Autumn 2012 - Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority

Autumn 2012
LandLife
GLENELG HOPKINS REGIONAL NEWSLETTER
Inside this edition:
• Landmate partnership works for all
• Flood Recovery Employment Program
• Regional Catchment Strategy update
• An “awarding” time for NRM
• Around the region
and many more...
Glenelg Hopkins CMA welcomes
biodiversity funds
By Kevin Wood
CEO Glenelg Hopkins CMA
We learnt earlier this month that a major project to link high conservation
“biodiversity hotspots” in Victoria’s far south west had been given the green light,
following the Australian Government’s announcement of a $2,522,000 grant from
its Biodiversity Fund.
The grant to our CMA, to fund a six year project to create biodiverse carbon sinks
in the Glenelg Basin, has been welcomed by myself and our chair Mike Wagg as
one of the most significant environmental projects to be funded in our Glenelg
Hopkins region for many years.
The South West Victoria Biolinks: Creating Biodiverse Carbon Sinks project
recognises the importance of the Glenelg Bioregion as one of Australia’s 15
nationally-recognised ‘Biodiversity Hotspots’ and will link large sections of high
conservation value vegetation.
While large areas of significant vegetation and habitat are secured in parks and
reserves, a lot of remnant vegetation in the region is still fragmented, especially
across private land.
The biolinks project will produce significant, cost-effective biodiversity gains
through the creation of biodiverse carbon sinks. To achieve this we will work with
a number of regional partners in five ‘Biolinks’ areas to reconnect 680 ha of key
habitat, improve the resilience of 1108 ha of existing habitat and control pest
plants and animals on 2126 ha on both private and public land.
The project over the six years will be a collaboration with Conservation Volunteers
Australia, Newforest, Gunditj mirring Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria, the
Department of Sustainability and Environment and Greening Australia.
To read the full story click here.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Chair Mike Wagg and CEO Kevin Wood welcome
the Australian Government’s announcement of a $2,522,000 grant to the
CMA to fund a six year project to create biodiverse carbon sinks in the
Glenelg Basin.
LandLife
GLENELG HOPKINS REGIONAL NEWSLETTER
Produced by:
Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Articles or Contributions from:
Deb Howcroft, Lisette Mill,
Jacinta Hendriks, Gabrielle Lanman,
Bill Sharp, Kevin Wood,
Una Allender, Erica Nolte,
Susie Hand, Richard Murphy,
Louise Thomas and Tiffany Inglis.
LandLife also available to view at
www.ghcma.vic.gov.au
Feedback, articles, photographs
and contributions to LandLife are
always welcome. To change your
email address, submit an article or
provide feedback please contact
[email protected]
or 5571 2526.
This newsletter is produced by
Glenelg Hopkins CMA to promote
improved management of the
region’s natural resources. It has
been developed as a resource
for individuals and organisations
interested in natural resource
management.
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History of Landcare
in Glenelg Hopkins
Glenelg Hopkins CMA, in partnership with RMIT
University, is researching and writing a history of
Landcare in the region.
This book is a celebration of the past 25 years of
Landcare in the Glenelg Hopkins region and will
review the story and achievements of Landcare.
By Erica Nolte
Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Catchment Project Administrator
The CMA and RMIT University Hamilton
welcome contributions from the Landcare
community:
• A written history of your group
• Old Landcare photos
To learn how to become involved
click here
Landmate partnership
works for all
By Richard Murphy
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Land Health Coordinator
Landmate is a partnership between Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Project Platypus Landcare Network and
Corrections Victoria that supports teams of inmates from Ararat and Langi Kal Kal prisons who work
with farmers and community groups on environment improvement projects.
The Landmate program began in 1990, and over the past 11 years work crews have planted many
thousands of hectares of native vegetation, cleared hundreds of hectares of weeds, dealt with rabbits
and provided emergency labour for fire and flood recovery activities.
Through Landmate, inmates are able to provide long-lasting benefits to the community and gain
skills-based training and certification for their own future.
Landmate assists at Moyston
In 2008 the Moyston Landcare Group decided
the Bowen Mine Reserve in Moyston was
worth saving.
The group cleared out rubbish, removed weeds,
constructed a walking track and repaired erosion
sites. Picnic tables were installed and information
boards showing historical information were
erected. The Moyston Primary School planted
indigenous trees and shrubs.
As a result of this work five years ago, the Bowen
Mine Reserve has become a regular walking
track for locals and is popular with tourists
looking for a place to break the drive to the
Grampians National Park.
