Welcome to the Newsletter Page

Main Topics of Newsletter Spring 2011

Flying Fox Camp Bowra

Nambucca Shire Council has a draft Flying Fox Management Plan in progress and there will be more on ground works in the area in the future. The funding is coming from NSW Environmental Trust sustainability project with Coffs, Bellingen and Nambucca Shire Councils. The Newtrain Team have done a great job planting the trees, with a great deal of assistance from Tim Woodward starting off the project by killing the weeds. Contractors Generation Green have also been working there along with local residents and students from Bowra Central School. NVL has been overseeing the works. This has been a great team effort.

Other topics of NV Landcare Newsletter Spring 2011:
- Weeds with Tim Woodward NSC
- Ngurrala and the Sand Island
- Funding
- Workshops
- Community Gardens and more

Main Topics of Newsletter Winter 2011

Myrtle Rust

A new fact sheet has been developed “Myrtle rust: everyday management”
which explains why we need to be concerned about this plant disease, areas to protect from infection and the basic concepts underlying the risk assessment process. Find out about how you may be spreading the disease in your everyday work activities by downloading the fact sheet at:
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/myrtle-rust/management

Find more info under Publications

Bowraville Community Gardens

NVL is applying for funds through the Caring for our Country to establish a community garden on a vacant block owned by Bowraville Central School. Bowraville Central School will be an important partner but the gardens will be open to the whole community. Partners include NVL, Bowraville Central School, Bowraville Local Aboriginal Land Council, Bowraville Community Technology Centre, TAFE, Beyond Empathy, Youth Directions and the community. The gardens will be used as an education facility for the all the residents of the Nambucca Valley to promote sustainable living and provide the skills to reduce the carbon footprint of the community. The garden will not be fenced and will not exclude any member of the population from participating. The grant will supply some remuneration to cover the expenses of volunteers and champions of the gardens, supply materials for a number of community groups to manufacture the infrastructure of the gardens and educational materials and specialist presenters for community workshops. More Info in full newsletter.

Main Topics of Newsletter Summer 2011

Main Topics of Newsletter Spring 2010

Main Topics of Newsletter Winter 2010

Main Topics of Newsletter Autumn 2010

Wetlands Information Field day Gumma
Gumma Bridge Macksville Friday 26th March 10am -2.00pm
Wetlands can be useful for both grazing and conservation.

Main Topics of Newsletter Spring 2009

Nambucca Valley LandCare AGM
When Monday 5.30pm 23rd November 2009
Where 72 High St Bowraville
All executive positions will be vacated
Light Supper provided

What’s On Offer?

NVL has secured some funding, but the greater proportion is heading coastal. There is money available for Coastal workshops, field days, weed control, beach accesses and on-ground works; as long as you can smell the salt. The Caring for our Country application includes funding for:
• 2 access paths to be formalised or up graded.
• 2 clean up days on the Estuary. This can include boating groups, schools, Coast care groups etc.
• Aboriginal Sites Awareness Training.
• Rabbits
• Micro bats and their role in littoral rainforest,
• Bitou control, coastal plant ID, aquatic weed control
Any number of field days, work shops, seminars; don’t be shy here, we need to roll them out. Contact the office

REGIONAL LANDCARE FACILITATORS

On 5 June 2009 DAFF Minister Tony Burke announced the appointment of Regional Landcare Facilitator positions. In NSW there are thirteen R LF Positions; basically one in each CMA region. The role of a RLF is to promote sustainable resource management on private land and to represent Landcare in the dialogue between the Feds, the State, industry bodies and the community. DAFF has committed $150k/yr, a lot of money, to support the position. This is LandCare money if we are able to organise ourselves at a regional level. At the Landcare Muster in Port Macquarie Wednesday 9th September Landcare NSW Inc was directed by the seventy Landcarers present (from Landcare groups across New South Wales) to work with Landcare networks in each NRM region. The aim is to determine the most effective and efficient way to deploy the 13 Regional Landcare Facilitator positions, and then further develop these into a detailed competitive proposal representing networks across the State. To progress the proposal, the Landcare networks in NRCMA have agreed to form an incorporated body, “North Coast Regional LandCare Network”, to work with the NRCMA, State Departments and Industry, to bid for the position. If you want more information, or would like to have input into the roles of the RLF, ring the office.

There have been Cane Toads found in Nambucca

For info go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds

Adult cane toads are usually very large - around 9-15 cm (or 3.5 to 5 inches) long. If you find one over 4 cm long, you should be able to identify it from the picture below. However, smaller toads can easily be confused with native frogs. To make sure you don't kill a native frog by mistake, please take all toads under 4 cm long to a frog expert for identification. If handling them, use rubber gloves.

Main Topics of Newsletter Winter (2) 2009

Nambucca Valley LandCare has enough funding
to continue for another year

Every year around funding time my friends are sick and tied of me predicting our demise and Joy’s and my appointment with the dole office. But the truth of the matter is that every year we do go that close. It is difficult to have no security and your future dependent on an every changing natural resource management strategy. The funding to keep operating has come from 3 sources:-
1. The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority has been able to renew our Community Support Contract. The contract is about 2/3rd of last years contract and has to deliver on the following targets ? engage the community in natural resource management ? assist with implementation of NRCMA projects and activities ? provide an access point for the community regarding NRCMA programs and other NRM information ? serve as a conduit for information and communication exchange between the community, key stakeholders and the NRCMA ? represent and promote the role and work of the NRCMA. That left about $36k to make up to keep to the office functioning at the same level as last year.

