aims to widen coverage of Landcare Landcare and DPI support staff working to address tunnel erosion and improve pasture and develop new partnerships. cover in the foothill areas of East Gippsland. Five new Landcare co-ordinators have been appointed in the Mallee region: Corangamite Groups in the Bairnsdale area are advised Hamish Deans at Ouyen, Mark Amos at that a Greencorps team is available to Birchip, Malcolm Vallance at Swan Hill, A From Firewood to Furniture event is help with Landcare projects between the Karen Nalder at Irymple and Simon being held by Grow West / Moorabool months of April and September 2005. Watson at Murrayville. Gorge Recovery Program. A range of presenters will describe products that can The region wishes to congratulate For more information contact be produced by farm forestry and give an Matthew Stephenson for his service to Brendon Thomas on 5051 4377. overview of the decision-making process East Gippsland Landcare over the past from plantation location and species four and a half years. North Central selection through to markets and transport For more information contact Darren The North Central CMA works with considerations. Phone 5226 4833 for more Williams on 5153 0462. 150 Landcare groups throughout information. north-central Victoria. These groups Beyond our borders is a fantastic Goulburn Broken are supported locally by a team of eight opportunity for landholders in the Lismore shire-based Landcare coordinators and A kit for new landowners is being region to experience and appreciate regionally by the Landcare and developed by the Benalla Rural City Landcare projects from other regions Community Capacity Team Leader. and the Strathbogie Shire Council. across Victoria. This event will be held New rural residents will receive the Landcare co-ordinators are based in the during spring 2005 and the full itinerary is kit, which highlights land management Loddon, Campaspe, Gannawarra, yet to be finalised. Phone 5596 2395 for information for each of the shires, more information. Bendigo, Buloke/Northern Grampians, when they purchase land. Mt Alexander/Macedon Ranges and For more information contact Polly Hall The kit aims to give residents general Central Goldfields/Hepburn shires. on 5232 9100. land management information, contact New Landcare co-ordinators have East Gippsland details of relevant agencies and businesses recently been appointed: Trevor Barker that supply goods and services to rural for Loddon, Andrew Dawson for A Qantas Airlines, Landcare Australia landholders. Campaspe, Rachel Clarke for Gannawarra Limited and local Landcare community and Chris Pollock for Mount Alexander/ tree planting event will be held on 28 and A major component of the information Macedon Ranges. 29 May in the Benambra, Hinnomunjie kit is the Land Management Directory. area. All welcome. The directory contains data and contact For more information contact details to assist landholders identify Amy Cooper on 5440 1814. A community Landcare forum and contacts for various land management celebration of Landcare evening will be issues. Details of local suppliers, products North East held on 14 October. The evening will and services are also included. showcase and premiere a film based on the Landcare groups have been holding history and personal stories of Landcare in For more information contact Creatures of the Night spotlight tours, the catchment. Heather Holder on 5761 1654. supported by the North East CMA and

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 6 State l Landcare Co-ordinators

Indigo Shire Council, over the spring and summer period around the region. Led by Natasha Schedvin from Charles Sturt University, local Landcare members, friends and their families have attended over ten night tours and seen a range of species, including gliders, possums and bats. North East Landcare Group representatives have been participating in workshops held by the CMA to help plan the new Landcare co-ordination support program for next financial year. Four workshops were held around the region Karak, the mascot of the Commonwealth Games, was a hit at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days. to get feedback to plan steering groups and employment arrangements for the new program.

Groups in the Ovens Landcare Network West Gippsland Wimmera area are continuing their soil health education programs following successful Recent events have included a workshop The Wimmera Landcare team is project funding through the National on Revisiting our Landcare Support currently delivering the GIS Catchman Landcare Program. Strategy, the South Gippsland Landcare information sessions to landholders and Network Awards Dinner and a DSE groups to assist with catchment, property For further information contact Tom Croft Landcare stand at the Lardner Field Days. and project planning. on (02) 6043 7600. GippsLandcare consortium has approved Feedback from Landcare members Port Phillip and Westernport 233 on-ground works projects across the indicates growing interest in accessing region. Wimmera CMA's recent aerial Landcare support staff have recently photography information which will received training in facilitation skills to Community engagement events planned provide additional resource information help them assist groups to prepare their for the future include the Yarram Yarram and further assist uptake in planning own strategic and action plans. Support Catchments Network Awards Dinner on and monitoring. staff from the Wimmera and Glenelg 3 June, the Yarram Yarram Catchments Hopkins regions also participated in the Network Envirofest on 2 September, and Landcare figured strongly at the training, opening up the possibility of a the Lake Wellington Landcare Network Wimmera Field Days in early March. more consistent approach to this process Awards Dinner on 14 October. Group members, co-ordinators and across the State. Wimmera Landcare Advisory Committee The Maffra and District Landcare members spent a few hours each at the A regional forum was held to bring Network Spring Planting Festival will display speaking to locals and visitors together a diverse range of community run from September to November and about their projects and activities. Landcare support people to develop a the South Gippsland Landcare Network shared vision and program logic for our Spring Planting Festival will run from For more information contact Max Skeen support for community Landcare. August to October. on 5382 1644. For further information contact For further information contact Doug Evans on 9296 4662. Phillip McGarry on 5662 4555.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 7 Catchment Management Landcaring for

The Wurundjeri knew Melbourne’s icon on-ground results of best practice. The More than trees at Macclesfield river as Birrarung – meaning the river farms selected are typical of the land uses The Macclesfield Landcare Group works of mists. Recent publicity portrays the and size of the urban rural fringe. in the hills just east of the Dandenong Yarra River more like a sewerage mains Merriang Landcare Group member Ranges. They have a well-organised and discharging straight into Port Phillip Bay. Rob Dabal believes that the WACMAC integrated approach to tackling weeds, A combination of mains and septic approach of promoting the benefits of pest plants and animals, stream frontage sewerage leakage, urban run-off, whole farm planning has led to more and biodiversity issues. industrial and agricultural run-off are landholders taking on improved practices. all having a negative impact on the Group Secretary Irene Pearey, who won “In this area five years ago some Yarra. While critique is needed, so too the Individual Caring for Private Land landholders viewed gully erosion as an is recognition. Award at the 2004 Port Phillip and asset – it provided shelter for stock. Now Westernport CMA Regional Landcare There are 25 Landcare groups in the they have fenced off their creek frontage. Awards, said that support from the CMA’s Yarra catchment working hard to deliver Multiply this effect many times over and community grants scheme to employ a the improved catchment management the Yarra’s water quality can only stand to pest plant and animal facilitator, subsidise that gets water quality results. Their gain,” Rob said. members to attend whole farm planning combined efforts should lead to less courses, and produce a Landcare group nitrogen, sediment and stock nutrients Biodiversity along the Merri Creek promotional brochure has helped the entering the river system. The following The Merriang Landcare Group runs group reach a wider audience. group snapshots demonstrate the range an indigenous nursery growing more of innovative projects that Landcare “People are recognising the work we have than 20,000 plants a year on a totally groups are involved in. done in the Macclesfield area and the voluntary basis. group is now well placed to link our The urban rural fringe The plants are used for the group’s own projects with others around us,” Irene said. work and sold to raise revenue. Some are WACMAC (Whittlesea, Arthurs Creek, The country in the city Merriang, Cottles Bridge and now contract grown for Melbourne Water’s Strathewen) is a partnership of five Stream Frontage Management Program, The Collingwood Children’s Farm is a Landcare groups in the Diamond Creek a popular initiative that provides financial Landcare group with a difference. Located and Plenty River catchments, northern and technical support for landholders just four kilometres from the centre of tributaries of the Yarra. to protect and enhance watercourses Melbourne, the Collingwood community running through their properties. has planted nearly 10,000 trees along the The WACMAC network has developed farm’s one kilometre of Yarra River an innovative partnership with a private The group has also developed a frontage in the last decade. training provider to deliver good quality, Biodiversity Action Plan in conjunction low priced, whole farm planning courses. with DSE and are working with their The Children’s Farm attracts tens of To complement this approach they have members to protect and enhance priority thousands of visitors every year. selected and developed a number of high areas of endangered ecosystems along Melbourne’s Capital City Bike Trail runs profile demonstration sites to show the the Merri Creek valley. along the farm’s upper boundary providing a great view of Landcare in action to Viewbank Primary School students point out the way to a group of walkers who followed the Yarra many thousands who cycle past. The farm from the river’s mouth beside Williamstown to its headwaters near the summit of Mt Baw Baw. provides a great opportunity for city people to experience Landcare and helps to enlist their support for the movement.

Unsung heroes The Landcare movement is full of unsung heroes and the wealth of experience, local knowledge and dedication amongst the Landcare groups of the Yarra catchment is especially impressive. Recognition of their the Yarra By Greg Milne

Community success stories booklet Melbourne’s rural urban interface – a challenge for Landcare in the Yarra catchment. The Port Phillip and Westernport the diverse nature of the region’s CMA have produced a booklet groups, the activities they undertake, collective achievement is needed outlining some of the inspirational and the issues they address. success stories from the region. and deserved, but there is still a lot Sixteen of the stories in the booklet to be done before we can go for a Stories of Community Landcare are from groups working in the Yarra celebratory swim at Southgate. Success – Port Phillip and Westernport catchment. The booklet is available in Greg Milne in the Yarra Landcare Region 2004 is a compilation of pdf format from www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au co-ordinator for the Port Phillip and 53 stories and provides a fascinating or by contacting Greg Milne on Westernport CMA. For further snapshot of community Landcare 9296 4627. information on any of these projects activity in the region. It illustrates contact Greg on 9296 4627.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 9 Plantations can

Research Results

Scarlet robins are often found in eucalypt plantations.

People and industry invest effort into Five experimental plantations have been the bird fauna, but this was not the case. establishing eucalypt plantations on established in north-east Victoria, with Introduced birds formed less than 1% of farmland for many purposes, often hoping understorey shrubs planted among the the bird population in plantations that they will provide habitat for native eucalypts. Existing eucalypt plantations compared with 1.7% in native forest and wildlife. Until recently, there was little (five + years old) are also being examined 2.5% in cleared farmland. Evidence was information about which species would at 59 sites in north-east and central-west found that plantations could help protect benefit and even less about ways to Victoria, along with nearby sites in adjacent remnant native vegetation improve the value of new plantations for farmland and remnant forest. against adverse effects of stock and wildlife while meeting commercial invasive birds. objectives. More birds in plantations than on farmland The common mammals in eucalypt Now a team of biologists from the plantations included bats (recorded by Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental So far the study has shown that ultrasonic detection at all sites) and plantations support higher densities of Research (DSE) and DPI is addressing these eastern grey kangaroos. Plantations forest birds and mammals than cleared questions, in collaboration with the Rural provided day-time shelter for kangaroos farmland, and slightly lower densities than Industries Research and Development and night-time foraging for bats, which native forest. The reverse applies to Corporation and the Natural Heritage need large old hollow-bearing trees for open-country birds. Trust. The five-year project focuses on roosting and are known to fly many practical ways to enhance biodiversity Pessimists expected that introduced birds kilometres between roosting and foraging values in commercial eucalypt plantations. or invasive native species would dominate habitats.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 10 benefit wildlife By Richard Loyn

Tree-living marsupials were scarce but We hope to extend the project by in rural landscapes, even though they five species were recorded by spotlighting examining low-rainfall plantations in the cannot be expected to provide the or hair-tubing, mainly close to remnant Wimmera and extensive plantations in complex habitat needs of all species. native forest. Five introduced mammal south-west Victoria. We propose to For further information contact species were also recorded, in low compare more patches of remnant native Richard Loyn on 9450 8703. numbers. vegetation embedded in eucalypt plantations or farmland. Forest birds benefit The study on wildlife in eucalypt plantations The study so far confirms what is being undertaken by Richard Loyn, Edward The common birds in plantations many tree growers know or hope. McNabb and Phoebe Macak from the Arthur were species that were also common Eucalypt plantations can make positive Rylah Institute for Environmental Research in nearby native forest, along with a contributions to conserving forest wildlife and Philippa Noble from DPI Wangaratta. few that favour open country like the Australian magpie and yellow-rumped thornbill. Superb fairy wrens are common in eucalypt plantations, feeding from open ground and using the young trees for shelter, roosting and nesting. Forest birds that feed from the eucalypt canopy, like the striated thornbill, or open ground among trees, like the buff-rumped thornbill, were as common as in native forest, and made little use of open farmland. They have clearly benefited from plantation establishment. A forest bird that often visits open farmland in winter, the flame robin, was common in eucalypt plantations and nearby pasture. Seed-eating parrots and finches were as common as in forest. Insectivorous birds that forage from understorey, honeyeaters, carnivores and hollow-nesting birds inhabited plantations at intermediate densities Flame robins are winter visitors from the forests and mountains: they use (higher than open farmland, lower plantations for shelter and foraging and also forage widely into nearby paddocks. than native forest). Insectivorous birds that feed from the eucalypt bark, like the white-throated treecreeper, used some plantations, but were much less common than in native forest.

Positive contribution to conservation Further analysis is planned to examine how various habitat features like retained old trees contribute to the value of plantations as habitat for wildlife, and how values can be enhanced through small changes to plantation design or management.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 11 Controlled traffic farming in the

“Controlled traffic farming reduces soil compaction, promotes plant root development and provides the best chance of establishing a productive crop in low rainfall and light soils. Combine this with minimum or no-till and it has a strong place in the current farming climate,” Dennis said.

Queensland consultants As is often the case when trying something new, one of the key concerns is access to local information and expertise. Dennis and his family made the trip to Queensland to source the controlled Dennis Hobbs explains his farming methods at a field day on his property near Warracknabeal. traffic farming information he required. He is continually searching for information and assistance from whoever I first met Dennis Hobbs around 1992, Dennis explained the benefits of the can help and is willing to pass the when we had a look at a revegetation system as reversing the effects of soil information he has gained on to others. project on his parents’ family farm near compaction, improving soil structure, Warracknabeal in the northern Wimmera. halting topsoil loss through wind erosion Bernard Noonan is an important source and returning unproductive areas of the of local information and support. A few years later we met again when farm to productivity. Bernard works for DPI and the Wimmera Wimmera CMA hosted a visiting group of Conservation Farming Association as a farmers and natural resource managers Since that visit Dennis has become soil project officer. He supports a growing from NSW to the region. We ended up on a member of the Wimmera Landcare group of farmers interested in innovative the Hobbs farm talking to Dennis and his Advisory Committee adding to the agriculture. wife Leah about their different approach already impressive level of community to Landcare. expertise. The committee looks at how Dennis Hobbs is well aware of financial farmer involvement in Landcare can be and social issues currently facing Dennis was underway on a 12-month plan maintained and how sustainable land agriculture. To survive in the long term to change to a controlled traffic farming management systems that fit with he believes that farming systems need system. individual and resource management to change. Benefits for the soil requirements can be implemented. “Farmers must be open to alternative systems, or at least understand that they This system is reasonably new to the Dennis is the last person to say he is have options. When a farmer looks over Wimmera although it’s been around for a an innovator, but that’s exactly the the fence and sees a better way of while in other States. Controlled traffic role he is playing. operating we need to be willing and able farming is growing in popularity and “We just had to change, I don’t have the to support them to make changes and to drawing the attention of many farmers manpower to do everything the same old succeed,” Dennis said. who are seriously considering their futures way. We have to accept the fact that the in a changing climate and challenging soil is not in the best shape, but there’s For further information contact economic world. something we can do about that. Max Skeen on 5382 1544.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 12 Wimmera By Max Skeen

Controlled traffic farming offers:

• Property planning advice and • Managing improved soils assistance • Improved environmental outcomes • Farm layout and design including along with personal and social Dennis Hobbs in a controlled paddock layout and track and benefits traffic farming paddock. machinery width • Monitoring and record keeping • Measuring responses and interpreting • New technology and access to R&D data Grazing as a tool for grassland mana g

Maintaining the status quo be implemented to ensure the long-term conservation of the grasslands.” Nicky explained that the area has been grazed by Europeans for the last 150 years Nicky’s research is funded by an and many of the native species have Australian Research Council Linkage survived – although what was lost will Grant in partnership with Parks Victoria. never be known. Terrick Terrick National Park, about 60 Rangers work with grazier kilometres from Echuca, contains one of “Parks Victoria has adopted a status quo the best remnants of northern plains management style. This means if we Nicky explained the importance of Terrick grasslands in Victoria. The park was a continue to graze the property as it always Terrick’s history. former grazing property and timber has been in the past, we can be fairly “The park was a sheep grazing property reserve. It has Victoria’s most significant confident in maintaining what we’ve got in the middle of dryland cropping country. stand of white cypress pine, and stands while we also explore other management Through a series of circumstances much of grey and yellow box and provides options and grazing approaches.” of the 1200-hectare property was never habitat for numerous endangered flora Plant cover is a very important element cultivated. That, combined with light and fauna species. of grassland ecosystem management. stocking rates for more than 100 years, Charles Sturt University student Nicky It can determine the level of diversity allowed many of the native plants to Bruce has spent many months in the field of plants and animals. Too much may lead survive.” at Terrick Terrick researching the effect to a loss of plant species from increased Parks Victoria has kept on the farm’s of grazing as a management tool for competition while too little may result previous stock manager, Russell conservation. in a loss of habitat for ground dwelling Shawcross, who runs 700 to 800 crossbred animals. “Parks Victoria has decided to keep the ewes on the property. Russell and ranger- sheep and keep the status quo, at least, “Therefore being able to monitor in-charge Mark Tscharke work together to until we know more about how to manage grassland cover patterns over time will manage the grazing regime so as to have grasslands for conservation,” said Nicky. enable more precise grazing strategies to the least impact on the native species. “At first glance, especially when it’s Ranger Mark Tscharke discusses grassland management with Nicky Bruce. not spring, you could wonder what’s so different about Terrick Terrick compared to other grazing properties. But when you get down and have a look it’s very different especially in spring when the diversity of plants flowering is enormous. It’s like a whole forest in miniature; however, it is much more dynamic. “The real challenge is to manage the peaks and troughs that you get with the different seasons throughout the year. In a week even, things can change very quickly. Unlike managing, say, a forest here your management has to be right on

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 14 a gement

By Margrit Beemster

the ball. Just like in a forest environment what you do can affect the fauna that live in the area. It’s very interesting and challenging to manage the fauna and the vegetation together,” Mark said. According to Mark another challenge of managing Terrick Terrick is that there is Terrick Terrick is home to over only limited knowledge from previous 100 species of birds including the endangered plains wanderer. experience. He is hopeful Nicky’s research will not only provide an understanding of the dynamics of the grasslands over time but also provide grazing management recommendations for the existing management plan.

A Paper Sunray. Twenty-six rare or threatened plant species are known to occur within the grasslands. Platypus encounter

Geoff Williams and students from Darraweit Guim Primary School check the health, weight and length of a trapped platypus, before in Deep it is returned to the place where it was captured in Deep Creek.

Since 2001, the Australian Platypus Conservancy (APC) has been working with Darraweit Guim Primary School and the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Landcare Group in a community-based program to improve the habitat quality of this river. The important work of the APC is supported by a variety of agencies, philanthropic trusts, corporate sponsors and individuals, with Melbourne Water as its major sponsor. Over the course of the afternoon last spring several more fyke nets were carefully set up at four sites along a ten kilometre stretch of Deep Creek, in and around Darraweit Guim. These nets were positioned to trap platypus that were either moving up or down the creek. Later that evening we were tempted back to a fabulous BBQ put on by the Landcare group before going out to check the nets for the first time. The nets at all the sites were checked every two hours during the night (until dawn), to see if they contained platypuses, water rats, native and/or introduced fish. As I drove into the sunny parking area Darraweit Guim is a small community on The first round of net checking did not of Darraweit Guim Primary School one the north-western fringe of Melbourne. appear too promising and I was beginning afternoon in spring 2004, I could hear the Deep Creek runs through the area and to think it would be a long and fruitless sound of children’s laughter over the ultimately flows into the Maribyrnong River. night. However, in the second last net rippling and gurgling of Deep Creek. Peering over the edge of the creek’s bank, Fyke nets set up to trap platypus at a site along Deep Creek. I saw around thirty Grade 4 to 6 students in a line along the creek handing large river rocks to Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy. Geoff, resplendent in green waders, was carefully setting the specially designed fyke nets (one net facing upstream and the other facing downstream) and weighing them down with the stones eagerly supplied by the primary school students. The Darraweit Guim September 2004 platypus survey was underway!

