SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER
We did it!
At the recent 2010 National Landcare Awards in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra, the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group and the Point Danger Committee of Management were announced as joint winners of the Australian Government Coastcare Award for our innovative Maremma Dog Project of protecting the endangered Little Penguins and Gannets from predatory Fox’s. on location at Middle Island and Point Danger. Seven members trekked their way to the Nations Capitol, along with our Coast Action Coastcare facilitators, to be rewarded with a lovely silver trophy representing the roots of earth, symbolising that there is life under the soil also. Thanks to Hon David Hawker (MP at the time) for making us welcome and organising a tour of Parliament House (the day Julian toppled Kevin – a day to remember)
Of all the awards WCLG has won over its 15 year history this is definitely the Icing on the Cake and one we should all be proud of and to be involved with - a fantastic team effort. Thanks Guys.
Thanks must go to all the people who have helped us along the way, from Swampy’s free range chook farm, MI Steering Committee, students, numerous volunteers and of course WCC’s full support and sponsors BHP and Power Cor, who have enabled the Maremma trials to be a continued success.
The best news of course is that Penguin numbers are on the rise and this year looks to be the best since the population got down to four. (see Kristie’s monitoring report on page 3). We would also like to thank those who voted by email for our group in the Peoples Choice Award, where we came a very close third out of the eighty plus finalists throughout Australia.
Just to update us on the Maremmas, the dogs have had a lovely winter spent with a dog loving couple on a farm in Grassmere and are now considered old enough to stay on the Island by themselves. The dogs have since been moved back to Lake Gillear where they will continue their training with their new handler. The plan is then to slowly increase the dogs visits to Island and introduce overnight stopovers as the season progresses.
June 2010 was also kind to us when we tasted more success in Keep Australia Beautiful Vic Clean Beaches Awards, where we won the Protection of the Environment Award with our Harris on Merri Reveg site and were also runners up Community action Award (Protecting Penguins), Towards Zero Waste (Clean Up the Merri by Kayak), Young Leaders Award (Weed Warrior Program) and Community Government Partnership Award (with WCC in Stingray Bay Beach). Thanks to everyone who has helped in any way on these projects, as you can see it’s your trophy. But wait….there’s more. As a surprise on the nite, a new Individual Award was announced, called the Dame Phyllis Frost Award (after her tireless work in the community) to be given to an outstanding individual for their contribution to the environment. Congratulations to Don McTaggart for being the proud recipient of this inaugural Award and thoroughly well deserved.
Spring is here!
While the weather is still on the chilly and damp side we do have water everywhere. There are good reports coming in that all the water holes have filled, lakes are filling fast and the river mouth estuaries are all open to the sea giving all systems a good flush out. The Hopkins Falls have been a spectacular and attracted a large contingent of site seekers. Here are some comments from some of our members around the area:
Tower Hill is the best it’s been for 8 years. As it is a Volcanic Crater Lake it will still take a lot more rain to raise the water level to old highs. John Sutherland, Interruptive Tour Guide, Tower Hill Natural History Centre
Exceptional rainfall throughout August has resulted in an outstanding time for observations. Following the significant rain event around August 11th we saw Russell’s Creek flood roads and paddocks, the Moyne River bust its banks south of the Princes Highway, and the mouth of the Hopkins estuary dramatically change to mention a few.
Consecutive rains have resulted in all of our regions estuary mouths remaining open.
The estuary water level of Merri River has been consistently high, helped by the flows of Russell’s Creek, which saw the critical point between the main channel and the wetland complex to the west breach. So much so that the entrance at Rutledge’s Cutting opened around August 11th and has since cut far west and remains a flowing and tidal system.
