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Newsletter for Landcare and Dunecare in Byron Shire
http://www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au/
December 2014
December 5 Wetland Care Australia photography competition entries due. (page 9) 5 Byron Shire Council Australia Day Awards Nominations due (page 7) 6 Workshop pets and wildlife at Ocean Shores (page 4) 9 Green Army Round 2 Funding Applications due (page 2) 12 Agricultural Green Paper submissions due. (page 12) 11 Managing Endangered Ecological Communities for Wildlife on Your Land - Field Day (page 3) 15 Survey for National Landcare closes (page 7 )
Thanks to all of the Land, River and Dune carers in Byron Shire for all of your great work in 2014.
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Funding
Green Army Projects Round 2 now open
The Green Army is a hands-on, practical, grassroots environmental action programme that supports
local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia.
The Australian Government is providing additional opportunities for projects beginning in the 2014/15
financial year for community organisations, environment groups and local councils to apply for Green
Army projects in their region.
What projects are eligible?
Projects must have a clear environment or heritage conservation focus and offer participants valuable
practical experience, while supporting a safe work experience. Projects will be guided by local
community needs and contribute to Australia’s national and international environmental priorities and
obligations. A full list of eligible activities is provided in the Green Army Round 2 Project Guidelines
2014-15. To be eligible for this round, projects must be ready to commence between 1 January 2015
and 30 June 2015. Applicants who were unsuccessful through Round 1 may re-apply under this round.
Applications close 2.00pm Tuesday 9 December 2014
Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) Community Future Grants
• Do you have an idea or project in need of funding that will inject life into your local town
• Are you aged 35 or under?
• Do you have a local organisation you can partner with to delivery your project?
If you answered YES to all of these points - you are eligible to apply http://www.rasnsw.com.au/832.htm
The RAS Foundation Community Futures Grant Program encourages and champions rural youth
leadership through the provision of up to $25,000 to fund community projects that address a need or
issue in your town. We fund projects in rural and regional NSW that will result in enhanced social and
economic outcomes for the wider community.
For more information call Nicole Day, Program Manager 02 9704 1232
or Kate Ross, Executive Officer 02 9704 1234 or email foundation@rasf.org.au
Closing date 8th December 2014 at 5.00pm.
Chem Cert Training for BVL volunteers We have funding for volunteers to be accredited in Chemical Users Certificate. Please email Wendy wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au if you would like to use this opportunity.
Front Page Photos Top: Byron Bird Buddies celebrating Bird Week, New Brighton Dunes, Paddock Plant Field day Middle: Byron High School students helping Suffolk Park Dunecare, Vine Workshop with Heidi Lunn Bottom: Presentation of Environmental Trust Grants to Byron Creek Catchment Landcare, Big Scrub Landcare, Brunswick Valley Landcare and Byron Shire Council; Creek Rehabilitation Workshop.
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Brunswick Valley Landcare and Koala Connections invites you to a
FREE Field Day Managing Endangered Ecological Communities
for Wildlife on Your Land.
Date: Thursday 11 December 2014
Time: 9:00 am – 12 noon
Location: Tyagarah, details available when booking and carpooling will be organised.
Wear: Covered Shoes, a hat and sun-safe clothes i.e. long sleeves and long pants.
Guest Speakers: Andy Baker, Dr Joanne Green, George Roberts and Chris Best.
Bookings Essentials: Contact Jo Green 6626 7068 joanne.green@byron.nsw.gov.au
Or Wendy Gibney 6626 7028; wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au
Come along to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of tree planting versus natural
regeneration. The field day will provide an opportunity to see a cattle farm with tree plantings, natural
regeneration and a new experimental trial site. This trial site has a variety of treatments including fire,
herbicide, raking and scraping. This experiment will help determine the best way to prepare a grassy
paddock for natural forest regeneration.
The field day will provide a unique opportunity to hear some new perspectives
in native vegetation management and wildlife conservation from range of
experts in this field. The focus will be on swamp sclerophyll forests which
provide habitat for koalas. The experimental trial at Tyagarah is a Brunswick
Valley Landcare project funded through the Bjarne K Dahl Trust in partnership
with Koala Connections. The workshop is supported by the Community
Capacity Building project funded though local land services.
