NEWSLETTER VOL.16, No. 7 August, 2010 (Circulation ~300) Incorporation No: A0011936S

Mailing Address: c/- Judy Crocker, Secretary, PO Box 2197 Bendigo DC 3554 (5435 3412).

Email: jcroc@aapt.net.au Web site: http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/uscl/web/index.html

jcroc@aapt.net.au Web site: http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/uscl/web/index.html

Local News Flashes

Community Network News

West Marong, Upper Spring Creek, Ravenswood Valley, Nuggetty,

Eddington Landcare Groups - Mid Loddon-CMN & other friends

Working for the Environment in the mid-Loddon Catchment

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

PLANTS AVAILABLE: Excess project plants will be available to Landcare members Saturday 7th at

225 Boswell Road from 9.30am to 4.00pm only. Judy

 

 

 

 

th at

225 Boswell Road from 9.30am to 4.00pm only. Judy

Judy

Upper Spring Creek Landcare Group (Meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday). The next meeting will be at

8.00pm at the Lockwood Hall supper room on Tuesday 10th August.

The Presidents and Treasurers annual reports will be presented and a brief election/confirmation of office

bearers for 2010/2011, followed by a welcome of new members and a discussion and presentation of current

and future projects and activities. A chance to try out our new large chairs! Surprise speaker!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday). The next meeting will be at

8.00pm at the Lockwood Hall supper room on Tuesday 10th August.

The Presidents and Treasurers annual reports will be presented and a brief election/confirmation of office

bearers for 2010/2011, followed by a welcome of new members and a discussion and presentation of current

and future projects and activities. A chance to try out our new large chairs! Surprise speaker!

 

 

 

 

Lockwood Hall supper room on Tuesday 10th August.

The Presidents and Treasurers annual reports will be presented and a brief election/confirmation of office

bearers for 2010/2011, followed by a welcome of new members and a discussion and presentation of current

and future projects and activities. A chance to try out our new large chairs! Surprise speaker!

West Marong Landcare Group Meeting will be held at 8.00pm on the 17th August, at the Woodstock Hall

will be held at 8.00pm on the 17th August, at the Woodstock Hall

Topic – Organising a large scale fox program with an integrated approach. Information & presentation

supplied by Andrew Carter will be available on the night

 

 

 

 

– Organising a large scale fox program with an integrated approach. Information & presentation

supplied by Andrew Carter will be available on the night

Ravenswood Valley Landcare Group meets on the last Wednesday of a month as notified.

meets on the last Wednesday of a month as notified.

Eddington Landcare Group meet as notified, depending on issues that require discussion

meet as notified, depending on issues that require discussion

Nuggetty Landcare Group meet on the first Wednesday of the month

meet on the first Wednesday of the month

Driscoll Seeds will be holding a Field Day at the Woodstock West Expo Site (Hepburn’s) date to be notified.

There will also be an update on locust/ rust at Driscoll Seeds, 43 Maryborough/Dunolly Road Maryborough in

the next few weeks at a date to be notified.

 

 

 

 

at the Woodstock West Expo Site (Hepburn’s) date to be notified.

There will also be an update on locust/ rust at Driscoll Seeds, 43 Maryborough/Dunolly Road Maryborough in

the next few weeks at a date to be notified.

Lockwood Fire Brigade Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 4th October at the Lockwood Fire Station.

The Local Brigade usually meets on the 1st Monday every second month.

 

 

 

 

will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 4th October at the Lockwood Fire Station.

The Local Brigade usually meets on the 1st Monday every second month.

st Monday every second month.

Old Time Dance held at the Lockwood Hall on Friday 20th August from 8.00-11.30pm. Cost $7.00 & bring a

plate. Music by Rica Mullins (dances held on the 3rd Friday of month)

 

 

 

 

on Friday 20th August from 8.00-11.30pm. Cost $7.00 & bring a

plate. Music by Rica Mullins (dances held on the 3rd Friday of month)

rd Friday of month)

Lockwood Bowling Club meetings are held on the 1st Monday at 7.00pm. New members welcome.

are held on the 1st Monday at 7.00pm. New members welcome.

Lockwood South Hall Committee meets by-monthly on the 4th Monday of the month

meets by-monthly on the 4th Monday of the month

Lockwood District Community Committee Meeting at the Lockwood Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st

at the Lockwood Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st

September (Committee meets by-monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month). Interested community members

are welcome.