To read more click here
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LandLife - Autumn 2012
Thanks to the Landmate Program, a partnership
between Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Project Platypus
Landcare Network and Corrections Victoria,
the Bowen Mine Reserve has become a regular
walking track for locals and is popular with tourists
looking for a place to break the drive to the
Grampians National Park.
FLOOD RECOVERY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
CMA Flood Recovery crews
praised for their work
The flood events in 2010-11 caused heartbreak
for many people, due to the major flooding over
many areas of the south west. Many areas in
the Moyne Shire were affected by the floods
and a great deal of work has been undertaken in
communities such as Panmure and Ellerslie.
The help of Glenelg Hopkins CMA Flood
Recovery Employment Program (FREP) has
been enlisted to undertake much of the recovery
work. The crews have worked on repairing,
reinstating and renewing flood damaged fencing
and clearing debris on flood affected properties,
as well as on public land and structures around
the area.
Smaller townships within the Moyne Shire, such
as Hawkesdale and surrounding areas have also
benefited from the flood crew support, where
the team has been focusing on environmental
works around the area.
The Glenelg Hopkins crew, lead by CMA project
coordinator Peter Waldron, has also been
assisting the Moyne Shire Council with woody
weed control at Port Fairy.
According to Moyne Environment Officer
Richard Hodgens, the FREP crew helped with
council-managed environmental reserves and
high-value roadside reserves at numerous
locations across the Shire.
To read more click here
From little things,
big things grow
Geography teacher Gary Simkin knows a lot
about teaching and learning, and a lot about
the land.
For Mr Simkin, the land and the environment
has been a lifelong interest and with learnings
from his involvement with the early days of the
Potter Farm Plan in the 1980s to the innovations
of today, Mr Simkin has been a proactive
land manager.
By Susie Hand
Grants Administration Officer,
Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Visiting the Glenelg Hopkins CMA Sheepvention
site in August last year, Mr Simkin received
advice regarding his Merino property, and he
was able to discuss the issues in depth with
landscape project officers who offered to
provide aerial maps of the property, funding
advice and suggested ways Mr Simkin could
move his plans forward.
The Flood Recovery Crews have received praise
for their work.
FREP Summary
of Achievements
Fencing - cleared and repaired 145.55 km
Fencing - new
80.85 km
Weed removal
315 ha
Revegetation
61 ha
To read more click here
On both his property at Tarrington and the
recently purchased acreage in Merino, Gary and
wife Margaret are making improvements, both
big and small, all of which have a huge impact
on the catchment.
His Tarrington property has been divided into
various land systems, and the Simkins have
planted corridors and shelter belts allowing a
diverse and healthy ecosystem to flourish.
“I have always had an interest in the land and to
be able to make tangible improvements is a very
rewarding experience,” Mr Simkin said. “Even
small steps can lead to big change.”
Gary Simkin at one of the fenced and revegetated areas of his Merino property, undertaken with the
assistance of the Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
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LandLife - Autumn 2012
REGIONAL CATCHMENT STRATEGY UPDATE
By Gabrielle Lanman, Regional Catchment Strategy Officer, Glenelg Hopkins CMA
What is the Regional Catchment Strategy?
Developed in Partnership
The Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS)
2012-2018 is the primary planning framework for land, water
and biodiversity management within the Glenelg Hopkins
region. The RCS aims to provide a framework for the
coordinated management of catchments, which will maintain
and enhance long term land productivity while also conserving
the environment. This will ensure that the quality of land and
water resources within the region and their associated plant
and animal life are maintained and enhanced.
The RCS renewal process has enabled the CMA to
continue working with the broader community and
regional stakeholders in setting the direction for how
our land, water and biodiversity resources should
be managed. The draft RCS is based on extensive
community consultation, and encourages and supports
community participation in catchment management and
applies to both private and public land.
Directing Investment
Where are we up to?
The RCS will be approved by the Victorian Minister for Water
and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change. It will
set regional priorities but will also be referenced to broader
State and Federal government policies and priorities.
The Draft Glenelg Hopkins RCS 2012-2018 has been
completed and is available for public comment until
5 June 2012.
To view the draft RCS:
To comment on the draft RCS:
To view the draft RCS visit the Glenelg Hopkins CMA
website click here or contact the CMA on 5571 2526
email [email protected].
Please do so by email or through attendance at one of the remaining
workshops listed below. Workshops have been held at Casterton, Heywood,
Portland and Warrnambool. To ensure your views on the draft RCS are taken
into consideration in the final RCS, we would like to invite you to meet with us
to discuss the draft document and capture your feedback.
