Completed Projects
Completed projects
Deer Control Plans
The East Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028 and West Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028 were recently released. The Peri-Urban Deer Control Plan 2021-2026 was released in 2021. See deer control program regional plans for a map of the boundaries of the three regional deer control regions. The three regional deer control plans guide deer control and management actions across Victoria to prevent or minimise the impact of deer on environmental, cultural, social, and economic values.
More information: go to deer control strategy
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
New Deer Kit Helps Landowners
Feral deer are becoming an increasing problem on private land impacting agricultural production, gardens and native biodiversity and increasingly a road safety risk.
To assist landowners to manage deer on their land, Upper Ovens Valley Landcare commissioned this kit to provide deer control options for a range of property types in the Ovens Valley region and greater north eastern Victoria.
The Feral Deer Control Kit for the Upper Ovens Valley was funded through a Victorian Landcare Grant auspiced through the North east Catchment Management Authority and the content was developed by ABZECO (Applied Botany, Zoology and Ecological Consulting).
The information in this deer kit was sourced from publicly available online resources at the time of preparation. This is a live document that can be updated as new information becomes available e.g. new fencing businesses that specialise in deer fencing, new control methods, local case studies. Find the kit and how to use it HERE .
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
Deer Fence Design
This picture depicts a deer fence I saw week in Upper Murray, it was a design I thought some of you might be interested 3 years ago, to reduce the impact of deer predominately Fallow deer and kangaroos. Hence the need for a low hot wire. It cost $10m in materials, is 6ft 4in high, with a steel every 2.5m. Some of the posts have a second post behind them for reinforcement. Top wire is a heavy barb wire to keep the fence straight. Left is bush, right is paddock. This design was a result of this landholder doing some research, looking at a number of designs and then adapting it to suit his needs. And as he says, it works. The pasture on right was part of a 45 paddock rotation, and most paddocks had a lot more grass than this one.
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
Victorian Landcare Grants- Watchingora Creek Project
Mitta Valley Landcare (MVL) held another planting day on Wednesday 5th October at Lew and Felicity McDonalds property on the Watchingora Creek. The project included fencing of 430 metres of creek frontage, with a focus on stabilising the banks and preventing water runoff. Over 600 indigenous plant species have been planted.
To establish this site, a mix of plants were chosen to thrive in wet, soggy, ground, and support deep rooted growth while creating habitat. The plant list consisted of Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia), Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria), Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush), Carex sp. (Common Sedge, Eucalyptus ovata (Swamp Gum), Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum), Kunzea ericoides (Burgan), Lomandra longifilia (Spiny headed mat rush), Melicia dentatus (Tree Violet), Mirbelia oxylyobioides (Mountain Mirbelia), Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood), Callistemon sieberi (River Bottlebrush), Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow-leaf Peppermint), Leptospermum brevipes (Slender Tea Tree), Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea Tree), and Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock). Audrey Beard for coordinating the species schedule.
The Watchingora Creek was also surveyed as part of the Platypus Citizen Science Program in 2022 and members of our Mitta Valley Landcare group took samples from this stream as well as Banimboola Creek and the Mitta River. Platypi are regularly sited along Watchingora Creek. The Callaghan Creek area is also habitat for the Emu and small groups are often spotted along the valley.
A delicious home-made lunch and coffee was provided by the Witches Garden, a beautiful open garden owned by the McDonalds. The planting volunteers were also treated to a walk through the Gardens.
Report by Libby Paton, Project Officer.
Victorian Landcare Grants- Nariel Valley Revegetation Project
Following the 2020 bushfires in the Upper Murray, land carers Chistina and Peter Ashton have revegetated a bank with 660 native grasses and shrubs. These planting will stabilise the bank and prevent further erosion. Many of the shrubs are bird attracting species.
Species planted include acacia rubida, a pioneer species being fast growing, hardy, cold and drought tolerant, catchment protection; pollen source for native moths, butterflies, and insects and attracts birds. Burgundy tea tree (dwarf) or Leptospermum scoparium nanun rubrum, kunzea ambigua, for insect and small bird attraction, Grass trigger pant, Stylidium armeria, Showy parrot pea, pale wedge pea, golden shaggy pea, oxylobium elliptical, dillwynia sericea, and gompholobium huegelic. Other species include boronia nana var. hyssop folia, Grevillea parviflora, alpine grevillea (cat’s claw) and greenville alpina, and diuris including Golden moths, donkey-ears, tiger, wedge, purple, cowslip. Correa reflexa, grevillea langiera and grevillea rivularis, which will cascade down the rocks and creek bank and dry banks.
Victorian Landcare Grants 2021-22- Stabilising Gully on Yabba Road
An eroded gully off Yabba Road, Tallangatta South, has been fenced off and planted out with 3oo indigenous species, on the property of Stuart and Sue Reid.
The grant received included 270 metres of wildlife friendly fencing and the planting of native species which will help to stabilise the gully and prevent further erosion. The vegetation will also assist in filtering the runoff from Yabba Road which eventually runs into the Mitta River.
Species planted included acacia melanoxylon (blackwood), bursaria spinosa, callistemon sieberi (river bottlebrush), Blakely Red Gum, rosemary grevillea, prickly tea tree, spiny headed mat rush, tree violet and poa labillardieri (common tussock)
Project worker, Audrey Beard chose the plantings and delivered to the Reids in July.
By Robyn Scales
Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN) Newsletter November 2022
Highlight of this edition:
- AGM and a New Committee for 2022/23
- Deer Field Day in the Upper Ovens Valley
- The Invasive Species Council Call for the Protection of Feral Deer in Victoria to Stop
- Locals Taking Action in the Dandenongs
- Detering Feral Deer with Voice Recordings
- $6.8 Million Funding to Deer Project in Victoria
- Peri Urban Community Grants for Deer Control Now Open
- NSW Kosciuszko Cross Tenure Feral Deer Project Update
- How Feasible is Trapping Feral Deer
- South Australia “Ups the Ante” on Feral Deer
- National Feral Deer Action Plan Newsletter
Read HERE