It has been exciting to observe the change in the Hopkins estuary of the past few weeks. I have stood by the ski club and been mesmerised by the vast amount of water passing through such a wide channel, and then impressed with the volume of sand displaced at the mouth. Kerry Cheesman, Waterway & Wetland Planner, GHCMA
The rain has been incredible, lakes and wetlands are filling up and creeks are flowing in the Volcanic Lakes Precinct of the Kanawinka Geopark. It was interesting talking to local farmers and confirming that this is the wettest season in 10- 15 yrs .I haven’t seen Lake Bolac recently, but I can say that Lake Corangamite, which had very low levels earlier this year is rising now and has good inflows from Pirron Yallock and Mack’s creeks in the south and Gnarkeet and Woady Yallock creeks in the north. It is also the first time I have seen Lake Terangpom this full, with water flowing out of it and into Lake Corangamite. Lake Terangpom was completely dry this summer, its catchment starts up near Mt Elephant, the Larra Spring flows south east to fill to Kooraweera Lakes system before flowing into Lake Terangpom. Corangamite and Terangpom are both Internationally significant lakes under the Ramsar Wetland Convention. There are 9 Ramsar lakes which make up the Western District Lakes Ramsar Site, located between Camperdown and Winchelsea. This site qualified for Ramsar status in 1982 due to the abundance and diversity of migratory birds it supports. We have not seen good bird numbers here in the last few years mainly due to lack of rainfall, so we are hopeful that the recent rains will encourage waterfowl back to the area. Ammie Jackson Field Officer for Greening Australia, Corangamite :
Middle Island Update
Middle Island is a hive of activity at the moment, with the recent return of the Little Penguins and the consequent return of our great Coastcare’s intrepid penguin monitors(!!). Early indications suggest that we may again be able to top penguin numbers recorded in previous years. On 23rd August we conducted our first breeding monitoring session of the season, which involves checking burrows for adults, chicks and eggs; implanting birds with microchips; and recording morphometric data such as weight, head dimensions and sex. We were delighted to find 13 adults on 11 eggs, a great result so early in the season.
The following Wednesday, a new-look monitoring team travelled up to Phillip Island to receive 2 days training in handling and microchipping techniques from 2 of their expert staff Leanne and Paula, with free accommodation in the Volunteer House provided by Phillip Island Nature Parks.
Kate McInnes, John Sutherland, Chris Drummond, Jon Lee and myself were fortunate to benefit from the expertise and despite the sub-zero temperatures (at least that’s how it felt!), we managed to weigh and microchip around 200 birds over two days. It was amazing to see the confidence grow in the group and once they felt comfortable with what they were doing. The new penguin breeding monitoring team will begin work in a couple of weeks time with the aim of monitoring on a fortnightly basis to alternate weeks of the arrival counts.
We even had time left over to star in some publicity shots for Penguin Island, a new documentary by award-winning cinematographer David Parer which looks at life as a Phillip Island penguin. A 6 part documentary about the Phillip Island penguins called Penguin Island will air on the ABC on Thursday 30th September at 8pm. It was a fantastic couple of days and the skills we gained will be invaluable for the season ahead.
Back at home, the encouraging figures from our first breeding monitoring were supported by results from our first arrival count, during which we counted 50 penguins coming up at only two of the Island’s six access points. Thanks to the effect of the Maremma Project in deterring fox predation, the colony is recovering well after coming close to complete decimation in 2006. This is the best start to the season we’ve had in the five years Coastcare has been monitoring the colony. Many thanks to Chris Drummond, John Sutherland and Marty Gent for their gutsy efforts.
The arrival count also gave us the opportunity to meet Deakin University student Lauren Angel, who has just commenced an Honours project investigating the foraging behaviour of Little Penguin colonies around Victoria. Lauren will be using GPS and dive depth loggers to collect information about the foraging patterns of our birds. This is exciting research that will hopefully yield many interesting findings about our colony.
Our understanding of the colony will also be enhanced this season through greater use of our stationary penguin scanner, which logs the arrival of microchipped penguins to the island. Once it returns from the scanner doctor, it will allow us to compare arrival count results (which only represent one hour of counting once a fortnight) with numbers arriving over several entire nights.
Arrival monitoring is now about to start in earnest, with our first general community count scheduled for 30th September. Public interest in the monitoring program has been overwhelming this year and our first count is already full; however there are plenty more counts to come so email me at kristieking14@yahoo.com.au if you’d like to get involved. Kristie King, Penguin Monitoring & Breeding Coordinator
Environment Team
Here’s some interesting news from Kate McInnes, Environmental Officer WCC.
A brand new Environment Team of three has been employed by Warrnambool City Council. The aim of the team is to be totally hands-on (no more pen pushers!) and will undertake all sorts of environmental works in the city and the day-to-day care and training of the Maremmas The Officer along with his seconder and trainee will liaise closely with WCLG. Pest plant and animal control will also feature heavily in the team's duties.
A major focus of the team will be management of the vegetation in the Foreshore area and also maintaining infrastructure along the foreshore such as beach accesses. They will also have a role to play in other areas of environmental significance in Warrnambool such as on the Hopkins, the Merri and Russell’s Creek, Middle Island, the Rail Trail and Levy's and will play a part in our revegetation projects and other community projects such as the School's Tree Planting Program and National Tree Day.
