www.landscapelogic.org.au June 2009

Landscape history and vegetation change in the –Longford region of By Digby Race, David Duncan, with landholders during 2009. This imately 200 hectares. Between 1860 Garreth Kyle and Wendy Merritt research is part of a larger national and 1920 much native woodland veg- research effort known as Landscape etation was cleared as a source for Background Logic, which aims to understand links construction timber, fencing and yards, This report provides a summary of the between land and water man­agement and firewood, with scattered trees left as major activities and events thought to and environmental condition [see www. shade trees for livestock. The increase have influenced the change in native landscapelogic.org.au]. in livestock numbers and the presence woody vegetation in the Violet Town- of rabbits in plague proportions meant Longwood area of Victoria [see Figure 1]. Early influences on native there was little regeneration of native Aerial photography obtained for vegetation vegetation on farmland from 1920 to 1946 and 2006 indicated changes in Although this study has focused on the 1940s. the extent of native vegetation – both the changes in the extent of native woody vegetation in the Violet Town– Changes in farming during decreases and increases – in the Violet 1946–2006 Town–Longwood area. There has been Longwood area during 1946–2006, great variation in activity and events it is necessary to understand earlier In broad terms, the level and type across the study area, with spatial vari- influences as they provide useful expla- of agriculture in the Violet Town– ation related to the presence of remnant nations for observed change. Longwood area reflects much of what native vegetation, land tenure (e.g. pri- The study area covers land tra- occurred nationally: the steady growth vate farmland and state forests), soil ditionally owned by the Taungurong in the area of farmland, mostly for live- 1 quality and agronomic potential (e.g. indigenous people , who are believed stock farming, until at its peak in the high-production cropping and sheep to have managed native vegetation to mid-1970s. However, it was during grazing), and historical events (e.g. maintain food supplies, provide shelter the 1950s that the widespread promo- areas affected by the 1965 bushfire). and for cultural purposes. tion and establishment of introduced Field visits and a three-hour ‘land- The initial influx of Europeans to the pasture species (mainly Phalaris and scape history workshop’ were held area was largely to establish agricul- Sub-clover), together with increased over two days in October 2008. An tural enterprises, initially with selection applications of fertilizer (superphos- important part of this method was the of large properties (e.g. greater than phate), led to a notable increase in involvement in a guided conversation 40,000 hectares), then after the 1860s the productivity and profitability of of a small group of people with con- subdivision into properties of approx­ farming. siderable knowledge of the history of local land-use. The group of ten people included land­holders, ecologists and environmental project managers. The participants collectively provided a pre­ lim­inary understanding of some of the major causes of change in vegetation during 1946–2006, and when these changes occurred which has been summarised in this report. Members of the project team are using this under- standing to guide where they will undertake more in-depth photo analysis, site visits and interviews

