News from Salisbury West Landcare Group

At the Annual Meeting of the Salisbury West Landcare Group held recently the following people were elected:-

President Helen Canfield

Vice President Aaron Lock

Secretary John Vanston

Treasurer Ruth Penny

Project Co-ordinator Jean McClymont

Publicity Officer Ian Penny

The Guest Speaker was Laurie Maxted who spoke on the recent projects of the Loddon Vale Landcare Group and the changes to water distribution in Victoria.

Our Project Co-ordinator Jean McClymont noted the following items in her report:-

Grants in progress;

Where Ground Work Widens Regeneration – Second Generation Landcare Grant - $10,000

1 km fence over 3 sites to create 3 Ha of greater diversity of habitat with a greater core area away from edge creating Linkages 30m wide and Planting 1800 tube stock trees within the overall area will expand and maximize the quality of the existing habitat, and erect the permanent signage. Landholders have the skills and equipment to erect the fences as their 50% contribution.

Sustainable Pasture Trials – Woolworths Sustainable Farm Grant - $21,500

We aim to improve soil fertility by sowing perennial pastures on weed infested areas as a measure of drought recovery. Eight farmers took part in this trial rejuvenating 160 ha of pasture

The field day in the spring of 2010 to investigate soil biota and assess trial plots for the biomass density for grazing or hay production.

A permanent sign is in place on 4 of the trial project sites.

We can proudly display our banner at any suitable function. Banner designed was done by Shannon Brown on a voluntary basis.

Box Gum Grassy Woodlands Project – $6,370

Site 1 – This area of 2.5 hectares will be fenced off, sprayed to control weeds, some 400 tube stock will be planted in a prepared area. The rest of the site will be direct seeded. These actions will allow the natural regeneration of gums, herbs and other under story plants to occur with the return of favorable seasons. The changes will create a rich and diverse ecosystem that will encourage the return of insects, bird life and small creatures who will enjoy the improved food supply these areas of remnant vegetation are important stepping stones for native fauna as they travel to the Loddon River.

Site 2 – 300 metres of fence will exclude livestock up to 30 metres from the drip line of existing yellow box trees which will provide an extra 5 hectares of enhanced linkage of native vegetation to a previous corridor already established on this block which has frontage to the Loddon River. The biodiversity conservation of this box grassy woodland and the maintenance of this healthy functioning natural ecosystem is the corner stone of our sustainable development.

Farming for Sustainable Soils – Salisbury West & Mt Korong Landcare Groups–

NCCMA participant in Caring for Country Grant = $85,000

Individual grants for windbreaks to arrest soil erosion, stubble retention and soil conditioning to promote the capture of soil carbon were made to 8 participants. An Indigenous work crew is available to help complete these NRM works.

Group Activities: $43,906 is rolling out and must be completed by September 2011.

1. Soil Testing and Learning

2. Pasture restoration and management with field trip

3. Sustainable Management for Improved Cropping Management

4. Pasture Management

Farming for Sustainable Soils – FRRR - Gardiner Foundation Dairy Industry Grant - $1267

This enables the purchase a Laptop, printer and software to support the ease of financial sustainability of our group to submit the annual BAS and acquittal of all projects now and into the future.

Loddon Plains landcare Network Bus Trip

The LPLN bus trip designed to visit three iconic wetland sites within the network’s area of concern was intended primarily to be a mixture of a social and environmentally educational event held to fit in with the Naturally Loddon Festival. At 9.05 am on the 11^th of September we set off up the Loddon Valley Highway with some forty assorted souls aboard a comfortable coach bound firstly for Bill Twigg’s farm – Nil Desperandum. Bill informed us as we went along that he and his wife, Gwen, had inherited the farm forty years back and that at that time it was in need of some TLC. The following years saw Bill and Gwen lavish much time and effort in improving the farm with special emphasis on environmentally friendly farm practices. The results were visible as we toured the farm. One of the jewels in the crown of their achievements is Bill’s creation of an artificial wetland from what was originally a dry flat paddock. This wetland has been created from scratch including the gathering and treatment of seeds used to create this wonderfully verdant environment.

We were also treated to a visit to Gwen’s refurbished pioneer cottage complete with fire burning in the grate and a realistic array of Australian memorabilia – an impressive effort.

After morning tea and light refreshments we set off further north towards Durham Ox and a stretch of the Serpentine Creek where the Maxted family have a fine homestead. Our host for this part of the trip was Laurie Maxted who has farmed for many years in this area. Laurie, a staunch environmentalist, regaled the group with aspects of the historical development of the area and indicated some of the thousands of trees planted on his farm. Upon arriving at the homestead half of our group boarded the Maxted punt for a cruise on the fairly sluggish water of the creek. This boat trip gave us fine views of the flora and fauna that make up the riparian habitat. Many species of birds were viewed and wondered at. A fine lunch followed – a change around of groups then we were off on the last leg of our journey.

We arrived at Tang Tang Swamp to be informed by Ian Hocking and Mal Brown that this wetland was ranked the sixth most important wetland out of four hundred in Victoria for the breeding of the endangered Brolga and one of five such aquatic ecosystems in the Loddon River catchment. The area is used by many species of birds and not surprisingly has a long history of aboriginal use. There is also evidence of early pioneer huts. Unfortunately, due to pressure of time we could not go into the swamp but managed to glimpse aspects as we drove round the perimeter.

The tour proved to be very successful with many favourable comments including, that it was informative to see successful farmers as living proof that profitable, productive, sustainable and environmentally friendly farm enterprises can result in the creation of resilient long term habitat and increasing landscape connectivity.

Article - Michael Moore

Photograph - Mal Brown , three generation of landcarers

Birds of the Loddon Plains - Photographs by Diana Womersley

Loddon Plains Landcare Network presents: Birds of the Loddon Plains - photographs by Diana Womersley