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 16 Group News Creek By John Milkins

Geoff’s experienced eyes picked out a small furry shape in the moonlight and he gently extracted a young female platypus from the net. “She’s probably from last breeding season,” he said quietly. Moments later I was gently carrying a cotton sack containing a wriggling platypus back to the truck. I closed the vehicle door as softly as possible so as not to alarm the young animal. Back at the Darraweit Guim Hall, the sense of anticipation in the room was electric as the community gathered around the table waiting for the arrival of a platypus that had been trapped. Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy with Sharon Flack, Cathy Tobin and Geoff explained the ground rules for the Mark Spedding from the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group setting out the fyke nets. checking process and the younger children came to the front. Then, very gently, lack of aquatic insects as a food supply an effort to encourage native animals he began the process of measuring and for breeding females. The ten animals back into the area. weighing the young platypus, keeping her were weighed, measured, checked for covered as much as possible in the cotton For more information contact the health, injury and parasites and then sack to keep her calm. Australian Platypus Conservancy on carefully returned to the exact sections 9716 1626. During this process he asked the children of the creek where they were trapped. some questions about platypuses and I was * Answer: 600-900hairs/mm2. As I drove home that night, I thought astounded at the level of knowledge they about the inspiring difference that can John Mikins is an Environmental Project displayed. Did you know that there is a be made when a community gets behind Officer with the City of Whittlesea. tick that only lives on platypuses and the relative abundance of these parasites can provide an indication of local platypus Winning ways numbers? Do you know the answer to the question of how many individual hairs Darraweit Guim Primary School won the Youth Organisation Caring for Land Award there are in a square centimetre of at the 2004 Port Phillip and Westernport Regional Landcare Awards and will be platypus hide?* automatically nominated in the Victorian Education Award category of the 2005 Victorian Landcare Awards. After this session, there were many eager volunteers for the next round of checks Over the past four years the Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group, together with of the nets! By dawn, the results of the Darraweit Guim Primary School, have been actively engaged in on-going projects to survey were encouraging – Geoff and his remove woody weeds, restore indigenous riparian vegetation and fence off riparian dedicated volunteers had over the course zones along Deep Creek in Darraweit Guim. of the previous night trapped eight male It is anticipated that over time this work will lead to an improvement in the streamside platypuses and two females. vegetation and habitat for platypus. This section of Deep Creek should ultimately be The greater numbers of male platypuses capable of supporting an increased resident platypus population, optimal breeding trapped is similar to the results of previous conditions for females and a better-balanced sex ratio. surveys in the area and possibly indicates a

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 17 The Land c Gate w www.landcar

The Landcare Gateway is a single start point for information about Landcare on the web. The website includes the Students, past students, parents and Landcare group Victorian Gateway, plus regional portals members at the opening of Pony Paddock Park. for every CMA region. All Statewide notices of funding, resource information and events are placed on the Gateway. New life Since the Gateway went Statewide last year usage has been steadily increasing. for old pony paddock There are now over 230 members of the various sites and about 130 groups with online content. Some groups have taken up the site with enthusiasm and have The old pony paddock at Congupna Pony Paddock Park was officially loaded all their group history, projects Primary School has been given a new opened late last year at a function and newsletters. lease of life thanks to the efforts of the attended by many past users of the local Congupna and Tallygaroopna paddock. The project has been a great Training in how to load content Landcare Group. example of how Landcare can involve the whole community. The park will be Training in how to load content onto When Congupna Primary School opened an asset to the school and the Congupna the site has been provided for regional in 1902 both teachers and pupils used the area for many years to come. Landcare co-ordinators and group neighbouring paddock for their horses co-ordinators in the North East, during the day. The paddock hasn’t been For more information contact Rob Slee Goulburn Broken and East Gippsland used since the 1970s, but at a recent on 5821 8237. regions. Further training is planned back-to function at the school many in other regions. old timers shared stories about the pony paddock. Landcare group members If you want to find out how to add erecting the post and rail fence. information to the Gateway for your Landcare members Carolyn and John group, contact your regional Landcare Edwards drew up an initial plan to co-ordinator. revegetate the paddock and were successful in applying for a grant from Keep up with the latest news Parks Victoria. More recently a grant If you want to keep up to date with the from the local council has assisted with latest information you can now subscribe building a post and rail fence. to email notices from the Landcare The group has cleared the peppercorn Gateway, or your regional Gateway. trees, removed debris and noxious weeds, To receive emails for Victoria-wide built tracks and benches and put up notices go to www.landcare.net.au nesting boxes to encourage native bird life. and join the site as a new user. Then The tree planting part of the project follow the instructions to subscribe to has been done with the help of current the notices. For regional emails, you students from Congupna Primary School. will need to also join and subscribe to Each student has planted their own tree your regional Gateway site. and is now responsible for caring for it.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 18 d care Arcadia Landcarer e way an inspiration are.net.au Arcadia District Landcare Group stalwart Collier McCracken has won the inaugural Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR) Landcare Award. The award was Anyone can contribute announced at the Healthy Rivers, Anyone with internet access can use Healthy Communities Forum held at the site, contribute to the discussion Dookie late last year. forums, or load their group content. The SIR Landcare Award specifically The system does not require web aims to reward a voluntary Shepparton design skills as it does the work for you. Irrigation Region Landcarer who has Reasonable computer skills are all that shown commitment to Landcare by Russell Pell (left) presents Collier and is needed, and a user guide is available working tirelessly for their Landcare Jackie McCracken with the 2004 SIR on the site. Many people are able to use group over a period of time. Landcare Award. the system with no training. Collier McCracken has been involved in If you would like your Landcare, the Arcadia and District Landcare Group Coastcare or related group to have since it was established in 1994. He was a presence on the Gateway, go to secretary of the group from 1994 until Reserve, doing such works as replacing www.landcare.net.au/regions then to 1999 when he became president. He has fencing, weed eradication, revegetation your region, and fill in the contribute attended every meeting of the group, and protection of threatened plant species. form, or contact your local or regional organised guest speakers, provided advice Landcare co-ordinator. and guidance on environmental plantings Collier has evolved methods of direct If you would like to provide volunteer and organised many field days and farm ‘niche’ seeding to assist landowners in web support to others, by adding content walks. establishing revegetation areas when seeding plants are scarce, as well as for other groups, or useful links and Collier has a keen interest in indigenous volunteering his time to work with various information, please join and fill in the plants. He often undertakes site work teams on district properties at contribute form also. inspections throughout the district, planting sites. Visit the Landcare Gateway at sharing his knowledge and assisting with www.landcare.net.au ground preparation using his own Working with DPI he has inspected and equipment. mapped district roads suitable for corridor plantings of indigenous plant species. Collier believes that these activities provide invaluable opportunities for And his efforts aren’t limited to his own landowners to become aware of the community. The Arcadia and District benefits of sustainability and biodiversity. Landcare Group is a member of the He uses the revegetation work on his own Goulburn Murray Landcare Network and property as an example. With the since 2002, Collier has filled the position assistance of the Goulburn Broken CMA of secretary for the network which and Trust for Nature a covenant has been supports the 42 Landcare groups within placed on a 58-hectare section of red gum the Shepparton Irrigation Region. grassy woodland on the McCracken Russell Pell, Chair of SIR Implementation property. Committee, said that with over a decade Collier, and his wife, Jackie, have of voluntary service to Landcare Collier also been actively involved in the McCracken was a more than worthy management of the Arcadia Bushland winner of the award.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 19 Bonang River Group revival News

The headwaters of the Dellicknora River. This infestation of willows is being targeted for control works by the Bonang River Landcare Group.

The Bonang River is located in the opportunity to rejuvenate the Landcare beautiful high country in far north-east group. Victoria, just south of the Victorian-NSW The ‘revived’ group has now met several border. The community of Bonang is small times and has chosen to tackle willow and tight knit. It is made up of a mix of control as its first project. The group was larger agricultural landholders and small Targeting small outbreaks of young willows successful in receiving an Envirofund lifestyle landholdings surrounded by on the Bonang River will prevent further grant for a willow control program in the infestations from establishing downstream. National Park and State Forest. headwaters of the Bonang and Deddick The Bonang River Landcare Group Rivers. formed in the late 1980s with a focus The project will involve targeting light on local issues of concern such as to medium willow infestations throughout stream-bank health, erosion control, people talking. The area is fortunate to the catchment, with control works weed control including blackberries, have significant areas of native riparian commencing in the headwaters. serrated tussock and willows. Pest animal vegetation still intact, so revegetation control was also a focus of the group, This approach will also ensure the group of the areas currently infested by willows particularly wild dogs, foxes and rabbits. maximises the number of landholders should occur naturally, with only a small involved and the area covered, plus by amount of hand revegetation around In recent years interest in the Landcare working from the upstream reaches first, denser willow infested sites needed. group dwindled as episodes of drought, it would also reduce the risk of willow floods and fires took their toll on the The future is looking bright for the group recontamination downstream. community and the group went through with members also recently completing a the natural wax-and-wane cycle common The Envirofund project has also been used survey determining other areas of interest to many groups. as a seeding fund, assisting the group to for environmental and Landcare activity. work in closer collaboration with the East The results of the survey are being used to However, in the past 12 months Bonang Gippsland CMA, who has also received help shape the group’s future direction and has welcomed the arrival of several funding to undertake willow management focus, ensuring a successful and sustainable younger landholders keen to share the throughout the Deddick River catchment future for the Bonang River Landcare natural beauty of the valley. This new over the next few years. Group. blood has renewed interest and the level of enthusiasm in protecting the local A contractor started in mid-March this For further information contact environment, and provided an ideal year and the work has already started Helen Davies on (02) 6458 4003.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 20 Wimmera

News By Melissa Pouliot

New native vegetation book Urban wetlands day Two Wimmera naturalists have released a A dreamtime story and the many fun book on the benefits of native vegetation. things to do at an urban wetland were the highlights of the fifth Wimmera Clive Crouch and Neil Marriott have celebration of World Wetlands Day. compiled a gamut of anecdotal evidence for Tangible Benefits of Native Vegetation, Horsham 298 and Lutheran Primary a book that explores the ecological and School pupils were among the special possible financial value of native guests at the Wimmera CMA event, vegetation to farmers and landholders. which took about 250 people on a tour of urban wetlands at different stages The book, which is the culmination of of development. years of research, has been produced for Wimmera CMA. It presents a variety of The 298 pupils gave their own spin case studies to demonstrate the changing on what urban wetlands offer to their attitudes of farmers and landholders to community such as fishing, yabbying, restore and conserve natural habitats that photography, bird watching and once existed. relaxation. “In any natural ecosystem everything The Lutheran pupils brought to life a is connected to everything else and dreamtime story based on the creation everything is recycled,’’ Clive Crouch said. of Wimmera landforms and fauna. The story had an indigenous perspective “Conservation and restoring biodiversity on the living things that inhabit our are noble goals and may be feel good wetlands. Author Clive Crouch says frogs are a good activities for country and city people indicator of the health of the environment. alike, but they may also bring about How urban wetlands affect the real estate Picture courtesy Wimmera Mail-Times some economic benefits to local market, how a litter trap works, managing landholders.” stormwater, water sensitive urban design Incentives are available for fencing to and wetland birds and plants were among protect rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and The book can be downloaded from topics covered at the event. swamps and the CMA has extended the www.wcma.vic.gov.au or contact the scheme to also include wetlands across CMA in Horsham on 5382 1544. The tour of five Horsham wetlands the region. culminated in a party in the park with live music at established urban wetland Weir The scheme also offers funding for One of the two Healthy Waterways Incentive Park, on the banks of the Wimmera River. alternative watering systems such as Scheme projects on Alan Green’s sheep and off-stream dams or solar pumps with tanks poultry property at Great Western. Farmers help build and troughs. More than 150 landholders healthy waterways have tapped into the scheme over the past six years, with excellent results. Great Western sheep and poultry producer Alan Green has installed over seven Alan Green says his work to stop sheep kilometres of fencing and planted 2000 entering the Allanvale Creek on his plants in two Healthy Waterways property has allowed native grass to Incentive Scheme projects. grow back and is halting erosion. Wimmera CMA is offering up to $3.20 a For further information about the metre for fencing to landholders wanting Wimmera Healthy Waterways to protect their waterways under the Incentive Scheme contact Glenn Dixon scheme. on 5382 1544.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 21 Cypress pines survive

The destruction at Mt Pilot after the 2003 bushfires.

The rebirth of the Chiltern-Mt Pilot For former Charles Sturt University future isn’t bleak provided we don’t get National Park after the January 2003 honours student Christine Watson from another major fire within the next 30 bushfires is quietly exciting. The landscape Chiltern the greatest joy is the thousands years. If that were to happen it would be is still filled with the black outlines of of black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri) disastrous as time is required for the pines burnt trees, but as you walk through thick seedlings that have regenerated. to mature and build up sufficient seed hip-height regeneration of stringy bark and source to ensure replenishment of the box trees, native grasses and shrubs it’s Slow growing but long lived population before another fire event.” clear that the bush is coming back. The Compared to their eucalypt and wattle Christine spent a strenuous seven months birds and insects have returned and the counterparts, the pines are small, only up out in the field scrambling over and land no longer has the eerie silence it had to 25 centimetres tall. But the more you surveying some 5000 hectares of rugged in the aftermath of the fires. walk, the more you find the distinctive terrain. She was assisted in her research by dark green plants that look like baby DSE, Parks Victoria and local Country A black cypress pine seedling. Christmas trees. Fire Authority brigades. “The pines are much slower growing than the eucalypts but then they live a lot Killed by leaf scorch longer,” explains Christine, who has spent The completed study paints an important more than a year studying the pines’ picture of the fire’s impact on the largest recovery since the bushfires. reserved area of black cypress pines in “They are small now but they’ll be able to Victoria. Before the fire, the pines were compete with the other vegetation. Their distributed over 44% of the park, half of

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 22 Research Results

e the fires at Chiltern By Margrit Beemster

which were dense Callitris with very little eucalypt, the other half more scattered. “We have found that the pines do not survive high intensity fires to any great extent with a survival rate of 0.2 trees per hectare,” says Christine. “In the low intensity fire areas it was 3.4 trees per hectare.” The pines are very fire sensitive. If they are subject to 100% leaf scorch they die, unlike many eucalypts. Their way of ensuring the species survives a bushfire is from seed fall from the pines’ woody cones after a fire.

Future positive Christine is very optimistic for the pines’ future, an opinion she bases on a visit to another pines site in the National Park which was burnt out in the ‘70s but has since recovered. Christine says that while there has been limited research on the pines, they are known to live a long time. As part of her research she delved into old newspaper files and historical records to try to determine what effects previous fires have had on the pines. “This area has had some pretty big fires – in 1899, 1927, 1940 and 1985. What’s interesting is all those fires were a year after major bushfires elsewhere in Victoria, except for the most recent fires. “It made me think last year’s fire really was a 1-in-a-100-years event,” says Christine.

Researcher Christine Watson assesses the condition of burnt cypress pines.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 23 2005 Autumn Promotion Freecall 1800 643 384

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E U S S Victorian I andcareandcare LL & CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Landcare Awards Feature Editorial contributions Carrie Tiffany CONTENTS PO Box 1135 CONTENTS Mitcham North 3132 Phone 8802 4304 E-mail: [email protected] Bob and Anne A web of green Mailing list enquiries Davie top across the Beverley Wallace primary producers Wimmera Plains Victorian Farmers Federation Phone 9207 5527 8-9 10 Fax 9207 5500 E-mail: [email protected] Bangerang Meet Woodside Advertising Community works winners Rosemary Paul Crock in the Warby Range and Fergus Irving Phone 0418 377 264 Fax 9428 4676 14 20 Cover photograph: Magpie by Andrew Chapman. Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management is published for the Victorian Landcare While every effort has been made to community by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in partnership with ensure the accuracy of statements in the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Victorian Catchment Management Council. Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Magazine the Victorian Farmers Federation, its partners, agents, servants, and contractors disclaim all responsibility for the statements quoted herein.

Sri Lanka – Australia Landcare Project

Long-term Landcare Co-ordinator Emma facilities to promote the protection of Bennet was volunteering in a remote high quality wetland systems, encourage coastal community in the deep south of a fledgling community based sustainable Sri Lanka when the Boxing Day tsunami eco-tourism project and develop struck. Under Emma’s direction the participant’s community development Victorian Landcare Network has launched skills. an exciting grass roots international Applications for the initial program close Landcare initiative in Sri Lanka scheduled on 30 November 2005, with expressions Kalametiya Wetland coastal section one week after the tsunami. for February/March 2006. of interest accepted on an ongoing basis Expressions of interest are currently for future trips. open to Landcare members and support Successful applicants will be encouraged groups, agencies and corporate staff wishing to travel to Sri Lanka for to seek local community support for organisations are most welcome. a two week volunteer works program airfares and in-country expenses of Further details on supporting or supporting an NRM / Eco-tourism approximately $2500 per person. participating can be obtained by project in a tsunami affected community. The Victorian Landcare Network is contacting [email protected] or Participants will work with the local seeking financial support for the program phone Emma Bennett on 0400 495 495 community constructing information – contributions from interested Landcare or Matt Stephenson on 0418 355 102.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 2 From the Letters

We are always interested in hearing editors from our readers. If you have a story, a letter, a comment or a suggestion The ballroom at Government House was The current web address for the Vic please don’t hesitate to get in touch. packed. The excitement was palpable. Landcare Gateway is expected to be A book prize is presented to the best This was the scene for the 2005 Victorian transferred by the owners to the new letter published in each issue of the Landcare Awards held in early September. National Landcare Online website being magazine. developed by Landcare Australia. David Lucas, DSE Statewide Landcare The prize for the next issue will Community Development Co-ordinator, According to Tom this means that new be a copy of Carrie Tiffany’s novel, said around 300 people attended the addresses for the Victorian Landcare Everyman’s Rules for Scientific Living. ceremony which paid tribute to our Gateway and regional sites had to be Please send your letters to Carrie Landcare heroes. accessed. Tiffany (address on page 2). Letters must include a name, address and “It was a great opportunity to celebrate “We are negotiating to be able to also use telephone number and be less than some very impressive achievements, as well the vic.landcare.net.au addresses in the 300 words. Letters may be edited for as a chance for Landcarers from across the long term,” he said. clarity and length. State to meet and chat in the beautiful surrounds of Government House.” This will be our last issue for 2005 and we wish the Landcare community a safe and David said that the awards, which are held enjoyable Christmas and New Year. every two years, included several new categories. The Bangerang community International Landcare won the Alcan Landcare Indigenous Conference 2006 Community Award and the Port Phillip Landscapes, Lifestyles and Livelihoods, and Westernport Catchment Management Authority won the Australian the International Landcare Conference, Government Landcare Regional Award. will be held in Melbourne from 8 to 11 October 2006. The organisation of the awards was a massive task and congratulations are Don't miss this opportunity to share your due to Jane Liefman, David Lucas, success stories in Landcare with conference Probarti Milton and Teresa Oppy participants from around the world. from DSE for doing a fantastic job. For more information contact Kate Smith In this issue we feature photographs from at Waldron Smith Management on the ceremony and stories on all of the 9645 6322 or e-mail [email protected] David Lucas, Probarti Milton and Teresa Oppy from the DSE Landcare Victorian winners. David Lucas, Jane Liefman and Carrie Tiffany and Sustainable Landscapes Branch at the 2005 Victorian Landcare Awards. The Gateway is moving Tom Croft, the Victorian Landcare Gateway Project Manager, reports that the gateway websites will be moving to a new address, www.landcarevic.net.au in the near future. Each regional site, and all group sites within these, will also change address to the format: regionname.landcarevic.net.au “We are in the process of moving the Victorian Landcare Gateway websites to a new host, and upgrading the software running the sites. This will have some significant additional capabilities for users, including simplifying loading content, and fix some of the bugs that exist,” Tom said.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 3 Victorian Landcare Awards Victoria’s top Landcarers celebrate

The Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, joined John Landy AC, MBE, Governor of Victoria, and Mrs Lynne Landy to host the 2005 Victorian Landcare Awards at Government House in early September. The Governor and Mr Thwaites congratulated the winners and presented the prizes to the successful award recipients. Mr Thwaites said all Landcarers should be congratulated for their work in shaping a sustainable future for all Victorians, and attributed the success of the Landcare ethos to their volunteer efforts over 19 years. Alan Sheridan, Sir Gustav Nossal and Helen Sheridan. The Sheridans won the DPI Sustainable Farming Award for the East Gippsland Catchment. “These Awards recognise the extraordinary efforts of Victorians who are inspiring others to take a greater role in caring for our environment. Every nominee is a winner because your actions are helping create a landscape that we can proudly pass on to future generations. “Nearly 20 years since it was launched in Victoria the Landcare ethos is recognised worldwide. This is a credit to each Victorian Landcarer because it is your work that has helped create a Landcare ethic, culture and model that is transferable across the world.” The Award winners represent the wide cross-section of the community involved in Landcare: education, local government, catchment management authorities, indigenous communities, primary production and nature conservation, as Stuart Boucher (centre), winner of the Dr Sidney Plowman Travel well as individual Landcarers and and Study Award, with his proud parents William and Rita Boucher. Landcare groups.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 4 Victorian Landcare Awards

Susan McNair from Rural Press, Minister Thwaites, Bob Davie, Governor John Landy and Anne Davie. Bob and Anne Davie received the Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award.

“In Victoria alone there are more than “These awards provide an opportunity 1300 volunteer Landcare community for all of us to recognise the outstanding groups. Their efforts stretch across 12,000 environmental work undertaken by properties, and account for over 50 per thousands of Landcare volunteers across cent of regional Victoria’s agricultural local communities, all of which has land,” Mr Thwaites said. been enormously beneficial to the natural and rural environment of Mr Thwaites also commended a range Victoria,” Governor Landy said. of groups and businesses which support Landcare in Victoria, including those who The winners of the Victorian Landcare provided sponsorship for these awards. Awards will become the State’s Landcarers from across the State gathered representatives in the National Landcare Governor Landy said it gave him great in the ballroom at Government House. Awards, in October 2006. pleasure to welcome the Landcare community to Government House for the awards.

Stories on all of the winners follow. The award judges felt the following groups and individuals should be highly commended for their efforts. Highly Commended National Landcare Program Individual Landcarer Award: Kevin Heggen

Westpac Landcare Education Award: St Francis of the Fields Primary School Governor John Landy welcomes the Landcare Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award: Alan and Shelley Green community to Government House watched by Christine Forster, Chair of the Victorian Bill, Faye, Brett and Jodie Loughridge Catchment Management Council, and Minister Thwaites.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 5 Victorian Landcare Awards

Natural Heritage Trust Coastcare Community Award

Winner: Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group

The Flume at Warrnambool Beach was The WCLG has identified areas where once a wasteland. The reVeg the Flume biodiversity is threatened, increased project has changed that – the entire community awareness of local coastal strip has now been revegetated environmental issues, held education with indigenous flora and dune erosion workshops for members, and used has been arrested. This success indigenous plants in revegetation demonstrates the power of efficient and programs. It has protected penguin habitat well-organised community action. The on Middle Island, built nesting boxes, and Warrnambool Coastcare/Landcare Group been involved in fox control activities. (WCLG) researched, planned, and It has assisted with Orange Bellied Parrot implemented the project in co-operation and Hooded Plover surveys, and set up The Flume at Warrnambool Beach before with the Warrnambool Surfrider orientation and interpretation signage in revegetation works. Foundation. partnership with the Warrnambool City Council. The project was a community initiative that gave the WCLG an opportunity to The WCLG promotes its activities to the build a strong network with the local public through displays at community council and all levels of government, markets and festivals, and during members of the local indigenous Orientation Week at Deakin University community, and businesses. The project and the South West College of TAFE. demonstrates what the WCLG has been The group maintains a high degree of doing in the region: building networks, community visibility, which pays off on promoting community spirit, and planting days when there is a far greater enthusiastically co-operating with groups proportion of volunteers to group The Flume at Warrnambool Beach after who share similar goals. members present. revegetation works.