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Shore Bird Talk
Thanks to Mandy Lisson for a fascinating talk about shorebirds on 18 November at Byron Shire Council Chambers. Mandy talked about the local and migratory shorebirds in our region. Mandy is currently researching shorebirds for her honours degree at Southern Cross University.
Mandy talked about the amazing studies on the migratory flight paths of these birds and she shared some of the information that she recently learnt at the Biennial Australasian Shorebird seminar in Darwin in September. Many of the Shorebirds that visit our region in the warmer months have flown thousands of kilometers from the northern hemisphere.
Byron Bird Buddies is a community group working for the conservation of birds through education and habitat protection. http://www.byronbirdbuddies.com.au/
Jo Green (left) and Mandy Lisson (right)
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Sustainable Grazing on Small Farms Field Day
This Field day has been postponed.
More details will be available in the February Newsletter.
Date: 3 March 2015 (to be confirmed)
Location: We will be catching a bus from Mullumbimby, details available when booking.
More information: Contact Wendy Gibney 6626 7028; wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au
Property Identification Codes (PICs) Do you have any cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, buffalo, deer, camelids, horses or donkeys? Even if
you only have one animal you are required to have a Property Identification Code (PIC) . You also need
a PIC if you have 100 or more poultry birds or 10 or more emus or ostriches. A PIC is a unique eight-
character number assigned by Local Land Services to properties with livestock. This property registration
system allows for the tracing of livestock to assist with disease and chemical residue management.
To obtain a PIC, complete an application form and lodge it with your Local Land Services office.
Application for a Property Identification Code (PDF 45kb)
PICs are fundamental to the operation of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). PICs
provide traceability to specific properties, which is important in the event of disease control or residue
problems. NLIS is a part of Federal and State Government biosecurity strategies to trace meat from
paddock to plate and to safeguard our domestic and export markets. All other States have a PIC system
to identify properties where livestock are kept.
If you already have a brand or earmark you still need a PIC. Brands and earmarks are for stock
identification whereas a PIC identifies the land on which livestock reside. They have different fees and
renewal periods. This code also enables the property occupiers to purchase identification devices,
identify the property for movement recording and enrol in industry quality assurance programs.
Additional information
North Coast Local Land Services http://northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au/ Phone 1300 795 299
NLIS Hotline: 1800 NLIS ID (1800 654 743) NLIS website
NSW Department of Primary Industries http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/nlis/pic
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Be Alert for Chinese Violet – Class 1 declared Noxious Weed What is Chinese Violet Weed?
The subspecies of Chinese violet,
Asystasia gangetica ssp. Micranth, is an
aggressive form of Chinese Violet with
white bell-shaped flowers (20–25 mm long)
and two parallel purple stripes in lines on
the inside. The seed capsules are club-
shaped. The opposite leaves can be up to
165 mm long, are oval to triangular in
shape, and both the leaves and stems have
scattered hairs.
Chinese Violet Growing Conditions
Chinese violet weeds grow in tropical and
subtropical climates.. They are native to
India, the Malay Peninsula and Africa.
Plants are thought to tolerate a wide range of soil types and prefer full sun or part shade.
Reasons for Eliminating Chinese Violets
Gardeners mustn’t intentionally plant Chinese violet weed and if you find it contact Far North Coast
Weeds. Chinese violet weed grows very rapidly. When its long shoots touch bare earth, the nodes
quickly form roots, allowing a new plant to grow in this location and plants can grow from small
fragments. The plant can spread quickly in all directions from the initial location. Once established, the
plant forms thick foliage about half a meter above ground. The foliage excludes light so that lower
growing plants are crowded out and quickly die. Following flowering, the mature seed pods open
explosively, dispersing the seeds over a wide area. The seeds then germinate to make new plants,
further adding to the weed problem. The seeds can also lie dormant in the soil waiting for an opportunity
to grow. Chinese violet weed grows and proliferates very rapidly through these many methods, which
makes it a serious and invasive weed, particularly for farmers.
