EcoGipps is working with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) to implement restoration of Mount Bradley Creek.
EcoGipps and WGCMA have completed restoration plans to revive Mount Bradley Creek, with works due to begin in 2021. Working together with neighbouring properties, the activities will include erosion control, revegetation techniques, pest strategy and weed control.
Significant channel erosion at Mt Bradley Creek.
This restorative project aims to reduce further channel and head cut erosion, as well as create an environment for water to be retained in the landscape. The project works will commence with filling some of the eroded cavities with natural materials such as rocks and logs, to ensure no further damage occurs to the vulnerable landscape whilst works are taking place.
The next stage of the works is planting trees, shrubs and ground plants to instigate the restoration of the riverbanks. Through the planting of diverse indigenous vegetation, Mount Bradley Creek will serve as a more dynamic and valuable habitat for mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects and birds to nest and feed.
Wombat hole in dry Mt Bradley Creek bed.
The planting is to be scheduled over a 3-5 year period, dependent on seasonal weather. Native seeds indigenous to the area will be sourced and established for planting, which can also be a timely process. WGCMA has developed a mixed planting plan, which will aim to establish 30% overstory, 35% mid-story, 35% understory and ground-level vegetation.
The plan consists of over 40 indigenous plant species, including Gippsland Red Gum, Red Ironbank, White Stringybark, Sweet Bursaria, Shiny Cassinia, Swamp Paperbark, Nodding Blue Lily and Tussock Grass.
Pest control measures will be put in place, such as deer guards for the larger plant species and exclusion plots for the lower shrubs, to prevent plant destruction by rabbits and deer.
Mt Bradley Creek pondage, situated on Block 2 of EcoGipps.
The project aims to foster more areas of pondage, as pictured above, whereby water is captured and retained in the landscape. By supporting the Creek to retain water, it is then available all year round for plants and animals. These native plants then offer varied layers of habitat, protection and food source for birds and animals.
Project map by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
EcoGipps has commenced an eco-thinning project. What exactly is eco-thinning, and why is it useful?
‘Thinning’ refers to the selective removal of trees, primarily undertaken to improve the growth rate or health of the remaining trees. This practice has long been implemented by the logging industry by means of mechanical thinning in order to stimulate faster growth of the remaining trees. Thinning of trees in native bushland can also occur naturally in some tree species and habitat, seeing the weaker trees dying off over decades.
In consultation with Blue Devil Consulting, EcoGipps has commenced an eco-thinning project on Block 2. The site for the project was identified in the Conservation Management Plan delivered by Blue Devil Consulting, with soil and tree conditions appropriate for eco-thinning.
The soils in this region of EcoGipps are ‘Solodic’ soils, which can typically see a lack of ground vegetation. A key aim of the eco-thinning project is to promote ground vegetation growth, which assists to both hold the top soil together, reducing erosion, but also boosting soil organic matter, promoting moisture retention and biological activity.
With approximately 50% of the underdeveloped trees thinned, the upper canopy is more open, allowing a greater amount of both sunlight and rainfall to reach the ground story. This creates a more conducive habitat for ground vegetation such as perennial tussock grasses, herbs and shrubs to flourish. Simultaneously, the remaining trees now have the opportunity to mature to a larger size than they would have otherwise.
Added benefit: The felled trees are placed over a disused track as erosion control
The felled trees are left in situ, to assist with erosion control. This woody debris also provides diversified habitats for many birds, bats, mammals and even invertebrates.