Malcolm Forbes, Assistant First Secretary Australian Government and Minister Thwaites, with Two years ago the WCLG group was Ian Fitzgibbon from the Warnambool Coastcare Landcare Group and Governor John Landy. inactive. Now there are 60 financial members. Members have the opportunity to develop skills and are encouraged to participate in management planning.

Viewbank Primary School students point out the way to a group of walkers who followed the Yarra The WCLG has created partnerships with from the river’s mouth beside Williamstown to its headwaters near the summit of Mt Baw Baw. various authorities and groups to develop management plans. The group has a working relationship with the Warrnambool City Council, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust. As the WCLG’s profile grows it is receiving more approaches from other groups requesting assistance on environmental projects.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 6 Victorian Landcare Awards

National Landcare Program Individual Landcarer Award

Winner: Andrew McArthur

Andrew (Stretch) McArthur, his wife Lou the East Gippsland Landcare Network As chair of the East Gippsland Landcare and their three children operate formed in 1996 Stretch took the position Network Stretch has been involved in co- Coonmoor, a 1500-hectare sheep, beef of chair and still holds that position today. ordinating some large-scale projects across and cropping property west of Bairnsdale. the region. The Red Gum Plains Recovery Stretch practises what he preaches. He has Coonmoor has been in the McArthur Project and the African Lovegrass Control been busy on his own property with family since 1890, but Stretch’s influence Program have attracted significant grant developing a whole farm plan, establishing can be felt much further than the farm money and the responsibility for habitat corridors, pasture trials, gate. implementing and reporting on the revegetation, rotational grazing, protecting management of these funds. Stretch’s involvement in Landcare dates waterways, farm forestry and rabbit and back to the Bairnsdale Farm Tree Group fox control. The property hosts many local Stretch says when you live in the country which was formed in 1981. He is also a field days from best wools through to you have to stand up and be counted. founding member and inaugural chair of pasture demonstration trials, sheep “I got involved in Landcare because it is the Tom’s Creek Landcare Group. When management and farm safety. what I believe in. I believe, as a farmer, that sustainable agriculture is possible. I want to make a profit as a farmer, but I also want to improve my landscape.” Stretch thinks farmers learn best from other farmers. “When people see me doing these things they know they can do them too. It is much more effective for us to be doing Landcare work locally because we have the practical experience.” Stretch says Landcare is what you want to make it. In his case this involves lobbying and leadership. His long-term involvement in Landcare and his simple and practical approach provides leadership that many aspire to follow. He credits his family for supporting and encouraging him in his various Landcare roles.

Stretch McArthur with East Gippsland Landcare Network staff at the 2005 Annual Report Bus Tour Luncheon.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 7 Victorian Landcare Awards

Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award Port Phillip & Westernport Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Bob and Anne Davie

Bob and Anne Davie started out as raised beds. Anne says the turning point keen to get involved. Group incentives dairyfarmers in 1954 with an original came when they realised that salinity for fencing and tree planting have helped plot of 120 acres at Ventnor on Phillip was a challenge not a problem. them to accelerate their revegetation Island. After demand for milk fluctuated program on the farm. Each year they aim “We decided that we had to learn to work during the 1967-68 drought, they decided to plant 2000 plants on the property with with it, instead of against it,” Anne said. to move into beef farming and purchased the aim of reducing salinity and helping three more 80-acre lots. Working with it has meant organic to lower the watertable. In total more fertiliser application, extensive pasture than 26,000 indigenous plants have It was during the 1970s that the Davies selection, treeplanting, reduced paddock been established on the property. first noticed the effects of salinity on the sizes and controlled grazing. lower lying areas of the farm. The trend The Davies have worked to establish at the time was to treat it as a drainage When the Phillip Island Landcare Group important wildlife corridors on the problem and to mound the paddocks into was formed in 1988 Bob and Anne were property and a section of the Saltwater Creek has been fenced and revegetated.

Anne Davie inspects the healthy clover.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 8 Victorian Landcare Awards

Bob and Anne Davie on their property at Phillip Island.

In 1987 the Davies purchased another in the local Landcare group. Anne sits on national indigenous land manager’s property called McHaffies on which they the steering committee of the Bass Coast conference. have fenced and protected a large section Landcare Network and Gippslandcare and Bob and Anne Davie are recognised of remnant coastal scrub. A lagoon on is on the implementation committee of throughout the district as being truly McHaffies is home to a number of species the West Gippsland CMA. Her most inspirational farmers. of rare and endangered migratory birds. recent project is helping to organise a As well as a great deal of action on the ground Bob and Anne work hard on the Break of slope treeplanting helps to control salinity. planning and strategic aspects of their farming business. After many years spent on property planning and herd improvement through a Brangus Group Breed plan they have been accepted as enviromeat suppliers. This involves them in meeting rigorous standards for the quality, operating procedures and sustainability of their produce. Bob and Anne also work tirelessly for sustainability within the catchment. They have both been heavily involved

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 9 Victorian Landcare Awards

Bushcare Nature Conservation Award

Winner: Yarriambiack Vegetation Enhancement Project

The Yarriambiack Vegetation Important areas of native vegetation are Enhancement Project (Yarri VEP) is also being managed to encourage growth revegetating gaps between islands of of rare and threatened species. These areas native vegetation and linking local bush are fenced off from stock to allow land remnants into a web that stretches regeneration at ground level. In only a across the Wimmera Plains. couple of years, locals have seen amazing increases in both the number and variety Started in 1998 by the Yarriambiack of plants. Landcare Network, the project will ultimately connect with other major Areas planted in the past six years are now statewide projects such as Project providing seed stocks for new sites and the Hindmarsh, Project Platypus and the network has found direct seeding to be the Buloke Biolink. most efficient way to revegetate. Landowners are getting a real sense of Lyle, Sienna and Caleb Hajek planting satisfaction from watching their future and watering at the Yarrilinks Community windbreaks and soil stabilisers grow. Planting Weekend. Akol Akol helps to plant All the seeds used in planting are and guard the seedlings. collected locally, either by contractors or the farmer on whose land the planting is taking place. This means that all the If successful, it will reduce the amount of plants are endemic to the district and seed needed to plant out any one area. harvesting is not always from the same Sites are identified through local trees. A wattle seed inoculant, advertising and contact between network ‘WattleGrow’, has also been tested and will members. So far, work has been done on be assessed over the next couple of years. more than 100 properties and the VEP has protected, enhanced, or revegetated more than 700 hectares (80% on private Apat Akol from the Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning Program in Melbourne property). works with Lizzie Bickmore from Greening Australia at the Yarrilinks Planting Weekend. Yarri VEP planting days are well known and draw volunteers from far and wide. The project has reached the stage where it is able to provide education and training opportunities, and volunteers include recently arrived immigrants who are completing adult education courses. The local community has embraced the Yarriambiack Vegetation Enhancement Project, and this support has ensured its success. The Landcare Network has worked with Greening Australia and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority on the project.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 10 Victorian Landcare Awards

Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award

Winner: East Gippsland Landcare Network

This innovative network of Landcare excess of 200 kilometres of protective Groups in East Gippsland was formed fencing, and protect 1287 hectares of in 1996 to provide support for groups vegetation. tackling important land and water The network took the lead with the management issues from the Perry River African Lovegrass Control Program by near Stratford in the west, to the New commissioning a control strategy for this South Wales border in the east. threatening Regionally Prohibited Weed. The network has grown from its initial The strategy set high targets – a 75% membership of 14 groups with one co- reduction of the weed in the first five ordinator, to supporting 20 groups and years and eradication by 2009. A recent employing four full-time staff. Over 500 independent evaluation of the network’s Landcare families are now involved in the activities shows that an 80% reduction of activities of the network which covers the weed has already occurred. nearly 180,000 hectares of East Gippsland. The network also co-ordinates a Beyond The network’s major role has been to 2000 Plan for the next decade of Landcare, Top: Kylie Cirack representing Alcoa with develop and co-ordinate Landcare Landcare Group Action Plans for each of Tracey McRae and Natalie Wells from the East Gippsland Landcare Network, Minister programs and to get them taken up by as the 20 groups, a Landcare group aerial Thwaites, Governor John Landy and Irene many groups and families as possible. Two photography project, a Biodiversity Action Medley from the East Gippsland Landcare programs where the network has achieved Plan, a tunnel erosion project, a Bridal Network. considerable success are the Red Gum Creeper Management Plan and a Serrated Middle: Landholders exchange information at Plains Recovery Project and the African Tussock Control Program. a revegetation field day. Lovegrass Control Program. Bottom: Irene Meadley with Rosalie and The network communicates its activities Dennis Stringer promoting the dung beetle The Red Gum Plains landscape has seen with reports and newsletters and holds project, ‘Retaining Nutrients Naturally.’ major environmental change after the regular meetings, field days and workshops network secured NHT funding and went to seek advice from stakeholders and to on to plant 457,000 seedlings, install in encourage those not involved to The network’s secretary, Geraldine Atkins, participate in this very successful project. says it has been inspiring to see local people become passionate about caring for Local primary schoolchildren work on a Bridal Creeper control project. the land. “This area, especially on the Gippsland Plains, was terribly bare and denuded. Now thanks to the groups involved in the network, we can really see some bush again. Such an obvious visual change inspires people to get active and do more.” Geraldine also credited the fantastic staff that has been employed by the network. “Coral Love started off here and gave us a tremendous boost. We have been very fortunate with our hardworking and dedicated staff,” Geraldine said.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 11 Victorian Landcare Awards

Westpac Landcare Education Award

Winner: Whitfield District Primary School

Rehabilitating Jessie’s Creek, which runs impressed by an informative presentation through the town of Whitfield, is the goal given by the students. of Whitfield District Primary School The project has generated very strong students. The children of Whitfield District Primary community interest and participation and School join with community members on the After many years of neglect the creek that students have benefited in many ways first planting day. abounds the school grounds had become from hands-on environmental work seriously degraded and infested with through to improved public speaking and has been the driving force behind its weeds. written communication skills. improvement. Students have an enormous The restoration initiative, started in 2002, Jessie’s Creek is now in much better sense of pride and ownership of the project has already achieved remarkable condition and Whitfield Primary School and the environment of their backyard. improvements. The project has become a vehicle for developing curriculum programs that fully integrate eight key Whitfield District Primary School students Colin Griffin and Cecelia Tyler (kneeling) planting out at Jessie’s Creek. learning areas for students. The first step taken by the school was to analyse the environmental values and the damage to the ecosystem. Students identified the native plants and the weeds and then started on the hard work. However, it soon became apparent that the task was enormous. They realised that the whole community needed to get onboard and extra assistance was needed. The North East Catchment Management Authority made a comprehensive assessment of the problems and the work required and offered support. Australian Geographic provided a grant. The Rural City of Wangaratta got involved and the King Basin Landcare Group applied for an NHT grant for the restoration work. (Others involved include VicRoads, Green Corps and the Typo Station Youth Opportunity Program.) Whitfield Primary School continues to be actively involved in the project in partnership with the other supporting organisations. The Governor of Victoria, John Landy, visited in 2003 and was

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 12 Victorian Landcare Awards

Landcare Australia Local Government Landcare Community Partnerships Award

Winner: Melton Shire Council

The chief executive of Melton Shire Council starts each day with a walk through remnant native grassland. This is a clue to the genuine interest and practical action that is the foundation of the council’s environmental programs. This dedication flows from the council out into the community and into its links with other government agencies and environmental organisations. The council hires skilled staff with postgraduate degrees in ecology, conservation planning and land rehabilitation, as well as skilled contractors. Environmental education, land management, stormwater awareness and conservation planning officers work with the council’s communication officer to get Landcare messages out to the community. Melton Shire is a growing municipality of more than 76,000 people. Lying just 35 minutes to the west of Melbourne it has an urban/rural mix and a wide range of environmental issues to deal with. Renae Clark and Tony Herwerth amongst ancient river red gums along Ryans Creek at Melton. The council actively encourages community involvement in its between council and other groups with Authority through its involvement in the environmental projects. It helps with similar environmental goals. A land Grow West project and the Melbourne the creation of community groups and management officer visits each of the Water Stream Frontage Program. It has organises education days, tree-planting, 1250 rural properties in the shire at least co-operated with neighbouring councils water quality testing, tours, workshops once a year, and information is provided to lobby for a national park for the Pyrete and information displays. Melton Shire on bulletin boards in general stores and Forest. It has worked with the EPA to Council, in co-operation with Hume through direct mailing. develop a stormwater management plan City Council, is running three land and works to educate businesses, industries Melton Shire Council’s willingness to management training courses free of and residents in the municipality about enter into partnerships with a myriad charge during 2005. The first one was stormwater issues. of organisations has increased the booked out. effectiveness of its own efforts. Through its inclusive and co-operative Launched in 2002, the Melton Landcare The council has developed a special program, the council has made the and Environment Group network was set relationship with the Port Phillip & shire’s natural environment a whole-of- up to improve the flow of information Westernport Catchment Management community concern.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 13 Victorian Landcare Awards

Alcan Landcare Indigenous Community Award

Winner: Bangerang Community

The Bangerang Community is actively involved in implementing the Warby Range Landcare program, working alongside the Landcare group. The Bangerang Community is the traditional custodian of areas that include the Lower Fifteen Mile Creek, Lower Ovens River, Upper Boosey, and Mokoan catchments – all part of the Warby Range Landcare program and membership area. Members of the Bangerang Community work with non-indigenous members of the Warby Range Landcare Group and serve on management and advisory committees. Elders from the Bangerang Community have worked closely with Landcare members to assess the value of proposed land and water improvement programs prior to project design and implementation. These programs include soil erosion reversal, revegetation, Members of the Bangerang Community share their knowledge with local schoolchildren. remnant protection, rabbit eradication, and weed control. Moreover, the group has seen how these The relationship developed between The Warby Range Landcare Group things benefit human habitation and the Landcare group and the Bangerang has benefited enormously from this complement the technical expertise Community has made a huge contribution support; helping to identify heritage available to the Landcare group. to the wider community’s understanding assets, respect cultural values, and of the importance of respecting and better understand biodiversity processes. The Landcare group has turned its focus protecting water, the land, and flora to the importance of the relationship and fauna, as well as the need to provide between humans and their environment, local children with a legacy of skills and Children get ready to dance at a training day. and the huge store of knowledge knowledge to inherit. accumulated by the indigenous community over tens of thousands of years. The Bangerang Community’s efforts have also greatly contributed to social Bangerang Community elders have harmony in the area. The dialogue volunteered to share their knowledge created has increased awareness of with not only Landcare group members indigenous history and culture, and but also with local schoolchildren. helped to develop mutual respect for They have explained and demonstrated the needs of both current landholders, how a wide variety of local fauna and particularly farmers, and the Bangerang flora has been used as food, shelter and people. medicine for millennia, and how closely observing flora and fauna can indicate It is a true community collaboration. impending weather and climate change.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 14 Victorian Landcare Awards

Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award

Winner: Dr Stuart Boucher

Tunnel erosion is an insidious form of out thoroughly, allowing problems to erosion that remains invisible until huge recur. Stuart’s aim was for land to be damage has already been done. In the recovered and productive again much Stuart Boucher in a collapsed past, the tunnels have made areas unsafe more quickly and at significantly less cost. tunnel near Costerfield. for farm machinery and stock have been Stuart chose the area around Costerfield killed when the soil surface has collapsed. in central Victoria, which was extensively showed much greater fertility levels The ultimate result of these collapses is cleared in the 1880s and where tunnel than before the program started. It was gullying, which often leaves areas erosion is common, for the field study. anticipated that it would take about ten unusable for agriculture. years for the cost of rehabilitation to be To make the process financially viable, Stuart Boucher, a geomorphologist with returned by increased productivity so vegetation had to grow back quickly to the Victorian Department of Primary the field trial succeeded well beyond make sheep grazing feasible as soon as Industries, has studied the relationship expectation. Simultaneously, water and possible. Trees were planted at the between soil types and water movements, topsoil losses on the land have been crest of the hill and the soil was treated and developed a program for restoring reduced to a bare minimum. extensively to get rid of tunnelling and land showing signs of tunnel erosion. to restore fertility. It is hoped that the new techniques Stuart Previously, methods used to recover land Boucher has developed will prove to be The land was returned to production in susceptible to tunnel erosion have been very successful in repairing what has been the second year of the program and expensive and therefore often not carried a very serious land degradation problem.

Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship

Winner: Don McKenzie

It was a photograph of Don McKenzie wide treeless paddocks have been the and his daughter on the farm that norm, his farm is a green oasis. changed Don’s attitudes and his farming Don Mckenzie (third from left) receives Don’s energy and generosity are not the Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship practices. He looked at the photo and reserved for his own patch of land. He is from (left to right) Minister Thwaites, realised that there was not a tree to be Sandra Mitchell, Governor John Landy more than happy to share his experiences and VFF President Simon Ramsay. seen in the background. and views with others. He is a member of numerous community groups from the “With the bare, sandy soil we could development of the Hindmarsh Salinity Biological Farmers Association to the have been standing in the desert it Control Program. This program is now Cemetery Trust. was that barren,” Don says. considered one of the most successful In just seven years Don has planted Don was a founding member of the partnerships within the Landcare Network. Eastern Hindmarsh Landcare Group. 100,000 trees on his farm at Jeparit in Don wants to use his Fellowship to travel He helped to establish the Hindmarsh the northern Wimmera (covering 15% to Western Australia to network with Landcare Network in 1997 and has served of the total property). Every paddock is Landcare groups there, to study the on the executive committee ever since. surrounded by 20-metre wide shelterbelts Western Australian experience of and hillsides have been protected with His passion for sustainable agriculture and advanced salinity, and to investigate saltbush and wattles. In an area where salinity control saw him assist with the broadacre organic farming systems.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 15 Victorian Landcare Awards

Murray Darling Basin Commission Rivercare Award

Winner: Peter Ebner

An irrigator of some 20 years in Irymple, Region irrigators to donate water to locally to help save river red gums dying near Mildura, Peter Ebner and his wife stressed and dying river redgums that from a lack of flooding caused by recent Luise grow Shiraz grapes for the really caught the eye of the judges for drought conditions. production of wine under drip irrigation. this category. The scheme began in June and the change Peter works in the Sunraysia water Typically, any unused water can be in the trees has already been dramatic. industry and currently manages Lower transferred into the trade pool at the Peter is passionate about the health of the Murray Water’s wastewater treatment and end of the financial year. But under Murray River. He is a member of the reuse activities. But it was his innovative Peter Ebner’s direction this year irrigators Mallee Catchment Management idea to encourage Mallee Catchment were able to donate water to be used Authority’s community-based Irrigation and Environment Implementation Peter Ebner at Johnston’s Bend, on the Murray River, near Mildura, one of the sites Committee and had a key role in that received red gum watering as part of the irrigation water donation pilot project. developing the Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Plan. Peter has a 30-megalitre water entitlement for his own property. By converting from furrow to drip irrigation he has reduced his long-term usage by 45% allowing him to trade with other irrigators. This season he has also been able to use some of these savings to benefit a 20-acre bushland reserve adjoining the farm. Along with neighbours and Parks Victoria, Peter and Luise cleaned up their property boundaries, fenced off the area and planted 1500 native plants. Peter is delighted that the water donation project got off the ground. “I am very concerned at the potential effects of the river salt loads on my own property and I think all irrigators appreciate how vital it is to maintain riverine ecosystems so they can provide the high water quality we need to grow our crops. “Irrigators have really jumped at the chance to do something that not only helps the environment, but supports their communities that depend on a healthy river,” he said.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 16 Victorian Landcare Awards

Australian Government Landcare Regional Award

Winner: Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority

How do you manage an area that contains 3 million people, $1 billion worth of agricultural production, seven bioregions, two bays, and more than 500 community groups caring for their patch of land? The Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA) has one of the most complex statutory agency jobs in Victoria and it has shown how a holistic, inclusive strategy can work. With only 16 staff and limited funding, the PPWCMA has focused its energy on engaging with community groups to set strategies for catchment management. It has built partnerships with active organisations such as local government, Landcare groups, and State government departments, and helped to co-ordinate their efforts. The PPWMCA has also done its best to advocate on behalf of the Greg Milne, Yarra Landcare Co-ordinator with the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, catchment and to report on its condition. facilitates strategic planning for members of the Nillumbik Landcare Network. At least 196 organisations helped create the 2004-2009 Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS). This practical environmental organisations and industry community and environment groups consultation process has brought the groups of the area together. The RCS in the region. It provides information, government, water authorities, supports groups caring for the land, links to resources, and promotes their initiates large-scale landscape change achievements. The intention is for groups projects, organises forums for interested to be able to access more finances for The launch of the Port Phillip and groups, and involves indigenous groups in their work, to increase the number of Westernport Regional Catchment Strategy at Federation Square came at the end of environmental projects in the region. people involved and the effectiveness of their involvement, and to help the groups a comprehensive consultation process. The keystone of the RCS is the Landcare get better results for the environment. Support Strategy (LSS), which was built from a survey of the needs of all known Through these strategies, the PPWCMA Landcare groups in the area. The LSS is has successfully increased the capacity designed to help all of the ‘community for community environment groups to Landcare’ groups in the region, whether do the work they were created to do. they are proper Landcare or one of There are now more Landcare groups, hundreds of other local organisations. more members, and groups consider themselves to be ‘healthier’ than they The LSS is designed to develop support did four years ago. networks between Landcare and

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 17 Victorian Landcare Awards

North Central Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: David and Jacinta Jolly

David and Jacinta Jolly have farmed Group for ridding the district of rabbits. Clover Park since 1977 when they In their hill country, 81 hectares have purchased the property from David’s been fenced out and allowed to regenerate uncle. They’ve since added to the original naturally. Of the remaining 243 hectares, 134 hectares and now farm 795 hectares 174 hectares are still in native pasture and in the Lexton district. are managed accordingly. Elsewhere on For nearly 30 years, David and Jacinta have the farm, two kilometres of stream sides, worked to stabilise the landscape, improve tree corridors and saline areas have been productivity and protect the natural assets fenced and regenerated. of the property. Soil conservation and The Jollys run about 4000 sheep (2000 water quality have been their main focus. merino ewes and 2000 wethers for wool) They have successfully increased on the farm and Charolais cattle, which productivity with 70% of the property’s although not a typical breed for the mid slopes and alluvial flats now in Lexton district, have proved to be perennial pasture as well as 20% of the successful for them. hill country. The stocking rate and wool David and Jacinta are members of the cut per hectare have both been Lexton Best Wools Group and Clover David Jolly in a paddock sown down with significantly increased. phalaris and clover in 2002. Park is part of the south-west farm David is committed to rabbit control work monitor project and has achieved There is little doubt that Clover Park is a and is a champion in the Lexton Landcare excellent results in relation to other farms. model farm in the Lexton district.

