Upper Hopkins Landcare Newsletter

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

February 2007 Edited by Louisa Roberts DPI Hamilton 5573 0725

This bi-monthly newsletter is mailed to around 500 landholders in the following Landcare Groups: Contacts Upper Hopkins, Ararat, Fiery Creek, Buangor, Beaufort and District, Watgania, Willaura-Hopkins, Combined Willaura Groups, Lake Bolac. To be added to the mailing list please call the Ararat Office on 53550520. The newsletter is also available by email which saves paper and postage (and it looks Hill management, salinity, whole farm better in colour on the screen). The file is usually around 800KB. Email addresses are kept planning, native vegetation & revegetation, confidential in the distribution of the newsletter. (interim until Louise is replaced) DPI Hamilton 5573 0900 In This Edition Landmate Roster: 5355 0526 Bird and Wildlife Notes..…….……………...………….….…………………………...…..p2 Waterways, wetlands, erosion, waterway When the Heavens opened………………………………………………………………....p3 CMA Notes ……………………………………………..…………………………………...... p4 permits, re-vegetation, CMA incentives: Farmers flock to stock containment field day ……………………………….……….p5 Peter Forster Glenelg-Hopkins CMA Upper Hopkins Land Management Group Update ……………………………....…...p6 5355 0530 or 0418 802 875 Getting Started with EMS…………………………………………………………...……….p7 Upper Hopkins Landcare Group Facilitator: Salinity testing …………………………………………………………………...... ……..p 8-9 Una Allender: 5350 4244 Una’s Around the Traps Column …………………………………………...…....……...p10 Pest Plants and Animals: February Photo board….….……...……….…….………………………….……..……….p11 Brian Howlett DPI Ararat Innovative Research Program Field Day…………………………………..….….…...…p12 Getting your water tested..………………………….....……………………………..…...p12 5355 0529 1080 Poison bait sales appointments phone Moving On…... 1300 10 1080 Ararat Rural City Environmental issues: By Louise Thomas DPI Ararat Daryl Scherger 5355 0231 CMA local community representatives: This is just a quick note to let you know that I Biodiversity - Don Rowe 5354 7553 have taken on a new role at DPI Ararat and so Land Health - Debbie Shea 5352 1357 will no longer be the project officer for the and John Anderson 5354 1238. Ararat Hills Project. Working on the Ararat Community Engagement - Rod Marshall 5354 Hills Project has definitely been the highlight 6227 of my career to date and I’ve thoroughly en- Waterways - Michelle Casanova joyed working with everyone. I’ve especially 5350 2111 enjoyed editing the newsletter, creating the Cultural Heritage Officers Framlingham: Herbie Harradine DPI poster series and working with farmers on revegetation and remnant 5567 1236 vegetation protection projects. The Ararat Hills Project Officer position has Ballarat: Peter Lovett 0409 391 475 been advertised and we’ll let you know as soon as we can who the replace- Goolum Goolum (Horsham): Alan Burns 5381 ment is. In the meantime please direct salinity and hill management in- 2365 quiries to DPI Hamilton 5573 0900. Grampians: Brendan Edwards, And so to my new role…many of you will be aware that I have had a strong 0409 391479 interest for some time in raising awareness about Aboriginal cultural heri- Conservation agreements, grants, technical tage on private land. The Department has created a role to enable us to advice: Sue Mudford, expand the awareness raising initiatives we have previously run in the Trust for Nature tel/fax 5599 5223 south west, across the state. We will be working with Aboriginal communi- Greening Australia ties and government agencies to help provide landholders with practical James Scholfield 5571 2806 Research on Steep Hills Grazing and information about cultural heritage and native title issues. This work aims Pasture Establishment: to help build good relationships between DPI, landholders and Aboriginal Zhongnan Nie DPI Hamilton communities. 5573 0791 I’d be more than happy to talk to anyone about my new role and can be DPI Animal Health: Ben Fahy contacted at Ararat DPI on 5355 0526 or at [email protected]. DPI Ballarat 0407 821 104 I hope to be able to attend the next Upper Hopkins Land Management Rural financial counsellor Debbie Milne Group meeting to let people know more about my role. 55730906 Page 2 BIRD AND WILDLIFE NOTES by Peter Forster

Many landholders over a wide area have reported seeing Wedge Tailed Eagles this summer. At the Morass near Mt William up to 8 eagles were spotted at the one time, Irene Sturt also spotted about 8 birds west of Willaura. Duncan Giles and Anna Hooper at Wickliffe reported two very tame birds perched on fence posts and Maurie Allgood had a close encounter when an eagle carrying a rabbit crashed into the side of his car on Colonial Road. Both rabbit and eagle escaped injury! Eagles are also common at Raglan with 18 birds at one time spotted by Sandy Troop over the Mt Cole range last year.

Most of the eagles I spotted were mature and very dark in colour. Presumably they move into this area when pickings are easy due to reduced groundcover exposing prey. Stock bogged in dams and creeks also provide opportunities. One morning I witnessed two eagles stalking a young wallaby in our front yard. The wallaby had the presence to keep close to and under bushes and trees and escaped their clutches. The same wallabies trimmed all our fruit trees and drank the bird bath water until they were provided with a separate facility. A goshawk was trapped in our woolshed and allowed me a good photo opportunity. They regularly enter the shearing and other sheds chasing small birds.

Road kill sightings include a Barn Owl near the Maroona School and a Black Kite near Wickliffe. In the last newsletter I predicted a large influx of Black Kites with dry conditions but this has not occurred.

Bill Homburg reports that a pair of Square Tailed Kites nested again in the Mount Cole Range. He has also spotted an immature A family of brolgas sighted by the Jacksons on the Hopkins River at Little Falcon and one Rossbridge. Photo: Rose Jackson Elegant Parrot at Langi Logan. John and Julie McDougall had three baby Tawny Frogmouths in their garden.

John Anderson reports that 80 to 100 Brolgas have been summer residents in the Willaura west/Stavely area. They drink fresh water from a sheep water trough.

Tony and Rose Jackson sighted one successfully raised brolga chick on the Hopkins River at Rossbridge. Given the extremely dry season this is a very significant sighting. The Jackson’s and several neighbours have fenced large areas and lengths of the Hopkins River to exclude stock. This may have provided enough habitat and feed to rear a chick. Brolgas have also been sighted at the corner of Richies and Yalla-Y-Poora Roads and also Lucardies Road near Raglan.

Sandra from Buangor reported a dead Bronze Cuckoo, the second such sighting this season.

Clem Sturmfels (DPI) had a close encounter with a large Gould’s Monitor (also called Sand Goanna) west of Moyston and got a great photo when it ran up a tree. He also spotted an injured one on the Moyston Pomonal Road. Robert McAlpine took it into care.