Lake Bolac
Ararat
Skipton
10.00 – 12noon
23 May 2012
Lake Bolac Information and Business Centre
2110 Glenelg Highway,
Lake Bolac
1.30 – 3.30pm
23 May 2012
Ararat and Grampians Information Centre
91 High Street, Ararat
1.30pm-3.30pm
30 May 2012
Skipton Community House
If you would like to attend one of the workshops, please contact Hannah Brook or Gabrielle Lanman by phone 5571 2526
or email. [email protected] to register your attendance.
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LandLife - Autumn 2012
Good news for Seasonal Herbaceous
Wetlands on the Victorian Volcanic Plains!
In March, the Federal Minister for Sustainability,
Environment, Water, Population and
Communities approved the listing of the
Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands on the Victorian
Volcanic Plains (VVP) under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Seasonal Herbaceous
Wetlands are to be listed as threatened
ecological communities in order to help protect
and recover the remaining patches of these
wetlands. This adds seasonal wetlands to two
previously listed ecological communities on the
VVP; namely the Natural Temperate Grasslands
and the Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands.
For the Glenelg Hopkins CMA, the listing means
that funding has now become available which
allows us to include landholders with seasonal
wetland vegetation on their property in our
current Grasslands Tender project. Grasslands
Tender now targets native grasslands, grassy
woodlands and seasonal herbaceous wetlands
on private land. Please refer to the map for the
project area.
The Grasslands Tender process is simple:
3.We provide you with a management plan for
your site.
How to recognise Seasonal
Herbaceous Wetlands
4.You will have 28 days to develop a bid which
will help you to achieve the management
actions in your plan over a period of 5 years.
Seasonal herbaceous wetlands look different
during dry and wet times. The vegetation can
look quite grassy when they are dry, but as soon
as they fill up with water, the water dependant
vegetation comes back to life. Typically the
vegetation comprises grasses, sedges and
herbs that emerge from the water or have leaves
that float on top. Swamp Wallaby-grasses,
Carex or Sedges, Bent-grass, Blown grasses
and Poa tussock are often present. When dry,
plants may not be visible above ground. Aquatic
and amphibious species persist as desiccated
shoots, underground root stocks or propagules
(seeds, spores or eggs).
5.All bids are assessed on value for money.
6.Successful applicants will receive the amount
they tendered for. Successful sites are subject
to annual reporting.
Threatening Processes
Since European settlement, native grasslands
and grassy woodlands have been modified by
agriculture and urban land use. There are less
than 1% of our native grasslands left on the
VVP. Seasonal herbaceous wetlands have been
lost through drainage and inappropriate landuse such as cropping and timber plantations.
Only about 3% of all seasonal herbaceous
wetlands are currently protected.
These grasslands, grassy woodlands and
seasonal herbaceous wetlands are only found in
the Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion.
1.Register your expression of interest.
2.Site assessment during which the quality
of the vegetation is assessed as well as the
threats. Management actions to address
these threats are discussed with you. We
want to make sure that the actions which will
go into the management plan suit your
specific situation.
1
2
Photos: Laura Weedon
1. Variabe Willow Herb (Epilobium spp.)
2. An example of a Plains Grassy Wetland
3. White Purslane (Neopaxia australasica), is often
3
associated with cane grass wetlands though difficult
to identify if not flowering
4. Target area for the Grasslands Tender
5. Dragonfly
4
5
LandLife - Autumn 2012
5
Generally there are no trees and shrubs in
the wetlands listed as Seasonal Herbaceous
Wetland community, or when there are, they are
scattered around the fringe.
These wetlands are fed by rainfall and therefore
have typical wet and dry periods during the
year; hence being called Seasonal. A range of
animals rely on regular standing water during
part of the year to provide food or breeding
habitat.
AN “AWARDING” TIME FOR NRM
Win for the environment
at district awards
The Basalt to Bay Landcare Network has won a
community award at the recently held Western
District Employment Access (WDEA) Social
Inclusion and Collaboration Awards.
Entered in the Community Not-For-Profit with
a turnover of more than $50,000, Basalt to Bay
and St John of God Women’s Wellbeing Group
both succeeded in capturing prize money and
shared the first prize.
Basalt to Bay won with their innovative
Landcare program which aims to encourage
people with social disabilities to deliver
on-ground restoration works and gain an
appreciation of natural resource management,
which the judges described as “providing
significant benefits to participants”.
By Lisette Mill
Basalt to Bay Landcare Network Facilitator
Two Basalt to Bay member groups are already
working on this year’s funded projects with
a Social Inclusion Day with Warrnambool
Coastcare Landcare Group on May 20 at the
Harris on Merri Reserve, Warrnambool.
The Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail
Committee will also be working with disability
services clients on a tree planting in Port Fairy
to be held in September.