Local News: Judy

Judy

Notes from the recent Lockwood District Community Committee meeting, which was attended by 17 locals and 2 COGB

support officers.

After lengthy discussion re the preferred structure and member representation, there was general consensus that the new

Section 86 committee be known as the Lockwood District Community Committee and would include a membership of two

representatives from each of the Lockwood South Hall Committee, Happy Jack Reserve Committee, Lockwood South

Tennis Club, Lockwood South & District Bowls Club, Lockwood Fire Brigade plus five community members nominated

from other local established groups. Other interested community members are encouraged and welcomed to provide input

and support. The Committee structure and membership will be reviewed in twelve months. Council Officers will finalize

the Draft Management Agreement document and seek sign off by the CEO at the City of Greater Bendigo Council.

The Ellis Park & Happy Jack Reserve Master Plan and Lockwood Hall Concept Plan (May 2010) was tabled and noted

that there would be further community consultation as to whether these plans are progressed in full or in part.

The return of the Flame Robins:

 

Photo K King & W Dabrowka

With the return of damper conditions this year the

Flame Robins have been once again sighted in the

area. These attractive small birds are the only

robins that form flocks in winter outside of the

breeding season.

Male Flame Robins have a bright orange breast

and throat, and are white on the lower belly and

undertail. The top of their head and back is dark

slate grey and there is a clear white stripe on the

folded wing. The bill is black and the legs dark

brown. The female is quite different from the

male, being mostly grey-brown with a pale buff

wing stripe, and a mostly white outer tail feather.

Young Flame Robins resemble the adult female,

but the brown of the back is heavily streaked with

buff and the pale belly is streaked with brown

Flame Robins have an attractive song. The high

pitched musical trill has three sets of notes, which

have been interpreted as “ you may come if you

wish to the sea”.

The Flame Robin may lay up to two clutches

during the breeding season. The nest is built by

the female, and is a grass and bark cup, bound

with spider web and decorated with lichen. It is

normally placed in a cavity in a tree or rock face,

or other similar area up to 20m above the ground.

The female also incubates the eggs, while the

male supplies her with food. Both sexes feed the

chicks.

Landcare Network Project Update

Picaninny Swamp Update:

The swamp is finally returning to swamp status

with the new growth of native tufted grasses and

sedges. Our CMN Ranger Graeme has laid baited

hair funnels across the area where we hope to find

the elusive swamp rats. Graeme will also

complete some spot-lighting excursions to see

what other small mammals may be living in the

many large old trees surrounding the swamp.

A group of Latrobe University students will spend

time in the swamp later this month. As part of

their course, they will investigate the health of the

swamp, complete some planting to improve the

very depleted understory and stay on into the

evening to do some spot lighting, for swamp rats

and other small mammals

Graeme checking a funnel for signs of

swamp rat hairs

Visiting Landcarers interested in saving the Bush

Stone curlew from regional extinction!

On Sunday 25th July, twenty five members of the

Salisbury West Landcare Group & Friends of

Kiora Park traveled by bus to visit a range of

revegetation and protected remnant sites at

Lockwood South, Shelbourne, Woodstock &

Eastville

Thanks to Fred & Joanna Brunings, Geoff &

Noreen Gill and Howard Hepburn for not only

allowing access to their property sites but also for

generously providing time and hospitality to our

visitors. We hope there will be further close

interaction between our groups in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interested in saving the Bush

Stone curlew from regional extinction!

On Sunday 25th July, twenty five members of the

Salisbury West Landcare Group & Friends of

Kiora Park traveled by bus to visit a range of

revegetation and protected remnant sites at

Lockwood South, Shelbourne, Woodstock &

Eastville

Thanks to Fred & Joanna Brunings, Geoff &

Noreen Gill and Howard Hepburn for not only

allowing access to their property sites but also for

generously providing time and hospitality to our

visitors. We hope there will be further close

interaction between our groups in the future.