Sand Goanna west of Moyston. Photo:Clem Sturmfels Page 3 WHEN THE HEAVENS OPENED Malcolm McCaskill and Reto Zollinger DPI Hamilton

The Ararat Hills received significant rain in December and January. Between Christmas and late January, 123 mm of rain fell at a recording site in the Upper Hopkins. While most of the rainfall was gentle and soaked into the soil, there was a brief period when 13.4 mm fell in a 15 minute period in the evening of 19 January. Rainfall of this intensity has the potential to move dung, soil and rocks. To understand how the management of steep hill areas affects the quantity and quality of runoff, DPI staff have been monitoring several small catchments in the Upper Hopkins with support from Glenelg- Hopkins CMA. During the period of high intensity rainfall on the 19th of January, a small catchment consisting of thin rocky soils experienced sufficient intensity of surface flow to move small rocks. These were deposited adjacent to the measuring equipment (see photo at bottom left). Over the 15 minute period, nearly 3 mm of runoff was recorded, or 20% of rainfall. However, on other small catchments with thicker Some dung accumulated in farm dams, soils and deferred grazing management, runoff was sparing the river but increasing the risk of from nil to 1% of rainfall. These smaller quantities of excess nutrients in the dams. Photo: Reto runoff have much less energy to move dung, soil or Zollinger. rocks. On nearby hills, it was apparent that the high rainfall intensities had moved significant quantities of dung from bare hilltop sheep camp areas down to lower down the slope (photo bottom right). This has the benefit of “fertilising” areas that would not otherwise get much benefit from the nutrients contained in dung. However, some of the “tongues” of dung extended well down the slope and into waterways, increasing the risks of contaminating dams and streams with excessive phosphorus and nitrogen. Land class fencing and careful grazing management reduces the intensity of hilltop sheep camps, reducing the risks of erosion and dung movement from these areas. Grants are available to assist with the costs of land class fencing. Contact DPI Hamilton on 5573 0900 if you are interested.

Runoff intensities were sufficient to Dung moved down slope in tongues, some of which merged move rocks. Photo: Reto Zollinger into waterways. Photo: Reto Zollinger Page 4

GLENELG HOPKINS CMA NOTES By Peter Foster

Stock Containment Areas.

Following the interim Exceptional Circumstances declaration for south-west Victoria, Glenelg Hopkins CMA announced two measures to assist landholders and the community in the Hopkins catchment. Technical advice on design and location and some financial assistance ($1500/business unit) is available for landholders wanting to contain stock in small areas to conserve vegetative cover on paddocks. This in turn will protect topsoil from wind and water erosion and result in a quicker return of feed when the season breaks. Some advantages of stock containment include time saved in feeding, money saved on amount of stock feed (confined stock need less energy to survive) and reduced risk of broad acre weed infestations if you are using imported feed. Ideally stock containment areas should be permanent farm features and serve a variety of purposes including use to autumn save pastures, as fire safe areas and for disease prevention and control. To date 40 expressions of interest have been received for the Hopkins catchment stretching from north of Ararat to as far south as Darlington. Please ring Peter on 5355 0530 if you require advice or assistance.

Drought Response Work Team

Starting February 12th GHCMA will have in place a highly experienced conservation works team. The team will have a depot located in the Lake Bolac/Willaura/Glenthompson area and will be able to assist landholders in the mid and upper Hopkins catchment with works associated with protecting soil, water and native vegetation. For example fencing waterways, revegetation works, pest plant and animal control and erecting stock containment areas would be eligible activities. If you have projects that you think we may be able to assist with please contact Peter Forster on 5355 0530 or ring GHCMA Hamilton office 5571 2526.

Partnership Projects

Funding is available through the CMA’s Partnership Projects Program for landholders to fence rivers, creeks and gullies to exclude stock from the waterway. In association with waterway fencing funds are also available for revegetation works using local native species. If you are fencing off your primary stock water source you may also be eligible for assistance to develop an alternative water supply system. Funding assistance may also be available for stock and vehicle crossings.

Works on Waterways

If you are contemplating any physical activity on a waterway that disturbs bed and banks or vegetation please ensure you complete a Works on Waterways permit application available from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. There is no charge associated with this service. Forms are available from Peter Forster (5355 0530) or you can download them from the CMA Web site. www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au Page 5 FARMERS FLOCK TO STOCK CONTAINMENT DAY By Don Arnold GHCMA

More than 100 farmers attended a stock containment field day held at the Willaura property of Doug and Jandi Slattery on Wednesday (January 31). Farmers from as far away as Avoca made the trip to see how to set up and manage containment paddocks Glenelg Hopkins CMA staged the twilight field day to provide farmers with the opportunity to share and discuss their experience with local vets, Department of Pri- mary Industries and CMA staff.

GHCMA Drought Officer, Don Arnold, said the day Doug Slattery, Brierly, Willaura and Don was an outstanding success and demonstrates the Arnold, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, talking to level of interest in using stock containment as a man- farmers about stock containment. Photo: agement tool in dry times. He said another twilight Anna Hooper. field day is scheduled for Balmoral this week. During periods of severe drought stock containment can protect vulnerable areas of the farm from loss of vegetation and the subsequent effects of erosion.

Graeme Hand from the Department of Primary Industry spoke about the benefits of stock containment and how to site, design and manage a containment operation. He stressed the need to make decisions early and protect valuable perennial pastures. Managing pastures and stock is challenging particularly during drought. Local vet, Dr David Rendell, highlighted the need to closely observe stock in containment paddocks. He focused on animal husbandry requirements and nutritional risks from grain based feeds. Coupled with Doug Slattery’s outline of how he manages his containment operation, farmers got a clearer picture of the benefits and risks of stock containment. Representatives from Western District Health Services, Centrelink and South West Rural Financial Counselling were also on hand to advise and support farmers.

Don Arnold said the Glenelg Hopkins CMA had received about 120 requests from farmers for assistance to establish stock containment paddocks. “We believe this is one of the best ways to protect land from erosion and manage pastures and stock during dry times,” Mr Arnold said. For further information or to register interest contact the CMA on 5571 2526.

When the heavens opened from page 3. Large quantities of dung were also moved from bare areas. Photo: Reto Zollinger

Page 6

Upper Hopkins Land Management Group Update by Una Allender

Enthusiastic members of the expanded Upper Hopkins Land Management Group recently attended an information evening on the Environmental Best Management Practice (EBMP) program. This session at the Maroona Hotel saw many members of the group sign up to do the self assessment and action planning with EBMP facilitator Don Rowe (see article by Bindi Hunter page 7)

Several members were among the crowd who attended the recent Stock Containment information session at Willaura organized by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. Around 100 farmers gained a valuable insight to all aspects of containing and feeding sheep from DPI officer Graeme Hand and Hamilton vet David Rendell, and from property owners Jandi and Doug Slattery who generously hosted the afternoon (see article by Don Arnold page 5 )

The annual Christmas BBQ held at Geoff Laidlaw’s property was also well attended. Maybe this was because there was no AGM on the program? However all members are reminded that the Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday 27th February at 8 pm at the Maroona Recreation Reserve Hall.