Funds from the WDEA Award will be used in a
project designed in collaboration with WDEA,
to build on their expression of support for
Landcare in Warrnambool and District.
CMAs sponsor dairy awards
Over the past six years the Great South West
Dairy Awards have become a regular event in
the dairy industry calendar. The awards, which
were announced at a Gala Awards Night at
Glenormiston College on April 26, set out to
recognise and reward the skill, dedication,
leadership, ingenuity and environmental
responsibility of our farming community in
south west Victoria.
They said the Ryans demonstrated high level
strategic management skills, impressive
adoption of technology, innovation and
commitment to sustainability.
According to the WestVic Dairy website,
the awards aim to:
Andrew, Anna and Yvonne Wortley from
Macarthur were named runners up.
Their achievements included a 20 per cent
reduction in use of fertilisers, 85 per cent
reduction in energy use in the dairy and
40 per cent reduction in grain feeds.
Looking to the future, this award win
will further empower the Basalt to Bay
Landcare Network to strive to work more
with a range of health and social services
providers, to ensure that Landcare truly is
for EVERYONE.
If you have any enquiries, contact the Basalt to
Bay Landcare Facilitator on 0408 712 713 or
[email protected]
Victorian
Coastal Awards
The Department of Sustainability and
Environment in partnership with Glenelg
Hopkins CMA were finalists in the Coastal
Planning and Management section of the
Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence.
The project titled “The state-wide marine
environmental asset map” spatially defines
marine areas of state and bioregional
significance.
The maps provide a much clearer
foundation for assessments of risk posed
by activities within catchments to the
sustainability of neighbouring marine
environments and assist in development of
management priorities.
• Reward the region’s farmers for high
performance with substantial prizes
• Publicise the industry’s achievements and the
benefits of using high performance; and
• Improve the image of the dairy industry in
south west Victoria
Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite CMA were
joint sponsors of the award for Natural Resource
and Sustainability Manager. It was awarded to
Grassmere farmers Liam and Kim Ryan.
This award was judged by staff members
from both CMAs, who said that Liam was an
outstanding winner.
Kim and Liam Ryan won the Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite CMA Natural Resource and Sustainability
Manager Award at the Great South West Dairy Awards.
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LandLife - Autumn 2012
AROUND THE REGION
Giving our Red Gums a helping hand
A crowd of almost 40 people attended a field
day in the Dunkeld area, to share knowledge
and learn more about regenerating Red Gums
in a paddock setting.
The field day was organised by Glenelg
Hopkins CMA in partnership with the
Panyyabyr Landcare Group as part of its
Woodland Protection Project, and featured
local experts Rod Bird and Keith Cumming as
the speakers.
Panyyabyr Landcare Group members,
including Lisa McIntyre, were present and
discussed how the group has been very
proactive with projects for more than 20 years
and is participating in the current Caring for
our Country Woodland Project.
CMA project officer Tania Parker said the day
was about “information sharing and learning
from others, as well as the speakers”.
There were five sites on the itinerary for the
day, progressing from sites which were in the
early stages of Landcare activities, through to
Red Gum re-establishment sites that were a
couple of years old and finally to large-scale,
established sites.
She said that visiting the range of sites
demonstrated the benefits of allowing Red
Gums to naturally regenerate.
“While we also saw that supplementary
planting of understorey species is beneficial
for greater diversity, it is not essential for
success,” she said.
Ms Parker explained that stepping stone
plantings - which looks just like it sounds,
an area fenced around existing trees dotted
across a paddock - hold great benefit to
protect paddock trees.
To read more click here
“The opportunity to share knowledge was
great. The field day participants had a range
of levels of experience, and one of the most
critical take home messages was that even
small steps are a great way to start,” she said.
7
The Hamilton Flood Investigation is expected
to be completed by the end of May, with some
additional climate modelling still to be
completed. The final community consultation
was held on 2 May 2012 at the Hamilton
Performing Arts Centre. CMA representatives,
study consultants, SES and Southern
Grampians Shire Council were available to
answer questions from community members.
•
The CMA has received a revised rating table
from the consultants for the Wickliffe gauge
on the Hopkins River as part of the Wickliffe
Flood Investigation. This resulted from some
initial analysis of the January 2011 flood
which uncovered some discrepancies in the
flood flows. Using the new rating table, peak
flows for January 2011 have now been revised and this estimate will enable the hydrology to
be completed and finalised.
LandLife - Autumn 2012
Trust for Nature
By Tiffany Inglis
Communications Coordinator, Trust for Nature
About us
Flood Investigations Update
•
Keith Cumming was an expert speaker at the
Red Gum field day.