Figure 1: Map of the Violet Town– Longwood study area

1 Returns for wool producers in par- Figure 2: Average wool price in Australia: 1900-2000.2 ticular were buoyant for many years, although prices fluctuated from year to year [Figure 2]. The establishment of introduced pastures during periods of high wool prices led to the decline of native grasses in pastures. While wool production was the dom­ inant farming use in the region by area, the flatter and more fertile farm­land was used for cropping and cattle (beef and dairying). The wetter seasons dur- ing the late-1950s led to an increase in footrot amongst sheep, which prompted some farmers to move into beef cattle un­til the mid-1950s. It was reported now often selling beyond its perceived farming during the 1960s. Prices for that Black Wattle was previously a more agronomic value. For many farmers beef cattle were reported to be strong common species in the region than the poor returns for conventional live- in the late-1960s but crashed in 1974. today [2008]. Once farming became a stock enterprises (wool, meat) and Until the early-1980s most of the viable business in its own right, interest continued dry seasons has meant de- agricultural sector comprised mixed- in the hard work of harvesting timber stocking much of the region’s more enterprise family farms, with much of and wattle bark declined. marginal farmland – with an increase the region’s farm produce processed High wool prices also led many in the regeneration of native vegetation locally. The conventional knowledge farmers to invest in farm infrastruc- in de-stocked areas. Some workshop at the time focused on assisting farm- ture (e.g. increase in drainage works) participants noted that the combination ers to expand the area of farmland and and equipment (e.g. purchase of trac- of declining use of superphosphate, increase levels of production. Several tors). The availability of tractors meant and reduced cropping and lower live- farmers reported how the numbers that farmers could cultivate greater stock numbers, had led to an increase of livestock had fluctuated since the areas for both pasture improvement in native vegetation. 1950s, primarily in response to wool and cropping. Overall, there was con- The workshop participants reported prices and seasonal conditions. siderable investment in agricultural that small farming properties were Until the boom in wool prices production during the 1950s to 1970s, far more common during the 1940s (peaking around 1952–54), it was com- with variable opportunities according and 1950s than today, with the move mon for small-scale farmers and farm to soil type [Figure 3]. towards larger commercial farms in the labourers in the Longwood area to be This period was generally con- region noticeable in the south-west of involved in timber harvesting in the ‘off sidered one of prosperity for most the area from the 1970s. Also, since the season’, supplying sawn timber and farm families. Continued investment in 1990s, high-value racehorse studs have firewood to . Indeed, there farming equipment led to increased become noticeable in the Logwood were five sawmills operating in the cropping – initially lupins in the late- area. It was reported that farming oper- Longwood area providing firewood for 1970s and then canola, with more ations tend to be more specialised the Melbourne market until the 1950s. intensive cropping in the southern parts today [2008] than prior to the 1980s. There was also a small enterprise that of the region during the 1980s. Larger involved stripping the bark from Black farm machinery and stubble burning A changing community Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) for the tanning led to a decline in native vegetation Organised social functions, churches, in­dustry in Melbourne, which lasted on farmland, as trees and shrubs were schools and sporting clubs provided cleared for ease much of the communication and social of cropping. networks amongst rural communities H o w e v e r , during the 1940s to 1970s. For exam- since the 1980s ple, Young Farmer groups provided a there has been valuable opportunity for strengthening a declining rural networks. terms of trade There were many small country for most wool schools that supported the local farming producers. families (e.g. , Molka, Pranjip) – Also, during the with the ‘rule of thumb’ being applied past decade that every child should be within 4 there has been miles of a school, leading to a strong an increasing cost for many 1 Horton, D.R. (1994) The Encyclopaedia inputs (e.g. fer- of Aboriginal Australia, Aboriginal tilizers, fuel) Studies Press for the Australian Institute with decreas- of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ing farm-gate Studies, Canberra, ACT. returns, together 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) Australian Agricultural: Agricultural with increasing Commodities Produced – historical land prices – data. ABS publication 7113, Canberra, with rural land ACT.

2 network of primary schools throughout include wildfires, floods and droughts. landholders (mainly in the vicinity of the region. During this period, children The fire in 1965 that began around towns). The increase in small ‘lifestyle’ tended to stay on the farm or in nearby Miepoll and spread south towards properties would also have effectively towns when they finished school, with was noted as particularly severe, removed some farmland in the Violet a vibrant social and sporting scene. although it only burnt a small part of the Town–Longwood area from production, Stimulated by the high wool prices in area. Where the fire occurred, much of some of which is being recolonised the 1950s, there was an increase in the the native woody vegetation that was by native vegetation. This drought also population of farm workers and share- burnt was subsequently cleared and encouraged farmers to use practices to farmers – with active local communities converted to pasture or crops. minimise any run-off (e.g. by increas- throughout the region. The floods of 1956 and 1993 were ing the number and capacity of dams) Government policies have directly reported as significant events in the and conserve soil moisture (e.g. estab- influenced the size of rural properties, region. The 1956 flood led to the spread lish perennial pastures, retain stubble with the establishment of ‘soldier set- of liver fluke and caused considerable and direct-drill). Several people at the tler’ properties during the 1950s, where stock losses. The 1993 flood led to an workshop suggested that a combina- about 2,000 hectares near Miepoll was increase in awareness and concern tion of these factors had significantly allocated for subdivision. More recently, about dry-land salinity, although the reduced run-off into creeks and the local government regulations require recent dry seasons have seen salinity larger rivers (e.g. the Goulburn River). a minimum property size of 80 hect- become less of a priority for NRM pro- ares (200 acres) in rural areas before a grams in the area. Pest animals building permit will be issued. It was also noted that during the While rabbits were commonly hunted Landcare emerged in the region mid-1990s there was a growing inter- for fur and meat during the 1920s to during the 1980s (e.g. ), est in raised-bed cropping (to avoid 1940s, it was the release of myxomato- with the first of the local Landcare waterlogging). Several workshop par- sis in the mid-1950s in the region which groups formed in 1983. The initial ticipants mentioned the noticeable was particularly effective in reducing focus of Landcare in the area was soil increase in River Red Gum (Eucalyptus the rabbit population. With the reduced protection, with one strategy being to camaldulensis) after wet years, although pressure from rabbits and buoyant wool increase the revegetation of farms with these seasons also tended to exacer- prices around this time, many farmers native trees. bate the effects of salinity, leading to a began to invest in improving their pas- Since the 1990s, the interests of loss of established paddock trees. tures. Several people at the workshop Land­care groups in the area have The study area has experienced reported that myxomatosis was par- evolved to include restoring local highly variable rainfall during the ticularly effective at killing rabbits in understorey plants, increasing habitat 1920–2006 period [see Figure 4], as rocky (inaccessible) areas, which then for native fauna and encouraging natu- is common in many parts of Australia. allowed greater regeneration of native ral regeneration. Farm plantings tend to However, the drought during 1982–83 vegetation. be linear along fence lines, with natural was mentioned as having far-reaching Several people reported that kanga- regeneration most active in sites with consequences for land management roo numbers began increasing during healthy remnants and where grazing is and native vegetation. This drought the 1970s and have remained high reduced or removed. Several people was reported to be a catalyst for the since the 1980s, with suggestions that mentioned that their local Landcare exit from commercial agriculture of a they have had a damaging impact on groups were particularly influential in significant number of farmers, allow- native vegetation, particularly under- the community in raising awareness ing a noticeable influx of ‘lifestyle’ rural storey, in localised areas. about the value of native vegetation, as well as other local conservation pro- Figure 4: Annual rainfall and rolling ten-year average rainfall for Euroa and gram delivered by Doug Robinson, and Caniambo: 1920–2006.. the activity of Susan Sleigh and Barry Oswald. Flowing on from the increased awareness in native vegetation man- agement initially created by Landcare, there is a growing interest in the con- servation covenants promoted by Trust for Nature. While several workshop participants emphasised the social capital gener- ated by Landcare (e.g. strengthening relationships between neighbours), they also reported the financial support offered to landholders had been critical to increasing the level of revegetation and vegetation protection undertaken (e.g. contributing to fencing and reveg- etation costs).