 

 

 

 

th July, twenty five members of the

Salisbury West Landcare Group & Friends of

Kiora Park traveled by bus to visit a range of

revegetation and protected remnant sites at

Lockwood South, Shelbourne, Woodstock &

Eastville

Thanks to Fred & Joanna Brunings, Geoff &

Noreen Gill and Howard Hepburn for not only

allowing access to their property sites but also for

generously providing time and hospitality to our

visitors. We hope there will be further close

interaction between our groups in the future.

Judy

Upper Spring Creek Landcare Group

A happy band of Tafe students planting out

another section of Spring Creek (Addlem

property). Another following three planting

days has seen a further 830 plants in the

ground on the Spring Creek properties of Ron

& Sandie Rumbelow with Frank & Sylvia

Robinson also adding to the revegetation of

the Spring Creek area.

Fencing and plants have been made available

from COGB & 2nd Generation State Grants.

We also welcome John & Kay Campbell to a

Alexander Reef Road Property where they are

busy adding revegetation to the paddocks on

the north side of the forest.

 

 

 

 

nd Generation State Grants.

We also welcome John & Kay Campbell to a

Alexander Reef Road Property where they are

busy adding revegetation to the paddocks on

the north side of the forest.

Bullock Creek Reserve area between the

Maldon & Gap Roads is targeted for further

weed and rabbit work during the next twelve

months, with a further $7,500 being granted

by the Good Neighbor Program through an

initiative by Crown Lands Department.

 

 

 

 

area between the

Maldon & Gap Roads is targeted for further

weed and rabbit work during the next twelve

months, with a further $7,500 being granted

by the Good Neighbor Program through an

initiative by Crown Lands Department.

West Marong & Nuggetty Landcare Groups

The fencing protection of large areas of

remnant vegetation is a priority for both

Landcare groups

Greg & Donna Trimble have been working

hard to complete the fencing of remnant

vegetation (curlew habitat), an erosion gully

and dam, including the installation of a tank

& water system for the associated paddocks.

Funded by a NCCMA Box/Gum woodland project

An important remnant Box/Gum woodland is

being protected on the property of Andrew

Millar. The project also includes the

installation and monitoring of Tuan nest

boxes.

Funded by the Connecting Country Project

Nuggetty Landcare Group projects

Wheel Cactus -

--

The northern Mid Loddon Landcare Groups

appreciate their continuing work of

controlling the spread of Wheel Cactus.

Bridal Creeper Control Field Day- Ian Grenda

- Ian Grenda

Management options for the control of the

Restricted Weed bridal creeper (Asparagus

asparagoides) will be discussed at a free field day

in Nuggetty in August.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asparagus

asparagoides) will be discussed at a free field day

in Nuggetty in August.

 

 

 

 

) will be discussed at a free field day

in Nuggetty in August.

.

The Nuggetty Land Protection Group will hold

the Bridal Creeper Control Field Day on Saturday,

August 14 at 78 Browns Road, Nuggetty.

Bridal Creeper is an extremely damaging and

persistent environmental and garden weed. It is

declared a restricted weed under the Catchment

and Land Protection Act 1994 in all catchments

and land protection regions. This means it is

prohibited to sell or transport bridal creeper.

Local community groups are playing an essential

role in providing advice and support to control

this noxious weed.

Bridal Creeper can be spread by birds and has

invaded bushland and gardens throughout the

Maldon area.

Management options such as, chemical,

mechanical, and biological control will be

demonstrated at the field day. This will include a

demonstration on making spore water and

physical transfer of rust fungus. Bags of rust will

also be given to participants.

Department of Primary Industries Senior

Compliance Officer for North Central Martin

Deering said bridal creeper is a highly invasive

perennial climber, to three metres high, with long,

wiry stems and rhizomatous roots producing

clusters of fleshy tubers, which form a dense mass

about 10 centimetres deep in the soil.

“Small green berries are produced in late spring

and ripen from orange to red in summer,” Mr

Deering said.

“Bridal creeper is a strong competitor for space,

light and nutrients. It twines around existing

plants and eventually forms a canopy which

smothers other vegetation and restricts access.

“The masses of underground rhizomes and tubers

can destroy understorey plants and enable it to

survive wildfires. Major losses of understorey

species can be expected in areas affected by bridal

creeper. It thrives in shaded conditions but is

found to a lesser extent in open areas.”

The Bridal Creeper Control Field Day will begin

at 1.30pm with a talk on the origin of bridal

creeper, and management options for controlling

the weed. The field day will finish up with a

sausage in bread, a cuppa and a chat. All are

welcome.