• Consultants are currently completing the
hydraulics component of this project for the
Skipton Flood Investigation.
•
The Draft Hydrology report for the Burrumbeet
Flood Investigation has been submitted for
review. This project is expected to be
completed by April 2013.
•
Revised maps for the Warrnambool Interim
Planning Scheme Amendment to incorporate
flood zones and overlays into the Planning
Scheme are currently with Department of
Planning and Community Development and
are expected to be lodged with the Minister as
soon as finalised.
• Funding for the Casterton Flood Warning
and Intelligence Improvements Project has
been finalised and contractors appointed.
Trust for Nature is a not-for-profit organisation
that works to protect native plants and wildlife
in cooperation with private landowners. Our
native plants and wildlife provide us with not
only important services, such as clean water
and resources, but they are important in and of
themselves. However, as two-thirds of Victoria
is privately owned, many of these species
and their habitats are not currently getting the
protection they need.
TFN work in the Glenelg Hopkins catchment
In the Glenelg Hopkins region, the CMA has a
strong partnership with Trust for Nature. During
the past eight years the CMA has offered grants
and funding programs to landowners, which
include the BushTender and PlainsTender
initiatives.
More than 70 landowners have committed to
permanent conservation agreements within
this region since 1998. This ensures that their
children and grandchildren will enjoy these
special places into the future.
The Trust’s role in providing voluntary,
permanent protection in this area has resulted in
both security of investment for the Government
and the protection of important bird and plant
species for the next generation.
To read more click here
The Gilmour’s commitment
to Mt Emu Creek inspires
When beef farmers Brad and Marg
Gilmour first started fencing their Mt Emu
Creek frontage near Terang 30 years
ago, many locals thought they were a
bit eccentric. Now, with 25 km of creek
frontage fenced and largely revegetated,
the benefits are obvious and their efforts
have inspired others to follow suit.
When the Gilmours bought the 1200 ha beef
property, the creek frontage was unfenced and
the banks highly degraded. Brad and Marg set
themselves a target of fencing and revegetating
three to four kilometres a year and have steadily
achieved this, initially under their own steam
and later with funding assistance through
Lower Mt Emu Catchment Group and
Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
“When the revegetation started showing
above the fences, others in the district became
interested in what we were doing and we
encouraged them,” Mr Gilmour said.
He estimates that now, around 90 per cent of the
neighbouring creek frontage has been fenced,
with assistance from Glenelg Hopkins CMA. An
aerial photo now shows a lush strip of green in an
otherwise brown autumn landscape.
The Terang Lions Club helped the Gilmours
with creekside plantings. Photo: Ian Grummett.
To read more click here
Once sections of fencing were in place to control
stock, the Gilmours were able to begin protecting
the remnant vegetation and revegetating
denuded areas.
Local trees and shrubs, predominantly river
red gums and woolly tea tree, were planted on
around 18 km of frontage while regeneration
of remnant vegetation was encouraged on the
remainder. The fenced area includes a few river
bends to provide space for more planted rows
and protection of remnant river red gums.
Brad Gilmour says that fencing and revegetating the Mt Emu Creek frontage has provided many benefits
to the farm business.
Beyond Bolac
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Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group (BBCAG)
has received funding from DSE for a part time
Landcare facilitator for landcare promotion and
for Natural Resource Management (NRM) project
planning in the catchment. Bill Sharp has been
appointed in that role by BBCAG.
There will be opportunities to take up incentive
grants eligible for works such as fencing,
and revegetation works, treating salinity, and
protection and development of wetlands, and
research for example, salinity and wetland
management.
The key component for the facilitator role is to
engage with as many landholders as possible to
encourage their participation in ongoing NRM,
plan activities and develop NRM projects, and
to assist with establishing a self-supporting
community group prepared for when funding the
facilitator ceases in 2015.
“As facilitator I will be looking to talk with
landholders about landcare as individuals or
groups in a coordinated approach to reactivate
Landcare, to get landholders involved either
in groups or with Beyond Bolac CAG,”
Mr Sharp said.
LandLife - Autumn 2012
“I look forward to speaking with anyone who is
interested over the next several months. I would
be very happy if you were to get in touch with me
to arrange a meeting of a small group or on an
individual basis.”
BBCAG Events:
•
Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group’s
sixth birthday and achievement celebration
on 22 June at 5 pm at the Lake Bolac Boat
Shed. Free Barbecue and social evening with
Cam Nicholson, Coordinator of Grain & Graze
& Evergraze as guest speaker.
• Carbon Farming Incentive update co-hosted
with the Rural City of Ararat on July 4 at 12pm,
Community Complex at Lake Bolac.