School's Tree Planting Program
After a big learning with last year's school's tree planting program, I am really happy with how this year’s program has panned out. Of course it all boils down to preparation and keeping things simple.
As part of the funding source that paid for the installation of the GPT (Gross pollutant trap) at Gillies St, there was budget left over for the clean up and preparation of the railway banks at Lake Pertobe between Gillies St and the railway station. The banks were prepared and mulched and all Warrnambool schools invited to participate in tree planting at the site.
I nominated a given week for the schools, which made the project efficient as I was able to keep the ute loaded for the week. About half the schools participated, with Emmanuel College continuing with their existing program, planting 2000 trees at Dalton's Rd on Russell’s Creek. This approach also cuts down on the number of schools ringing a week or two in advance wanting a site to plant trees almost immediately.
Gilson College (a school from Melbourne) has also spent a week planting at the site. NAB staff put in a volunteer day planting down there also and a Hamilton Greencorp crew will be planting there this week, with Dept of Corrections due to finish off the planting there for this year later this month (September).
The latest report on the Swamp Wallaby population at Lake Pertobe is - there are now 10 resident Swamp Wallabies, with 3 joeys seen recently in pouches.
Weed Warrior Program
Hi, I’m Rebecca Corbett, the new coordinator of the Weed Warriors Program. Nicole Wood has handed over the reins to me after four successful years of looking after the program. I am happy to report the program is finally back in action after some hiccups earlier this year. The objective of this program is to involve local students to use biological control methods to breed leaf-hoppers to eat their host plant, the non native weed, the Bridal Creeper. This is where I present and educate the process to some local schools.
Term two presentation to the students was postponed when a storm wiped out the leaf-hopper population at the quarantine centre in Frankston. In term three the leaf-hopper populations have been re-established and two presentations have been made to grade 5/6 classes at Merrivale Primary and East Warrnambool Primary. Both these classes are currently breeding leaf-hoppers in bridal creeper incubation boxes, in their class rooms. Later in the term, they will release the hoppers onto active bridal creeper in the South Warrnambool Wetlands. At this stage I may ask for some extra volunteer assistance in helping to supervise the children on release day. Hopefully the hoppers will make an impact on this suffocating weed and follow up on Nicole’s previous work. The bridal creeper will be monitored. The children are enthusiastic and learning about biological control, introduced species and plants, the impact of weeds and their local environment.
Harris On Merri Reveg Project
I went for a wander through the area this morning, and overall it was a great experience – it really is starting to feel like native habitat! To have created this from nothing is a great achievement, so congratulations to the group!
Kristie and I decided to have some ID pegs put in the ground and give everyone a better orientation and ability to notate where they have been, and where to point the next group etc. Ten pegs (thanks to Kate & WCC) went in, and have been numbered 1-10, starting at the viewing platform and going north. I only used ten pegs to prevent the area looking like a scientific test area, but while there is nowhere more than about 8m from a peg, so notations on areas can be with reference to a peg, eg. 3m riverside of peg 5. We need to get together and form a consensus of future plans.
There is a lot of weeds starting to push through, so keeping on top of the flowering ones still has to be highest priority to prevent seed set. Most of the mulch has broken down, or been disturbed and mixed in with soil, so the top layer in most areas is fertile ground for weeds to establish – It’s going to be a busy spring for us!!! There are a couple of prime opportunities to plant a couple of bare patches; perhaps mass plantings put very close together – as this seems to be where areas have established and are most weed resistant. One area from the path towards peg 2 is an example. Marty and Kate’s lab area is going well – perhaps an honorary degree in engineering should be given to them for successfully keeping the black plastic in place through the storms!!
I’ve compiled a few items on a ‘to do’ list with peg references, which is in the notes under my house – it may help with equipment selection when your down there! Please keep adding notes of what you have done – with peg references, as these will be great a great reference to see what techniques have been most successful. Also add suggestions as you go.Marshmallow weeds over 1m riverside of peg 4 are in need of removal soon! Pitch forks or long handled loppers will be needed (then quick paint of round-up on stump). There are also some more establishing between pegs 7 and 8, and near peg 10. There are two large cape wattles – one near the blackwood north of the platform and one near peg 10 – will need a saw!
With the rains came a very happy and vocal frog population in the area – and Kate an the WCC have assured us that the spray used along the footpath adjacent to the park and surrounding areas is Bioactive - the frog friendly variety of round up; good news!
