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.

Watchingora creek

Victorian Landcare Grants- Nariel Valley Revegetation Project

Stabilising the bank

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

Fencing and planting of native species to stabilise an eroded gully in Tallangatta South, VIC
The vegetation at Stuart and Sue Reid property after fencing and planting of native species

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

Grant Funding in Action – Revegetation

We access Grants for projects that our community puts forward. Many farmers have accessed grants for Tree Planting, revegetation of wetlands to stop erosion, attract bird life and improve water quality. This photo was from work done by the Eskdale Primary School Children for National Tree Planting Day which is held in July every year.

An example of Grant Funding In action with a site revegetation
done on a farm on Little Snowy Creek in the Mitta Valley.

Another example of the scope of the revegetation and repair work that was done on the Little Snowy Creek after the massive floods of September 2016. This particular project was carried out by the North East Catchment Authority.