East Gippsland Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Allan, Helen and Andrew Sheridan

Allan, Helen and Andrew Sheridan They have protected 24 hectares of bought Garoogong, a 650-hectare fine remnant vegetation and 25 hectares wool property at Bengworden, south-west of waterways by constructing more than of Bairnsdale in mid 2003 and immediately 14 kilometres of fencing. Green Corps embarked on a large-scale farm planning volunteers have been involved with and farm rehabilitation program. many of these Landcare activities. Approximately 50 hectares of the Already they have made remarkable farm has been permanently retired improvements. They have sown 30 for conservation benefits and more kilometres of indigenous vegetation land is planned. via direct seeding and hand-planted approximately 3000 seedlings. The ultimate achievement has been the Sheridans’ keen desire to place a farm covenant over the works they have done Allan, Helen and Andrew Sheridan of to ensure permanent protection. Bengworden in front of a creek that they have fenced, revegetated and permanently protected through a Trust for Nature conservation covenant.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 18 Victorian Landcare Awards

Goulburn Broken Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Allan and Sheila Stute

Neighbours recognise Allan and Sheila meticulous management and successful water for stock is supplied to troughs via a Stute’s property as a stand-out farm in the combining of environmental and piped system fed by gravity and run on a Sunday Creek district. progressive farming practices. solar pump. Electric fencing is used throughout the property which seems to The 140-hectare property in the hill After completing a whole farm planning keep fox problems to a minimum. country near Broadford is known for its course in 1996, Allan and Sheila have over the past nine years taken 15% of the Ten years ago there were serious salt property out of long-term grazing and patches and salinity recharge areas increased carrying capacity by 190%. appearing and spreading outwards. These In 1999 they joined the Profit Grazing have been rehabilitated through strategic Program and started cell grazing by tree plantings and planting of salt-tolerant establishing 42 paddocks of approximately tall wheat grass. A bare hillside has also three hectares each, which has been replanted with bushland and is now contributed to their dramatically starting to thicken well. improved stocking rate. Many of these activities and Allan and Sheila have fenced off 14 improvements are in accordance with hectares of creek frontage and planted local catchment plans and the Stute 5000 native trees and as a result have property is held up as a sound model from Allan and Sheila Stute have used cell grazing noticed a marked increase in bird both an economic and a Landcare to increase the stocking rate on their property. numbers. Having fenced off the creek, perspective.

Wimmera Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Alan and Shelley Green

Alan and Shelley Green purchased their question, keep good records and learn from 480-hectare property at Great Western in their mistakes. Owing to good management 1984. The property was in very poor and a commitment to quality animal condition with vermin, salinity, erosion husbandry the business is now expanding. and no paddocks. With a stocking rate of Alan Green has been heavily involved 2.3 DSE per hectare it wasn’t producing in his Landcare group at Great Western. any income and both Alan and Shelley He is currently president of the group and had to work off-farm. co-ordinates local projects on salinity, The Greens got a taste for knowledge after rabbits and weeds as well as working with completing a whole farm planning course Project Platypus on revegetation issues in and went on to complete the whole series the Upper Wimmera Catchment. of Farm$mart courses. They realised the Shelley also has many local community need to diversify and by undertaking a commitments. She is on the North West business plan identified a niche market for Farm$mart steering committee and is free-range egg production. keenly involved in Farming Women Mean They have worked hard to constantly Business and Women on Farms. Shelley Green keeps an eye on the soil.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 19 Victorian Landcare Awards

West Gippsland Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Rosemary and Fergus Irving

Fergus and Rosemary Irving operate a 1464-hectare merino wool farm at Woodside. The farm consists of 52 hectares of remnant vegetation, eight hectares of pine plantation, 91 hectares of wetlands and around 30 hectares of fenced out creek frontage and revegetation works. The Irvings have been farming in the district all of their lives. They joined the Stradbroke/Woodside Farm Trees Group back in 1983 and are still active members of the Woodside Landcare Group. They enjoy the sense of community that involvement with Landcare creates and alway take the opportunity to share their knowledge and learn from what others are doing. The main environmental issues that have been addressed on the farm are exposure to gale force winds at certain times of the year, unstable sandy ridges, degraded watercourses, pest animals and the loss of vegetation. The Irvings are local pioneers in the area of direct seeding. They started back in 1982 and have now completed 32 hectares, totalling 20 kilometres of fencing. Their other Landcare projects include shelterbelts, fencing out of unstable sand hills, fencing and Fergus and Rosemary Irving enjoy some wind revegetation of two creeks, rabbit harbour protection in one of their shelterbelts. reduction and fox and rabbit baiting programs. management as they no longer have Rosemary and Fergus believe that the problems with stock caught in boggy areas shelterbelts they have created have huge or in the creeks. benefits for lambing ewes, protecting both Rosemary said the environmental benefits mother and newborn. They say the are also clear. environmental works they have done also create benefits for the farm. Streamside “Fencing off the remnant vegetation and protection has improved water quality and revegetating has improved the look of the reduced both dead and injured stock. property and seen a return of wildlife. We Fencing out of remnant vegetation in even have koalas on a regular basis now,” Some healthy revegetation on the swampy areas has improved stock she said. Irving property at Woodside.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 20 Victorian Landcare Awards

Glenelg-Hopkins Sustainable Farming Award

Winner: Gerard and Colleen Briody

Gerard and Colleen Briody’s property, clone trees, saltbush, South African Gerard is diligent about rabbit control adjoining the Mount Emu Creek in the pampas grass and salt tolerant couch grass. work by removing burrows, maintaining Lexton district, is low lying and subject to Despite various setbacks, Gerard has fencing and spotlight shooting – all paying waterlogging and dryland salinity, but that persevered and is now making good off as there are now very few rabbits on hasn’t stopped them from making headway in reducing the scale of salinity the farm. progressive improvements to their farm on the farm. Gerard and Colleen are dedicated every year. All the main creek lines on the property Landcare members and the Lexton The Briodys run a self-replacing flock of are saline which, combined with dispersive Landcare Group has progressed 2000 merinos which they join to Dorsets clay soils, makes gully erosion an issue. significantly thanks to their participation. and Border Leisters for prime lambs. The Gerard and Colleen undertook their first property was originally 462 hectares but it major creek project in 1989, fencing out is now 154 hectares as Gerard works full- and regenerating an area as well as time off-farm and Colleen cares for the constructing a sandbag weir to contain couple’s five children. water and reduce erosion. In 2001, the final section of the creek, a total of 1.8 The Briody’s work has focused on kilometres, was fenced and regenerated. minimising and mitigating the effects of salinity, protecting water quality, and Following a property management plan, growing productive, sustainable grazing many fences were replaced and are pastures. better sited according to the land class on the farm. For more than 30 years, Gerard has been tackling salinity control work on the farm and in 2005 the final one-third of the saline area will be reclaimed. Wheat grass Right: Erosion along a creek bed on the Briody property in 1990. has been the main control method after Below: The same creek bed ten trialling numerous other options – redgum years later.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 21 Around the State News from the Regional Landcare

Port Phillip and Westernport liaison between funding applicants Farms and the CMA, and is aimed required to seek indigenous advice or at the growing population of small Regional-scale Landcare support for approval for projects, and their local and lifestyle landholders with little 2005/06 will include updating and indigenous representatives. or no land management expertise. expanding the group development related Regular updates are available at note sheets of the Landcare Notes series, For more information contact Doug Evans www.necma.vic.gov.au/resources/guide preparing for the 2006 PPW Regional on 9296 4662. Landcare Awards, and community Landcare The growing interest in Soil Health celebration function, following on from the North East training and field days has seen many events held across the region, co- successful inaugural event in 2004. The North East CMA has now employed ordinated through the Ovens Landcare six Landcare Co-ordinators across the The production of ‘Environment Network with NLP funding support. Condition Reports’ for Landcare groups region, as part of the restructure of will be accelerated. These reports are sets Landcare Support. These co-ordinators For further information contact Tom Croft of A3 maps depicting a variety of state- are Stafford Crews and Felicity Collins on (02) 6043 7600. held datasets (for example, aerial in the Upper Murray, Geoff McKernan photography, satellite and relief imagery, in the Mitta/Murray, Simon Feillafe in Corangamite native vegetation, threatened species, the Kiewa/Indigo, Jennie Hermiston and The vital role Landcare plays in salinity priority areas, land use, pest plants Klaus Boelke in the Ovens/King. protecting and restoring the Corangamite and animals, and fire history). This has meant limited change for most landscape was again evident in 2004/2005. More than 130 groups comprising 3000 Engagement of the Landcare community areas with the same co-ordinators moving active members were involved in will be facilitated in the development and from network-based employment to CMA protection and restoration works on public delivery of a small number of landscape- employment with community steering and private land as well as skills scale, integrated, place-based, multiple- committees. Felicity has come from development programs and action plans. outcome projects across the region Goulburn Murray Landcare Network, and Klaus has come over from East Gippsland. The Corangamite Landcare Co-ordinators Work has also commenced on building and Facilitators team continues to change stronger relationships with local The Resource Guide for new landholders with the resignation of Lisa Deppler and indigenous communities. This will has been launched in the North East and Mike Edwards at Southern Otways initially focus on clarifying the is being distributed via CMA and Council Landcare Network, Apollo Bay. Thanks to circumstances of local indigenous offices. The kit, including website and both Lisa and Mike for their tireless work communities, to facilitate improved printed kit, was developed by DPI Small over the years. We welcome Greg John and Lucas Oram as their replacements. Up to 80 landholders from the North East braved wet conditions to learn about their soils. Karen O’Keefe has also joined the Landcare fold with the Lismore Landcare Group due to a successful National Landcare Program funding application. For more information contact Polly Hall on 5232 9100.

East Gippsland The East Gippsland region has recently compiled a performance story illustrating the achievements of the East Gippsland Landcare program for the 2004-2005 term. The report card will be distributed to all

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 22 Co-ordinators

Landcare members within the CMA region, additional by request. A call for Expression of Interest for Landcare projects is currently underway across the region. Landcare groups and members are encouraged to participate to help inform the next round of funding submissions. (From back left) Collier MacCracken, Phil Stevenson, Ann Roberts and John Laing at the launch of the Goulburn Broken Community Landcare Support Strategy. Landcare groups across the region are also advised that projects are being sought for the 2005-2006 round of Victorian For further information contact Max in May 2005, at the covenanted bush Government’s Second Generation Skeen on 5382 1544. block of local Landcare identities Collier Landcare Grants. and Jackie MacCracken, of Arcadia. North Central Significant events planned in the next few As part of its implementation, the 4th months include the East Gippsland The Victorian Landcare Network Forum Biennial Goulburn Broken Regional Landcare Network end-of-year boat cruise was held in Hepburn Springs in October Landcare Forum was held in July. bringing together the Statewide Landcare on 9 December 2005. The Landcare Forum was also the community. For further information contact Darren swansong for Regional Landcare Co- Williams on 5152 0600. A project titled 'Entering the Hearts and ordinator Heather Holder. Katie Brown Minds of Absentee Landholders in the has now taken over the role. Mt Alexander / Macedon Ranges Shires' Wimmera For more information contact Katie recently commenced. The project is a The Landcare team recently co-ordinated Brown on 5797 2001. partnership between local government a three-day Landcare tour to Northern and the North Central CMA. It aims to Victoria for Wimmera Landcare members. Mallee improve understanding of the changing The tour looked at Landcare projects and demographics in this part of the region. We are currently implementing the Mallee activities undertaken by farmers and Regional Landcare Support Strategy with agencies around the Charlton, Pyramid A local Land Management Guide will be the intention to review it in early 2006. Hill, Kerang, Swan Hill and Sea Lake area launched in early 2006. This publication The Landcare Network completed a and was well received by the 42 now well aims to improve the way small rural three-day training session in August on travelled and informed Landcare members. properties are managed by providing Project Evaluation and Most Significant information about sustainable land Change Techniques with new staff in the Our Landcare Support Strategy is almost management techniques. complete with the draft for public region. In the process we reviewed the comment available by the end of October. Ben Kroker commenced in September as Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan Landcare members and partner the Bendigo and District Landcare Co- from 2004 and are now in the process of organisations are invited to provide ordinator at the City of Greater Bendigo, updating the document. overseeing the North Central CMA local constructive comment and suggestions for For more information contact Brendon Landcare co-ordination project. improvement. Thomas on 5051 4377. For more information contact Sandra Volk The 2006 Wimmera Landcare week will Victoria’s 10 Regional Landcare on 5448 7124. be held from April 3-7. The week-long Co-ordinators are funded through Victoria’s celebration will include tours, site visits, Goulburn Broken Action Plan for Second Generation project and people achievements, Landcare, administered by the Department Landcare group presentations and a dinner The Goulburn Broken Community of Sustainability and Environment. celebrating 20 years of Landcare. Landcare Support Strategy was launched

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 23 Phone: (03) 9558 1060 Fax: (03) 9558 0505 Email: [email protected] Web: www.suregro.com Unit 1/42-44 Garden Blvd DINGLEY VIC 3172 To order freecall 2005 Spring Promotion 1800 643 384

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A u t u m n 2 0 0 6 3

E U S S Victorian I andcareandcare LL & CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Bat facts uncovered

Farm forestry with greenhouse benefits 5 steps to project success Editorial contributions Carrie Tiffany CONTENTS PO Box 1135 CONTENTS Mitcham North 3132 Phone 8802 4304 E-mail: [email protected]

Mailing list enquiries Oz Landcarers Farm forestry with Beverley Wallace in Sri Lanka greenhouse benefits Victorian Farmers Federation Phone 9207 5527 Fax 9207 5500 9 12-13 E-mail: [email protected]

Advertising Paul Crock Phone 0418 377 264 Fax 9428 4676 River stories told SFS research trials Cover photograph: 16-17 20 Farming Scene by Andrew Chapman.

This publication may be of assistance Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management is published for the Victorian Landcare to you but the State of Victoria and its community by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in partnership with employees, its partners, agents, and the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Victorian Catchment Management Council. contractors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Balancing Birches Creek

The North Central CMA has recently Alterations to the natural flow of rivers completed an environmental flow since European settlement have had many assessment of Birches Creek and is direct and indirect impacts on native offering incentives for landholders along plants and animals in Victorian river the study area to remove willows, to systems and in the Birches Creek system. revegetate with indigenous plants and to “As a result of this study we have control erosion. developed recommendations for an Project manager Catherine Fox said that optimum flow pattern in the system to rivers in north-central Victoria perform a mimic the natural flow of the river, which delicate balancing act. will lead to healthier waterways,” she said. “They provide water for our communities’ “Environmental flows are intended to needs, and play a vital role in maintaining help keep our rivers healthy. This study the natural water cycle in the will help us to determine how best to use environment.” environmental water to ensure the system continues to survive and thrive.” For more information contact the North Central CMA on 5448 7124. Landholders are being offered incentives to help improve Birches Creek after a recent environmental flow assessment. From the Letters We are always interested in hearing from our readers. If you have a story, editors a letter, a comment or a suggestion please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A book prize is presented to the best letter published in each issue of the This is our first issue for 2006 and we have magazine. some great Landcare reading for you. The prize for the best letter for the Two stories from the thriving Victorian last issue is still unclaimed. So a copy Landcare Network show the great work of Carrie Tiffany’s novel, Everyman’s of this group. A team of Landcarers is Rules for Scientific Living, awaits the currently working on an international writer of the best letter for the next Landcare project in a remote community issue. Please send your letters to in southern Sri Lanka. Carrie Tiffany (address on page 2). This project will see the construction Letters must include a name, address of basic eco-tourism facilities to help a and telephone number and be less community hit by the 2004 Boxing Day than 300 words. Letters may be tsunami. We hope to feature stories from Carbon Neutral! Attendees at Australia’s first edited for clarity and length. greenhouse neutral Landcare conference last team members when they return. year made tours on horseback. A great opportunity to network and observe land Network members were also busy last management issues such as weed invasion. year organising Australia’s first greenhouse neutral Landcare conference. Organisers worked to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced in the Bendigo Bank which is setting up a running of the conference and to offset voluntary market for carbon trading in those that were unavoidable. biodiversity and salinity revegetation The conference produced 22 tonnes projects. of carbon dioxide (including the travel See page 7 for more details of this of participants). The same amount was innovative idea. offset by purchasing carbon credits from a Central Victorian initiative of the Carrie Tiffany and Teresa Oppy

From the DSE Landcare Team

Congratulations for 20 years of All of the Catchment Management Government Initiative – Victorian Landcare achievements! We look Authorities (CMA) have concluded their Action Plan for Second Generation forward to celebrating with you at selection processes for awarding Second Landcare is near completion. A the International Landcare Conference – Generation Landcare Grants to Landcare significant component of this initiative is ‘Landscapes, Lifestyles, Livelihoods’, groups and other community groups. the establishment of the 10 Regional in Melbourne, 8-10 October 2006. Look out for announcements in your Landcare Co-ordinators based in the For more details of the Conference or area, and thank you for all of your hard CMAs and the Statewide Landcare Co- to express your interest, please work in submitting and undertaking ordinator based in DSE. The next contact the Conference Organisers projects. The State’s Second Generation edition of this magazine will highlight on 03 9645 6311 or log on to the Landcare Grants are available through the achievements to date and directions Conference website: www.international CMA’s for community-based integrated for the future. natural resource management projects. landcareconference2006.com.au Jane Liefman, David Lucas, Probarti A Mid-term Review of the State Milton and Teresa Oppy

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 3 Around News from

12 National Landcare Program projects valued at almost $1 million. Interest in Soil Health and production programs continues to build, with over 90 people attending Soil Health field days last November. For further information contact Tom Croft on (02) 6043 7600.

Ray Marks planting at the Wotojobaluk Ranch in the Wimmera. Severe weed and rabbit Corangamite infestations have been removed and more than 1500 native plants established on the reserve which is included in the recently announced Native Title Determination. A DVD showcasing the tremendous work of the Landcare community over West Gippsland The work of a university student over the past 20 years will be launched at the the holidays has accelerated the CMA recognition dinner to be held in Landcare continues to protect and production of Environment Condition late May. The dinner will celebrate the enhance biodiversity, improve water Reports for groups. Thirty-two groups now achievements of the regional community quality and raise productivity across the have reports. The CMA is in the process and recognize the current term of the region. Groups are actively involved in of GIS mapping the current boundaries of CMA Board. skill development, training and action all Landcare groups in the region. This is The anniversary of 20 years of Landcare will planning. Story collection and Landcare now approximately 80% complete. group health scales are progressing well culminate at the Regional Landcare Forum and will assist in more accurately We bid farewell to Daley Walker who with the Landcare community to discuss depicting Landcare across our region. made a major contribution to the strategic current regional successes and challenges support of Landcare in the Westernport and to participate in a mid-term review of The GippsLandcare project continues and and Dandenong region. We welcome the Regional Landcare Support Strategy. funding is secure until June 2007. Project Sarah Canham as her replacement. approvals for 2006 are close to 200 (worth For more information contact Polly Hall $400K) and submissions are still being For more information contact Doug Evans on 5232 9100. received. on 9296 4662. East Gippsland GippsLandcare’s Smarter Planning, North East Seven successful community groups and Smarter Action land management course Five Landcare groups in the region have individual landholder projects will receive begins in February through to October at recognised 170 years of active service to around $145,000 as part of Envirofund venues in Warragul, Traralgon, Maffra, the groups by 13 people. Presentations drought round 7. Projects include Yarram, Korumburra and Foster. were made at local celebrations as part relocating stock watering points away For further information contact of the groups’ Annual General Meetings. from streams, erosion control measures Phillip McGarry on 5662 4555. and fencing of waterways. The CMA reported to the community Port Phillip and Westernport on the implementation of the Regional Round 8 will open for applications in Catchment Strategy at a series of forums February 2006. For help in developing The Port Phillip and Westernport held across the region last October. your project application contact Kirsty Landcare support strategy is reaching the Following the reporting session, themed Hannan on 5152 0600. Round 8 will end of its life and steps for reviewing its tables enabled community members to focus on traditional works including effectiveness and renewing it for the directly speak to CMA and partner agency revegetation, fencing of waterways and future are now underway. representatives on specific issues. restoring wetlands, etc. Four new Landcare groups have formed North East Landcare groups, networks The third successive Green Corp Program, recently. and industry groups gained funding for

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 4 the State the Regional Landcare Co-ordinators