Ararat Rural City Environmental Officer Daryl Scherger will attend this meeting to outline the “To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting Inside Story Headline Council’ssentence or quote from theinvolvement story here.” in the Farm Emissions & Efficiency Project (FEEP). A reminder notice will be sent before the meeting with a questionnaire concerning greenhouse emissions and farm management. The completed questionnaire can them be mailed to Daryl or handed to him at the meeting.This Thestory cangroup fit 100-150 will apply Iffo ther NLP newsletter funding is distributed for gully torial. erosion You can control also profile and replacement plantingwords. of trees affected by droughinternally,t. Expressionsyou might comment of interest new employees are invited or top fromcustom- upon new procedures or im- ers or vendors. members wanting assistanceThe subject matter with that gully ap- erosion control works or who would like help to provements to the business. replant drought strickenpears in revegetation newsletters is virtually projects. Sales figures or earnings will endless. You can include sto- show how your business is The work of landcareries groups that focus will on currentbecome tech- increasingly important as the farming community growing. faces the uncertaintiesnologies of climateor innovations change, in and all members are encouraged to attend the AGM. your field. Some newsletters include a column that is updated every You may also want to note issue, for instance, an advice business or economic trends, column, a book review, a letter or make predictions for your from the president, or an edi- Groundwater Enquirycustomers Service. or clients. Department of Sustainability and Environment. (03) 95086120 For all those wanting FREE information on the groundwater beneath their property this service could help you. Data from existing nearby bores and test holes is compiled by hydro- geologists with information, if available, on water quality, flow rates and depth. All they need is the location details of your property and they will provide a report within a few day. Feel free to call Louisa at the Hamilton Office for more info 55730725.

Upper Hopkins Land Management Group Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 27th February at 8 pm at the Maroona Recreation Reserve Hall. Page 7 Getting started with Environmental Management Systems By Bindi Hunter (EMS)

"Interesting, useful and appropriate" was how Pam Oddie summarised her experiences with Environmental Management Systems (EMS), at the EMS introductory session at Maroona held in January. The introduction to EMS was organised by newly appointed EMS facilitator for the Upper Hopkins region, Don Rowe and was attended by 25 landholders, eager to hear more about the joint VFF, CMA and DPI program 'EMS Pathways'. EMS pathways officer, Bindi Hunter presented EMS as a process that can help farmers assess and improve environmental and farm businesses performance, whilst providing evidence of good agricultural practice to meet community and market expectations. A similar program in Canada has reached more than 50,000 participants in an effort to improve the natural resource management and strengthen the image of 'clean and green' agricultural production. Pam Oddie explained how she had applied EMS to her family cropping/ grazing enterprise to help achieve farm management and environmental goals. Mapping aerial photos for EMS participants. Photo: The Oddies manage several farms and will Una Allender involve the owners of each of the properties to develop a plan to maintain and improve the land over the duration of their lease. Key lessons from Pam were that the process was useful for involving everyone in the business, including employees, family and in her case lessors, to discuss issues and goals for the property. For Pam, the self-assessment provided a 'reality check' that looked at the big picture of their operation, helped to identify their strengths and deficiencies and allowed them to develop their own targets and plan. Their EMS plan marries with a whole farm plan, incorporates best environmental practice and includes monitoring and a computerised recording system that integrates their quality assurance program. Better pest and weed prevention protocols, and improved chemical management and safety were the first actions on the agenda.

For more information about EMS or Environmental Best Management Practices (EBMP- the starting point for developing an EMS) contact:

Don Rowe- Ph: 53547553 / [email protected] Ararat and Upper Hopkins

Una Allender- Ph: 53504244 / [email protected] Lake Bolac and Fiery Creek

Bindi Hunter- Ph: 55619909 / [email protected] DPI Warrnambool

Guest speaker, Pam Oddie. Photo: Una Allender

Page 8 SALINITY TESTING By Louisa Roberts and Una Allender

Upper Mt Emu Creek Catchment

EC (µS/cm) Waterway Location 1/2/07 *visibly flowing

Trawalla Creek Bridge, Waterloo 7,900 Trawalla Creek Back Waterloo Rd, bridge dry Trawalla Creek Racecourse Rd near Jones Rd dry Mt Emu Creek Trawalla bridge (park opp. school) 1,900 Spring Hill Creek Trawalla Rd & Trawalla East Rd Bridge dry Spring Hill Creek Trawalla Rd dry Baillie Creek Beaufort Carngham-North &South Rd dry Mt Emu Creek Beaufort Carngham Rd-twin bridge E dry Mt Emu Creek Beaufort Carngham Rd - twin bridge W dry Mt Emu Creek Lake Goldsmith Rd dry Mt Emu Creek Streatham Mortchup & Trawalla West Rd dry Mt Emu Creek Streatham Mortchup Rd (Chepstowe) dry Mt Emu Creek Mt Emu Settlement Rd bridge 7,500 Mt Emu Creek Skipton pedestrian bridge 4,200 Broken Creek (E) Mt William Rd dry Blacks Creek (W) Mt William Rd dry

What is EC? EC for stock water EC stands for may begin to affect health over this level electrical 25,000 conductivity - the maximum level (for limited periods only) more salts there are in the water, 20,000 the more conductive the solution is. My readings are in 15,000 microSiemens per centimetre (µS/cm). EC x 10,000 0.64 will give you approx. ppm For a free water EC microsiemens per cm per EC microsiemens salinity test, 5,000 please bring a sample in a clean jar to DPI Ararat. 0 Queries to DPI lactating weaners dry sheep beef cattle horses poultry pigs Ararat 53550520. ewes Page 9