Sam Tuck, Harris on Merri Reveg
National Tree Day
August 1st saw another successful Nation Tree day with almost 200 volunteers turn up in questionable weather at our old favorite site the Flume. The south facing bank to the west of the car park was heavily mulched and received about 3000 plants with guards and steaks. Good follow up rains have enabled the native species to settle in beautifully.
The Warrnambool Boardriders Group came in force and planted all around the front viewing platform where erosion and weeds were in evidence. A nice touch to the day was the revealing of a brass plaque, dedicated to John Amor symbolizing his dedication to the coastal environment. His family from Warrnambool and NSW were also there and planted a special Casuarina grove in his honor.
All volunteers were rewarded with a hearty BBQ and thanks to WCC for their plants, mulch and organizational help, Warrnambool Toyota and Savings & Loans for their generous Sponsorship and of course to Captain Sustain the Bool for dropping in with some useful advice and handing out some of the give aways.
WHALE WATCH PROGRAM
This year we have a mixed season of a continuous resident mother and calf but not too many (whale) visitors staying around. After arriving at Logans on June 24th ‘Big Coaming’ as she became known by the watching group, finally calved just before the end of July. We are happy to report they are still entertaining us all and appear to be staying on until its time to head South for the summer migration to the Antarctic, very soon.
DIRTY WEEKEND
After hosting a Compost/ Weed/ and Worm Workshop last year Warrnambool Community Gardens will be having another one on October 16th, only this time bigger and better with plant and seedling sales, give aways and a free BBQ. Combining with funding from WCC and some sponsors they hope to attract keen home gardener’s who are willing to get dirty and learn some tricks from nature for their own home garden. Keep an eye out in the press and WCC”s advertising page (closer to the event in Saturdays Standard) for more details of how you can win great prizes. (see attached flyer also)
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Deakin University hosted a Western Coastal and Marine Forum in July bringing together coastal agencies, CMA’s, students and general public where they discussed topics from whale management, estuary openings and coastal development.
- Technology will be used to promote the Penguin colony and Maremmas on Middle Island. Four cameras have been installed and will be hooked up to the internet where we can view from the comforts of our home to all the interactions on the island. Meanwhile the Maremmas are still attracting media features around the world with a special article in Americas National Wildlife Federation children’s magazine Ranger Rick.
- Our Group made a submission to DSE’s Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy. In this document we highlighted the need for water management agencies to be run more efficiently with a combined approach to problem solving, bores should be metered to ensure sustainable use of ground water and supported WCC’s concept of having a bigger water storage capacity so more water can be pumped out of the Gellibrand in winter months and not Stress it in the summer months.
- Congratulations to Amanda and Scott Peucker for the birth of a cute little girl, Jessica Trudy in Melbourne recently. They are doing well even though the baby takes up more time than the penguins ever did!
- Do you want a gourmet garden in your backyard in as little as 4 weeks boasting your favorite vegetables? Well Elise Gillin can do that for you including raised beds, advice and maintenance in her new business. Check out her web site on www.mygourmetgardens.com.au
- Deakin Uni’s Office of the Environmental division has formerly thanked us for helping them with native tree planting on the banks of the Hopkins , just below the residences in mid August as part of a community partnership. They hope to make this an annual event to set examples of biodiversity conservation by continuing along the river to eventually form a riparian zone. Volunteers were rewarded with a wonderful BBQ afterwards.
- Marty Gent is all geared up to do a scientific study of plant and weed species in the Coastal Reserve area from Granny’s Grave to the Hopkins River. With a 2nd Generation Grant from the GHCMA and assistance from SWTafe students, SGAP and WCLG members, Marty’s next plan of attack in on Saturday 25 September to ID more species. If you would like to assist in this project, the group is meeting near the playground entrance of Granny’s Grave at 10.00 am. Dress accordingly to the weather and bring some water.
- On the first Tuesday in November (2nd) will be our AGM and election of office bearers. We are seeking your support to help nominate for any position and to share any skills you may have and to keep the group vibrant. We would like to invite all of you to attend this, as it will be a symbolic evening for many reasons. First of all it marks the 15th Anniversary of Warrnambool City Landcare Groups formation (and the name change to Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group just 6 years ago) We plan to have a light supper after the meeting with an historical display of some of our achievements in that period.
The evening will also mark the retirement of Don McTaggart and Frank Wiggins from Office as they step down due to ill health, but will be making themselves available to mentor the new executive to keep the Group strong and vibrant into the future.