East Gippsland Biodiversity and commissioned a project to better identify groups across six networks. Nyerimilang Cultural Protection Project, and understand the natural resource The co-ordinators support to groups is underway. If Landcare groups in the management needs of non-resident has been exceptional over the past 12 Bairnsdale area require additional labour landowners in the region. months. Higher levels of project planning assistance for on-ground projects, please Increasing the participation of absentee and resourcing have been achieved in contact Tracey at the East Gippsland landholders in natural resource this time. Funding has been secured for Landcare Network on 5152 0600. management will have benefits for the the next 12 months to support nine The East Gippsland Field Days will be wider community. Landcare co-ordinators Landcare co-ordinators in the Mallee. held on 28th and 29th April 2006. from the Mount Alexander and Macedon Ranges Shire have found contacting For more information contact For further information contact absentee landholders difficult and any Brendon Thomas on 5051 4377. Darren Williams on 5152 0600. information that may help in reaching them will be beneficial. Glenelg Hopkins Wimmera For more information contact The Landcare team has been busy The Wimmera Landcare Team has Ashley Beechey on 5440 1814. developing a new Landcare Support farewelled Nathan MacDonald, Felicity Strategy in conjunction with the Brown and Justine Watt recently so expect Goulburn Broken community. Several workshops have been to see a few new faces on the team soon. held with valuable community input and Local primary and secondary school two surveys have been distributed and The 2005 Wimmera Landcare Community students recently contributed to Victorian their responses collated. Support Strategy has been endorsed by the threatened species records as part of CMA Board. The Strategy reflects Mission Phascogale. The project saw 24 The region’s multi award winning community views and aspirations for students undertake an eight-day camp in Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group Landcare and provides direction and a remote corner of Lake Eildon National celebrated 10 years of active Landcare comment from all key Landcare partners Park, helping DSE monitor local participation. The group has undertaken and participants. threatened flora and fauna populations. projects such as revegetating The Flume, weed and fox control work at Middle Project Platypus has established a new Some of the trip highlights included the Landcare Resource Centre in Stawell. discovery of an extensive unknown colony Island penguin colony, weed control and The centre is available to Landcare groups of leafy greenhood orchids, plus special revegetation along waterways and at for meetings, workshops, presentations ceremonies, walks and talks shared with wetland sites. and displays. Contact Project Platypus local Taungurong elders. The Glenthompson Catchment Group has on 5358 4410. The Engaging Real Estate Industry in celebrated 20 years of Landcare. The group Wimmera Landcare Week (April 1-7) NRM Project is now online. Aimed at has administered funding of over $600,000 will focus on events and activities that raising real estate agent awareness of over the last 13 years, successfully reflect and acknowledge the many property conservation values and targeting the fragmentation and decline of Landcare achievements since its launch promoting conservation incentives, the native indigenous vegetation, salinity, in 1986. Landcare groups and members website features the new real estate agents’ erosion and biodiversity. have been asked to dig out old project manual, A Good Environment Sells. For further information contact information, photographs, newspaper Go to www.conservationbroker.net.au Shelley Lipscombe on 5571 2526. articles, newsletters and posters. For more information contact Victoria’s 10 Regional Landcare For further information contact Katie Brown on 5797 2001. Co-ordinators are funded through Max Skeen on 5382 1544. Victoria’s Action Plan for Second Mallee Generation Landcare, administered North Central As Landcare in the Mallee enters 2006, by the Department of Sustainability Macedon Ranges Shire Council has we aim to continue the support for 27 and Environment.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 5 10-year triumph for Warrnambool Coastcare

Group News By Keith Davis

In October last year the Warrnambool Don McTaggart has led the group with Coastcare Landcare Group celebrated 10 great enthusiasm for the last four years. years of active Landcare work. The group There are now around 100 members who began in 1995 as the Warrnambool City are encouraged to participate in project Landcare Group but changed their name planning and education activities. The to better reflect the current focus of group has created partnerships with restoration projects on public lands various authorities and community groups around the coastal fringe of Warrnambool. and has a working relationship with the Warrnambool City Council, DSE, Glenelg Don McTaggart (left) and Frank Wiggins Since 2002, the group has planted more receiving the National Keep Australia Hopkins CMA, South West TAFE and than 16,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and Beautiful Victorian Clean Beach Challenge the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust. Community Action Award, watched by groundcover plants as part of their Warrnambool Mayor Glenys Philpot. ongoing major project to revegetate The Some of the group’s projects include weed Flume, a popular local surfing beach. The and fox control works at the Middle project is linked with the annual National Island Little Penguin colony, revegetation annual Clean Up Australia Days. A new Tree Day program with hundreds of along sections of the Lower Merri River, project is underway to help control bridal community volunteers turning out to help South Warrnambool wetlands and creeper invasions in sensitive native dune group members revegetate the area in Russell’s Creek, and removing weeds and vegetation. successive years. rubbish along coastal Crown lands during A recent Envirofund project will establish a raised viewing platform and solid Some of Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group’s pathway to control visitor traffic on an awards on show at the 10th anniversary celebration. eroded section of sensitive dunes, combined with revegetation to protect and restore this area of public land. The worthy efforts of the group’s decade of Landcare have been recognised by successive awards during 2005, including the Keep Australia Beautiful Victorian Clean Beach Challenge Community Action and Natural Heritage Awards, the National Clean Beach Challenge Community Action Award, and the Victorian Landcare Natural Heritage Trust Coastcare Community Award. Congratulations go to the group on achieving 10 years of outstanding voluntary Landcare in our regional community. This group clearly demonstrates the strength of people working together to achieve goals they could not realise as individuals.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 6 Australia’s first

Group News greenhouse neutral Landcare conference

The first ever Australian greenhouse Matt Stephenson explained that currently neutral Landcare conference was held in carbon credits can be purchased for about Hepburn Springs last year at the Victorian $US10 per tonne in Europe. Landcare Network (VLN) Annual Forum. “Although the cost for carbon per tonne The focus of the VLN forum was hasn’t been finalised in this Victorian greenhouse and the organisers decided to market, it is calculated that the total cost put theory into practice. of offsetting the carbon pollution of the The conference was organised to initially conference will be less than $500 – a try to reduce the amount of greenhouse pleasant surprise for conference gas emissions produced, then to measure organisers,” he said. the actual emissions with the aim of The conference included sessions on purchasing carbon to offset those carbon brokering and the launch of a new emissions. land manager’s guide for calculating the Matt Stephenson, President of the VLN, economic benefits of revegetation for said delegates were encouraged to be carbon trading. Growing Trees for Carbon greenhouse conscious and to consider how and Conservation: A Toolkit for Landholders they would get to the conference. and Purchasers was produced by the A forester explains the complex nature of Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance forest management in the Wombat State “We then ensured that all participants Forest near Daylesford to participants at the informed us of their travel methods to and the North Central CMA. forum. calculate the resulting CO2 produced. Using the Growing Trees for Carbon and The 95 participants drove an astonishing Conservation Toolkit a one hectare area of 22,000 kilometres and flew 14,800 revegetation in Central Victoria could drought frequency and intensity, decreases kilometres, which resulted in over 20 in rainfall, increases in evaporation and store about 5 tonnes of CO2 each year, tonnes of CO2 release. reaching a maximum store of 360 tonnes increases in intensity of storms, floods and bushfires. “The electricity and gas consumption of after 100 years. Given that it might cost the conference venue was calculated to about $1700 per hectare to revegetate this The agricultural sector is the second have released a further 2 tonnes. In total is a very cost effective way of offsetting largest emitter of greenhouse gas in the 2005 VLN conference produced 22 carbon emissions, and has the added Australia, contributing 18% of all of tonnes of carbon dioxide.” benefit of assisting in salinity control and Australia’s emissions, and climate change biodiversity preservation. from greenhouse gas emissions will To offset the 22 tonnes the VLN is dramatically affect the way in which purchasing carbon credits from a Central Climate change from greenhouse gas farming and Landcare evolves in Victorian initiative of the Bendigo Bank emissions by human activity is now well Australia. which is setting up a voluntary market for established, with predictions that carbon trading in biodiversity and salinity agriculture in south-eastern Australia will For further information contact revegetation projects. be a major loser from the increases in Dean Bridgfoot on 5471 1736.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 7 SIR award for high achiever

Unassuming Landcarer Craig Tuhan of the Girgarre Stanhope Landcare Group is the winner of the 2005 Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR) Landcare Award. Craig’s involvement with Landcare began in 1993 when he joined the Girgarre Stanhope Landcare Group. Craig accepted the role of Secretary for the group almost immediately – a position he still holds today. He has also previously been President of the group. Craig has made countless field trips to the evaporation basin with children and teachers from Stanhope Primary School, educating the students about salinity and irrigation practices. He has organised many tree planting days and has prepared and watered the sites with his own equipment on numerous occasions. He was also part of a team that planted a corridor of vegetation between Stanhope and Rushworth. For the past four years Craig has sat on the Campaspe Shire Landcare Network Steering Committee and been a strong supporter of the Goulburn Murray Landcare Network where he has held different roles on the executive. He has also worked on the community monitoring committee, group project support committee and pest plant and animals committee for the network. As a member of the Local Area Planning Craig Tuhan with his Shepparton Irrigation Region Landcare Award for 2005. Project Management Committee, Craig was involved in the development of the trips for the past five years. The bus trips well as National Landcare Conferences in Shepparton Irrigation Region Local Area are a highlight for around 40 Landcarers Adelaide in 1998 and Darwin in 2003. Planning projects for over four years. every year. He is now the Chair of the Shepparton Ann Bell, current President of the Girgarre Irrigation Region Local Area Planning He is active in attending Landcare forums Stanhope Landcare Group, says Craig is a Implementation group. and conferences to share his knowledge quiet achiever and is always there. and meet other like-minded Landcarers. Craig has also played an important role “With nearly sixteen years of voluntary He has attended State Landcare Forums in in the successful running of the annual service in his local community, Craig Ballarat and Bendigo in previous years as Goulburn Murray Landcare Network bus Tuhan is truly a dedicated Landcarer.”

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 8 Oz Landcarers head for Sri Lanka

A team of twelve Australians is currently assist the community to construct basic in Sri Lanka as part of the Victorian facilities including boat landing jetties, Landcare Network’s International Landcare bird hides, picnic facilities and children’s Pilot Program. Landcare members and play equipment to encourage protection NRM professionals from across Australia and appreciation of the natural assets of are volunteering their time to support a the area. remote southern Sri Lankan community to Gunguli, Ganeshi and Sureshi’s parents are The Australians will also help community develop an eco-tourism venture based on setting up a wildlife camping ground and members to practise their hospitality, ecotours venture to create a more sustainable the local coastal and lagoon systems. guiding and interpretation skills on income source. One of the participants, Wimmera farmer Western tourists. David Tepper, says he volunteered because The network is currently in discussions The Myer Foundation, Landcare Australia he feels strongly about what is happening with potential long-term partners to build Limited, West Gippsland CMA and the to the planet. on the pilot program model with the view Loch Village Community in Gippsland. “This is an opportunity and a challenge to of providing ongoing linkages with the Individual team members are providing give something back, and also to do Sri Lankan project community as well their own funding and seeking local support. something for somebody less fortunate than as extending opportunities for Landcare For further information contact the ourselves,” he said. programs across the globe. Victorian Landcare Network at During the two-week visit the team will The project is proudly supported by [email protected]

The twelve Australian Landcare volunteers. Front row (left to right), David Tepper (Vic), Emma Bennett (Vic), John Yalden (Vic), Kate Steel (Qld), Robyn Cox (SA). Back row, Ro McFarlane (NSW), Lizzie Bickmore (Vic), Glen Merrick (Vic), Amanda Malone (WA), Denna Kingdom (Tas), Matt Stephenson (Vic), Jason MacKay (WA).

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 9 In b

Guildford and Upper Loddon Landcare Group showed the Council outcomes of the Jim Crow Creek restoration project, undertaken in partnership with the North Central CMA. The Group’s final stop was at Bald Hill. This site is owned and managed by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council with the assistance of the Pipers Creek Landcare Trafalgar Primary School students transporting the baton through the catchment. Group. The traditional owners of this area, the Dja Dja Wurrung/ Jaara people, Our lakes are precious to view on-ground works undertaken by have aspirations of a joint management local Landcare groups. agreement with the Macedon Ranges An impressive 2500 students from 85 Shire and Pipers Creek Landcare Group. schools took part in the Gippsland Lakes The Australian Landcare Council Relay last year. provides advice and policy The reserve contains high quality native recommendations concerning Landcare vegetation with scar trees and other Koori Students, teachers, parents and other and natural resource management to the cultural heritage assets. Woody weed community members took samples from Australian Government. It comprises invasion poses a major threat to the values rivers across Gippsland and tested them community Landcare members from each of the reserve, and the Landcare Group for salinity, temperature and turbidity; of the States and territories, who are also has been addressing this issue. before adding the sample to a special representatives of local government, the baton. National Farmers Federation, Australian A Vision Splendid The students learnt the threats and issues Conservation Foundation, Greening Published by Greening Australia, this impacting on the Gippsland Lakes and Australia, the indigenous community and inspiring new book, A Vision Splendid: discussed ways to address them. The Government departments. Dreams, inspirations and experiences of farm slogan for the relay was, ‘Our lakes are The Council’s three-day tour included a forestry in Australian landscapes, presents precious – pass them on.’ visit by the Victorian Minister for fascinating first-hand accounts of eight Samples were collected during the relay Environment, John Thwaites, who Australian farmers who are having a go from the Latrobe, Thomson, Macalister, attended the Council’s meeting in Bendigo. at something different. Avon, Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo This was followed by a bus tour of the This unique compilation glimpses the Rivers and were ceremoniously poured region hosted by the North Central CMA. journeys taken by these remarkable into the Gippsland Lakes at Lakes farmers and their families as they strive Entrance. The group visited the Sutton Grange towards their own visions of sustainable property of Jock MacRae, who is a farming and country living. “The relay showed that communities are member of the Sutton Grange Landcare linked to the catchment and they all have Group. This group is made up largely of A Vision Splendid is available from an impact on our waterways and lakes,” primary producers who have been trialling Greening Australia on (02) 6281 8585 said Becky Van Der Heyden, the aspects of Landcare, often implementing for $22. Gippsland Lakes Relay Project Officer. innovative solutions. Yarram Yarram Envirofest a hit for Landcare Council visits North Central In protecting remnant vegetation and young Landcarers waterways, the Group has used a variety of North Central Victoria’s innovative The first Yarram Yarram Catchments rehabilitation techniques and fencing Landcare program was showcased last Network Envirofest saw the local park and types, which impressed members of the May, with members of the Australian theatre buzzing with interest and activity Landcare Council. Landcare Council visiting the region to last September. The one-day gain an understanding of local issues and At Guildford, Maurie Dynon from the environmental expo was specially

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 10 rief

designed for young people in the Yarram Yarram Catchments Network area. In 2002 the network identified the need to raise awareness and knowledge of natural resource management in the youth of the Yarram community. Envirofest was Students paint a mural and think about the different components of a landscape. the culmination of that idea. A committee of volunteers from the children touched native animals, acted hosted and organised by the Heytesbury community and schools worked with out the hydrological cycle, painted murals District Landcare Network, the Mt Leura network staff to organise the event. and played environmental games. Development Committee and the Funding from Coast Action/Coast Care Corangamite CMA. Numerous With an overwhelming positive response and the West Gippsland CMA covered environmental and local produce displays from the teachers, students and presenters, the cost of workshops and buses to bring were on show demonstrating an excellent the decision was made to run another the students from the communities of cross-section of community involvement. Envirofest in three years’ time. In the Welshpool, Woodside, Longford, meantime, our junior Landcarers will be Natural resource management groups in Gormandale and Devon North into kept busy with hands-on activities such the Corangamite catchment comprise Yarram. as planting, weed management, seed more than 3000 members and an army The event was immensely popular, with collecting and gardening, reinforcing the of non-member volunteers. over 650 students from eight primary message of looking after the environment. They are supported by 18 Government- schools attending. The students attended For further information contact funded staff. Last year, $5.8 million was workshops on wetland restoration, salinity, Jenny Wolswinkel on 5183 9148. invested in Landcare support and water quality, streamside protection, onground works, including State indigenous culture, biodiversity and the Corangamite strategy supports the Government funding through the role of Landcare in the community. human element Victorian Action Plan for Second Generation Landcare Initiative for Envirofest presenters came from the The human element in natural resource development of this strategy. Gould League, DPI Fisheries, Greenpeace, management will be boosted in the CoastCare, the Connies, East Gippsland Corangamite region with the release For further information contact Polly Hall TAFE, Toolangi Forest Education, of the Corangamite Landcare Support on 5232 9100. Waterwatch, the Young Spirits dance Strategy last November. group, Landcare staff and volunteers. Dr Peter Greig, Chairman of the Corangamite Corangamite CMA Chairman Peter Greig CMA Board (left), with Parliamentary Serious messages were passed on as Secretary for the Environment and Member said the strategy was an operational for Geelong Province Mrs Elaine Carbines blueprint for the 150 environmental and Don Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer of Forest education provided Envirofest groups in the Corangamite region. the Corangamite CMA. participants close encounters with native animals. “It will assist communities and groups to gain knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve successful outcomes in their local areas. “Additionally, it will focus people on overcoming barriers to social change and allow them to achieve their aspirations toward a healthy, prosperous catchment,” he said. The strategy was launched at an event

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 11 Farm with greenhouse

The site of a new Spotted Gum plantation.

Landcare is entering an exciting new era hectares will consist of longer-term farm agriculture we are targeting for forestry at Jigsaw Farms’ ten properties, one of forestry plantations with Spotted Gum and trees.” which was a former Potter farm just north grown for high quality timber as the focal According to Mark every Jigsaw Farms of Hamilton. Jigsaw Farms is applying species. creek is fenced off. Landcare at the landscape scale and is well “We may be pushing the limits from a “This isn’t just about water quality. We on the way to planting almost one million Landcare perspective, but this goes hand believe it can also help with our disease- new trees. in hand with boosting agricultural free status, as waterways travelling Mark Wootton from Jigsaw Farms says production from the 70% of the property throughout farming landscapes are they will probably end up with around that we have selected for improvement. possible sources of infection. Our local 1000 hectares of land revegetated We are doing as much as we can to Glenelg Hopkins CMA supports creek throughout the properties. About 600-700 improve our production from the better soils, and areas we believe are limited for fencing costs which is an added bonus.”

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 12 forestry Catchment Management benefits at Jigsaw Farms By Graeme Anderson

Growing the landscape 20% of the carbon rights. The farm planning maps for Jigsaw Farms “This still leaves us with 80% of the show how large tracts of connected carbon rights and the flexibility to manage revegetation and farm forestry areas are all the forestry plantings for longer-term designed to fit neatly into the farm unit. timber and income,” says Mark. “Siting our treeplanting areas relies on an Plantations for Greenhouse is a Victorian overall gut feeling for the landscape. We Government greenhouse project design our revegetation around saltburn establishing over 1400 hectares of new scalded areas and remnant trees. We also carbon sink and timber plantations in like to follow the Birds of Australia partnerships with landowners right across guidelines by having belts of vegetation at Victoria. least 50 metres wide wherever possible to connect all new and remnant vegetation.” While the majority of revegetation is farm Mark Wootton from Jigsaw Farms is forestry, Jigsaw Farms also include buffers committed to sustainable agriculture. The end result looks good as well as of indigenous revegetation in all of their providing great shelter throughout the farm. plantings. This year the direct seeding is sustainable farming puzzle is leaving its “The benefits of good shelter were being supported by Greenfleet. Greenfleet mark on the local landscape. The property observed a little while back where we had supports revegetation works to cover the provides a powerful insight into the future a lambing percentage of around 100% in greenhouse emissions from vehicles that – where large-scale greenhouse and farm an agroforestry paddock and much lower subscribe to the program. forestry plantings grow amongst high value agriculture. lambing survival in exposed paddocks,” With earlier plantings now clearly visible Mark says. from a distance, the Jigsaw Farms vision For further information contact Hamilton treeplanting contractor Keith of putting together the pieces of the Graeme Anderson on 5226 4821. Cummings is an important part of the operation. Keith undertakes all of the site Mark Wootton and Keith Cummings view an aerial photograph establishment of woodlots and of planned revegetation works on the Jigsaw Farms properties. revegetation areas. Keith will also be involved in pruning and thinning works on the farm forestry sawlog plantations. Keith has steered Jigsaw Farms down the path of Spotted Gum due to its high value timber and the fact that it is fairly easy and cheap to prune compared to other gum species.

Greenhouse partnerships offset costs Large-scale revegetation is costly. Jigsaw Farms has cleverly chosen to participate in some greenhouse partnership projects which help them to realise their vision. Mark explains that DPIs Plantations for Greenhouse project assists with establishment costs in return for selling

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 13 Natural Think A Lesser Longeared Bat. From left to right. A Lesser Longeared Bat, a Freetail Bat, a Chocolate Wattled Bat and a Little Forest Bat.