Control
What do I do if Chinese violets are in my garden? If you think you have found Chinese violet weed, you
should contact Far North Coast Weeds. They are experts in Chinese violet control, and they will come
and identification your plants. Following identification, they will work with you to control the weed. It is
important that you do not try to eliminate Chinese violets yourself, as this is likely to cause the violets
spread. Additionally, you should not try to dispose of plant parts or seeds yourself, as this is could
spread the plant to other sites. Chinese Violet is a High Risk species on the Far North Coast and a
primary focus for this region.
For more information contact Far North Coast Weeds on 66233847 www.fncw.nsw.gov.au
Photo: John Tann
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Byron Shire Council 2015 Australia Day Nominations
Do you know someone who should be recognised for the incredible work they have demonstrated to our
Byron Shire? Then why not nominate them for the 2015 Australia Day Local Citizen of the Year.Australia
Day will be celebrated throughout Byron Shire on Monday 26 January 2015, with the official ceremony
being held from 11.00am at the Brunswick Head Bowling Club. Byron Shire Council, along with
community groups, is again proudly sponsoring the Shire-wide celebrations.
As in previous years, Byron Shire Council is calling for nominations for the Australia Day Awards in the
following areas.
Citizen of the Year (no age limit)
Young Citizen of the Year (person aged up to 25 years as at 26/1/14)
Senior Sports Person (16 years and over)
Junior Sports Person (under 16 years)
Community Event of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Environmental Volunteer Project of the Year
Persons may be nominated by individuals, community groups or organisations. Nominations close
4.00pm on Friday 5 December 2014. For further information, contact Mila Jones on 02 6626 7000 or
mila.jones@byron.nsw.gov.au.
Landcare NSW Membership – free to join To help ensure that, Landcare NSW represents all landcare groups across the state, it needs to increase its membership base.
To join go to https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=KRPS97iS8vCVgKo86z9vHw#
National Landcare Survey
North Coast Regional Landcare in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture are conducting this survey aimed at driving improvement in the National Landcare Program. This survey will help the Australian Government develop a ‘snapshot’ of the current state of the Landcare movement in your region and provide details on emerging issues relevant to sustainable agriculture and environmental practices where requested, as well as Landcare community needs as a whole. This survey is designed to collect information from all Natural Resource Management regions to ultimately provide an overall national picture. Follow this link to complete the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NationalLandcareSurveyNC Please complete by Monday, 15th December. Thank you in advance for your participation.
NRM on Farms monthly newsletter,
To subscribe, email Rebecca Lines-Kelly at
rebecca.lines-kelly@dpi.nsw.gov.au
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Targeted Landcare Program Northern Landcare Support Services in partnership with Tweed Landcare Inc, Brunswick Valley Inc and
Richmond Landcare Inc. are delivering a Targeted Landcare Program funded by North Coast Local Land
Services. The program is working on seven small projects across the Northern Socio-Ecological
Landscape addressing key areas of the Northern Rivers Catchment Action Plan 2013-23 and the North
Coast Local Land Services Strategic Plan for 2014, including sustainable and productive agriculture and
healthy, productive and resilient natural systems and enhancing community capacity to manage
agricultural and natural systems using best practice.
Projects include trialling cover crops and ground covers on six horticultural properties, removing Bitou
Bush from the cliffs in the Dirawong Reserve and Evans Head Coastal Reserve, protecting Skinners
Reserve by controlling environmental and Weeds of National Significance and riparian restoration works
including weed control and planting at Teven and Ocean Shores.
Tara Patel from Northern Landcare Support Services said “It is great to see North Coast Local Land
Services supporting these small Landcare focussed projects and hopefully this will continue to happen in
the coming years”. Keep an eye out for field days and case studies related to this project in the local
landcare newsletters.
For more information contact Tara on 66323722 or email info@nlss.com.au
Dirawong Reserve – Photo by Tara Patel
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WetlandCare Australia Photography Prize 2015 is open
Entries close Friday December 5.
There are fantastic prizes worth
over $3000 on offer, including a
Youth Prize awarded in each
category to acknowledge the
great work young people are
doing for our wetlands
and a People’s Choice Prize,
where you can vote for your
favourite shots.