Fire, flood and drought – catalysts of change Critical environmental events that affected native vegetation in the area

3 Conclusion Influences on the extent of native www.landscapelogic.org.au vegetation can be immediate (e.g. conversion to cropping) or incremen- LANDSCAPE LOGIC is a research hub under the Commonwealth Environmental tal (e.g. native species favoured by Research Facilities scheme, supported by the Department of Environment, Water decline in use of fertiliser), and direct Heritage and the Arts. It is a partnership between: (e.g. revegetation or seed sowing) or  six regional organisations – the North Central, North East and Goulburn– indirect (e.g. control of rabbits, change Broken Catchment Management Authorities in Victoria and the North, South in demographics). Furthermore, some and Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management organisations in Tasmania; influences might be highly visible (e.g.  five research institutions – University of Tasmania, Australian National clearing for town settlements) while University, RMIT University, Charles Sturt University and CSIRO; and other influences might only be signifi-  state land management agencies in Tasmania and Victoria – the Tasmanian cant in aggregate (e.g. drought plus Department of Primary Industries & Water, Forestry Tasmania and the increases in pests). Victorian Department of Sustainability & Environment. Observable changes in land-use and specific events have been recorded The purpose of Landscape Logic is to work in partnership with regional natural on a timeline [Figure 5]. However, it resource managers to develop decision-making approaches that improve the should be noted that these may not be effectiveness of environmental management. the only, nor necessarily the primary, Landscape Logic aims to: influences on changes in native vegeta- 1. Develop better ways to organise existing knowledge and assumptions about tion at a localised site in the area since links between land management actions and environmental outcomes. 1930. 2. Improve our understanding of the links between land management actions The workshop had insufficient time and environmental outcomes through historical studies of the effects of to fully explore the influence from a private and public investment on water quality and native vegetation condition. variety of government (Commonwealth, state and local) policies, regulations and programs. More detailed research by the proj- Acknowledgements ect team in 2009 will seek to enhance The authors are grateful to Jacci Campbell and Vanessa Keogh for providing valuable the understanding of the major influ- comments on an earlier draft of this publication. Also, the authors thank the following ences on changes in the extent of people for actively participating in the workshop, from which much of the information in native vegetation in the Violet Town- this publication was generated: Graham and Margaret Brook, Jacci Campbell, Jane Davey, Longwood study area. Ivan Frederick, Kevin Hill, Alan Kay, Vanessa Keogh, Robert McMaster and Susan Sleigh. For more information about the study described in this report please Figure 5: Timeline of key activities, events and changes in the Violet Town– contact Dr David Duncan, Department Longwood study area: 1930-2006. of Sustainability and Environment [email: [email protected]; phone: (03) 9450 8750]. Alternatively, if you would like to know more about the research supported by Landscape Logic, visit www.landscapelogic.org.au

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