down steam of W Tree and downstream of Gillingall to the Confluence.

Larger trees with deep root Medium sized plants with Low growing plants with systems good root systems, providing matted roots to bind the bank toe stream shade and help control erosion Top of bank Bank slope Toe of bank (mid-bank) (water’s edge) Trees Trees Trees -Lilly Pilly -Southern bluegum -Lilly Pilly -Southern bluegum -Manna Gum or Eurabbie -Manna Gum or Eurabbie -Apple Box (Eucalyptus -Apple Box (Eucalyptus -Silver Wattle globulus subsp. -Silver Wattle globulus subsp. bicostata ) bicostata ) -Blackwood -Blackwood

Small trees and large shrubs Small trees and large shrubs Small trees and large shrubs -Black Wattle -Sweet Pittosporum -Black Wattle -Kanooka -Muttonwood -Tree Violet -Tree Violet -Hazel Pomaderris -Tree Violet -Sweet Pittosporum -Woolly Tea-tree -Kanooka -Muttonwood -Pinkwood -Muttonwood -Hazel Pomaderris -Woolly Tea-tree

Small shrubs and herbs (& ferns) Small shrubs and herbs (& ferns) Small shrubs and herbs (& ferns) 1 – 4 metres 1 – 4 metres 1 – 4 metres -Tall Baeckea -Downy Ground- -Austral Bracken -Downy Ground- -Downy Ground- -Fireweed Groundsel -Burgan fern -Tall Baeckea fern fern -Tall Baeckea -Small-leaf Bramble -Fireweed -Burgan -Fireweed -River Lomatia -River Bottlebrush -Austral Bracken Groundsel -Fishbone Water- Groundsel -Eastern Bitter-bush -Burgan -River Lomatia -River Lomatia fern -Australian -Small-leaf Bramble -Eastern Bitter-bush Gipsywort -Eastern Bitter-bush -River Bottlebrush -Fishbone Water-fern -Shrubby Spurge -Small-leaf Bramble -Shrubby Spurge -Shrubby Spurge -Australian -Austral Bracken Gipsywort

Grasses/reeds/sedges Grasses/reeds/sedges Grasses/reeds/sedges -Bergalia Tussock -Spiny-headed Mat- -Tall Sedge -Common Reed -Tall Sedge -Spiny -headed Mat -rush -Leafy Flat-sedge rush -Bergalia Tussock (Phragmites australis) -Leafy Flat-sedge -Jungle Grape (vine) -Common Reed -Jungle Grape (vine) -Leafy Flat-sedge -River Club-rush -Common Reed -River Club-rush

(Phragmites australis) -Spiny-headed Mat- Phragmites australis) rush -Jungle Grape (vine)