The winning photographs will be
displayed on the WetlandCare
Australia website and Facebook
page, and at an exhibition in
Ballina, NSW on World Wetlands
Day (February 2, 2015)
Click here to enter and find out
more! Photo: Joel Mitchell Explosions Of Colour 1st prize Wetland Flora 2014
Landcare and Far North Coast Weeds, sharing at the Ag shows. Brunswick Valley Landcare teamed up with Far North Coast Weeds this year at both the Bangalow and
Mullumbimby Agricultural shows. Thanks to weeds officers Kim Curtis, Jacqui Paine and Gabriel
Blackwell for helping our community with weed identification and control information and thanks to BVL
volunteers David Kemp and Jude Alcorn.
We would also like to thank all of the volunteers that helped organise the agricultural shows. The
Bangalow Show was the 115 annual Agricultural Show and Mullumbimby has now hosted 107 shows.
Photos by Peter Gibney
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Next Heritage Park Working Bee
Saturday 13 December 8:30 am –11:30 am
For more information contact
Diana 6684 4344 bromspot@gmail.com
Or Rose rose@matcham.com.au
Flushing Flowering and Fruiting in Heritage Park Diana Hughes
My interest in Heritage Park involves the three ‘F’s
Flushing – When a tree looks magnificent;
Flowering – when the tree looks healthy and
abundant; Fruiting – The season has been good
and the species can continue (hopefully).
Today, mid November 2014, both a Riberry and an
Eumundi Quandong are flushing and visible from a
distance. Flowering trees are less obvious,
although a Backhousia myrtifolia looks splendid
and Archidendron Beckleri subtle. However
Harpulia pendula, Elaeocarpus grandis and
Sloanea woollsii are heavily in fruit.
Since my involvement, as joint coordinator of the
working bees, the past 2 months has seen me
making notes of the three F’s. I’m able to identify
the particular trees because they are so well
labelled. However, some of the wooden posts
have rotted, and some of the metal labels have
disappeared. I have taken it upon myself to rectify
this by organizing replacements and compiling a
database. I have gone further into the history of
the park by reading what the Museum has in its
files. Originally the area was degraded pasture
destined to be a caravan park. An adjoining
resident, Rus Maslen and his wife, together with a
group of concerned citizens, formed the Byron Flora and Fauna Conservation Society with the aim of
turning the land into a Botanical Garden. Fortunately their plan was accepted by the Council of the day
and from then on much planning and hard work was undertaken. 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of
that vision.
I arrived in the Shire in 1991 from Sydney, fascinated by the Big Scrub, and set to work in Goonengerry
following the current bush regeneration methods of the time. The Nicholson’s books were my
inspiration, and the local rainforest nurseries were popular destinations. I visited the park on many
occasions to see how these trees grew.
35 years on the Park is a success and the trees
have grown well. I wonder often if it has achieved
the original planners’ goal. They’d be surprised
and pleased I believe. Many locals walk through it
often, are obviously delighted with it, and I have
had comments that warrant the care that it is being
given. I thank the Brunswick Valley Landcare
movement for their foresight, and the Byron
Council for continuing their maintenance. I believe
it is a special place.
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Crowdfunding raises $194,000 for Landcare Groups
Source Landcare NSW http://www.landcarensw.org.au/news-details.php?nid=15
The recently launched Landcare & Environment Collection on the crowdfunding site Pozible has
successfully raised $194,181 for independent, local and international Landcare and environmental
projects.
Landcare NSW and Pozible partnered to create the new crowdfunding category on the global
crowdfunding site www.pozible.com/landcare and were thrilled with the results of the first 25 projects
which were launched at the National Landcare Conference September. More than half the Australian
projects were successfully funded.
Landcare NSW chair, Rob Dulhunty said, “We were blown away by the level of support for the Landcare
& Environment Collection. We received great feedback from both project proponents and the
community. Landcare NSW acknowledges the NSW Government’s strong support which enabled us to
develop this initiative for grassroots Landcare.
The crowdfunding campaign not only raised much-needed funds. On top of donations, community
members came forward with unexpected offers of help including materials, skills, knowledge and
contacts. Businesses offered tree guards and building materials. Skilled tradespeople came forward to
volunteer their skills. A local men’s shed offered to construct nestboxes, saving money and building
community connections. By promoting their projects on the Pozible platform local communities were able
to learn more about what was happening in their area and Landcare groups have gained new members.
