Goldfields Bridal Creeper Bash

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network has been successful in its application for a Project Grant in the 2012/2013 Victorian Landcare Grants Program. The grant allows the Network to develop a Bridal Creeper control and community awareness project, targeting two infested sites in Bridgewater and Inglewood.

Part of the project includes a Chemical Users Training Course run in early 2013, available for members of the LPLN. Members who are happy to volunteer in the spraying of Bridal Creeper at the two sites will receive a subsidised spot in the Chemical Users Training Course thanks to the grant. 

Please get in touch with Anthony Gallacher if you want more information on the project, or to register your interest in doing the training.

Email: anthony.gallacher@gmail.com
Phone: 03 5446 9249
Mobile: 0447 095 501

Photo of Bridal Creeper

September Issue LPLN News

The September issue of the LPLN News has been released!

The newsletter can be downloaded from the Loddon Plains Landcare Network gateway portal. Visit the following link:

http://northcentral.landcarevic.net.au/lpln/newsletter

Loddon Vale Landcare Fishing Platform Opening

A gathering of people enjoyed ideal weather on Fathers Day for the opening of the Loddon Vale Landcare Fishing Platform on Serpentine Creek at Durham Ox.

Attendees were greeted with the sounds of country music provided by Peter Sheahan and wife Evelyn, with the fishing platform acting as an ideal stage.

The gathering heard from Laurie Maxted and guests including Loddon Shire Mayor Geoff Curnow and North Central Catchment Management Authority CEO Damien Wells, before the Hon Peter Walsh MP officially opened the Platform, casting a line into the Serpentine Creek.

After the plaque unveiling and some tree planting, the group relocated down the road to the Durham Ox Hall, where they enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Maxted family.

The platform is a culmination of a large effort by the Loddon Vale Landcare group and many others.

Loddon Vale Landcare President Laurie Maxted emphasised the extensive community involvement in the Fishing Platform project. “Grateful thanks to the North Central CMA, Loddon Shire, Morsons for the monument, Alan Gerard Stringer and Paul Henderson for constructing the Shed, Minister Walsh for opening the platform and Loddon Plains Landcare for their contribution” Mr Maxted said. “This is the Victorian Government’s fishing licence revenue at work,” Mr Maxted said.

“A special thanks to all the Loddon Vale members who helped out at the working bees and to Averil Harris for all the behind the scenes work. It’s certainly pleasing to see it already being used” Laurie Maxted said.

Photos by Anthony Gallacher.

Top: Sheahans provide some country music entertainment.

Middle: Minister Walsh casts the first line into the Serpentine Creek

Below (left to right): Tree planting, Crowd watches the launch proceedings, Signage in the Fishing Platform shed

Farming for Sustainable Soils

The combined Salisbury West and Mt Korong Landcare Groups Farming for Sustainable Soils project is in its second year of trials funded through the Federal Governments Caring for Our Country funding.

The groups have been busy with the project, addressing a variety of issues with ground cover maintenance, stubble retention, shelterbelts and soil tests.

Two paddock walks have been held to examine the pasture varietal site at Salisbury West, one of half a dozen paddock scale demonstration sites. Late in August a crop walk was conducted from Powlett to Korong Vale, discussing yield prediction, crop nutrient requirements, stubble retention and moisture retention in trial paddocks.

"Green Haystacks" are managed for grazing while providing shelter and biodiversity across the landscape. These salt bushes, acacias and trees are planted in fenced blocks turning unproductive land into grazing opportunities for sheep.

Ongoing independent soil tests have identified the need for remediation techniques trials in 2013 on all soil types in order to address hard panning and anaerobic soils.

For more information on the Farming for Sustainable Soils project, contact the Facilitator Jean McClymont, ph: 03 5437 3281 or email: bjmccly@activ8.net.au.

Photos: Jean McClymont

East Loddon Landcare Meeting

East Loddon Landcare had it's first gathering on Wednesday 15th August at the Four Posts Hotel, Jarklin. There was a great turn out with 20 people attending. The meeting was chaired by Bill Twigg. Anthony Gallacher from the Loddon Plains Landcare Network also helped out with proceedings and talked about the network, fielding answers for questions about Landcare.

The interim start up committee will meet on the 5th of September, with the Inaugural General Meeting for the group on the 12th of September at the Jarklin Pub.

Thanks to Bill Twigg for organising the evening and to all who came along!

Photos by Anthony Gallacher: Left - Bill Twigg; Right - Attendees.

Annual General Meeting

The Loddon Plains Landcare Network Annual General Meeting is being held at the Shire Offices in Serpentine on the 4^th of September, 7pm-9.30pm.

The AGM is a chance to mingle with members from other groups and get up to speed with the progress of the network. The President, Treasurer and Landcare Facilitator will present their annual reports.

Light supper provided. Please attend if you are able!

Ministerial visit to the LPLN

The State Minister for Environment The Hon Ryan Smith MP visited the Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) area on Wednesday the 25^th July. Arriving aboard a coach with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) Board, the Minister paid a visit to the Loddon Vale Landcare Fishing Platform project on Serpentine Creek at Durham Ox.

NCCMA Board member and LPLN President Laurie Maxted spoke about the Fishing Platform project and this was followed by lunch up the road at the Maxted family homestead.

Over lunch the LPLN Facilitator, Anthony Gallacher spoke about the progress of the network to date, including the success of the workshops run in May and the advancement of the GOANNA project with the support of The Norman Wettenhall Foundation.

The LPLN Committee of Management would like to thank the State Government for its support of the network through the Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative and the Victorian Landcare Grants Program.

A special thanks to the Maxted family for their hospitality and a delicious lunch.

From left to right: James Williams (NCCMA Board), Anthony Gallacher (LPLN Facilitator), The Hon. Ryan Smith MP (Minister for Environment), Sarah Meredith (Ministerial Advisor). Photo: Mal Brown