Waterway Planting Guide How to go about with an appropriate herbicide can An EGCMA representative with experience minimise pollution risks in watercourses. in native vegetation management can revegetating a riparian zone evaluate your site and recommend the on your property Ratio of Minimum Spacings Fencing plants for number in metres Excluding or restricting stock is one of the revegetation of species most effective and easiest ways of Trees: 1 2 20 improving the health of your waterway Small trees and large shrubs: 2 2 5 and adjoining riparian zone. De-stocking Small shrubs and herbs 1 – 4 m 15 4 3 an area will provide an opportunity for Grasses/reeds/sedges: 5 1 2 any existing vegetation to recover; protect newly planted species; and encourage natural regeneration. Fencing out stock will also remove the damaging effect of appropriate action. trampling which destroys soil structure, accelerates erosion and further prevents Wherever possible, leave your site for plant regeneration. Unfortunately, stock 12 months following stock removal, as are also good at creating ideal conditions you may be pleasantly surprised with for the growth and spread of undesirable, the extent of natural regeneration and and often unpalatable, weeds. thus your planting requirements may be significantly reduced. This period If possible, place your stock exclusion provides a good opportunity to monitor fence around 10 metres from the top of the the site and observe what’s growing; banks of small creeks and streams and at however, you may need to implement a least 20 – 30 metres from the banks of weed control program. major creeks and rivers. However, each individual situation will vary according to Planting tips the level erosion, degradation and existing The framework restoration/revegetation vegetation cover. The EGCMA can provide method is a very practical and effective advice regarding the appropriate location way of re-establishing an area of native for a proposed waterway protection fence. vegetation and it is most commonly used Natural Regeneration where there are no (or very few) existing Natural regeneration refers to the natural native trees. This method incorporates a process by which plants replace or re- range of quick growing trees and shrubs establish themselves and is a relatively in order to establish a good foliage cover easy, low cost, but effective method used as early as possible to shade out many to revegetate an area. Natural regeneration weed species and provide a framework basically relies on natures own recovery under which native plants can become capacity through seed germination and established. resprouting, so fencing stock out is The two main planting methods used in essential . However, there must be a revegetation programs are: reasonable quantity of mature and healthy Tubestock – is the term for seedlings plants on-site or within close proximity to that have been raised in small nursery allow the seed bank to regenerate tubes, for transport to the planting site. naturally. Supplementary planting or the Seedlings can be planted by hand or with introduction of seed from other areas may a mechanical seedling planter at the also be required in order to achieve quick prepared site. results in the case of severe bank erosion It is a widely used method of revegetation and to attain full natural plant diversity – with reliable and immediate results. which is important when re-establishing a ‘healthy’ ecosystem. Direct seeding - involves sowing seed directly onto site by hand or machine. It Areas dominated by native grasses, rather is less labour intensive and a cheaper than competitive introduced weeds, will option than planting tubestock; however, provide more suitable conditions for it does have some limitations. natural regeneration. It is best to minimise soil disturbance as this can lead to the The EGCMA can provide guidelines for the invasion of introduced (exotic) species – successful application of both planting making it difficult to achieve optimal methods and information regarding results. adequate site preparation and weed control. Management of some weeds will be an important consideration and spot-spraying

In addition to planting trees, it is vitally Understory plants also create a wide important to re-establish a healthy layer variety and diversity of habitats for many of understory vegetation . The of our wildlife species and is an essential understory includes herbs, grasses, component of a healthy ecosystem. In rushes, sedges, shrubs and small trees fact, understory vegetation represents and occupies the vegetation layers below over 90% of the biodiversity of a healthy the canopy of taller trees. The understory (normal) vegetation community and its layer can add value to a farming impact on wildlife species is similar in operation by stabilising the soil and magnitude. controlling erosion; minimising the On-going management of impact of rainfall; reducing runoff; insulating and protecting soil from your revegetation site temperature extremes; and providing a Fences need to be checked regularly and habitat for predators which control pest maintained because complete and ongoing insects. exclusion of stock is an essential part of the restoration process. Weeds compete with native vegetation for space, nutrients and sunlight and, if not controlled, they can severely impact the best attempts to re-establish vegetation along a waterway. In some situations, major infestations of weeds have been known to take over and completely smother native vegetation. Once a weed has been identified and you understand the impact that it is having (or potentially will have); there are a number of different control methods to consider. Chemical spraying and mechanical removal are the two most commonly used weed control methods; however, you may wish to discuss the options with someone who is regularly involved with waterway weed management in order to ensure optimal results. Pest animals can pose a real threat to your restoration project. In the context of riparian revegetation, the main problem that pest animals pose to native vegetation is eating it; therefore you’ll need to consider some native animals, such as wallabies and possums, as well as a range of introduced pests including deer, rabbits, goats, feral pigs and horses. The abundance and type of pest animals will no doubt vary depending on the location of your property. Some pest animals can also cause trampling, digging-up plants/soils and spreading weed seeds. As with any pest management program a number of factors need to be considered such as: identifying the animal/s responsible; determining the extent of the problem; implementing the most suitable control method; and likely cost and available resources.

If you require further information regarding Plantings please contact: East Catchment Management Authority 574 Main Street, PO Box 1012, Bairnsdale, 3875 Phone: (03) 5152 0600 www.egcma.com.au