Every night, bats are out in force, feeding Craig’s research has demonstrated that bounce off solid objects and return to the on insects and nectar. Some even feed on revegetation is important for bats. He bats giving them a three dimensional small mammals and fish. Even though investigated six habitat types – cleared image in their brains which they use to Australia has done some of the best bat paddocks, linear revegetation, patch navigate. Sonar operates in a similar way research in the world, there is much we revegetation, linear remnants, patch but bats use a far more complicated form. still don’t know about bats. However, we remnants and continuous remnants – and Dolphins and some whales use a very do know that they are important when it found bats use revegetation more than similar technique.” comes to controlling insects. cleared paddocks but less than remnant Bat populations in Australia are unknown. vegetation. Activity was significantly “Bats eat up to half their body weight in Studies by bat researchers have found harp higher in all remnant habitats and one night which is quite amazing,” says traps capture only about 10 per cent of particularly so in large remnants. Craig Grabham, a member of Charles bats that fly within the vicinity of the Significantly higher levels of activity were Sturt University’s Institute for Land, trap. recorded in linear revegetation compared Water and Society. to revegetation patches. “I’ve caught 200 bats in one night which “We are only just starting to realise how is a good sign,” says Craig. “You would Craig explains that remnant vegetation is important they are in controlling insects, have to think they would be one of the critical for bats as it provides a variety of especially across agricultural land. Bats are most abundant terrestrial mammals in habitat required for roosting, breeding and undervalued. We need to promote them Australia. foraging. During the day bats can be found more as a natural biological control of sleeping in hollows of old trees or under “However, based on the knowledge that insects.” loose bark. Revegetation is important their habitat is declining we can assume Craig Grabham’s research project because it compensates for the loss of that so too are their numbers.” investigated the diversity and activity of previous vegetation that has been insectivorous bats across six habitat types removed. However, because young trees Researcher Craig Grabham gets of a fragmented rural landscape in south- don’t have hollows they provide only a ready to set up his bat traps. eastern Australia. The study investigated limited range of habitat for bats, mostly the habitat value of native revegetation to for foraging. Craig collected data over 16 insectivorous bats and how it compared to months using sophisticated echolocation other habitat types across this landscape. equipment which picks up on the bats’ echolocation calls. While Craig’s research focussed on the Eastern Billabong Catchment – west of “All but one of the insectivorous bats are the Hume Highway and north of Albury – inaudible to humans,” says Craig, who his findings are just as relevant to much of used six echolocation units at a time, in Victoria. different locations, allowing him to compare habitat types. “We designed it as a case study of different landscape structures that would be “The White-striped Mastif Bat is the only relevant to the broader region of south- insectivorous bat that we can hear in eastern Australia,” says Professor Nick flight. It makes a sound very similar to Klomp, Craig’s partner in bat research. teaspoons hitting one another. “Much of the landscape of rural Australia “Bats use their surrounding landscape to will support bat communities, we just need navigate. Every couple of seconds, they to know how.” send out hundreds of sound waves which

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 14 pest control? Research bats! Results

by Margrit Beemster

A Little Forest Bat. Bat facts

With at least 1000 species worldwide, seven families, representing at least spring when they then become bats have successfully colonised almost 25% of Australian terrestrial mammal pregnant. The gestation for bats varies every region of the earth. They are the fauna. We have at least 78 species of from four to eight weeks with most world’s second most common mammal microbats and 12 species of megabats. species only able to bear one young group after rodents, comprising more though some have twins, such as the The average weight of microbats is than 20% of all mammal species. long-eared bats. between 8 and 10 grams, and their There are two distinct types of bats, wing span ranges from 15 to 30 Research has found that bats can live the Megachiroptera (flying foxes or centimetres. Coloring varies; some are as long as 20 years in the wild. They blossom bats) and Microchiroptera dark brown to black, others have occur on every continent in the world (insectivorous bats). white stripes and some are mottled. except for Antarctica. Most of the bats Australia has approximately 90 found in Australia are also found in Like many Australian mammals female species of microchiropteran and south-east Asia. In Indonesia they are bats have the capacity to store sperm megachiropteran bats, classified into regarded as a food source. over winter and delay ovulation until

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 15 Catchment Management Every river tells

Environment Victoria believes that a river Since June 2004 Environment Victoria our wetlands are in poor or very poor shrivels up and dies unless you actively try has been collecting, and publishing on condition. to tell its stories. its website, personal stories about “Many rivers are in danger of becoming Victoria’s rivers. In its campaigns to save many of Victoria’s polluted drains. The Your River stories, stressed rivers, Environment Victoria, The project currently features stories though, show how important healthy the State’s peak environment group, about the Campaspe, Loddon, Goulburn rivers and streams are to people.” knows that the personal can be political, and Glenelg Rivers, as well as the Yarra The project has received vital support that people’s memories and anecdotes and Maribyrnong Rivers. from the North Central CMA, the Port have a place in the arguments for better According to Paul Sinclair from Phillip and Westernport CMA and the river health. Environment Victoria, one-third of the Glenelg-Hopkins CMA. State’s major waterways and two-thirds of

Willows spell death for Murray cod

As pretty and romantic as willow trees He points out that Murray cod cannot are, Maurie Dynon, Vice-President and breed under a willow. Voluntary Project Co-ordinator of the “No native aquatic life can breed there. Guildford/Upper Loddon Landcare A willow won’t sustain life around it.” Group, says they should never be on a river. The removal of up to 300 willows and poplars along two 300-metre strips on “The fibrous root system of willows either side of the Guildford bridge is collects a lot of silt and pebbles, layer one of several major Landcare projects upon layer of it,” Maurie explains. that directly affect the Loddon River. “The water level in a waterhole can Maurie is an original member of the drop from six feet to two or three feet Guildford/Upper Loddon Landcare within five to ten years.” Group which formed in 1995 because of concern about erosion on the Loddon Murray Dynon is committed to improving at Strangways and also on Jim Crow erosion on the Loddon River. Creek. The group, which covers an area The Loddon River at Bridgewater. of 540 square kilometres, is one of the largest Landcare groups in Victoria, with 200 members. drivers is to improve the quality of “There’s fantastic work going on, a lot water going past Adelaide. of it happening out of sight,” says “People around here are fairly Maurie. environmentally conscious, especially “With climate change, we can’t increase if they can see the benefit of a project. the quantity of water but we can It’s no good forcing ideas down increase the quality. One of our key people’s throats.”

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 16 a story By Vin Maskell and Anna Boustead

Weeds threaten the Glenelg River

Tim Burnard is a deer farmer near Casterton and member of the Bahgallah/Killara Landcare Group. When he bought his 100-acre property on the banks of the Glenelg River, Tim Burnard couldn’t get down to the river for all the overgrown weeds. After several years of battling the African Feather Grass, the banks are now restored to the extent that you can get down to the river for a paddle on a hot day, or to seek out the elusive platypus. Tim has set aside 45 per cent of his property for remnant vegetation. The remainder is used to farm red deer. A self-taught builder, Tim and his partner Donna spent seven years Tim Burnard has removed an extensive weed infestation constructing their house, which runs from the riverfront of his property at Casterton.

on solar power and utilises natural light to prevent stock from destroying its Severe erosion on the Glenelg River. and ventilation. The result is a bush fragile banks and polluting the water. retreat overlooking the Glenelg River. The group is also tackling other weeds, “You can see the river from nearly every such as bridal creeper and blackberry, room,” Tim explains. which threaten to take over much of the banks on this stretch of the The once gushing flow of the 1991, Glenelg. He says that farmers need to 1992 and 1996 floods has been reduced work together to protect the river from to a slow trickle, caused by a weed invasion. combination of low rainfall and the diversion of two-thirds of the river’s Tim is currently working on establishing flow at Rocklands Dam. a local community group to tackle the broader threats to the Glenelg. Tim has been working with local farmers through the Bahgallah/Killara To discover more Your River stories visit Landcare Group, encouraging them to the healthy rivers page at fence off their properties from the river www.environmentvictoria.org.au

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 17 Group News The wise owl’s

five steps to project success By Amy McDonald

Over the past four years I have been our reserve was nameless. The Owl Land $500 worth of tools and some signwriting. project manager for a very small Landcare Reserve was formally named to launch our By thinking creatively we made our group in outer metropolitan Melbourne. project. A community competition to money stretch, and achieved even bigger One of my projects involved securing a design a logo for the Owl Land also outcomes than we, or our corporate corporate grant and growing it with the generated interest and lots of entries – partner, had hoped. use of community partnerships to restore we were underway! 3. Think big six hectares of Powerful Owl habitat. 2. Money makes money The Mt Evelyn Environmental Protection The group is the Mt Evelyn Putting on our business hats, we designed and Progress Association has a small group Environmental Protection and Progress an irresistible business case for a corporate of active members. Our committee Association. The Powerful Owl project partner. A walk on the Owl Land, and a meetings attract no more than 10 people. has been a resounding success. We are perfectly timed appearance of an owl To make this project work we needed to proud of what we have accomplished and complete with possum in claw, was all that think big, and take advantage of our keen to share our five steps to a successful was needed to seal the deal. community contacts. project with other groups. Our partner gave us a large grant, which By partnering with the local 1. Think of a catchy name attracted more funding from other groups. neighbourhood house we used some of Mt Evelyn is the home of several breeding We contributed $5000 to buy trees; our our sponsorship money to fund a pairs of Powerful Owl, and these council contributed $10,000 to spray community jobs program, which brought magnificent birds have become an icon for weeds. We spent $500 on a second-hand in a team of paid workers who did a our town. When we started the project, trailer; our local hardware store donated brilliant job, and learnt new skills. The community jobs program team and TXU personnel help out with restoring owl habitat. Big companies can offer more than just money. associated Government funding grew our little project into a $250,000 natural resource extravaganza. 4. Use the media We are always in the local paper. We reported our story in Stories of Community Landcare Success – Port Phillip and Westernport Region 2004. Our State member chats about us in Parliament. Getting your name out there does fantastic things for your volunteer numbers and membership, impresses your sponsors, attracts interest from new funding bodies and, more importantly, inspires other environment groups. 5. Don’t forget the party It’s critical that volunteer groups celebrate their successes. Burn out is common but avoidable. We’re always having parties and celebrations. Launching the project, the art from the Owl Land exhibition, the

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 18 Laancoorie’s living classroom

A classroom bounded by nature was Trust for Nature is Australia’s oldest opened near Hamilton late last year. land trust and works to protect land The project was the brainchild of through its conservation covenanting landowners Pauline McCarthy and program, which sees landholders entering Jane Duffy who had always hoped into voluntary agreements to protect a their high-conservation value property site’s natural features from subdivision, would be used as an educational resource. land clearing and adverse development. Getting dressed up as an owl An Envirofund grant funded the The property is adjacent to the Hamilton helped to get the message across. development of a booklet, education to Coleraine Railtrail, which provides kit, interpretative signage and a website an important corridor link to other community name that reserve competition aimed at developing skills and knowledge native vegetation. High priority grassy – you name it – we’ll hold it! relating to conservation and biodiversity woodlands together with the Nigretta at Laancoorie. and Wannon Falls also feature in the We have also nominated ourselves for lots area, providing habitat and refuge for of awards, both as a group and for our An information centre will provide a birds such as the Powerful Owl. individual members. It is a great way to sheltered site for visitors to share their publicly thank people who have made a experiences when returning from the For further information contact contribution. Celebrate, enjoy, laugh and wildflower, wetland, and grassland and Pauline McCarthy by email at re-energise. regeneration walks. It will also promote the [email protected] or view need to conserve this valuable property, the website www.laancoorie.com.au We hope our five proven steps to success which contains an ephemeral wetland and are helpful for your environment group. a creekline and is permanently protected For more information contact through a Trust for Nature covenant. Amy McDonald on 9489 7332.

The Laancoorie Living Classroom.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 19 Sustainable cropping and grazing

Research research trials Results By Ian Linley

Southern Farming Systems (SFS) is a non-profit farmer-owned cropping and grazing organisation with over 600 members who farm around 800,000 hectares in south-west Victoria. The organisation is currently undertaking projects with mixed cropping and grazing farmers to increase profitability and enhance the environment. The initial cropping focus of SFS has broadened to incorporate the livestock and environmental components of the farming system. A major focus on stubble management as an alternative to stubble burning has seen trials conducted in techniques such as incorporation, spreading, mulching, baling, microbial digesters, crop selection and sowing techniques such as residue managers creating mini windrows between seeding lines and variations of seeding row Ceres farmer Mick Shawcross and LaTrobe university student Ashley Paech inspecting the regrowth of barley after grazing. Strategic grazing of crops over winter has the dual benefit of providing spaces. Stubble retention has also proven valuable feed mid-season and also reducing the stubbles left after harvest. to be a useful weed management tool in some of these trials. and delayed ear emergence, rust reduction An integrated pest management trial Stubble grazing can be undertaken for and grazing pulling of particular crops based on retention and management animal production purposes and has also being some of the initial findings. of native grasses is providing evidence that native grasses may supply a pool been utilised to reduce residual dry matter Raised beds and controlled traffic have of beneficial predators likely to have and control pests and diseases in allowed management of the effects of an important role in repopulating crop subsequent crops. Combinations of direct waterlogging and this has allowed the grazing of stubble trash, harvesting stubble trialling of lucerne as a break crop to weed and pasture lands with beneficial for supplementary fodder during feed and disease cycles, as an increaser of soil predator deficiencies. Key differences shortages and grazing at crop vegetative fertility and as a provider of livestock feed. in populations of beneficial predators phases have been trialled, with decreased and pests in crops and pastures have been Trials have indicated that lucerne may detected from year to year and differences create reduced moisture in subsequent Farmers examining a range of crop appear to be due to farm practices such as establishment trials at an SFS field day. crops, that cereals sown into lucerne burning, cultivation and insecticide use. results in increased winter feed and that animal liveweight gains on lucerne are The farmer-driven approach of SFS, variable, but may be better managed when the partnerships between industry, adding energy supplements. Government and natural resource managers, and the scientific rigour of Strategic grazing of native grasses in late the trials ensure a balanced outcome for summer and winter has also been trialled, farmer profitability and environmental with results indicating an improvement of sustainability of the natural resources. native species population and diversity, and indications that native grasslands cannot For information on the trials visit the re-establish unless soil fertility is low. SFS website at www.sfs.org.au

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 20 Landmates lend a hand

opportunity to provide a service to the community and to enable the prisoners to begin their reintegration into the community,” said Darren Taylor. “Prisoners can obtain qualifications such as their chainsaw operator and chemical users certificates. The scheme also runs a nursery that provides participants with seed collection and propagating skills. Revegetation fencing underway as part of the Landmate Scheme. “This initiative has proven to help build the prisoners’ morale and self esteem, and For more than a decade a program revegetation, fencing and planting trees. the confidence to engage with community designed to help prisoners reintegrate into members. It also gives them a better The scheme was initiated by the then the community has provided valuable chance of future employment and a Department of Natural Resources and support to local environmental programs. feeling of being of value to the Environment in Maryborough in the early community,” said Darren. The Landmate scheme operating from 1990s. Loddon Prison has established itself as an Recent work undertaken by the Landmate “It took a while for the local community important labour source and a significant crew has included the hand removal of to warm to the idea of having prisoners education program for the prisoners who African weed orchid at Lake Eppalock. undertaking this kind of work in the area,” participate. They have worked with the North said Darren. “However, the outcomes of Central CMA buffer strip and remnant The scheme is funded by the Victorian the scheme speak for themselves and protection programs, and DPI on Government through the State Landmate negative perceptions were soon reversed.” revegetation fencing in the Bulabul and program and is jointly co-ordinated Darren recalls that Moolort Landcare Timor West areas. between the North Central CMA and Group was one of the first in the region to DPI. For further information about the embrace the Landmate concept. Landmate scheme, contact your local According to the Landmate co-ordinator, “The Moolort Landcare Group understood shire-based Landcare Co-ordinator. Darren Taylor, once prisoners’ security the benefits of working with a Landmate rating is deemed suitable for them to work crew. Those landholders who were in the community, they can be selected to involved achieved a level of on-ground join a Landmate crew. works that they wouldn’t have been able Rod Phillips, Loddon Prison Landmate “The Landmate scheme works as an to undertake on their own. supervisor, discusses projects with Tracey Harbridge from the North Central CMA. employment program for prisoners. “Word soon spread amongst other It replicates a working day, where Landcare groups about the effectiveness of participants attend for set hours the Landmate crew to the point where a throughout a standard working week,” more co-ordinated approach was needed.” said Darren. “It enables prisoners to be better prepared and equipped for The scheme currently involves the North reintegration into the community.” Central CMA, DPI, Mt Alexander Shire, City of Greater Bendigo and Landcare, The Landmate crew works on properties who share its benefits with Loddon Prison. in the Castlemaine area to undertake works including weed control, “Loddon Prison views the scheme as an

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 21 Community connection to Gunbower

The Northern Territory may have ago. The tragic loss of her son also Norma can reel off lists of birds she has tourist-touting Kakadu but there are compelled her to seek solace in the spotted – the Intermediate Egret, herons, people who say the Gunbower Forest tranquillity of the huge red gum haven cormorants, ducks, kingfishers, in a flood year can be just as alluring. and its protected wetlands. But her love honeyeaters, Rufous Whistlers, choughs Thousands of birds, animals, tiny wetland affair with the forest began earlier as a and more. She doesn’t camp out, creatures and plants make this 20,000 birdwatcher. preferring day trips and she avoids the hectare forest that stretches along the forest in busy holiday times when An archivist with the Cohuna Historical southern bank of the Murray River from thousands descend to camp along the Society, Norma’s knowledge of birds has Torrumbarry to Koondrook their home. forest’s waterways including the Murray made her a sought after data collector for River and Gunbower Creek. But even some locals who live at scientists and forest managers. nearby Cohuna don’t appreciate what’s “The tracks get too dusty,” she says. “We used to come out here as children on their doorstep, according to forest with our parents and when I came back to fan, birdwatcher and daytripper Forest mentor Cohuna I started bird watching and Norma Sheridan. rediscovered the Gunbower Forest,” Norm Wilson, 76, is Norma’s bird watching Norma, 71, who grew up on a farm near Norma said. mentor. Norm, a farmer’s son who left the forest, left the area and returned as a school at 13 to cut trees for charcoal in the “I’ve been absolutely rapt in it ever since 34-year-old, began to spend more time forest during the early 1940s, reckons he and I have just taken to it more and more there after her husband died nine years has walked every inch of it. since my husband died.” “I was born there, right on the edge,” he says. “We used to go rabbiting and fishing. We made a living out there in those days Norm Wilson and Norma Sheridan – passionate about Gunbower Forest. and sometimes it was all the living we got. The farm those days never made much money. On rainy days we’d go rabbiting and sell the skins and this is where we got our money to go to the pictures.” Today Norm spends every spare moment in the forest. He loves fishing and shooting though declares he only shoots what he eats. His ute is permanently equipped, with boat atop and fishing rod and bait in the back. When floodwaters drown the tracks, Norm can navigate his way through the forest just as easily. “I’m always fishing,” he says. “You get Murray cod, millions of bream. They reckon this is the only place from Echuca to Swan Hill that you can get them.” Norm reckons he’s had stiff necks from spotting koalas, and knows where to spot Sea Eagles and Wedge-Tailed Eagles as well as the rare Great Crested Grebe.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 22 Forest By Genevieve Barlow

Long dry spell For her part, Norma welcomes the scheme breeding,” Norma says. to flood the forest artificially, a plan that is Like many other frequenters of the forest, Stan Archard, an irrigation industry being carried out by North Central CMA Norm and Norma have watched it change pioneer who has built up a multi-million and the forest and waterway managers – and evolve. “More people, more trees,” dollar business in Cohuna designing DSE, Parks Victoria and Goulburn-Murray they say when asked what they’ve noticed irrigation schemes, is helping devise ways Water. It was tried out in the spring of most. to keep the forest artificially flooded. 2003 and allowed endangered species such But 10 years of dry weather is taking its as the Great Egret and White Bellied Sea “There is a new era in the Gunbower toll and they’re keen for the forest to get a Eagle to breed. Forest,” he declares. good drink. Forest flooding essential “Without artificial flooding we would be Norm wonders if he’ll ever see it flood in trouble because the (natural) floods are naturally again. “We might not see it any “I’m all for water being let down into getting less and less and if global warming more,” he says. “You’d have no birds these lagoons and swamps whenever occurs as they say it will, the forest might without water,” he adds. “You’ve got to possible. It’s necessary if we are going to get even less water. Without it, our forests have enough water to make them lay.” maintain these healthy rookeries and the wouldn’t be as good as they are.” TM

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E U S S Victorian I andcareandcare LL & CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

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Celebrating 20 years of Landcare Complete our Reader Survey and win a great prize! Editorial contributions Carrie Tiffany, PO Box 1135 Mitcham North 3132 CONTENTS Phone 8802 4304 CONTENTS E-mail: [email protected] Mailing list enquiries Beverley Wallace Victorian Farmers Federation Phone 9207 5527 Fax 9207 5500 EBMP in E-mail: [email protected] the south-west Tree growing tips Advertising 8 14 Paul Crock – Phone 0418 377 264 Cover photograph Ararat view by Andrew Chapman. Curtis report Landcare and Back issues of the Victorian challenges Landcare the VFF Landcare & Catchment Management magazine are available at www.dse.vic. 16 23 gov.au/victorianlandcaremagazine

This publication may be of assistance Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management is published for the Victorian Landcare to you but the State of Victoria and its community by the Department of Sustainability and Environment in partnership with employees, its partners, agents, and the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Victorian Catchment Management Council. contractors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Message from the Minister

20 years of Landcare in Victoria – a The Victorian Government remains significant milestone. committed to Landcare through the Victorian Landcare Program co-ordinated Congratulations to all those who have by DSE. Evaluation of the work dedicated their time to Landcare in Minister Thwaites catches up with one of undertaken to date through the Victorian the many Landcare projects undertaken Victoria over the past 20 years. Without Action Plan for Second Generation Landcare by Conservation Volunteers Australia. doubt the success of Landcare can be (2002) has been positive. attributed to the many volunteers of all held in Melbourne from 8-11 October ages who give their time and resources to The employment of ten regional Landcare 2006. This will be an opportunity to reflect improving and maintaining the health of co-ordinators, based at the CMAs, has on 20 years of Landcare, to exchange ideas the land. leveraged $5 million to support local and to look to the future role of Landcare. Landcare facilitator positions in 2004-05 Landcare community groups are often alone. These local facilitators in turn I encourage all Landcare members and the linchpin for local councils, CMAs, assisted in securing grants to community land managers to attend the conference. industry and Government all working groups for on-ground works, amounting to Your participation will ensure that together to achieve a common goal. over $7 million. Landcare continues to meet the Twenty years on, the Landcare model has challenges for sustainable land use. been adopted worldwide by communities I am also very pleased that the and land managers dedicated to Victorian Government is convening the John Thwaites sustainable land management. International Landcare Conference to be Minister for the Environment

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 2 From the Victorian Landcare editors Gateway upgrade By Tom Croft

Landcare was launched on Terry Simpson’s The upgrade of the property at Winjallok in the Wimmera on Victorian Landcare a warm November day in 1986. Gateway website is now complete at the new address of www.landcarevic.net.au It is difficult to believe, but Landcare is The Gateway includes the State site and now celebrating its 20th birthday. In this 10 Regional Gateway sites which will issue Terry Simpson reflects on two contain information on Landcare groups decades of Landcare action and thinks in that region. about where we are headed for the future. The Gateway also contains a broad range We also feature Allan Curtis’s hard-hitting of resource information generated for report on the state of Landcare in Landcare in Victoria, including Victoria. The report is based on a survey information on insurance, employment, of all 709 Victorian Landcare groups sponsorship, health and safety, plus operating at the end of 2004. Previous much more. surveys were conducted in 1993, 1995 and 1998. Get the latest information by email Allan Curtis, who has been researching A new system allows users to subscribe Landcare for the past 15 years, says that to a range of email notices to have new nowhere else in Australia, or the information sent to them. This can developed world, has this trend data for include the latest news and events as local watershed or catchment groups Terry Simpson (right) pictured on the farm at before, but also searches of topics, or a Winjallok with son Greg and grandson Ben. been collected. particular section of a website, such as a We also follow up on a story in the last group area. This feature means that any issue about a team of Landcarers who have new information loaded into an area will just returned from working on an Reader Survey trigger an email to subscribers. international Landcare project in a remote We would also like you to take a minute to community in southern Sri Lanka. Their Landcare Online, or the Gateway? complete the Reader Survey on pages 21 achievements are inspirational. and 22. Your comments on the magazine The launch of the new Landcare Australia website, Landcare Online, now means Send us your memories are important and will help us to keep refining it so it meets the needs of our that there are two websites for people to In the next issue of the magazine we readers. look at for Landcare in Victoria. would like to publish some stories and And there’s space for you to let us know We are exploring options to ensure that photographs reflecting on 20 years of what issues you’d like to see covered in people searching for a Landcare group in Landcare action in Victoria. If you have upcoming issues. Cut out the Reader Victoria on the Landcare Online site will any old photographs from the early days of Survey page and return it to the postage be able to find information held on the your Landcare group or project we’d love paid address by 28 July 2006 to be in the Victorian Gateway sites. The choice is up to see them. Stories about how your group draw to win one of three great prizes. to groups, but our recommendation is that got up and running and what it has groups use the Victorian Gateway, as there achieved would also be much appreciated. We hope you enjoy this anniversary issue are resources for training and assistance in of Victorian Landcare & Catchment Please send or email your contributions to the use of these sites. Management. Carrie Tiffany at the address on page 2 by Tom Croft is the Regional Landcare 21 July 2006. All prints will be returned. Teresa Oppy and Carrie Tiffany Co-ordinator at the North East CMA and the Landcare Gateway Project Manager. For further information call (02) 6043 7600.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 3 A living memorial

for native pines By Don Anderson

Of the thousands of White Cypress Pine trees (Murray Pine) that populated the sandy rises and ridges in the Western Goulburn Valley, few remain. So few in fact, that many people of recent generations have not seen one. Proof that these stately trees were once common in the early days can be found in place names and the usage to which some of the logs were put. A small village named Pine Grove, only a short distance from Kyabram, was developed in the 1870s. Fischer Street in Kyabram was once called Pine Rise. Many of the log buildings in the district are built from native pine. So why have so few of these important trees survived? The quality of the timber may have been one of the factors. Cypress White Cypress Pines are growing well on a system of lakes and islands on this 150-head dairy farm. Pine is rot and white-ant resistant, making it ideal for many on-farm purposes. Log not hundreds of pines remaining and invaluable. At the present time, more buildings required straight and uniform spreading along our roadsides. The Cypress Pines are being planted in the timbers for easy construction so the pine answer came unexpectedly and with a local area and the Kyabram Landcare trees were preferred to the abundant box great deal of disappointment at the time. Group is also planting them in Kyabram’s trees that were rarely straight enough for Box Tree Reserve. the purpose. In two plantations on our farm at Gillieston some Cypress Pines were mixed It is hoped that this is only the start of Then we come to the land type on which in with wattles and yellow and grey box replacing some of our heritage. the pine trees grew. Light, sandy, easy to trees. The trees grew well with a 100% cultivate land that could quickly grow Don Anderson is a farmer from Kyabram. success rate and were about one metre tall crops after the easy removal of trees. Box when cattle accidentally broke through trees growing on heavier soils were much the fence. Fortunately the stock were more difficult to remove and the land amongst the trees for only a few hours and Recovered White Cypress Pines growing in harder to cultivate for cropping, so it is did no damage at all to wattles or box between other trees on Don Anderson’s easy to understand why the pine trees property at Kyabram. trees. The pine trees were a different story. were the first to go. Not one leaf or twig was left, only the However, by nature of our local forest stem or trunk remained as a bare stick. trees, when some are removed, young trees The message was clear: In the early days appear very quickly, often becoming a of settlement, the pine trees did try to thicket of saplings of a new generation to grow back but sheep and cattle would replace the old. So it would be reasonable have destroyed them completely. to believe that pine trees would also With careful watering, the damaged regenerate quickly. trees on our farm have survived I considered all of these things and throughout the drought and are now could not understand why there are growing well. The lesson has been

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 4 Landcare still on fire

in the Wimmera By Max Skeen

Our 20-year Landcare celebration kicked The week closed with the much environment debate. Farmers are off in the Wimmera during April with a anticipated 20-year Landcare Dinner and more aware than ever before of their week of Landcare activities to celebrate the announcement and presentation of the responsibilities, urban communities and acknowledge the 20-year anniversary Wimmera Landcare Team of the Century. are beginning to understand their impact of Victorian Landcare. on the environment and the business While there may have been a few doubts community is slowly coming on board, The launch of Landcare at Winjallock in in the lead-up to the hectic week of yet there remains no shortage of 1986 by Heather Mitchell and Joan Kirner Landcare action, there was no need for challenges out there for Landcare. is generally accepted as the start of this concern. More than 820 Landcarers, successful community, volunteer and volunteers, project partners and supporters No doubt there will be other Landcare Government partnership. joined in, making it something to celebrations around Victoria over the remember and inspiring all those who coming months and we wish all of those Thanks to those and other Landcare took part. involved in recognising the 20-year visionaries at the time, we can now look milestone every success for the future. back with pride, a sense of satisfaction and After 20 years the fire and passion is maybe a hint of surprise at the scale of still there, as is the need to bring new Max Skeen is the Wimmera Regional participation, change and achievement faces and ideas into the Landcare and Landcare Co-ordinator. resulting from Landcare. The number of players in the 2006 version of Landcare continues to increase and now captures the imagination of the community at national and international levels. This was as good a reason as any for Wimmera Landcare to celebrate the achievements, recognise the people and acknowledge the success of the past 20 years. Wimmera Landcare Week kicked off in Horsham and Stawell on 1 April with a community promotion in Horsham Plaza and Stawell’s main street and went on to include displays, giveaways and celebration activities throughout the region. The aim of the week was to provide something for everyone. Landcare groups had breakfast meetings, tours, field trips, BBQs and walks, while the Landcare team arranged indigenous and cultural tours, Landcare and natural environment photography. Guest speakers included 2001 Australian of the Year Arron Wood and marathon 2001 Australian of the Year Arron Wood warms up the swimmer Tammy Van Wisse. breakfast crowd with his inspiring environmental success stories.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 5 Regional

North Central The North Central CMA is assisting with the first significant statewide review of listed noxious weeds in 30 years. The community has been nominating plants for consideration to be declared noxious under the Catchment and Land Protection Act. The Second Generation Landcare Grants Program has seen funds distributed to over Wimmera locals enjoy a bird watching walk during Landcare week. 70 community and Landcare groups in North Central Victoria. The grants will Corangamite documentary to highlight individual and foster partnerships between Government community Landcare stories. Ongoing and developing relationships and the community so that we can work between the CMA and each of the The evening will also recognise together to manage and improve the region’s nine Landcare networks are to be individuals and groups with the natural assets of the region. formalised through partnership agreements nominations for regional entries to the Our Indigenous Facilitator, Darren Perry, currently under development. Agreements 2007 Victorian Landcare Awards. has been run off his feet lately after are expected to be in place by the end of There will also be a display of Landcare contacting Landcare groups and offering June 2006. snapshots. Each Landcare group will be to come and speak to them about The first annual catchment achievement given a disposable camera to capture a day conserving indigenous cultural heritage. awards for the region will be held on in the life of Landcare and the images will Darren is delighted with the interest and 2 June 2006 in Torquay. The awards will be developed into signboards for goodwill generally shown by landholders. recognise the individuals, groups and community display. For further information contact businesses that have made a positive For further information contact contribution to catchment health in Hinalei Johnston on 5440 1816. Darren Williams on 5150 3575. the region. West Gippsland The awards are an opportunity for the Goulburn Broken The Landcare team is working on a Corangamite CMA to raise the profile Landcare in the Goulburn Broken is publication highlighting Landcare stories of the excellent work done by members celebrating two successful National of the community in providing an of success. The publication will be Landcare Program applications for launched at the September Regional environmentally sound region for future 2005/06. The innovative On Your Marc; Landcare Forum to celebrate 20 years of generations. Ready, Set, Mulch project involves Landcare in Victoria. For further information contact Polly Hall recycling of grape marcs, a winery waste on 5232 9100. product, as bedding in deep litter piggeries. Landcare in West Gippsland is embarking on its annual reflection and revisit of our Once through the piggery, the organic- East Gippsland Landcare Support Strategy. A community rich mulch produced is already showing workshop was held in the Bass Coast Friday 8 September 2006 will be the noticeable enhancement of soil microbial culmination of Landcare Week in East activity and pasture growth in trials, when Landcare Network area of our region on Gippsland and a celebration of 20 years of it is applied instead of fertiliser. 4 May 2006. A region-wide Landcare Landcare in Victoria. group survey will follow and the findings The three-year dung beetle project was also compiled from the workshop and survey The evening will give Landcare people in successful. This project will help promote will be tabled at the December Regional and demonstrate dung beetles as a way of the region a chance to share stories, Landcare Forum. celebrate success, strengthen relationships minimising nutrient run-off from farms and and look to the future. Guests will dine on a the degradation of our river ecosystems. For further information contact variety of locally produced and sustainable Phillip McGarry on 5662 4555. For further information contact foods and view a human interest Katie Brown on 5736 0103.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 6 Roundup

Wimmera The North East CMA is calling for nominations for the regional Landcare From April 1-7 2006 the region hosted Awards. Over 880 years of active service Wimmera Landcare Week. Field trips, to Landcare has been recognised over the tours, breakfasts, BBQs, picnics, dinners, last three years. The awards will culminate presentations and a host of other activities in events to celebrate 20 years of Landcare were held to celebrate 20 years of achievements in the region. Landcare in Victoria. Feedback so far has been fantastic so it looks like there’s For further information contact Tom Croft growing enthusiasm for something similar on (02) 6043 7600. next year. Port Phillip and Westernport Landcare Development Grants are now open to groups looking to promote their Evaluation of the existing Port Phillip and success or implement small-scale projects Westernport Landcare support strategy is aimed at encouraging community underway with the findings to inform the interaction and participation. The grants, development of a renewed program logic up to $2500, are easily accessed with for the new strategy. minimal paperwork. The CMA recognises the importance of The Wimmera Landcare Community place-based, landscape-scale, multiple- Support Strategy was launched during outcome projects for engaging a diversity Wimmera Landcare Week. The Landcare of stakeholders in achieving large-scale team identified a number of actions for natural resource management outcomes. immediate implementation aimed at As a consequence it is facilitating the strengthening Landcare and further development of a small number of such promoting the contribution to healthy projects around the region. Two of these communities and landscapes. now have dedicated project officers, with We welcome Rebecca Farran as the new a third on the way. Landcare Co-ordinator at Edenhope. Landcare groups and networks are seen For more information contact Max Skeen as key components of these projects. on 5382 1544. NLP funding has been secured for a co-ordinator to help nine groups in the North East Yarra Valley establish a new network and integrate their activities into one of these companies, is heavily involved in the DPI Twelve projects from North East Landcare Foxoff program. Twelve landholders have group networks and industry groups gained developing major projects. developed a plan to reduce fox numbers in $945,000 in funding from the National For further information contact preparation for the upcoming lambing Landcare Program (NLP) in this round. Doug Evans on 9296 4662. season. With the forestry companies These projects will continue to expand onboard a large area of land can be Glenelg Hopkins the range of sustainable agriculture controlled. programs delivered by Landcare in the The team has been busy working on The Elingamite/Cobrico Landcare Group region, building on the success of current applications for Round 8 of the Australian celebrated their 15-year anniversary in projects. Government’s Envirofund. Landcare and April. The celebration included a bus tour community groups are seeking funds for The Ovens Landcare Network held a very of the Landcare area including a a range of activities including corridor successful Soil Health Forum in March, ceremonial tree planting at Lake linkages, monitoring of threatened species, with over 150 landholders attending. Elingamite. A dinner followed with guest Speakers included Dr Stuart Hill, increasing habitat values and other speaker Denise Burrell discussing farming in Indonesia. Dr Maarten Stapper and Dr Tim Clune, revegetation works. who presented a range of issues relating The Dunrobin Landcare Group, in For more information contact to soil health. conjunction with neighbouring forestry Shelley Lipscombe on 5571 2526.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 7 EBMP builds on Landcare in the

“We’ve got to be accountable for our actions. DPI and DSE developed Environmental other steps such as a risk assessment. If we are not identifying the issues how do Best Management Practices on Farms we know where we are?” – John Fyfe, The EBMP process takes farmers through (EBMP). The project has seen over 700 landholder. a self-assessment and action-planning landholders benchmark their farming phase using two workbooks, covering a The decade of Landcare saw a huge shift practices against current sustainable land variety of topics such as water towards natural resource management on management processes in the south-west management, soil management and both a local and catchment scale across region of Victoria. A further 800 self- vegetation management. Participants are south-west Victoria. In recent years many assessment and action planning asked to rank each topic and its related Landcare groups and individuals began workbooks have also been sold to groups issues in order of priority (high, medium to struggle with declining numbers and in other parts of Victoria and across or low) and benchmark themselves on a enthusiasm. This created a need for a new Australia. scale as to where they are now and where and invigorating process to work towards EBMP introduces and links farmers to the they would like to be in the future. achieving sustainable landscapes. plan, do, check, review process used in the High priority actions identified in phase In 2000 the Glenelg-Hopkins and Environmental Management System one are then addressed in the action Corangamite regions in partnership with (EMS) cycle. An EMS includes several planning process during phase two.

Dairy clean-up saves money and soil

Martin and Andrea Van de Wouw run Today, they save about $2800 a year a 580-head dairy farm near Curdievale in on detergent, which has helped fund south-west Victoria. They are the changes along with savings on enthusiastic farmers who have been energy used to heat hot water. actively involved in Curdievale Landcare, Martin says that the reduction of West Vic Dairy, VFF and detergents into the soil will be positive the Corangamite CMA. for the long-term health of the property. One of the issues raised through their Andrea Van de Wouw says that the involvement in the EBMP process was EBMP process helped the family to the amount of detergent going into their address an issue that had been in the effluent system and then on to pastures. back of their minds for some time. This raised concern about the impact detergent was having on their soils. “As farmers we’ve got so much on our minds sometimes it seems like we Martin and Andrea decided to act as they are working in a fog,” she said. were using approximately 1400 litres of detergent a year. Whilst undertaking a “It’s not until we go through a process teat cup upgrade they also embarked on like EBMP that we start to set priorities.” an upgrade to the washdown system. This year the Van de Wouws intend to address a vegetation management top: Dairyfarmer Andrea Van de Wouw is issue and get involved in agroforestry. an enthusiastic supporter of EBMP. left: Andrea Van de Wouw (left) discusses EBMP with students from Marcus Oldham College in Geelong.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 8 Catchment Management south-west By Mandy Coulson

Individual farm action plans identify key outcome. To maintain momentum, the EBMP is now being used as one of the tools management issues, works to be self-assessments and action plans are in the VFF and Victorian Government undertaken and information needs. reviewed annually. collaboration to involve a larger number of farmers in EMS. The program aims to Collectively, this information assists DPI, A number of regions across Victoria support 4000 farmers to participate in DSE and CMAs with planning and are now beginning to use the EBMP training over the next 12 months. resourcing within sub-catchment areas. process as a simple way of identifying One of the key assets the model brings is natural resource management issues at Andrea Van de Wouw (far left) discusses its ability to deliver behavioural change. the individual farm, the catchment issues identified through the self-assessment The EBMP Project Evaluation found that area and the entire region. The process and action planning phases of the EBMP is useful for all stakeholders, enabling process with two other EBMP participants in 77% of the participants interviewed landholders, Landcare/NRM facilitators, the Curdievale catchment. have changed their approach to farm community groups, CMAs, etc., to management practices since being For further information on the EBMP address high priority issues through involved in the EBMP pilot program. process, please contact Geoff McFarlane an action planning phase and allocate or Mandy Coulson at DPI Geelong on Participants are encouraged to build resources accordingly. Collectively 5226 4667. on-ground works into their day-to-day EBMP offers multiple benefits at all schedule and to observe the impact of levels, working towards achieving For further information on the their management changes, ensuring that healthy and more sustainable productive VFF-Victorian Government Program new practices are having the desired landscapes. contact Greg Smith on 0427 352 383.

McColls find new focus

Rob McColl owns and manages 800 hectares in the Meredith/Bamgamie area where he grazes sheep. He has been actively involved in whole farm planning and a member of the local Landcare group since it began over 15 years ago. After going through the EBMP self-assessment and action plan phases, Rob and his daughter, Bridget, sat down together and devised 45 actions that Rob McColl (left) and needed attention. Mandy Coulson inspecting farm water supply. Rob says that the EBMP process has enabled the family to refocus and Rob get started on implementing some of Without these works the soils are re-evaluate current farming practices the priority actions he identified in the likely to move into the creek systems, to better achieve sustainable production EBMP process. eventually being deposited into the on the property. Leigh River. Rob also plans to improve This year Rob intends to stabilise hillside Financial support through a National the productivity of lighter sandy soils soils by sowing permanent pasture. Landcare Program grant has helped by sowing a paddock down to lucerne.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 9 Aussie-

During the two-week visit team members provided local tourism operators with a chance to interact with Western eco- tourists and receive constructive feedback in a non-threatening environment. Accommodation hosts, caterers, school students and tour guiding operators Twelve Landcarers from across Australia benefited from the experience. have recently returned from a two-week visit to Sri Lanka where they participated The volunteers worked alongside local in an innovative pilot program for operators to develop promotional material international Landcare. to attract more eco-tourists to the area. They built picnic tables for visitor use The program was designed by Victorian at sites within the lagoon reserves and Landcare Network (VLN) volunteers worked at the local schools. to provide professional development opportunities for Landcarers while Lizzie Bickmore, a volunteer from working to support a rural community Victoria, says she gained invaluable skills overseas. in multi-tasking, teamwork, construction and community engagement on the The Australian volunteers built timber Sri Lanka trip. facilities, conducted environmental education programs and assisted new ecotourism operators in the Rekewa- Emma Bennett works alongside Ussangoda-Kalametiya (RUK) district a school neighbour digging holes of southern Sri Lanka. in hard soil with poor tools. The pilot project provided assistance to a United Nations Development Program project aiming to provide the local community with an alternative income source to environmentally destructive activities such as shell mining. The lagoons of the RUK area are recognised as significant wetlands of South-East Asia and are world class for bird watching.

Photographs from top: A new playground gets its first workout from Pingama School students. Pingama school students are introduced to the concept of Waterwatch. The Australian Landcare team with eco-tourism operators at Kalametiya Campsite. Did someone say debrief? Team members recover from a hard morning’s work in hot, humid weather.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 10 Group style Landcare News

in Sri Lanka By Emma Bennett

“The construction work was the most “The trip has given me experience in as well as extending opportunities for immediately tangible part of the project. team leading, delegating and organising Landcare programs across the globe. fundraising activities. And it has increased It pulled at the heartstrings to see the The project would not have been possible my confidence in talking to a video children swarming over the newly without the dedication of team members installed playground equipment and camera and on local radio.” and the support of sponsors. Major enjoying the simple pleasure of a picnic Glenn said it was an invaluable sponsors include The Myer Foundation, table that we might take for granted in opportunity to come to an understanding the Loch Village Community in Australia.” of a different culture. Gippsland, The Rossi Group, Swann Insurance and the Bell family. Thanks Glenn Merrick, also from Victoria, says The VLN hopes to build on the pilot also to project partners, Landcare he has brought many new skills back program model to provide ongoing Australia Limited and Australian to his local Landcare community. linkages with the Sri Lankan community Volunteers International.

David’s big adventure

David Tepper, a wheat farmer from Horsham, was in charge of one of the construction teams in Sri Lanka and also taught at the school. “It was an immensely rewarding experience. Being a farmer I spend a lot of time working on my own and suddenly here I was working with a team of very different people. We got on so well and learned a lot from each other,” David says. “The conditions were often hard going. The heat was constant and made the physical side of things very trying. We generally took a break in the middle of the day to re-group and conserve our Victorian farmers David Tepper (left) and Glenn Merrick work together a long way from home. energy.” The team slept in tents at one of the “The classrooms are very basic. No David’s visit was mainly self-funded with ecotourism sites and lived without power windows, just wire mesh and a concrete some assistance from the Wimmera CMA. for their stay. floor. I wasn’t sure what to teach, but one He’s keen to visit the area again and to do everything possible to promote ecotourism David says he was struck by the simple day I wrote the words to the song, in the region and build links between the lives of the Sri Lankan people and how Kookaburra Sits on the Old Gum Tree, on two countries. friendly and happy they were. He spent the board. The children were shy at first time at the local kindergarten where he but then they just wouldn’t stop singing. “It was the experience of a lifetime. After a helped the children make dolls and play It was amazing. I’ll never forget the sound couple of weeks back at home I’m still games and gave English lessons at the of them singing. They would have gone feeling a bit flat. I hadn’t realised how much senior school. on forever if I hadn’t lost my voice.” I would miss the place and the people.”

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 11 Twenty years of

Terry, Greg and Ben feeding sheep on an area rehabilitated by diversion banks, a gully plug dam and generous amounts of superphosphate on phalaris and sub-clover pastures.