Upper Hopkins and Fiery Creek Catchments based EC (µS/cm) on # Stream Road where site accessed Highest Lowest Average 01/02/07 sam- *visibly flowing ples Billy Billy creek Warrak Rd dry 500 300 353 4 Captains Creek Tatyoon North Road 200 400 100 242 29 Cemetery Creek Warrak Road 600 1,700 200 753 21 Challicum Creek Porters Bridge Rd 17,500 17,500 300 11,386 20 Charleycombe Creek Old Geelong Road 2,000 4,600 530 1,378 11 Creek from Rocky pt Port Fairy Rd dry 7,600 2,400 4,617 6 Denicull Creek South end Denicull Creek Rd dry 10,900 2,200 7,176 23 Fiery Creek Lucardies Rd (east) Raglan dry 2,200 200 870 20 Fiery Creek Ballyrogan Rd 8,500 9,280 500 3,535 23 Fiery Creek Yalla-Y- Poora Rd 10,300 10,600 700 4,463 23 Fiery Creek Porters Bridge Rd 10,800 10,800 1,300 5,340 21 Fiery Creek McCrows Rd/Nerrin Nerrin Estate Rd *12800 12,620 2,900 7,729 18 Fiery Creek Lake Bolac 13,600 14,310 2,880 8,100 18 Fiery Creek Runway Swamp Rd 7,200 14,520 2,100 4,779 19 Fiery Creek Ritchies Rd Bridge 8,300 14,350 2,000 5,017 18 Fiery Creek Streatham Reserve 11,600 11,600 2,200 4,684 18 Fiery Creek Nicholls/Lewis Boundary *8,100 7,800 2,800 4,780 9 Fiery Creek Railway Crossing Nicholls *15,700 14,500 3,200 6,950 9 Good Morning Bill Creek East arm - 1st bridge Taits Lane dry 6,500 6,500 6,500 1 Good Morning Bill Creek West arm 2nd bridge Taits Lane dry 2,100 100 434 7 Good Morning Bill Creek West end of Burrumbeep Rd dry 19,800 2,700 10,817 15 Good Morning Bill Creek/Nekeeya Creek Buninjon West Road dry 39,000 300 12,965 22 Good Morning Bill Creek/Nekeeya Creek Willaura Moyston Rd 1,131 13,100 300 8,005 20 Gorrin Creek Dobie Road 5,000 5,000 100 1,123 6 Green Hill Lake Height Gauge rec reserve 6,400 28,800 2,900 11,973 26 Hopkins River Dobie Road dry 13,500 1,300 6,242 25 Hopkins River Jacksons creek Rd 7,100 11,900 1,220 6,272 24 Hopkins River Burrumbeep Boundary Rd 5,100 11,700 1,400 6,032 24 Hopkins River Tatyoon Rd 2,600 8,900 1,300 4,794 18 Hopkins River Robertsons Bridge 2,600 8,950 1,200 4,803 27 Hopkins River Labrador Rd 3,100 9,800 2,400 6,333 25 Hopkins River Helendoite Rd 2,700 10,800 1,200 6,189 23 Hopkins River Rossbridge dry 13,700 2,700 8,316 23 Hopkins River Delacombe Way 3,900 16,400 6,500 10,460 23 Hopkins River Wickliffe - Glenelg Highway 17,500 18,780 6,100 11,704 19 Hopkins River Major Mitchell Rd bridge 14,200 23,240 6,400 11,988 17 Hopkins River Major Mitchell Rd reserve 14,300 22,700 6,500 12,197 17 Hopkins River Back Bolac Rd 12,800 23,200 5,900 12,431 19 Hopkins River Willaura Golf Club Rd *12,200 18,100 5,300 11,268 16 Hopkins River Warrak Road 11,000 23,280 1,000 9,620 24 Hopkins River Old Geelong Rd 8,500 16,200 1,900 8,250 27 Hopkins River Bald Hill Rd ford *6900 18,600 6,560 11,297 13 Jacksons Creek Coopers Rd 7,900 13,100 4,000 9,157 19 Lake Bolac Fishermans Pontoon 53,000 53,000 9,600 14,336 18 Lake Bolac South Beach Boat Ramp 49,000 49,000 9,500 14,653 18 Lake Buninjon reserve boat ramp dry 51,000 4,500 19,144 16 Middle Creek Willow tree Rd dry 650 100 302 18 Mt Emu Creek Trawalla bridge 1,900 2,900 1,900 2,400 2 Mt Emu Creek Mt Emu Settlement Rd, bridge 7,500 7,500 6,800 7,150 2 Mt Emu Creek Skipton pedestrian bridge 4,200 5,000 4,200 4,600 2 Nekeeya Creek Taits Lane dry 900 100 486 7 Rossbridge Swamp drainage line Grange Rd dry 28,800 15,300 22,250 4 Three Mile Creek East arm Warrayatkin Rd 8,100 22,400 3,400 11,218 25 Trawalla Creek Bridge, Waterloo 7,900 7,900 4,500 6,200 2 Page 10

AROUND THE TRAPS By Una Allender

Heavy rain in the upper catchment of the Hopkins in mid January has resulted in a welcome flush of water down the river, filling waterholes and freshening up stagnant stretches of the river. There have also been reports of mature eels traveling downstream with this water, presumably attempting to reach the ocean in order to swim to the Coral Sea to breed. All the water testing results are on page 8-9, and you will see that Lake Bolac is currently very saline. This is not surprising as the water level is now only approximately 50cm at the deepest part. It is a good time to have a walk around the lake as vast tracts of sand, silt and rocks are exposed, and there is a lot to see which is usually under water.

In spite of the low water levels the Lake Bolac Eel Festival will be held on March 30 & 31. The associated Healing Walk, commences on Saturday March 24th with a ceremony to unveil a plaque in memory of Bob McKenzie and his achievement in walking the river in 2000. Members of the public are invited to attend this ceremony and then join the walk from the Salt Creek junction to Hexham. The walk will arrive in Wickliffe on Tuesday 27th and end on Wednesday 28th with a trek to Lake Bolac via a chain of wetlands, including a visit to Lake Paracelmic and Lake Ghenteen, on the outskirts of the township.

The Eel Festival aims to be a significant gathering place for people who care for the environment and respect Aboriginal cultural heritage. This will be reflected in the Indigenous music and dancing which is a feature of the Festival, an Indigenous weaving workshop, and the Environmental Forums to which all local landholders are invited. Of particular local interest are reports to be presented at the Forums by the Eel Death Reference Committee, and the Fiery & Salt Creeks and Lake Bolac Community Steering Committee.

In addition to major sponsor VicHealth, the Festival is supported by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Ararat Rural City. More details from the Lake Bolac Information & Business Centre on 5350 2204 or www.eelfestival.org.au

Southern Farming Systems is looking forward to the move to a new trial site at Mininera, and hopefully a wetter year. Members are increasingly interested in more sustainable ways of farming and there has been considerable interest in the long-term stubble retention project and the Healthy Soils program. A No Till workshop will be held in Lake Bolac on Monday February 26. The Streatham Branch results session and AGM will be held on Wednesday March 21 with a social BBQ to follow. The afternoon will cover the results of the 2006 trials, a discussion on “picking up after the drought and a session with a “Focus on Barley”.

Photos: Una Allender Page 11

February Photo Board

Photo 1: Wallaby drinking fountain at the Forster Photo 2 : Flowing water in the Hopkins River. Photo: residence. Photo:Peter Forster. Una Allender

Photo 3: Upper Hopkins Land Management Group BBQ held at Langi Logan. Photo Una Allender. 4

Photo 4 and 5: Wedge tailed eagles at a lamb carcass. Photo: Peter Forster 5 Why not opt to receive the newsletter by email so that you can see photos such as these in colour? Email addresses are kept confidential in the sending of the newsletter. If interested, email [email protected] with your details. Page 12

Innovative Research Program Field Day

A field visit to John Anderson's property, "Marlow", and a seminar in Willaura is planned for the last week in March to report on a groundwater study that John and Dr Baden Williams have been running on Marlow since last March. This will be of particular interest to all dryland farmers who are endeavouring to understand recharge/ discharge processes at a paddock scale. Full details will be provided by a flyer in the mail around mid March.

Getting your water tested Water can be tested at the Ararat office. Bring a sample in a medium sized clean jar which you have rinsed twice with the water to be tested. Other tests such as mineral analysis, algae or bacterial identification need to be carried out by a laboratory (check the yellow pages or ask at the water authorities for details).

You will need to continually monitor the salinity level especially if you are relying on bores, mixing bore and fresh water (make sure its well agitated), or dam water which will be evaporating and increasing its salinity concentration.

©The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, 2007 Find more information about DPI on the internet at www.dpi.vic.gov.au This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequences which may arise from you relying on the information in this publication.

