Stopping serrated tussock with a wildlife corridor

On a property at Goulburn the spread of serrated tussock around the region is being halted by the creation of a habitat corridor.

'Gunningbar' is a sheep farm and home of a thriving yurt-building industry (a yurt is a circular, semi-permanent tent that can be used for a variety of purposes), but it's also become somewhat of a home for weeds.

So locals have been working on a two kilometre plant corridor on a patch of land that has been de-stocked and where weeds, rather than native plants, have been growing back.

Funding

In 2005 the Australian Government provided more than $16,000 to the Wollondilly/Pomeroy Landcare group to tackle the tussock problem.

"Over the past 150 years most of the understorey in the area has been grazed out," said Wollondilly-Pomeroy Landcare Group Secretary, Jenny Ashwell.

"So we're helping to link up isolated patches of bush and give native wildlife a better chance of moving through the district.

Activities

"We've been putting in Fringe Myrtle, Native Indigo, Dog tangle, Spiny Matrush, Silky Hakea and local acacias. These plants are local to the area, but not necessarily familiar to residents, as they haven't been common in the district for a long time.

"The land we're planting will link up with some Yellow Box Woodland at the end of the property. It's in good condition and is home to a lot of birds including Scarlet robins, a number of different species of thornbills and Crimson rosellas."

But how does this help combat weeds?

"Serrated tussock is blown for long distances by wind and trying to kill it can be a real problem," Jenny said. "But vegetation barriers can stop it and when that happens it won't grow under the shrubs and trees where it's been caught. That's where our plantings will help control it.

"Our efforts may be local, but in the long run the environment and a lot of people benefit."

'Gunningbar' owners Mike and Judit Shepherd are delighted to have the Landcare group focus its efforts on their property.

"One of the reasons why we wanted to be involved is that this was beautiful country, but the tussock has taken hold," Judit said.

"Now that the understorey and original vegetation is being replanted, it's a good start to attacking the weed problem."

More information

• Jenny Ashwell, Wollondilly-Pomeroy Landcare Group Secretary: jashwell@tpg.com.au
• Judit Shepherd, landholder: (02) 4829 2114

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

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Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts