PROJECT CODE Site No. Project No. Peel-Harvey Community Environment Grants 2020-21 Application for Funding Project title HILLTOP FARM RESTORATION – STAGE 2 (Prev. Lot 306, Boddington. Shire re numbered and now 111 Forrest Street, Boddington) Project budget (exc. $15,526.39 Grant amount requested $5,413.44 GST): (exc. GST): Project start date: 1/11/2020 Project completion date: 15/09/2021 Please submit your Application to: By mail or in person By email Community Environment Grants [email protected] Peel-Harvey Catchment Council Subject: Community Environment Grants 58 Sutton Street MANDURAH WA 6210 Check the Guidelines for closing date for applications OFFICE USE ONLY Date submitted: 31/8/20 Pre-eligibility done by: Date: ML 1/9/20 Amount applied for: $ 6815.72 App. Contribution: $ 9332.95 EOI. No.: 13 Notification: Potential PHCC Project Black Cockatoos & Greening Farms Application Hilltop Farm Restoration Stage 2.docx Initials: _______(Applicant) / _______(PHCC Officer) Page 1 of 18 1 Project description Provide a description of the project (approximately, 500 words maximum) including: What are the activities you will be undertaking? (e.g. activities of your project including length and/or area protected, number of seedlings to be planted) 1. Green farm for fauna – improve on farm native vegetation in remnant forest sections already fenced off (Stage 1 PHCC Funding) preserving these areas for wildlife habitat and native species. Stage 1 some 4,500 native species seedlings were purchased as owner’s contribution to this first project and planted in the 3 main areas depicted on the map. Only some areas have seen successful growth due to several factors – kangaroo damage and possibly some rabbit damage, weed invasion, poor soil nutrition and/or moisture retention during summer months impacting on seedlings developing to the desired level. 2. Black Cockatoo Project – retaining old remnant forest to ensure ongoing food resources, existing nesting hollows and water sources close to where Black Cockatoo’s are regularly seen. Will include establishing further future food source, along with improving earlier plantings carried out at Stage 1. (Stage 1 established water sources across property now actively used by Black Cockatoos). 3. Land for wild life assessment through an assessment report, which would provide invaluable source of information and advice on how to protect and restore wildlife habitat on property so future work is carried out that is sustainable and will provide greater benefits to the local area over time. Why is the project important? (e.g. increase habitat for Threatened species, protection of on-farm vegetation) Previous PHCC Grant focused on: Part A – Bushland Linkage and Part B Wetland Restoration Stage 2 Project importance is aimed at: - Developing a forest understorey in Part A (1) & (2) together with further infill planting of the Corridor connecting these areas will build upon Stage 1 work and aimed at encouraging return of fauna as these areas have been cattle free for past 3 years. Part A has not generated any understorey of native plants and further effort required by revegetation using direct seeding, seedlings/tube stock of local native species to establish a diverse understorey. The success of the revegetation project will require establishing healthy ground involving some ripping where stock grazing has compacted topsoil, use of nutrients and mulching with the aim of retaining moisture. Planting of local native species will provide a future food source for Black Cockatoos and enhance habitat for native fauna. Stage 1 (carried out in 2018) attempts to create a wildlife corridor linkage between (1) and (2) has not been successful with poor take up of seedlings planted in 2018, those plants that have managed to grow are showing signs of damage by kangaroos and/or overgrown by Cape Weed which has become established in furrows which we ripped previously to assist with moisture for the seedlings. Other seedlings have died or are continuing to struggle to develop, those still surviving may benefit from improving the soil biology, retention of moisture and the use of plant guards possibly allowing them to establish further. It is important to protect those plants currently growing by installing tree guards, spraying of Cape Weed around existing natives and spot spraying throughout the corridor for future infill planting of native seedlings. Improving soil nutrition and moisture by mulching around existing plants and future seedlings will greatly benefit Application Hilltop Farm Restoration Stage 2.docx Initials: _______(Applicant) / _______(PHCC Officer) Page 2 of 18 the previous attempt and having learnt from our previous attempt will ensure we focus on these during future plantings, with work already started with ongoing spraying of Cape Tulip, Juncus acutus and other weed control a well as mulching existing plantings and application of Bactivate (at owners costs). - The 4.3 Hectares in Part B where 4,000 seedlings were planted (self-funded) in 2018 has had some success however extensive damage has occurred by kangaroos, with these areas needing infill native plants and some damaged plants protected from further kangaroo damage by using tree guards. While previously electric fencing has been used, this had no benefit and the use of environmental (hard cardboard) tree guards on new seedlings will provide better protection. Some existing native plants damaged but still surviving will also benefit from tree guards which will commence ahead of the grant these will be self-funded. Due to water erosion in the area, further planting of native species will assist in stabilising banks and ongoing eradication of weeds including Juncus Acutus will benefit this area. What the project will achieve against the 2020-21 CEG priorities and related objectives (see page 4 of the Application Guidelines) - Managing remnant forest retaining existing trees with hollows for Black Cockatoos and other birdlife, control of environmental weed which threaten growth of native seedlings and threats to habitat - Revegetation to establish habitat and planting seedlings and native seeds with local native species to create understorey for wildlife and future food source for both fauna and Black Cockatoos. - Connectivity between sections of existing bushland, as well as re-establishing bushland on sections of property previously farmed. - Developing future food source for Black Cockatoos and other wildlife close to existing water sources. - Preserving nesting hollows in remnant forest, including further planting of Eucalypt and other native species specific to plants eaten by Black Cockatoos (Ref. Birdlife WA) 2 Site location 111 Forrest Street, Boddington, 6390 (Prev. application recorded as Project location Lot 306 Forrest St, Boddington) (street address, lot numbers) Which local government area/s Hotham Williams Council (councils) is your property located? GPS coordinates (if available) E451418 / N6369356 x E452820 / N6369535 E451549 / N6368822 x E492822 / N6368827 Please attach a map showing your project site location, including anticipated project activities and any works already undertaken in the area. If work is being undertaken at multiple sites please include a map of each site and an overarching map showing the sites in relation to each other (the PHCC project officer can assist with the mapping). Map attached from Stage 1 PHCC Grant – refer 2a Application Hilltop Farm Restoration Stage 2.docx Initials: _______(Applicant) / _______(PHCC Officer) Page 3 of 18 2a) Project site map 111 Forrest Street, BODDINGTON Refer Attachments at end of this document Annexure 1 – Map depicts Stage 1 (2017 grant) completed 2018 showing fenced off areas for Part A (1) and (2) with Stage 2 proposed area for native seed for understorey and further Seedlings infil planting of corridor and Part B revegetation planting. Total area preserved for wildlife approx 24.3 hectares. Annexure 2 – GPS points and Google Earth Lot 306 now 111 Forrest Street, Boddington Photos Part A(1) Photo of areas for proposed direct seeding for understorey Part B Photo 2017 showing proposed revegetation area and water erosion looking South, and 2020 comparison photo showing established trees along water erosion areas, and native trees and shrubs which have survived kangaroo and environment damage. Annexure 3 – Quotes from Supplies covered in Grant Proposal - Chemicals - Boddinton Hardware (Notes on Chemical Use) - Seedlings Native Species listing - Hamel Nursery - Seeds Native Species and specific treatment – SeedShed - Treeguards and Nutrient – Growise (With fact Sheets) Annexure 4 – Insurance Policy Annexure 5 – Self Funded (Continued developing of property native flora and proposed Contributions) - Invoice Growise purchase of 100 Tree Guards to use now to preserve native plants in Part B and new native species already planted 2018 to 2020 Part A (1) and (2) by owner. - Quote for Bobcat and Truck to collect mulch from Shire and deliver to property - Note – List of native species planted ongoing since 2018 to present by owner is available if PHCC wish to sight Annexure 6 – Reference Material used by Owner for ongoing revegetation and Cockatoo food sources - Revegetating Your Farm (Believe sourced previously from PHCC mailout?) - Birdlife WA – Choose for Black Cockatoos * Please ensure you have all the required permits to undertake this project (See Section 8 of the Guidelines for more information). Application Hilltop Farm Restoration Stage 2.docx Initials: _______(Applicant)