Do you have a new road number? Postage Paid Please ring Department of Primary Industries Ararat 5355 0520 if you would like to make any alterations to our mailing list. Hamilton, 3300 If undeliverable please return to DPI Shire Hall Barkly St Ararat 3377 720

Upper Hopkins Landcare Newsletter February 2007

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Upper Hopkins Landcare Newsletter

May 2007 Edited by Louisa Roberts DPI Hamilton 5573 0725

This bi-monthly newsletter is mailed to around 500 landholders in the following Landcare Groups: Upper Contacts Hopkins, Ararat, Fiery Creek, Buangor, Beaufort and District, Watgania, Willaura-Hopkins, Combined Willaura Hill management, salinity, whole Groups, Lake Bolac. To be added to the mailing list please call the Ararat Office on 53550520. The newsletter farm planning, native vegetation is also available by email which saves paper and postage (and it looks better in colour on the screen). The file & revegetation. is usually around 800KB. Email addresses are kept confidential in the distribution of the newsletter. Ruth Raleigh DPI Hamilton 5573 0713 In This Edition Landmate Roster: 5355 0526 A new face for Ararat-Beaufort extension………………………………………………………………….p1

Bird and Wildlife Notes..…….……………...………….….………………………………...………...……..p2 Waterways, wetlands, erosion, CMA Notes………………………………………………………………...... p3 waterway permits, re-vegetation, New Community Landcare Facilitator for the Upper Hopkins…………………………………...... p4 CMA incentives: Stock and Pasture management after rain ………………………………………………...….………….p4 Peter Forster Glenelg-Hopkins CMA The Wetlands, Biodiversity and Salt Project………………………………………………...…………....p5-6 5355 0530 or 0418 802 875 New Information available to help Manage water supplies……………………………...... ……..p6 Ararat Community Landcare Una’s Around the Traps Column Update …………………….....…………………………………....….p7 Facilitator: Salinity testing …………………………………………...…....…………………………………………...... p8-9 Bernadette Cincotta: 53550541 Refrigerator Guide to Revegetation and Farm Forestry…………………………………………..….…p10 Upper Hopkins Landcare Group May Photo board….….……...……….…….………………………….……..…………………………..…...p11 Facilitator: Steep Hills Management Workshop…………………………………..….….………………………….…..p12 Una Allender: 5350 4244

Pest Plants and Animals: A New Face for Ararat-Beaufort extension. Brian Howlett DPI Ararat: By Dr Ruth Raleigh DPI Hamilton 5355 0529 1080 Poison bait sales Greetings! This is a brief “Hello” to let everyone know that I appointments phone 1300 10 will be stepping into the role vacated by Louise Thomas. I 1080 originally hail from the Wimmera (Wartook), but I have Ararat Rural City Environmental worked at Hamilton with DPI since 1993. I began in re- issues: Daryl Scherger 5355 0231 search with plant breeding (clover and Tall Fescue), pasture

CMA local community seed conservation and then small scale Farm Forestry and shelterbelts representatives: with Dr Rod Bird. Biodiversity - Don Rowe Since the late 90’s I have worked with landholders and groups as an ex- 5354 7553 tension officer. I have expertise in mapping past and proposed on-ground Land Health - Debbie Shea 5 352 1357 works, developing action plans and providing extension services such as and John Anderson 5354 1238. Whole Farm Planning, plant identification and water quality advice. Biodi- Community Engagement - Rod versity conservation, particularly native orchids, is a strong interest of Marshall 5354 6227 mine as well as poultry breeding and developing the ultimate vegie patch. Waterways - Michelle Casanova 5350 2111 My new role will involve managing and delivering services to landholders (both large and small properties) within the Ararat/Beaufort region. There Conservation agreements, grants, technical advice: Sue is funding available now and for 2007/08 for tree plantations, lucerne, Mudford, landclass and remnant vegetation fencing and revegetation of discharge Trust for Nature tel/fax areas using salt tolerant pasture 5599 5223 A1 or trees/shrubs. # Greening Australia ARARAT Please contact me on (55) 730 James Scholfield 5571 2806 B1 B1 A1 A2 713 or Research on Steep Hills Grazing BEAUFORT A1 # and Pasture Establishment: A2 B2 [email protected] if Zhongnan Nie DPI Hamilton you would like to access some WILLAURA 5573 0791 # funding or need advice with any DPI Animal Health: Ben Fahy Priority areas issues on your property. I will DPI Ballarat 0407 821 104 A1 - trees, lucerne, fencing, mapping visit your property and prepare A2 - fencing, trees/saline agronomy Rural financial counsellor B1 - trees, landclass fence any grant applications for you. Debbie Milne 55730906 B2 - only funded after A1, B1 and A2 funded Page 2 BIRD AND WILDLIFE NOTES by Peter Forster

Bird life has been under drought stress with reduced ground cover over large areas of farm land and limited fresh surface water supplies. Ground and grass birds are probably concentrating wherever they can find cover. Quail sightings are few and far between. John McDougall reported that he had large numbers of quail on un-grazed stubble.

Areas excluded from stock i.e. landcare plantings, waterways and roadsides, can be important refuges in prolonged droughts. On the Hopkins River at Andrews Lane where there are substantial stands of phragmites (Common Reed) I spotted a flock of Little Grassbirds. Regular travellers on Tatyoon Road may have witnessed a Spotted Harrier cruising along the roadside in the Helendoite Road area the first week of March. They are impressive, fairly large raptors and easily identified with Hopkins River. Most of the frontage has not suffered from blue grey upper parts and red brown underparts with white stock grazing, hence the higher environmental values Lots spots. The wings have large fingers. of White Plumed Honeyeaters, Red Browed Firetail Finches, Striated Pardalotes, One Yellow Tufted Honeyeater, Willie With the continuing dry period our bird bath has been very Wagtails, Blue Wrens, Welcome Swallows and Dusky busy with many birds taking baths as well as drinking. April 22nd saw my first male Scarlet Robin on farm for the Woodswallows. Photo Peter Foster year and he now regularly visits for a drink. In the previous week I spotted several species not sighted for some time including a pair of Red Browed Firetail Finches, a Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike and a Scissors Grinder. The Firetail Finches may be moving around in search of scare grass seed. They are common around Ararat but uncommon on the plains to the south. Our neighbours Bill and Val Homburg have sighted Yellow Tufted Honeyeaters and a Grey Currawong which are also out of their normal range.

Where are all the waterbirds? I suspect many species have moved great distances in search of habitat and feeding areas. Even normally numerous Mountain Ducks are hard to find. Saline lakes have very few birds present and I suspect those water birds remaining in the district will be found along the main water courses where deep pools and fringing vegetation provide some niches. Bill Homburg spent Easter in the Mallee and reported abundant and diverse birdlife on Lake Mournpall which had received an Environmental Flow. Conversely birdlife in the mallee scrub areas lacking surface water such as Wyperfield was scarce. While travelling south I spotted one pair of Brolgas at Terinallum south of Pura Pura. Otherwise no Brolga sightings apart from west of Willaura around John and Lyn Andersons property.

A drying dam at John Skubniks property at Watgania with fish swirling in the mud had one Whistling Kite and a fox in pursuit of lunch. The Kite had more chance than the fox which was reluctant to venture far into the mud judging by the tracks along the dam edge.

Late in March I had several reports (Jo Tucker and myself) of young Wood and Black ducklings hatching probably a response to the January rain. Peter Kaczynski noted a dead wombat on the Western Highway at Middle Creek. The only population I know of in Western Victoria is in Wombat Forest near Daylesford. This animal may have gone on a long walk, belonged to a closer population or been a discarded pet. “The Complete Book of Australian Mammals” (Australian Museum) states that “stable populations are maintained by emigration of immature animals or their relegation to transient status pending the death of resident adults”. Colonies of wombats in southwestern Victoria and southeastern South Australia are remnants indicating a wider early distribution. Feedback on this sighting is welcome!

I was recently fortunate to be shown around Geoff and Margaret Ryan’s bush block on the outskirts of Ararat. Geoff has been enhancing habitat values by installing a range of hollow logs and boxes in the trees. Two boxes have families of Sugar Gliders in residence. They were very compliant, allowing a photo when we removed the lid to inspect their incredibly well constructed sleeping quarters.