To get to the field day, follow the signs from the

corner of Nuggetty and Brown’s Roads, Nuggetty.

For further information about the field day please

call Ian Grenda on 0412 015 807.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catchment

and Land Protection Act 1994 in all catchments

and land protection regions. This means it is

prohibited to sell or transport bridal creeper.

Local community groups are playing an essential

role in providing advice and support to control

this noxious weed.

Bridal Creeper can be spread by birds and has

invaded bushland and gardens throughout the

Maldon area.

Management options such as, chemical,

mechanical, and biological control will be

demonstrated at the field day. This will include a

demonstration on making spore water and

physical transfer of rust fungus. Bags of rust will

also be given to participants.

Department of Primary Industries Senior

Compliance Officer for North Central Martin

Deering said bridal creeper is a highly invasive

perennial climber, to three metres high, with long,

wiry stems and rhizomatous roots producing

clusters of fleshy tubers, which form a dense mass

about 10 centimetres deep in the soil.

“Small green berries are produced in late spring

and ripen from orange to red in summer,” Mr

Deering said.

“Bridal creeper is a strong competitor for space,

light and nutrients. It twines around existing

plants and eventually forms a canopy which

smothers other vegetation and restricts access.

“The masses of underground rhizomes and tubers

can destroy understorey plants and enable it to

survive wildfires. Major losses of understorey

species can be expected in areas affected by bridal

creeper. It thrives in shaded conditions but is

found to a lesser extent in open areas.”

The Bridal Creeper Control Field Day will begin

at 1.30pm with a talk on the origin of bridal

creeper, and management options for controlling

the weed. The field day will finish up with a

sausage in bread, a cuppa and a chat. All are

welcome.

To get to the field day, follow the signs from the

corner of Nuggetty and Brown’s Roads, Nuggetty.

For further information about the field day please

call Ian Grenda on 0412 015 807.

 

 

 

 

in all catchments

and land protection regions. This means it is

prohibited to sell or transport bridal creeper.

Local community groups are playing an essential

role in providing advice and support to control

this noxious weed.

Bridal Creeper can be spread by birds and has

invaded bushland and gardens throughout the

Maldon area.

Management options such as, chemical,

mechanical, and biological control will be

demonstrated at the field day. This will include a

demonstration on making spore water and

physical transfer of rust fungus. Bags of rust will

also be given to participants.

Department of Primary Industries Senior

Compliance Officer for North Central Martin

Deering said bridal creeper is a highly invasive

perennial climber, to three metres high, with long,

wiry stems and rhizomatous roots producing

clusters of fleshy tubers, which form a dense mass

about 10 centimetres deep in the soil.

“Small green berries are produced in late spring

and ripen from orange to red in summer,” Mr

Deering said.

“Bridal creeper is a strong competitor for space,

light and nutrients. It twines around existing

plants and eventually forms a canopy which

smothers other vegetation and restricts access.

“The masses of underground rhizomes and tubers

can destroy understorey plants and enable it to

survive wildfires. Major losses of understorey

species can be expected in areas affected by bridal

creeper. It thrives in shaded conditions but is

found to a lesser extent in open areas.”

The Bridal Creeper Control Field Day will begin

at 1.30pm with a talk on the origin of bridal

creeper, and management options for controlling

the weed. The field day will finish up with a

sausage in bread, a cuppa and a chat. All are

welcome.

To get to the field day, follow the signs from the

corner of Nuggetty and Brown’s Roads, Nuggetty.

For further information about the field day please

call Ian Grenda on 0412 015 807.

The Eddington Landcare Group are still

concentrating on removal of local rabbit harbour

with GM-W providing support by continuing their

work on the control of rabbits in the Red Gum

Forest area.

 

 

 

 

are still

concentrating on removal of local rabbit harbour

with GM-W providing support by continuing their

work on the control of rabbits in the Red Gum

Forest area.

Chemical reduced Weed Management Notes –

–

Judy

My email has recently been bombarded with

information and warnings about the dangers to the

environment, land managers and our food, from

the current high usage of chemicals in some crop

and pasture production areas, particularly with no

till production. So I have compiled some

alternative method information…..

Positive & negative effects of weeds in

agricultural systems.