Both events are free, BBQ provided.
BYO refreshments. Tea & coffee provided.
Inquiries: Bill Sharp, Beyond Bolac Facilitator,
Mob. 0418 542 687. Lake Bolac
Group Milestone
As the sixth birthday celebration of this
Lake Bolac community group looms, it
provides an opportunity to look at the
origins and history of the group, its aims
and achievements and look and plan
ahead for the future.
The vision agreed upon by the group is
“A biodiverse, productive, resilient and safe
catchment, supporting vibrant communities
and land managers”.
The most recent milestone has been the
development of a strategic plan for the group’s
work and reaching of goals in the catchment.
It all started informally in 2005 when a meeting
called by concerned community members
was held in Lake Bolac with government
representatives, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, and
residents to discuss the drying of and the future
management of the lake, including concerns for
the control of salinity and future flooding and
waterways management of the lake’s catchment.
Controlling the overflow of the lake to assist in
salinity management was a key topic.
The CMA and its Waterways Implementation
Committee together with local residents
inspected the lake to help decide on action to
address these issues.
The CMA provided funds and appointed a
researcher to prepare what is now the “H11&H12
Catchment Health Report, Lake Bolac, Fiery
and Salt Creeks” which reviewed existing
information on assets, current condition, threats,
management options and information gaps.
The CMA appointed a standing committee to
supervise the preparation of the report. The first
official meeting of that standing committee was
on 11 April 2006 which was when the members
of that committee opted to remain as members
of what became the H11-H12 Catchment Action
Group and is now ‘Beyond Bolac Catchment
Action Group’.
By Bill Sharp
Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group
Achievements:
•
The group has been very successful in
obtaining grants for on-ground works, project
management and for community engagement
programs. On-ground works include riparian
fencing, tree planting / revegetation, and
salinity research.
•
Approximately 25 km of fencing has been
erected under these programs and much
flood damaged fencing has been repaired
and/or replaced under special funding
arranged by the CMA.
•
The group has been successful with several
grants and assistance from Glenelg Hopkins
CMA, Commonwealth Government water
grant, Second Generation Landcare grants,
‘HERO’ (High environmental Resource
Opportunity) project, Watershed 2000 for a
salinity research project.
•
The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has
provided funding and assistance in
kind having adopted BBCAG as one of
its five Landscape Restoration Projects.
The Foundation has provided funds for
salinity research and for community
engagement work.
•
The group was successful in the 2010
Landcare awards receiving an honorable
mention in the River Care section for its work
on the Fiery Creek.
• The group had a poster at the 25 Landcare
celebration conference at the MCG in 2010.
•
The group has commenced a biodiversity
mapping project and members are collecting
information and sitings for fauna and flora
referencing on the interactive mapping
program on its website.
•
Other things that are happening include the
group’s website, http://www.beyondbolac.org
which has an interactive mapping program to
enable the recording of projects, sitings of native flora and fauna.
For the full story click here
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LandLife - Autumn 2012
Foundation
backs fauna
survey
By Lisette Mill
Basalt to Bay Landcare Network Facilitator
St Helens Flora Reserve is located within the
Warrnambool Plains Bioregion, 4 km north of
Yambuk on Barkers Road.
The 35 ha reserve was once the local
racecourse with the last race run more than 50
years ago. The reserve contains three EVCs
that have a conservation status of Endangered;
EVC No. 3 - Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland;
EVC No. 647 - Plains Sedgy Wetland; EVC No.
713 - Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland/Damp
Heathland/Damp Heathy Woodland Mosaic.
The property owner on the north, west and
south sides of the reserve has retained and
enhanced remnant vegetation adjoining the
reserve and is a keen advocate in monitoring
the reserve and observing the flora and fauna.
Eastern Brown Bandicoots (classified
endangered) have been noted in the reserve.
A Brown Bandicoot was found dead on the
western boundary road several years ago
and live bandicoots have been sighted by
neighbouring farmers more recently.
The Wettenhall Foundation has provided a
grant to Basalt to Bay Landcare Network for a
professional survey to determine what fauna is
present and confirm existence of Eastern Brown
Bandicoots. If their presence is confirmed,
then work can commence on developing a
management plan for the reserve and the
Eastern Brown Bandicoots with Parks Victoria.
A community event, presenting results of the
survey, will be held following the completion of
the survey in late May 2012.
Contributions sought
for Indigenous
knowledge toolkit
By Leonard Cooper
Indigenous Community Coordinator
The Gunditj Mirring/Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Partnership Project is keen to hear from
landholders in or neighbouring the Mt Eccles,
Mt Napier and Mt Rouse lava flow country about
their historical knowledge and experiences with
land management.