Landcare NSW initiated crowdfunding to link “shovel-ready” projects to sources of funding. The
partnership with Pozible generated funds and awareness for Landcare around Australia as well as a
number other countries which have adopted the Landcare model.
Pozible Co-Founder Alan Crabbe said, “Environment is our fastest growing category and application of
crowdfunding on Pozible - and we’ve been inspired by the success of these campaigns.”
Congratulations to the following successful projects:
Brunswick Valley Landcare: “Nest boxes for owls”, NSW
Corinda State High School Landcare: “Beasts and Gardens in the City”, QLD
CERES Bee Group and Taranaki Farm: “The Practical Beekeeper: Bringing Back the Bees”, VIC
Victorian Central Highlands Community: ‘Great Forest National Park’, VIC
Mitcham Primary School Junior Landcare project: “Inspire us and ‘natify’ our school to provide an
important habitat for bugs, bees, birds and lizards”, SA
Murray and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area’s Ricegrowers, “Tracking Bunyip Birds”, NSW
Southern New England Landcare: “Frog Dreaming: people, place and storytelling”, NSW
Wilson’s Creek Huonbrook Landcare: “Living with Lyrebirds”, NSW
Charcoal artist Mike Rowland’s: “The Bee Project”, USA
New Zealand Landcare Trust: “Saving NZ's endangered native fish - through habitat restoration
and youth education”, Waikato, New Zealand
Centre for Sustainability: “Batak Tribe Forest Warden training”, Philippines
Landcare groups interested in having their project included in the Landcare &
Environment Collection can obtain further information by contacting Landcare NSW.
http://www.landcarensw.org.au/index.php
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Landcare Fairies The Brunswick Valley Landcare Tree
Fairies dressed in their beautiful plant
costumes and collected money from
music festival goers on one of the
hottest days in the year, so far, at the
Mullum Music Festival.
The fairies collected $640 which will
go towards tree planting along the
river near the Mullumbimby Show
Grounds.
Thank you Alys for organising a
fabulous effort.
Photo by Jo Green
New Brighton Dunecare We have another working bee / workshop planned with our mentor Bob Smeuninx from Bushland
Restoration Services. If any of you are interested in Dune Care then this is for you. You will learn to
identify some important coastal native vegetation and significant weeds in our area, simple weed control
techniques and gain an understanding of basic bush regeneration principles.
WHEN: Friday 12 December 1:30pm - 4:30pm
WHERE: The Esplanade New Brighton - about 50metres south of the Strand beach access point
WEAR: Protective clothing i.e. long pants, long-sleeved shirt; closed in shoes, hat, garden gloves.
BRING: Water, sunscreen, insect repellent
If you require further information call Robyn on 6680 1970.
Brunswick Heads Community Dunecare next working bee in February This group will be having a break over the Christmas and January Season. The next working bee is on
22 February 2015. If you would like more information about Brunswick Heads Community Dunecare
please contact Greg McDonald - 0414 457 346
Brunswick Valley Landcare FACEBOOK PAGE Brunswick Valley Landcare in the Byron Shire is fast becoming such a vibrant community its doings need
to be updated regularly. Therefore BVL have a new FaceBook Group.
You don’t have to be a paid up member of BVL. Anyone in the world can be a member of the BVL
FaceBook group. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506048359640096/
Click on Join in the top right hand of the page …In the goodness of time, which is probably not instantly,
someone will recommend your membership. Enjoy!
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New NSW Native Vegetation Codes The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), in partnership with Local Land Services (LLS), manages
the implementation of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and Native Vegetation Regulation 2013. The NSW
Government is reforming native vegetation management in NSW. Three new self-assessable codes
have been released and are a significant next step to changing the way we do business, and placing
trust in landholders to manage their own land in a sustainable way.