Sugar Gliders nest on Geoff and Margaret Ryan’s property near Ararat. Photo Peter Foster Page 3 GLENELG HOPKINS CMA NOTES By Peter Forster

Stock Containment Areas.

While technical advice on design and location of Stock Containment Areas is still available, financial assistance is currently not, as all funds have been committed. Even at this late stage of the dry season landholders may still benefit from containing stock in small areas to conserve vegetative cover on paddocks. This will in turn protect topsoil from wind and water erosion and result in a quicker return of feed when the season breaks. Some advantages of stock containment include; ∗ time saved in feeding, ∗ money saved on amount of stock feed (confined stock need less energy to survive) ∗ reduced risk of broad acre weed infestations if you are David Powne "Kulkurt" Tatyoon with using imported feed. one of many pine trees uprooted in a Ideally stock containment areas should be permanent farm summer storm. features and serve a variety of purposes including use to protect groundcover and pastures, as fire safe areas and for disease prevention and control. To date about 60 expressions of interest have been received for the Hopkins catchment stretching from north of Ararat to as far south as Camperdown and Ballangeich. Please ring Peter on 5355 0530 if you require advice.

Drought Response Work Team

The Drought Conservation Works team have been busy protecting native grasslands from gorse weed incursions on roadsides in the Glenthompson area and removing young pine trees along the Ararat to Lake Bolac Road. Landholders in the Nerrin Nerrin/Lake Bolac/Willaura/Glenthompson areas have also had assistance with a variety of works including fencing waterways and erecting stock containment areas. If you are a landholder in the mid and upper Hopkins catchment and need assistance with works associated with protecting soil, water and native vegetation please contact Peter Forster on 53550530. For example; fencing waterways, revegetation works, pest plant and animal control and erecting stock containment areas would be eligible activities.

Partnership Projects

While this financial years Partnership Projects funding is fully committed the CMA is gathering new Partnership Projects in anticipation of continued funding in 2007/08. Typical eligible projects include fencing rivers, creeks and gullies to exclude stock from the waterway. In association with waterway fencing funds are also available for revegetation works using local native species. If you are fencing off your primary stock water source you may also be eligible for assistance to develop an alternative water supply system. Funding assistance may also be available for stock and vehicle crossings. Please contact Peter if you have projects in mind.

Works on Waterways

If you are contemplating any physical activity on a waterway that disturbs bed and banks or vegetation please ensure you complete a Works on Waterways permit application available from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. There is no charge associated with this service. Forms are available from Peter Forster (53550530) or you can download them from the CMA Web site. www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au

Brolgas taking off west of Willaura around John and Lyn Andersons property. Page 4

New Community Landcare Facilitator for the Upper Hopkins

Bernadette Cincotta has recently been appointed as the new Community Landcare Facili- tator for the Upper Hopkins. Bernadette is looking forward to meeting with people involved or interested in Landcare and natural resource management in the Upper Hopkins over the coming months. With experience predominantly working in horticulture, Bernadette has also worked on horse studs and in a retail environment. Most recently, Bernadette has completed a Diploma in Conservation and Land Manage- ment while working as a wildlife carer and for the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Bernadette can be located in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA’s Ararat office in the Ararat Shire Hall, Barkly St and can be contacted on 5355 0541 or 0447 576 389.

Stock and Pasture Management after rain by Graeme Hand, DPI Hamilton

To quote Paul Beltz (DPI District Veterinary Officer, Horsham) “Previously, following droughts, more stock have been lost in the couple of months after the break than were lost during the drought itself”. It is therefore important that we make decisions to:

∗ limit the loss of animals ∗ reduce the cost of feeding ∗ maximise pasture recovery

The key management decision will be when to take animals out of stock containment areas / sacrifice paddocks and put them back onto pastures. Although it is tempting to put animals onto “green pick” waiting several weeks until the pasture “gets away” will ensure that the cost of feeding will be reduced over the whole season, animal health issues will be reduced and pasture recovery will have commenced.

After some rain animal feed requirements for energy and roughage will increase immediately and increasing grain and roughage by about 20% along with careful body condition monitoring will be required to make sure animals are not losing condition.

A good way to judge pasture recovery is to look at ground cover percentage as well as how many growing leaves perennial grass plants have. For example, perennial ryegrass will be close to full recovery if it has 3 growing leaves. Other grasses generally need more growing leaves before they have recovered. This recovery will also lead to increased productivity during the winter and spring.

Although it will be hard to do the best plan may be to continue to maintain animals in stock containment areas / sacrifice paddocks to obtain the best overall outcome. For more information please contact Graeme Hand at Hamilton DPI (03)55730900. Page 5

The Wetlands, Biodiversity and Salt Project – recent findings Michele Kohout, DSE

Researchers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have been collating the significant and new results of an innovative 4 year project titled Wetlands, Biodiversity and Salt. The NAP-funded project has been examining how changes in salinity affect the biodiversity and function of non-riverine wetlands. These wetlands are an important surface water source of many Australian landscapes . Wetlands can naturally range from fresh to naturally saline and can support a myriad of flora and fauna. Secondary (or human-induced) salinisation is a major threat to many ecosystems in Australia. Management Redgum at Meereek Flora and Fauna reserve and conservation of non-riverine wetlands south of Edenhope. depends on a firm knowledge of how threats, such as secondary salinisation, impact them. The project has combined field-based surveys, glasshouse experiments and some mathematical modelling, to investigate the ecological impacts of changes in salinity levels on wetland flora and fauna. The large-scale survey of many wetlands was conducted primarily in the Wimmera CMA, but we have also worked in the Corangamite, Glenelg-Hopkins, Goulburn Broken, Mallee and North Central CMAs. Wetlands as landscape units We described the patterns of variation in salinity and water chemistry of non-riverine wetlands across a regional landscape in order to better understand these water bodies and the threat of salinity. We found that the management of wetlands should be at a number of scales, taking into account the interaction between surface and groundwater systems. Frogs We found that salinity did not limit frog biodiversity in the study wetlands up to 3000 µS/cm, after which it declined. We did not detect any frogs beyond 6000 µS/cm. Some frog species are more susceptible to changes in salinity than others. Frogs are a charismatic fauna which produce easily recognisable acoustic signals and accordingly, may be well suited to act as ‘sentinel’ species for secondary salinisation.

Aquatic plants We combined a field study and an experimental program to better understand how aquatic plant communities vary with salinity and to determine the impact of salinisation. Our results indicate increased salinity leads to: ∗ reduction in the abundance of aquatic plants ∗ decline in the number of species ∗ change in community structure Individual species showed a range of responses to increased salinity, rather than all species declining at the same level of salinity. The variation in response could be used as a management tool to monitor salinity levels in both wetland protection and rehabilitation.