This four year partnership project is supported
through funding from the Australian
Government’s Caring for Our Country and began
in 2009. It was funded to research, discover and
record traditional and contemporary Gunditjmara
land management practices across the far south
west of Victoria to provide Indigenous Ecological
Knowledge for land management today and into
the future.
The Partnership Project is developing an
extension toolkit to provide advice on land
management practices and Indigenous
Ecological Knowledge to the Gunditjmara
community, land managers, government
agencies and community groups.
The toolkit will comprise both Indigenous and
non-Indigenous natural resource management
practices.
The project team comprises the Glenelg Hopkins
CMA Strategic Partnerships Manager Kellie
Nilsson, Indigenous Community Coordinator
Leonard Cooper, Gunditjmara Traditional Owners
Field Officer Ben Church and Administration
Officer Micko Bell. The team is keen to hear from
land managers with a range
of experiences with land management and
cultural heritage in the Lake Condah region.
The information will complement the
development of the extension toolkit as a
resource for the Gunditjmara and surrounding
land managers.
The project team will be visiting community
groups, landcare groups and individual
landholders in the lava flow district from
May to June.
If anyone is interested in being involved or
requires more information regarding this program,
please contact Leonard Cooper, Glenelg Hopkins
CMA Indigenous Community Coordinator
on 5571 2526.
10 LandLife - Autumn 2012
Gunditjmara land management practices are being recorded as part of the Gunditj Mirring/Glenelg Hopkins
CMA project.
Current CMA Incentives Programs
Wando River Catchment
Landcare Grant
There are currently two Glenelg Hopkins
CMA projects available to assist landholders
to undertake on ground works in the area
between Coleraine, Casterton and Nareen.
In commemorating the milestone of 25 years
of Landcare, the Victorian Government has
provided Glenelg Hopkins CMA with $60,000
to distribute to community groups through a
grants process. Grants will be awarded for
small projects up to $5,000.
The Lower G3 WAP (Waterway Action Plan)
is being coordinated by Rob Addinsall for
waterway based projects within the Wando
River catchment, and includes the Wando
River and the Glenelg River from the Wando
Junction (Dunrobin) to just south of Casterton.
For more information click here
Grassland Tender
The Red Gum Woodlands protects red gums
across the landscape and creates corridors to
link red gums to assist in their protection. The
area covered is based on the Wando River
Landcare Group area, covering Casterton,
Wando Vale, Nareen and Coleraine areas.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA is providing financial
assistance for farmers with grasslands and
grassy woodlands on their properties through
the Native Grassland Program. This program
aims to help you improve the quality of your
site and will provide you with a management
plan and incentive payments to help cover
costs for management actions.
More information can be obtained by
contacting Glenelg Hopkins CMA
on 5571 2526.
For more information click here.
2012 Lake Bolac
Eel Festival
The theme of the Lake Bolac Eel Festival, “Flows
– of lava, water and story” was carried through
all aspects of the festival and feedback from
the festival audience of around 1,000 has been
overwhelmingly enthusiastic. People loved the
art exhibition where some fabulous glass pieces
by Pomonal glass blower James McMurtrie were
beautifully displayed, along with a range of work
from regional artists, and the installations and
workshops provided by Deakin University. The
beautiful Volcano Dreaming banners depicting
the flora and fauna of the volcanic plains were
a highlight.
Ken Grimes, keynote speaker at the
Environmental Forum, delivered a fascinating
presentation on the “Geological evolution of
the Lake Bolac – Skipton area” which included
an explanation of the formation of Lake Bolac
following the eruption of Mt Wyvern about
one million years ago (a copy of Ken’s notes is
available from Una Allender or Peter Forster).
By Una Allender
Secretary, Lake Bolac Eel Festival
An artists’ camp was held in conjunction with the
Healing Walk down the Salt Creek and Hopkins
River and will result in an exhibition of walk
inspired art at the Warrnambool Gallery in 2013.
The 2013 Festival will be held on
the weekend March 23.
www.eelfestival.org.au Tel: 5350 2204
Email: [email protected]
Gunditjmara Karween Dancers at twilight celebration. Photo taken by Peter Taylor.
Kathryn Skelt spoke about the hydrogeology of
the area and Damein Bell spoke about the impact
of volcanos and lava flows on the Indigenous
people with particular reference to the Lake
Condah aquaculture story.