The three codes cover low-risk clearing activities for:
1. Clearing of paddock trees in a cultivation area, PDF 81KB
2. Thinning of native vegetation, PDF 102KB
3. Clearing of invasive native species, PDF 202KB.
More information is online at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/
To help use the codes there are online tools available at:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/onlinetools.htm. Landholders can get help with the codes
from their Local Land Services: http://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/
Agricultural Green Paper released: it's time to have your say
The Australian Government has released the Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper and is asking
everyone in agriculture to have their say on a range of new proposals and policy suggestions. This
includes issues realting to dams and water infrastructure investment.
Submissions close 12 December 2014. Website: https://agriculturalcompetitiveness.dpmc.gov.au/
Planning Proposal to permit Detached Dual Occupancies and
Secondary Dwellings in RU1 and RU2 Zones
The Planning Proposal to amend the Byron Shire Local Environmental Plan 2014 to permit detached
dual occupancies and secondary dwellings in RU1 and RU2 Zones is on exhibition for a period of 53
days and can be viewed at Council's administration offices in Mullumbimby, community access points
around the Shire or on Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition.
The intent of this Planning Proposal is to amend LEP 2014 so that development of detached dual
occupancies and secondary dwellings can occur with Council consent in the RU1 Primary Production
and RU2 Rural Landscape Zones. The Planning Proposal also sets out consent considerations for both
types of development and establishes a minimum lot size for detached dual occupancies in the RU1 and
RU2 zones.
The Minister for Planning and Environment has issued an authorisation for Council to exercise
delegation to make this LEP amendment. Submissions should be in writing and addressed to the
General Manager, Byron Shire Council, PO Box 219 Mullumbimby 2482 or sent by email to
submissions@byron.nsw.gov.au. Only submissions emailed to this address will be acknowledged.
Submissions Close: Friday 16 January 2015 at 4pm
Enquiries: Julie Francombe 02 6626 7118 or 02 6626 7126
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TWEED BYRON LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUCIL PROJECTS UPDATE Protecting Our Places (POP) - Restoration works Stage 1 Marshalls Creek
Nature Reserve
The Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council (TBLALC) applied for a Protecting Our Places funding
grant through the Environmental Trust to undertake Restoration Works at Marshalls Creek Nature
Reserve near Billinudgel in Byron Shire on 30 May 2014. This project is Stage 1 of what we hope to be a
3 staged project needed to improve biodiversity by controlling environmental and noxious weeds in the
Marshalls Creek Nature Reserves and in Byron Shire Council Road Reserve. Stage 1 includes primary
weed control works using best pracitice bush regeneration techniques over a 12 month period that will
help native vegetation and the seed bank expand in this area.
The project will value add to the restoration works to the Optus Trail at the adjoining Billinudgel Nature
Reserve for 2014. The area protects Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) such as “Swamp
Sclerophyll Forest on Floodplain in the NSW North Coast Bioregion”, primary and secondary koala
habitat (an iconic species in NSW) and is part of a wildlife corridor linking several coastal reserves and
the hinterland with the coast.
There are many threatened species both flora and fauna
found in the Marshalls Creek and Billinudgel Nature
Reserves for example: Davidson Plum, Crystal Creek
Walnut, the Swift Parot and the Mitchells Rainforest
Snail. The control of weed species found at the site such
as Umbrella Tree, Coastal Morning Glory, Velcro Plant,
Ochna, Aerial Yam, Winter Senna, Small-leaved Privet
and Lantana will help improve the habitat of the
threatened species.
Currently we are working on completing the Monitoring
and Evaluation Plan and the Schedule C outcomes for
the POP Grant; once these are completed we should be
on target to start the project in February 2015.
Protecting Our Places (POP) - Madhima Gulgan – Optus Trail Billinudgel Nature Reserve
The Madhima Gulgan Community Association Inc. (MGCA) Indigenous Bush Regen Team applied for a
Protecting Our Places funding grant through the Environmental Trust to follow up on works that were
undertaken through a POP Grant completed in 2011.
This grant was approved by the Environmental Trust in October 2013. The Monitoring and Evaluation
Plans and Schedule C outcomes have been submitted and work will be starting in the next month or so.
This project is needed to improve biodiversity by controlling environmental and invasive weeds. The trail
has an edge of mixed native and weed vegetation. Lantana, Wild Tobacco, Vine Weeds and exotic
grasses make up the weeds present and if unchecked will overrun native vegetation on the site.