Landcare was officially launched 20 years ago Through my involvement on the on Terry Simpson’s property at Winjallok. Landcare Steering Committee, and Terry, a wool grower and one of the key practical involvement in land originators of Landcare, reflects on the management and restoration with my son, beginning of Landcare and how it has Greg, I became known as an advocate for evolved. practical, farm-based Landcare. I started working on the Landcare Landcare was officially launched by Joan program with Heather Mitchell and Joan Kirner at Stricta Hill and on our farm at Kirner in the mid 1980s when I was a Winjallok in November 1986. Stricta Hill member of the Victorian Farmers and the surrounding country suffered from Terry Simpson (right) on the farm with son Greg and grandson Ben. Federation (VFF) Salinity Committee severe gully erosion caused by high run-off and the State Land Protection Council. rates, lack of perennial vegetation, rabbits Heather Mitchell (now deceased) was and poor pastures. Located in the input. This program was given very strong President of the VFF and Joan Kirner was catchment of the Avon and Richardson support from the St Arnaud Field the Minister for Conservation, Forests Rivers, it is considered a recharge area for Naturalists, Project Branchout and the and Lands. salty groundwater surfacing further north wider Avon-Richardson community. around Lake Buloke. Around that time, I was also Chairman This initiative taken by local landholders of a Conservation Committee with the Stricta Hill was a soil conservation project with Government input through the St Arnaud VFF that won Victorian State consisting of rabbit eradication, Department of Conservation Forests and Branch of the Year and I had been restoration of native vegetation, pasture Lands became a statewide model and an actively involved for many years in a local improvement, fencing and stock example of what Landcare is about. soil conservation group program. management with ongoing community

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 12 Landcare By Terry Simpson

Broadacre solutions essential From my earliest involvement, Landcare always had to take into account broadacre solutions. I’ve never altered from that. It continues to amaze me that people wish to believe that there is any other major solution. We must get the perspective right. What do people think is going on with the vast area that is used for agricultural production? Who do they think is maintaining families and communities in these areas? Who do they think is paying for Landcare in these areas? Yet 90% of Landcare publicity is about trees, birds and butterflies. This seems unfair to the silent achievers out there. Sheep feeding on land that formerly suffered from severe gully erosion, At best, tree planting is only going to rabbits, low production and supported only one sheep to the hectare. cover 10% of the landscape – but what about the other 90%? The fact is that Landcare, then aren’t cropping farmers improved, we have been able to purchase trees aren’t the solution, they are only who mulch stubbles, use crop rotations and restore other areas of farmland. one part of it. and precise fertiliser applications using There is a lot of really great work going on Landcare principles? This same example The flow-on effect that is not part of the broadacre solutions can be used for any other farming Strong agricultural enterprises make to Landcare, including community tree enterprise. Farming is a business and strong, viable communities. It also has plantings, remnant vegetation protection, unless farmers make money out of the a wider flow-on effect, not just for the wetland establishment and some weed farm to re-invest back, they can’t look local community. For example, the programs. It is most important that all after their land. local dozer driver requires a highly these activities are encouraged to Greg and I run a self-replacing flock skilled mechanic to service his machine. continue. of 13,000 eighteen to twenty micron So, he takes it along to a business However, Landcare publicity leaves most Merinos on marginal country that servicing large machinery in a large people with the impression that these are originally ran only one sheep to the regional centre. This example can be the main things occurring. This is simply hectare on some of the poorer paddocks. repeated many times over when untrue and gives the impression that We have been building the farm employing cartage contractors, purchasing farming businesses need to turn their over the past 40 years by buying fertiliser, fencing materials, grain… properties into botanical parkland. degraded ground and improving it Many farmers are carrying out Landcare with perennial pastures, subterranean Drive in any direction you like from any on their broadacre farms and contributing clover, deeper and more secure farm city or town and you’ll drive through substantially to the economic and social dams, rabbit eradication and substantial farming land. The undeniable fact is that well-being of the communities they are farmers own the majority of private land. productivity improvement. part of. But there are not necessarily any Landcare must be about farming Since 1986, annual wool production on signs to tell you that, there’s no hoopla our farm has gone from 180 bales to 320, and no fanfare. Farmers are busy looking Let’s stop and analyse what Landcare with annual sheep sales growing from after their livelihood, the environment actually means. If caring for the land is 1400 to 3500. As these figures have and their future viability.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 13 Research Tips for successful Results

farm tree growing By Philippa Noble

Weed control, weed control and weed Inclusion of understorey in tree control are the first three most important plantations will attract birds, beneficial aspects of successful tree planting. Then insects, native animals and reptiles to the comes planning, browsing control and area, as well as improving soil health. ground preparation. Correct timing of Ideally, local species planted on as large these operations is almost as important an area as possible is best for timber as the actual works. production and biodiversity and salinity Summer and autumn are the times of the benefits. year for planning, browsing control and Shade and shelter is often established ground preparation. Failure to undertake in belts. A single tree can be adequate these jobs during this time will mean that for providing shade but gives no other the success of your planting project will benefits and can be relatively expensive be compromised. to protect from browsing. Belts of trees Planning for wind protection should be at least four rows wide, preferably 6-10 rows Mary Anderson from Parkland Nursery, Planning involves deciding where to put of native species. They then provide Wangaratta, loosening seedlings for planting. your revegetation project and what you other benefits to the farm and the want the plantation to do for you, as this environment, as well as shelter. will determine the layout and species Trees should be spaced 3-5 metres apart to required. allow room to grow. Shrubs can be planted closer depending on their final size. Gary Leonard inspects his newly planted firewood plantation which is an excellent example of careful weed control. Ordering trees early is important to ensure the nursery can provide the plants you want.

Browsing control Browsing control entails fencing the site from farm stock, but also preventing rabbits and hares from eating new plants. This must be done well prior to planting, with rabbits and hares best controlled in summer/autumn, when pasture feed is scarce. Rabbit control programs should include a mix of baiting with poisoned oats, fumigating and/or ripping burrows, clearing warren sites where possible and spotlighting and shooting – mainly to monitor rabbit numbers. Guarding and netting plantations can be expensive and time consuming but may be necessary if rabbits are not under control at planting time. Hares are controlled by spotlight shooting, as they cannot be poisoned.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 14 North-east ripping contractor Jack Frewin adjusts his three tyned ripper.

Ground preparation Weed control If the spraying is undertaken correctly, watering of plants during and after Ground preparation in the form of ripping Weed control is essential for any planting planting should not be necessary. is highly recommended to allow for quick project and undertaken later in the year. Weed control should be at least a plant root penetration of the soil. Ripping Controlling seed set and perennial plants metre around the seedling and can should be done in autumn, while the during the spring of the year before be spot, strip or total area weed control, subsoil is still dry enough to shatter. planting is ideal but removal of weeds in depending on the weeds and other It should be deep enough to break up any the winter just before planting is essential. plants present on the site. hard layer that could impede root growth. Seedlings or seeds must be planted into a If left until too late and the soil becomes weed-free bed. Philippa Noble is a Private Forestry too wet, ripping can cause a glazed trench, Officer with DPI at Wangaratta. Spraying with a knockdown herbicide and which collects water and drowns plants. For further information she can be a pre-emergent to give longer-term weed Mounding can improve survival on contacted on 5723 8686. waterlogged sites and tree growth rates control can mean the difference between in other areas. life and death of most planting projects.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 15 Research Results Curtis report

By Margrit Beemster calls for more

Curtis report calls Co-ordinators like football coaches and the identification of lessons learnt for more co-ordinators through on-ground work. Professor Curtis recommends that Landcare groups have a vital role to play Government underwrites Landcare by “Groups should still do the on-ground in the management of Victoria’s natural making a long-term commitment to fund work. But experience tells us that we are and cultural assets but more Government a co-ordinator for every five to ten groups. still a long way off knowing exactly what investment in the professional to do. Groups are probably the most “Most groups have already formed into management of groups is needed. effective places we have for landholders to networks, with a common leadership. Each share ideas, reflect on their actions and “The best investment Government can network should be able to apply for a full- plan future work on the basis of local make with Landcare is to employ more time professional co-ordinator,” he says. experience and expert knowledge.” co-ordinators,” says Professor Allan Curtis, “That person would almost be like a the Director of Charles Sturt University’s football coach, there to motivate people Investment essential Institute for Land, Water and Society. and provide the expertise for effective Professor Curtis believes we are at a Professor Curtis’s recommendations come planning, monitoring and evaluation. tipping point where insufficient from his report, Landcare in Victoria: after In turn, co-ordinators would be part of a investment in the fabric of Landcare is twenty years, which is based on a survey regional and statewide professional network undermining the capacity of Landcare to of all 709 Victorian Landcare groups with a defined career and pay structure.” contribute to more sustainable natural operating at the end of 2004. Professor Curtis suggests an investment resource management. With previous surveys conducted in 1993, of $10 million per year to employ and “We now have clear evidence of the 1995 and 1998, there was the opportunity resource 70 full-time co-ordinator ‘declining health’ of Landcare. We are to identify trends over time. positions across Victoria. He would also running down the social and human like to see more emphasis on reflection capital that we have established through

A Landcare group gets to work in the Tallangatta Valley.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 16 co-ordinators

our previous investments in Landcare. We have fewer landholders in Landcare; we’ve got fewer groups – almost 150 fewer groups than in 1998; where groups operate we have a smaller proportion of local people in them; we’ve got fewer outsiders assisting or studying the work of groups; and we have very high attrition rates. Professor Allan Curtis says Landcare co-ordinators can motivate people Many groups are not going to be viable for and provide key expertise for planning, monitoring and evaluation. long. Overall there is a net loss of 15 to 20% of members each year.” comes down to individual property owners As we celebrate 20 years of Landcare Professor Curtis says governments will and Landcare groups are one of the best in Victoria, Professor Curtis recognises continue to rely heavily on the efforts and ways of mobilising their resources.” the success of Landcare but also wants investments of private landholders. a more coherent and determined High levels of satisfaction approach to supporting Landcare. Landcare out of fashion Survey data showed substantially higher “Things have been going backwards. levels of group satisfaction with “As I see it, part of the problem is we tend The number of groups employing a to move from one policy option to the Government support across a range of co-ordinator has decreased from 38% next. To some extent, Landcare is out of measures including money for on-ground in 1998 to 29% in 2004. And 71% of fashion. My response is that we will always work and support for administration. these work part-time and across a need a mix of approaches. We need to There were also very positive perceptions number of groups. retain those things that work as we of outcomes from group activity over a explore additional tools. We still don’t longer period of time, in terms of groups Added to this Landcare groups reported know what sustainable farming involves increasing awareness of land and water contact rates of 73% with CMAs and for most of Australia. degradation issues; the links between on- 48% with local government. There is “Landcare groups undertake considerable farm actions and catchment impacts, and further opportunity for CMAs to provide on-groundwork in a very cost-effective sustainable farming practices; and members co-ordinated professional support these manner, but more importantly, they play completing important on-ground work. groups need. a critical role in facilitating the dialogue “There are still some issues around the Professor Curtis says the Country Fire and learning needed to work out how to CMAs for some groups as some feel the Authority is a good model of what is manage our great land. CMAs are ignoring them,” Professor needed for Landcare. “Members of Landcare groups continue Curtis says. The report was part of the Federal to be involved in field days and trialling However, the level of concern with these Department of Agriculture, Forestry of recommended practices and these issues was not as high as had commonly and Fisheries NLP Monitoring and activities are an important part of the been thought. Evaluation Project. dialogue and learning that occurs through groups. The groups are also still doing Industry still resistant The full report, Landcare in Victoria; large amounts of on-ground works with a Landcare continues to struggle to engage after twenty years, is on the smaller number of on-ground projects (but industry or business. Charles Sturt University website at: at a larger scale) than in the past.” http://athene.riv.csu.edu.au/#pubs “Only 11% of groups reported assistance Professor Curtis says that’s another reason from industry/business in 2004 and the Margrit Beemster is Communications we need these groups. total value of that assistance was only Co-ordinator at the Charles Sturt “If they’re not going to do this work, who 8% of the value of all resources received University Institute for Land, Water is? CMAs aren’t going to do it; it still by groups,” says Professor Curtis. and Society.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 17 Catchment Management Landcare support on

with action plan By Dr Jess Dart and David Lucas

The Victorian Action Plan for Second the CMAs and funded by the Victorian from all regions and included regional Generation Landcare (VAPSGL) is a 10- Government. This central team provides Landcare co-ordinators, local Landcare year plan launched in 2002 after extensive strategic leadership and support for facilitators and co-ordinators, Landcare community discussion. Landcare in Victoria. They aim to community representatives and increase the capacity of communities to representatives from CMAs, DSE and DPI. The plan aims to strengthen the Victorian participate in the Landcare program to Landcare community’s relationships with protect and improve on our natural VAPSGL success Government departments, non- resources. Government organisations and industry, The review found that the plan has been provide additional support for the The achievements of the first four years highly successful. As well as providing volunteer Landcare movement and assist of the plan have recently been reviewed. more than 140 training opportunities land managers to develop their natural (2003-05) and raising over $5 million to The information and recommendations resource management skills. support local Landcare co-ordinators and gained from this review will be used to facilitators (2004-05), numerous strategy The co-ordination and implementation inform the next implementation phase documents and support materials have of the plan is led by the State Landcare of the plan from 2006-2010. been produced for Landcare groups. Support Team which is made up of the Fifty two people were consulted by DSE Victorian Landcare Program The Regional Landcare Support independent reviewers in either group or team and the 10 regional Landcare Strategies, various monitoring and individual interviews. Participants came co-ordinators (RLCs) employed by evaluation plans and the Being Investor Ready Toolkit have been key achievements. The Victorian Regional Landcare co-ordinators Shelley Lipscombe, Doug Evans Landcare Gateway website acts as and Brendon Thomas (seated) discuss priorities for the action plan. an important communication tool and is now receiving just under 50,000 hits a month. (http://www.landcarevic.net.au)

Co-ordinators are crucial The regional Landcare co-ordinators are leading and supporting teams that include the majority of local Landcare co-ordinators and facilitators in Victoria, who in turn support the volunteers. This has contributed to an increase in the amount of support provided to Landcare volunteers. Investment in these Landcare support roles is based on the assumption that healthy, empowered and knowledgeable Landcare groups will lead to more sustainable natural resource management outcomes. A survey conducted by Curtis and Cooke in 2004 shows that Landcare members feel

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 18 Get ready for the track International Landcare Conference

By Alex Arbuthnot

The 2nd International and National Landcare Conference will be held at the they are provided with more support now Melbourne Conference Centre from than in 1998. The survey provides clear 8-11 October 2006 and it is an event evidence that the health of a Landcare not to be missed. group (internal leadership, management The conference theme is Landscapes, approaches and prevailing cultures) Lifestyles and Livelihoods. It will build on influences the extent of natural resource the themes of previous conferences but management outcomes achieved. will look to the future and the aim of wealth and health in our country. The RLCs are described as the glue in the Landcare network, connecting Keynote speakers include Bobbie Brazil, community, the CMAs and the Victorian Jack Whelan and Maude Barlow. Maude Government. The Curtis and Cooke Barlow is the National Chairperson of survey shows that the CMAs and the The Council of Canadians and co-founder community now have a better relationship of the Blue Planet Project, which works to Maude Barlow, one of Canada’s leading and VAPSGL review participants consider stop commodification of the world’s water. community advocates, is a keynote speaker at the 2006 National and International that the RLCs have helped to achieve this. Conference organisers are planning for Landcare Conference. The RLCs are also credited with providing around 1000 delegates with an increased ongoing links and co-ordination with overseas audience as Landcare becomes other partners including the VFF, more and more popular around the world. The 2006 National Landcare Awards Greening Australia and industry based Although Landcare is about rolling up winners will be announced at a gala farmer groups. your sleeves and doing the work it is also dinner during the conference. For important that we share our success stories Victorians it will also be an opportunity to Overall the results of the review and learn from others. Conferences are celebrate 20 years of Landcare. were extremely positive. Landcare about the exchange of information and Please start planning to participate in this was identified as a core element in generating debate. Not only will we learn important event – an opportunity to learn enhancing the health of rural from the many key speakers and Landcare and make new Landcare friends. communities. The main recommendation presentations but from others as we chat from participants was to continue the For registration forms and further over coffees and lunches. VAPSGL program and evolve it to information visit the conference website further strengthen communities to The conference committee is encouraging at www.internationallandcareconference meet current natural resource catchment regions and Landcare networks 2006.com.au or contact Waldron Smith management circumstances. or groups to arrange partnerships or Management on 9645 6311. sponsorships with local businesses to assist Alex Arbuthnot is a member of the The full report, 2002-2006 VAPSGL in funding community Landcarers to conference organising committee. Evaluation: Building on success and planning attend the conference. the future of Landcare support in Victoria, is on the Victorian Landcare Gateway at: http://www.landcarevic.net.au

For further information contact David Lucas, State Landcare Co-ordinator at DSE on 9637 8033. Dr Jess Dart is a Director of Clear Horizon, the consultants who undertook the review of the VAPSGL.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 19 Reclaiming

Lake Tyrrell By Brendon Thomas

Farmers are working to reclaim land from Lake Tyrrell in the Mallee.

A group of Mallee farmers are working Jamie Pook said the Landcare funding A number of the mapping graduates with their local Landcare groups to came about because of the phenomenal will now be involved in the Landcare reclaim unproductive areas of farmland support of farmers. project to implement some of the around Lake Tyrrell. “One farmer offered a 4000-hectare area actions they’ve identified for their According to Manangatang Landcare Co- and others have offered varying amounts properties.” ordinator Jamie Pook the Manangatang, of land in the Tyrrell, Wahpool and Jamie said the partnership with land Waitchie and Sea Lake Landcare groups Timboram areas. managers would be invaluable in terms have secured National Landcare Program “The end result should be fairly of using farmers’ expertise to learn funding of $102,000 for the coming year. productive land within 18 months to more about large-scale restructure. “This is a three-year project with the aim two years and we’re also linking remnant “We are really excited about the scale of turning 200 hectares a year into more vegetation areas around the three lakes of this project and the level of local profitable and sustainable landscapes by to create large wildlife corridors. enthusiasm. Basically we will be adopting perennial grazing and forestry reclaiming about 600 hectares through systems and enhancing the environmental “This will particularly benefit birds like planting and direct seeding of unprofitable values of the surrounding Tyrrell Basin the Orange Chat by providing a croplands to perennial fodder, forestry lakes complex,” Jamie Pook said. protective corridor for them to move between the lakes,” he explained. and protected biodiversity systems. The project, which will start this month, will see unproductive areas planted out Landcare co-ordinators, employed by “It’s the type of landscape change with Old Man Saltbush, pasture, native Mallee CMA, would effectively be that can only occur with land trees and shrubs. Five farmers have already following on from the hugely successful managers’ support and it’s a great committed large areas of their land to the environmental mapping project funded indicator of the level of knowledge first year of the project. by the CMA in the Lake Tyrrell area and community support that exists recently. in the Mallee about sustainable The funding proposal had been instigated land management,” he said. by local farmers who were keen to see “This involved about 40 farmers large areas of salt-affected land returned to developing action plans for their Brendon Thomas is the Regional Landcare productivity and local biodiversity properties to address environmental issues Co-ordinator for the Mallee CMA. protected. such as salinity and remnant vegetation. For further information call 5051 4385.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 20 Reader Book prize By returning your Reader Survey form you’ll have the chance to win one of three copies of Feather and Brush. Three Centuries of Australian Bird Art, by Penny Olsen. Survey This beautiful book traces the 300- year history of bird art in Australia, from the crudely illustrated records Dear Readers, of the earliest European voyages of After ten years and 36 issues of the Victorian Landcare & Catchment Management discovery to the diversity of artwork magazine it’s time to reflect on what we have achieved and to find out how we can make available today. the magazine even better for the future. Feather and Brush contains over Please complete the survey and return it to us in the postage paid envelope enclosed by 250 stunning images representing 28 July 2006. 94 artists. Published by CSIRO, the book retails from $69.95. We’ll print the results from the survey in the next issue.

1. Which of the following best describes you? (Tick as many boxes as required) Dryland farmer Irrigation farmer Lifestyle or hobby farmer Other

Where do you live? Resident in a country town City dweller Resident on the urban/rural fringe Other

What is your interest in Landcare? Member of a Landcare or similar group Landcare sponsor Landcare co-ordinator/facilitator Teacher/educator VFF member Researcher Local government employee or councillor Other Government officer Catchment Management Authority (CMA) representative Agribusiness person

Additional copies of the survey are available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/victorianlandcaremagazine

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 21 Reader Survey cont...

2. On a personal interest basis, rate the different types of stories in Victorian Landcare & Catchment Management

Very Quite Not very Not at all interested interested interested interested

News from Landcare groups and networks Individual farmer case studies New research findings Regional Roundup News from DSE/DPI the VFF and the CMAs Practical stories on how to do something Information about grants and incentives Reviews of websites and publications Letters to the editor

3. Do other people read your copy of the magazine?

Yes Approximately how many? No

4. In what ways do you think this magazine could best serve and support Landcare in Victoria?

5. What do you think the current challenges are for Landcare in Victoria?

6. Are there any ways the magazine can be improved for you?

7. Are there any issues or stories you would like to see covered in upcoming issues? Name:

Address:

Postcode: Your name and address are optional but please include them if you would like to be in the prize draw.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 22 Landcare and the VFF –

a 20-year marriage By Ian Linley & Beverley Wallace

The history of Landcare in Victoria is Minister for Conservation, Forests and uniquely attached to the Victorian Lands, established the Victorian Landcare Farmers Federation (VFF). During the program. 1970s the VFF (then the VFGA) The official launch of Landcare was with identified the negative aspects of farm tree the Winjallok Landcare Group at Stricta decline, and in conjunction with the Hill, the site of a land management Victorian Government appointed a farm project undertaken by farmers affiliated trees officer to encourage the with the St Arnaud branch of the VFF. establishment of farm tree groups throughout Victoria. The VFF further committed to encouraging sustainable farming practices In the early 1980s the VFF observed that amongst its members in the 1990s by many farmers were becoming more aware appointing a Landcare liaison officer to of salinity and were undertaking actions support farmers in conjunction with the on their farms to mitigate salinity farm trees and salinity officers. problems. A VFF salinity officer was appointed to support the farming Today there are over 500 Victorian community to establish co-ordinated Landcare related groups supported by the Macarthur farmer John Pye is involved in an innovative nutrient management project. actions to reduce the incidence and threat VFF Farm Tree & Landcare Association of salinity. which provides insurance and In Western Victoria the Macarthur incorporation. In 1986 VFF were undertaking initiatives VFF/UDV and Eumeralla Landcare Group in farm trees, salinity, soil conservation The VFF also houses the National members have engaged Glenelg Hopkins and supporting local group input into Landcare Program’s State Industry CMA, DPI, the EPA, Warrnambool resolving land management issues. The Landcare Co-ordinator, whose role is to Cheese and Butter, Murray Goulburn and former President of the VFF, Heather support farmers with the sustainable and WestVic Dairy in an innovative nutrient Mitchell, and Joan Kirner, the then profitable farming aspects of Landcare. management project. The project will reuse dairy farm VFF and Landcare stalwart John McCracken examining soil nutrients, prevent waterway pollution and structure on his Burnt Creek Landcare demonstration site. increase productivity on dairy farms by developing treatment wetlands, integrated waste management systems and nutrient scheduling. Farmers are supported by a specialist team of agronomists, tradespeople, water quality officers and dairy consultants in this NLP- supported project. Macarthur farmer John Pye said the co-ordinated effort from Macarthur and Bessiebelle dairy farmers would enhance a common link through the Eumeralla River. For further information contact Victorian Industry Landcare Co-ordinator Ian Linley on 0428 330 122. Beverley Wallace is Executive Officer of the VFF Landcare, Pig Group & Egg Group.

Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management Page 23 TM

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