A highlight of the music was the performance of
three young musicians from Arnhem Land who
are studying at St Joseph’s in Geelong courtesy
of the Marma Rom Two Worlds Foundation. Their
singing (in language) accompanied by didgeridoo
and clapsticks was spell binding. The Twilight
Celebration, “Volcano Dreaming”, involving
students from Lake Bolac College and other
regional schools combined Indigenous dance,
music and an erupting volcano in spectacular
fashion.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Waterway and Catchment Health Program Manager Adam Bester was one of the
CMA staff attending the Lake Bolac Eel Festival. He is talking with Rob Nichols at the CMA stand.
Who to follow on Twitter
Follow Glenelg Hopkins CMA on Facebook and on Twitter (@GHCMA), where we let our followers know about incentives
programs, workshops and field days and other environmental events, as well as the Glenelg River Flow update.
New Rural Industries: @our_NRIA
New Rural Industries Australia is an organisation, building new
rural industries through collaboration, cooperation, coordination
and education. www.nria.org.au
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC): @AYCC
A coalition of youth organisations working together to build a
movement to solve the climate crisis. www.aycc.org.au
11 LandLife - Autumn 2012
Deb Bain: @FarmDayOz
FarmDay is when a city family visits a farm family for a day of fun,
friendship and understanding. FarmDay will be on the weekend
of May 26 & 27 for 2012! www.farmday.com.au
Apps Review
Mobile applications, also called mobile
apps, are software applications, usually
designed to run on smartphones and
tablet computers. Increasingly primary
producers are using apps for weather
reports, commodity prices and banking.
Some just help us learn more about our
environment. Some apps are free, and
others have a price.
In this edition of LandLife, we will look at
some of these apps. Please let us know if
you have any favourites.
•
Living Earth 3D with Weather Live.
A World Clock, live weather and
simulative rotating earth. Clock,
weather and extended forecast
around the world.
•
Frogs Field Guide, by Australian
Museum. Discover the wonderful and
fascinating world of Australian
frogs in our Frogs Field Guide. Browse
comprehensive information about frogs, including photographs and calls.
•
Australian Birds, by iNi inspire. A guide
to watching birds, featuring a collection
of over 110 video clips of native birds
filmed in the wild by cameraman
Steve Sheers.
•
The Michael Morcombe eGuide to
the Birds of Australia, by
mydigitalearth.com. This field guide to
Australian birds is now available on the
iPhone with a comprehensive collection
of bird calls.
Una Allender
awarded Ararat
Citizen of the Year
On Australia Day, Una Allender, was awarded Ararat
Rural City's Citizen of the Year. The celebrations
took place at the Alexandra Gardens in Ararat
where the Mayor, Cr Colin McKenzie, presented
Una Allender with the Citizen award. As one of
the key organisers of the successful Lake Bolac
Eel Festival, her many years of commitment to the
community has been recognised.
Diary Dates
May 22
Upper Hopkins Land Management Group
seminar, dinner, social evening and AGM.
“The Basics of Soil Carbon: what
landholders need to know in the brave
new world of carbon credits.” The guest
speaker is Declan McDonald, SpecialistProductive Soils, with DPI.
Time:
6pm
Location: Ararat Hotel
Contact: Una Allender [email protected] or
phone 0419 891 920.
Meals and drinks at bar prices.
May 22 & 23
Make genetic improvement work for
you by using the ADHIS SELECTABULL
program to help you build your breeding
objective and simplify bull selection.
SELECTABULL is a web-based tool for
dairy farmers and herd improvement
organisations aimed at reducing the
time required to select bulls, without
compromising bull reliability. Peter
Williams from ADHIS will also be
guest speaking on ABV’s and the tools
available through ADHIS.
Date:
Tuesday, 22 May
Time:
11am to 2pm (Morning tea
& lunch provided)
Location: Warrnambool Community College, 71 Hyland Street,
Warrnambool
Date:
Wednesday, 23 May
Time:
11am to 2pm (Morning tea & lunch provided)
Location: Glenormiston College,
333 Glenormiston Road,
Glenormiston South
June 9 & 10
The Australian Kelpie Muster will be held
over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
For more information click here
4 July 2012
Carbon Farming Workshop – Innovative
Farming Series. Topics discussed
include:
• Carbon farming
• The advantages for your enterprise
• Carbon law for farmers
• Funding and grant information
Time:
12pm – 4pm
Location: Lake Bolac
Community Complex
Contact: 5355 0272
Copyright © Glenelg Hopkins CMA
The contents of this publication may not be cited without permission of the author. While every effort is made to provide a high-quality publication,
Glenelg Hopkins CMA does not give any guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness of up-to-date nature of the
information provided and therefore disclaims all liabilities from error, loss or other consequence that may arise from reliance on information in this publication.
The information and views in this publication do not necessarily represent the view of Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
12 LandLife - Autumn 2012