The use of best practice bush regeneration techniques through primary and follow-up weed control runs
over two years will help native vegetation seed bank expand.
15
There are many threatened species of flora and fauna found on and near the site,
for example:- Davidson Plum and the Mitchells Rainforest Snail. The control of
the present weeds will directly help survival of these species and many others.
The Billinudgel Nature Reserve Plan of Management has listed a high priority of
removal of WONS (Weeds of National Significance). The objectives of the grant
are: -
To control environmental and noxious weeds along the trail and into the
adjoining bushland so as to give native vegetation a chance to repopulate and eventually for a
canopy to help supress weeds of the future;
Control of all mature weed species;
Control of all juvenile weed species;
Increase in the number of native seedlings;
The Billinudgel Nature Reserve Plan of Management has listed a high priority of removal of WONS
(Weeds of National Significance).
The Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council are happy to support Madhima Gulgan Community
Association Indigenous Bush Regen Team with this project and look forward to seeing the cultural and
environmental outcomes of this project.
School Landcare lessons launch - 2015 Australian curriculum
Source: http://www.juniorlandcare.com.au/news/archive/landcare-lessons-launch-into-2015-australian-curriculum
As the 2014 school year comes to an end, Landcare Australia and Primary Industries Education
Foundation PIEF have produced Landcare resources to link in with the Australian Curriculum. The
curriculum resources include full lessons comprising engaging and easy-to-understand teaching and
learning sequences — in time for the 2015 school year, initially aimed at primary schools. Former
governor-general, the national Advocate for Soil Health, and Landcare Australia Patron, General Jeffery
— who would like to see every school have a food garden — launched the curriculum resources at
Beauty Point Public School in Sydney. “It’s up to us to link the dots and excite the younger generation
about things that sustain us all, such as soil health and science – it can be fun!” General Jeffery said.
In 2011, PIEF produced a report that found that almost one in two Year 6 students did not know that
everyday lunch items such as bananas and cheese originated from farms, and 3 in 4 thought cotton
socks came from animals.
Earlier this year Landcare Australia and PIEF launched simple “How to Guides” at the 2014 National
Landcare Conference in September.
Landcare in the Curriculum Teaching and Learning Sequences:
Building a Worm Farm How to make a Frog Pond The Magic of Growing Enhancing and Restoring Natural Habitats How to make your own Pesticides
16
LINKS Arakwal http://arakwal.com.au/
Border Rangers Alliance http://www.greateasternranges.org.au/border-ranges/overview/overview
Bangalow River and Landcare http://www.bangalowlandcare.org.au/
Big Scrub Landcare https://www.bigscrubrainforest.org.au/
Brunswick Valley Landcare http://www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au/
Byron Bird Buddies http://www.byronbirdbuddies.com.au/
Byron Community College http://www.byroncollege.org.au/
Byron Shire Council http://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/
EnviTE www.envite.org.au
Environmental Trust http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm
Ewingsdale Locality Group (BVL) http://ewingsdale.org.au/#/landcare/4532495308
Far North Coast Weeds http://fncw.nsw.gov.au/
Friends of the Koala http://www.friendsofthekoala.org/fok/
North Coast Local Land Services http://northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au/
Northern Landcare Support Services http://www.nlss.com.au/
Mullumbimby Community Gardens http://mullumcommunitygarden.wordpress.com/
North Coast nature http://www.northcoastnature.org.au/
Richmond Landcare Inc. http://www.richmondlandcare.org/
Soilcare http://www.soilcare.org
Tweed Landcare Inc. http://www.tweedlandcare.org.au/
Wilson’s Creek Huonbrook Landcare http://wilsonscreeklandcare.mullum.com.au/
Wetlandcare Australia http://www.wetlandcare.com.au/index.php
Newsletter Submissions
Please email any articles for the next newsletter to wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au by 9 am on 12 January 2015
For information about Landcare or other natural resource issues in Byron shire please contact
Wendy Gibney 66267028 (Wednesday and Thursday) . email: wendy.gibney@byron.nsw.gov.au
Please note that I will not be in the office from 17 December 2014 until 12 January 2015.
This newsletter is funded by North Coast Local Land Services and supported by Byron Shire Council.
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