Jims report to the Group's April meeting
Barrabool Hills Landcare Group – Gorse project update 16/4/13
To date 68 landholders plus 3 contractors/leaseholders have been engaged through phone contact and property visits.
52 properties have signed 5yr property management agreements, 47 of which have had spraying completed.
2 properties are still waiting quotes or reply to quotes
9 properties had either recently sprayed gorse or planned to spray gorse without assistance from the program.
5 properties visited did not have gorse.
All landholders visited were engaged in discussions about weed and pest control where relevant and informed of the benefits of becoming or renewing their landcare membership.
All landholders receiving the 50% funding assistance through this program will be required to be a current financial member of the Barrabool Hills Landcare Group. The spraying of properties has been progressing well in recent weeks with the larger projects to be completed by autumn 2013. There are some properties needing follow up spraying as some plants were missed the first time.
To date approx. $10000 of funding has been committed for paddock gorse spraying and approx. $9500 for waterways spraying.
There was a budget of approx. $10,000 for paddock gorse and $10,000 for waterway gorse spraying.
Pending agreement with the last two properties, the project funding is fully allocated.
I will be following up properties this autumn, to make sure contractors are payed and landcare group rebates are distributed as is detailed in the land management agreements.
Jim Seager.