Edenhope Wetland Page 6 The Wetlands, Biodiversity and Salt Project – recent findings

Riparian Vegetation Changes in the components of the riparian vegetation with increased salinity were investigated . We found: ∗ the diversity of native monocots and herbs decreased ∗ the diversity of annuals (native and exotic) decreased Wetland birds Patterns of wetland use by common bird species in association with changes in conductivity were described. We found that: ∗ Several bird species were positively associated W56 Workers 1st November 2005 Photo with wetland conductivity, suggesting that these Michele Kohout species will commonly utilise the more saline wetlands. ∗ Species richness was typically high in the secondary salinised wetlands, indicating that increased salinity is not a deterrent for some wetland bird species. Modelling Mathematical modelling involves the merging of scientific evidence with theoretical understanding in order to predict the behaviour of an ecosystem. From this, we can find patterns, develop solutions to salinity problems and forecast impacts of policy options. The modelling shows that the initial condition of a wetland may affect the impact that salinisation will have. It is also likely that the management implications for wetlands may differ depending on whether we want to protect and enhance them or restore them. For more information contact Michael Smith on (03) 9450 8612. For downloadable factsheets ,go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/ari, Publications and Downloads, Brochures, Factsheets and Newsletters and under Factsheets scroll down to the Update Factsheets Aug06 Wetlands, Biodiversity and Salt Project.

New information available to help manage farm water supplies

To help deal with farm water shortages during the current drought, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has released a new information booklet ‘Managing Farm Water Supplies in Drought’.

DPI Hamilton Project Officer, Louisa Roberts said, “Managing Farm Water Supplies in Drought’ is designed to provide helpful information covering a range of water requirement and quality issues along with helpful tips on water management”. Ms Roberts said, “Drought invariably puts stress on farm water supplies. Properties that have access to reliable groundwater are fortunate, whereas those using dams reliant on runoff will require more complex management of their water supplies.”

“Water requirements for livestock will vary considerably, therefore the water you provide should be suitable for your particular class of stock”, said Ms Roberts Ms Roberts said, “The challenge in drought times is to provide water that is ‘fit for purpose.”

‘Managing Farm Water Supplies in Drought’ covers topical water issues such as: water quality levels for your stock water; salinity testing and interpretation; daily livestock water requirements; calculating how long your dam water will last; blue green algae issues; handy hints on water storage; water systems; and ideas on how to protect your water supplies from drought affected paddocks after that heavy rainfall event.

‘Managing Farm Water Supplies in Drought’ is a free publication available from DPI and CMA offices and various rural merchandise shopfronts. For more information please contact Louisa Roberts at the DPI Hamilton Centre, phone (03) 5573 0900. Page 7 AROUND THE TRAPS by Una Allender

Upper Hopkins Land Management Group has submitted an application for an Envirofund grant for replanting revegetation sites which have failed because of the dry conditions. The Environmental Best Management Practices (EBMP) program is ideal for landowners wanting to match their production aims with care for natural resources. An aerial photograph is provided and the EBMP program is free of charge. Participants may be eligible for funding assistance to help implement environmental works either from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA partnership program, or from EMS Kuyang Dancers from Warrnambool. incentives funding, where up to $3,000 is available for any Photo: David Nicholson works outlined in your plan (including shelterbelts, stock containment areas and effluent system improvements). To be eligible the enterprise must have a taxable income of less than $45,000 (based on either of the previous 2 years – not the current financial year) This funding will end in July 2007, so the time to act is NOW – contact Don Rowe 5354 7553 or Una Allender 5350 4244 for more information.

Electronic Farm Planning: There is a possibility of a workshop for anyone interested using farm mapping and planning software to generate or upgrade your Whole Farm Plan. Contact Don or Una (details above) with information to help us tailor a course i.e what software you are using or if you would like to know what software is available and what it can do, how to use a particular program and how much mapping detail you require.

Southern Farming Systems: The recent results session and AGM for the Streatham Branch was attended by over 60 members and sponsors. Neil Vallance is the new Streatham Chairman, and John McDougall of Tatyoon has been appointed overall Chairman. "Picking up after the Drought" was the topic for a lively panel discussion and the day wound up with a beer tasting and BBQ courtesy of ABB and GrainAssist. Several projects have been undertaken Grain & Graze including; the effect of grazing on cereals, animal production from sowing cereals into lucerne and research into the diversity and abundance of beneficial predator insects to help achieve Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for broad acre grazing and cropping. SFS is delighted to announce the lease of a paddock on Rowly & Judy Paterson’s property at Mininera which will become the main trial site for the next 3 or 4 years.

The recent Lake Bolac Eel Festival has been hailed as a success and the date has been set for next year’s Festival – the weekend of 28/29 March. The Festival is a family event with something for everyone – music, art, workshops, indigenous ceremony and dancing, kids activities included juggling, the Connies and the very popular climbing wall. The Environmental Forums were well attended with a group of speakers addressing local, regional and global issues. A communiqué on renewable energy generation has been issued as a result of discussions at the Festival. Details at www.eelfestival.org.au The associated Healing Walk started at the junction of the Salt Creek and the Hopkins River, with a smoking ceremony and the unveiling of a memorial plaque for Bob McKenzie who walked the length of the Hopkins in 2000. After four days on the Hopkins River, the walk ended at Lake Bolac with an overland trek from Wickliffe. Students and local landholders met with the walkers to discuss the Lake Bolac Landcare Group’s Salt Lakes project, before sharing a BBQ lunch. The Festival is run by a team of dedicated volunteers, and is supported by major sponsors VicHealth, Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Rural City of Ararat and other generous businesses and individuals.

Yes – Lake Bolac is very low and salt levels are very high, but there appears to be enormous interest from the community in watching the changes taking place. Bring Eel fisherman Bill Allan with nets - in Mid on the rain!! March. Photo: Nolene Fraser Page 8 SALINITY TESTING By Louisa Roberts and Una Allender Upper Mt Emu Creek Catchment

The sampling run this month was prior to the rainfall seen at the end of April and begin- ning of May. At that stage there was, unsurprisingly, a lack in actual water. Salinity levels had increased where there was water, but a lot more creeks had run dry than in the previous run. 73 mm of rain was recorded at the Ararat prison for the month of April and the 1st week of May and this should see some flushing of the salt through the system.

EC (µS/cm) Stream Road where site accessed highest lowest Average 19/04/07 *flowing

Trawalla Creek Bridge, Waterloo dry 7,900 4,500 6,200

Trawalla Creek Back Waterloo Rd, bridge dry 12,200 12,200 12,200

Trawalla Creek Racecourse Rd near Jones Rd dry 0 0 0

Mt Emu Creek Trawalla bridge (park opp. school) 2,300 2,900 1,900 2,367

Spring Hill Creek Trawalla Rd & Trawalla East Rd Bridge dry 0 0 0

Spring Hill Creek Trawalla Rd dry 0 0 0

Baillie Creek Beaufort Carngham-North &South Rd dry 1,300 1,300 1,300

Mt Emu Creek Beaufort Carngham Rd-twin bridge E dry 0 0 0

Mt Emu Creek Beafort Carngham Rd - twin bridge W dry 2,700 2,700 2,700

Mt Emu Creek Lake Goldsmith Rd dry 3,600 3,600 3,600

Mt Emu Creek Streatham Mortchup & Trawalla West Rd dry 0 0 0

Mt Emu Creek Streatham Mortchup Rd (Chepstowe) dry 6,300 6,300 6,300

Mt Emu Creek Mt Emu Settlement Rd, bridge *8300 7,500 6,800 7,150

Mt Emu Creek Skipton pedestrian bridge *6900 5,000 4,200 4,600

Broken Creek (E) Mt William Rd dry 0 0 0 Blacks Creek (W) Mt William Rd dry 0 0 0 EC for stock water What is EC?