Positive effects

• Some deep rooted weed species can bring

nutrients to surface soil that would otherwise not

be available to crop or pasture plants,

• Weeds can be indicators of soil conditions,

• Weeds can provide habitat for some beneficial

insect predators,

• Weeds can contribute to biodiversity; it may be a

more stable productive system if there are low

population levels of a diversity of species, rather

than large numbers of one or two plant species.

Negative effects

- Competition with crop and pasture plants and the

use of available moisture, nutrients and light,

- Weeds can be host plants for pests and disease,

- Weeds can contaminate the end product of a

system, eg. wool or grain.

- Integrated weed management involves the

bringing together of a range of practices to

manage a specific problem plant.

- There are four key principles that are

fundamental to the integrated approach in

chemical free systems.

i. Knowledge of soil, crop and pasture plant

systems,

ii. Knowledge of weed species and how they may

affect soil, crop and pasture systems,

iii. Knowledge and appropriate use of available

management options for weeds,

iv. Monitoring the impact of management on the

weed species and on the soil, crop or pasture.

For more information google - Agricultural Notes

No. AG1105

Organic Wheat Production Systems

Guidelines- Steven McCoy, Centre for New

Industries Development (google for full report)

(google for full report)

World trade in organic agricultural products was

estimated to be worth $US 11 billion in 1997 and

has been expanding by about 20% per year for the

past 5 years. Major export markets are Japan,

Europe and USA. Organic products are the fastest

growing sector in the food industry in a number of

these markets and now include a full range of

fresh and processed products. Continued rapid

growth is predicted with world trade estimated to

reach $US100 billion by 2006. Wheat based

products are considered an important sector of

these expanding markets.

Whole Farm Integrated Management -

Successful organic farmers design whole farm

integrated management strategies to optimise the

interaction between different farm activities.

 

 

 

 

-

Successful organic farmers design whole farm

integrated management strategies to optimise the

interaction between different farm activities.

Aspects to consider:

- Farm layout to improve management efficiency

including water management, access lane ways,

shelter belts and fencing.

 

 

 

 

:

- Farm layout to improve management efficiency

including water management, access lane ways,

shelter belts and fencing.

- Cropping/pasture rotations - impact on soil

conditions, weeds, pests and disease.

- Integration of livestock and rotational grazing

for pasture and weed management, carbon and

nutrient cycling.

 

 

 

 

Cropping/pasture rotations - impact on soil

conditions, weeds, pests and disease.

- Integration of livestock and rotational grazing

for pasture and weed management, carbon and

nutrient cycling.

- Soil management of a biologically active,

renewable resource, where soil carbon energy

fuels biological cycling and release of nutrients

while improving soil resilience to land

degradation.

- Cycles of fertility building and depletion are

designed to maintain sustainable yields without

high input of fertilisers.

- Weed management as an integrated approach

involving soil conditions, crop rotations and

skillful pasture management to reduce weed seed

burden.

- Timely management and cultivation for effective

weed control.

- Pest and disease problems decline with healthy

balanced plant growth, sound rotations, careful

pasture management and biological diversity.

 

 

 

 

Soil management of a biologically active,

renewable resource, where soil carbon energy

fuels biological cycling and release of nutrients

while improving soil resilience to land

degradation.

- Cycles of fertility building and depletion are

designed to maintain sustainable yields without

high input of fertilisers.

- Weed management as an integrated approach

involving soil conditions, crop rotations and

skillful pasture management to reduce weed seed

burden.

- Timely management and cultivation for effective

weed control.

- Pest and disease problems decline with healthy

balanced plant growth, sound rotations, careful

pasture management and biological diversity.

Biological Diversity Creates Ecological Stability

Management methods and inputs used aim to

enhance biological diversity and nurture

beneficial organisms, both above and below

ground. A diverse range of crop plants, tree belts

or remnant vegetation is used to maintain predator

populations. Mixed farming incorporating

cropping and livestock adds diversity and

flexibility to the farming system.

 

 

 

 

. Mixed farming incorporating

cropping and livestock adds diversity and

flexibility to the farming system.

Wise Words: “It’s not our abilities that make us

who we are, it’s our choices".

 

 

 

 

“It’s not our abilities that make us

who we are, it’s our choices".

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