EC stands for may begin to affect health over this level electrical 25,000 conductivity - the maximum level (for limited periods only) more salts there are in the water, 20,000 the more conductive the solution is. My readings are in 15,000 microSiemens per centimetre (µS/cm). EC x 10,000 0.64 will give you approx. ppm. For a free water

EC microsiemens per cm per EC microsiemens salinity test, 5,000 please bring a sample in a clean jar to DPI Ararat. 0 Queries to DPI lactating weaners dry sheep beef cattle horses poultry pigs Ararat 53550520. ewes Page 9

Upper Hopkins and Fiery Creek Catchments EC (µS/cm) Stream Road where site accessed 19/04/07 highest lowest Average *visibly flowing Billy Billy creek Warrak Rd dry 500 300 353 Captains Creek Tatyoon North Road dry 400 100 242 Cemetery Creek Warrak Road dry 1,700 200 753 Challicum Creek Porters Bridge Rd 26,680 26,680 300 12,114 Charleycombe Creek Old Geelong Road no sample 4,600 530 1,378 Creek from Rocky pt Port Fairy Rd dry 7,600 2,400 4,617 Denicull Creek South end of Denicull Creek Rd dry 10,900 2,200 7,270 Fiery Creek Lucardies Rd (east) Raglan dry 2,200 200 870 Fiery Creek Ballyrogan Rd 10,500 10,500 500 4,154 Fiery Creek Yalla-Y- Poora Rd 10,930 10,930 700 4,733 Fiery Creek Porters Bridge Rd 11,930 11,930 1,300 5,627 Fiery Creek McCrows Rd/NerrinNerrin Estate Rd *13770 12,620 2,900 7,729 Fiery Creek Lake Bolac 17,750 17,750 2,880 8,583 Fiery Creek Runway Swamp Rd 7,870 14,520 2,100 4,934 Fiery Creek Ritchies Rd Bridge 11,640 14,350 2,000 5,348 Fiery Creek Streatham Reserve dry 11,600 2,200 4,684 Fiery Creek Nicholls/Lewis Boundary 7540 7,800 2,800 5,056 Fiery Creek Railway Crossing Nicholls 23,460 23,460 3,200 8,601 Good Morning Bill Creek east arm - 1st bridge Taits Lane dry 6,500 6,500 6,500 Good Morning Bill Creek west arm 2nd bridge Taits Lane dry 2,100 100 434 Good Morning Bill Creek West end of Burrumbeep Rd dry 19,800 2,700 11,168 Good Morning Bill Buninjon West Road 12,300 39,000 300 12,938 Creek/Nekeeya Creek Good Morning Bill Willaura Moyston Rd 11,300 13,100 300 7,968 Creek/Nekeeya Creek Gorrin Creek Dobie Road dry 5,000 100 1,123 Green Hill Lake Height Gauge rec reserve 20000+ 28,800 2,900 11,973 Hopkins River Dobie Road dry 13,500 1,300 6,242 Hopkins River Jacksons creek Rd *12100 11,900 1,220 6,272 Hopkins River Burrumbeep Boundary Rd dry 11,700 1,400 6,032 Hopkins River Tatyoon Rd *8900 8,900 1,300 4,679 Hopkins River Robertsons Bridge 13,000 13,000 1,200 5,074 Hopkins River Labrador Rd *9200 9,800 2,400 6,209 Hopkins River Helendoite Rd *4900 10,800 1,200 6,043 Hopkins River Rossbridge 8,700 13,700 2,700 8,566 Hopkins River Delacombe Way 9,700 16,400 3,900 10,167 Hopkins River Wickliffe - Glenelg Highway 18,550 18,780 6,100 12,030 Hopkins River Major Mitchell Rd bridge dry 23,240 6,400 11,988 Hopkins River Major Mitchell Rd reserve 17,690 22,700 6,500 12,458 Hopkins River Back Bolac Rd 19,200 23,200 5,900 12,753 Hopkins River Willaura Golf Club Rd dry 18,100 5,300 11,268 Hopkins River Warrak Road dry 23,280 1,000 9,620 Hopkins River Old Geelong Rd dry 16,200 1,900 8,250 Hopkins River Bald Hill Rd ford 14,350 18,600 6,560 11,515 Jacksons Creek Coopers Rd *14100 13,100 4,000 9,363 Lake Bolac Fishermans Pontoon no sample 53,000 9,600 14,336 Lake Bolac South Beach Boat Ramp no sample 49,000 9,500 14,653 Lake Buninjon reserve boat ramp dry 51,000 4,500 19,353 Middle Creek Willow tree Rd dry 650 100 302 Nekeeya Creek Taits Lane dry 900 100 486 Rossbridge Swamp Grange Rd dry 28,800 15,300 22,250 Page 10 Page 11 May Photo Board

Photo 1: Brooksby Lake November 04. Photo: Photo 2:Ranunculus amplus. Photo: Michele Kohout Michele Kohout

Photo 3: The climbing tower was popular. Photo: Rose Howard.

Photo 4: . John Miles (Waterwatch) talks to the walkers and Lake Bolac College students at the Salt Lakes on the outskirts of Lake Bolac township. Photo: Una Allender. 4 5 Photo 5: Triglochin procerum. Photo: Michele Kohout. Photo 6: Brolgas, west of Willaura around John and Lyn Andersons property. Photo: Peter Forster.

Why not opt to receive the newsletter by email so that you can see photos such as these in colour? Email addresses are kept confidential in the sending of the newsletter. If interested, email [email protected] with your details. Page 12

Invitation to attend Steep Hills Management Workshop

When: Wednesday, 20 June 2007, 1:00pm – 5:00pm Where: DPI Ararat (to be confirmed)

Learn about research results gathered over the past five years into low-input management systems for steep hill country as part of the Sustainable Grazing System for Steep Hills project.

The workshop will explain key findings about deferred grazing, fertiliser application and their impact on pasture composition, ground cover, soil moisture, and water and nutrient runoff. Pasture cultivars that are well adapted to the environment through pasture evaluation trials will also be outlined.

∗ Leading economist will give advice on how various management systems affect your economic return and biodiversity, based on a recently completed project in the region.

∗ Learn from the experience by local farm managers on how to incorporate deferred grazing management into a whole farm plan. ∗ Find out about funding opportunities for land class fencing and landcare projects that are available through your local state agencies.

∗ Participants will receive a valuable reference package including the new edition of Greener Pasture for south west Victoria, free of charge (normally $30; published in 2006).

Limited spaces only, be quick and register your name by Friday, 25 May 2007 with Ruth Raleigh, Project Leader Ararat Hills, Catchment & Agriculture Service, DPI Hamilton, (03) 55 730 713 / E-mail: [email protected] or Reto Zollinger, Technical Officer, Sustainable Grazing System for Steep Hills, DPI Hamilton, (03) 55 730 928 / E-mail: [email protected]

Do you have a new road number? Postage Paid Please ring Jan at the Department of Primary Industries Ararat 5355 0520 if you would like to make any alterations to our mailing list. Hamilton, 3300 If undeliverable please return to DPI Shire Hall Barkly St Ararat 3377 720

Upper Hopkins Landcare Newsletter May 2007