2. NVL and Nyambaga Goori Green Team formed a partnership and applied for $100k from the federal government’s Caring for our Country funding. The project will focus on indigenous engagement, the protection and enhancement of littoral rainforest, reducing the impact of weeds of national significance, improved coastal land management practice and community involvement and education. On-ground work will include bitou and lantana control along Foresters Beach (South Beach) and 3 beach access across the Nambucca. (If you know of any pathways that need repair or formalising contact the office) NVL will get about $15k to manage, administer and report on the project.

3. NVL was also a part of a CfoC bid submitted by NRCMA for NSW coastal environments. The project will provide funds for coastal groups, training and other activities that meet CfoC Targets. NVL will receive $10K to manage, hold field days and training days and report on the project. Finally Tim and Joy have been contracted by Mid North Coast Farm Foresters as coordinators, at one day a week. Go to their updated website http://www.mncff.org.au So…. work continues

2009 NSW Landcare Catchment Management Forum

Celebrating 20 years of Landcare! Port Macquarie - September 9,10,11th 2009
The Future of Landcare is Forum Focus
There is a wide range of challenging issues for delegates attending the 2009 Landcare Forum to consider. The forum, hosted by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, has the theme “Landcapes, Communities and Resilience-Weathering Change”. The future of Landcare will be debated and there is expected to be plenty of views expressed on government thinking and the role Landcare will play in a community now switched on to the value of natural resources. Some of the sessions that will attract interest include Indigenous Natural Resource Management, Resilient & productive ecosystems, Sustainability, Locally-based food production and quality water supply. There is a Photo Competition and Poster displays which will highlight the enormous efforts made by enthusiastic groups and individuals across the state.
Where: The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie When: September 9,10,11, including the2009 NSW Landcare Awards Ceremony and Dinner on the evening of the10th August. For more information go to the NRCMA website at www.northern.cma.nsw.gov.au For accommodation and registration bookings phone the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre on 1300 303 155.

AQUATIC WEED EARLY DETECTION AND INTERVENTION

Be aware of invasive aquatic weeds within your properties and within public water bodies. Within our shire there are isolated infestations of the Class 3 Noxious aquatic weeds, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Salvinia (Salvinia molesta). There was one known infestation of the Class 1 Noxious Weed, Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), which was eradicated from a water body in the Nambucca area and has not re-emerged as a result of this control. Aquatic weeds are mainly spread by human activities, such as: • Deliberate introduction for “nursery sites” • Movement of contaminated equipment such as boats, nets or machinery • Discarding of fish tank / aquarium contents into water bodies Emerging species that are established in the region include: • Alligator weed (Alternathera philoxeroides) a native of South America, and a declared Noxious weed as well as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). This weed affects aquatic systems by obstructing water flow through excessive vegetative growth, can create flooding and sedimentation problems, excludes the growth of other desired plant species and also has the ability to grow in terrestrial situations causing degradation to pastures for grazing, and contamination of crops, hay, turf, sand and soil. This plant can also provide a better habitat for mosquitoes and also restricts light penetration, which can upset the ecology of aquatic systems.

If you suspect that you have seen any of these species or other invasive plant species please contact your local Noxious Weed Inspector, Tim Woodward on 0417 271 378 or 65 682 555 or email tim.woodward@nambucca.nsw.gov.au. More in full version of newsletter

Small Grants for Flood Disaster River Restoration Program:

Implementing Post Flood River NRM Actions – Maria to Tweed Rivers.
Following the February 2009 flood events in northern NSW, NRCMA River Officers and CSO’s have responded to a large number of inquiries from landholders with severe damage to riparian areas. Significant damage has occurred to existing on-ground works, as well as new sites. Many of these cases require immediate action to prevent further deterioration, with the associated impacts to river stability and water quality. Under the current NSW disaster relief funding program, repair of flood damage to waterways is not eligible, and landholders do not have access to assistance from any other agency or department for this type of problem. The small-scale grant program proposed here will assist landowners mitigate the new and unexpected threats to their waterways. The Nambucca received 4 small grants. Work has commenced.

Main Topics of Newsletter Winter 2009

Winter 09

Three floods in 3 months The Nambucca held up reasonably well in the first flood. I was heartened by the lack of major damage nearly to the point of boasting about the resilience of the system. Then came the second flood. North Arm and Missabotti suffered damage that I have never before witnessed. Hundreds of meters of riparian vegetation removed and thousands of tons of alluvial top soil dispatched to the Pacific Ocean. Most of the Landcare project sites held up well but areas that have been stable in the past suffered extreme damage. Some reaches widened by 30% to 40%. The third flood was not as damaging; maybe because the damage had all ready be done. The third flood was a bit lower but came with serious winds. The beach lost meters of sand. I was talking to a couple of guys who reported that a log washed ashore on Foresters Beach (South Beach) 60years ago was exposed in the flood.  

Valla Beach Walkway

Valla Beach Walkway. NVL applied for a grant from Envirofund to formalise a beach access next to the four wheel drive track at Nth Valla. Local residents and the Valla Lions were concerned about the safety of pedestrian traffic walking on the four wheel drive track, particular at holiday times. NVL received $9K which wasn’t enough to build the entire length of the walkway with a board walk using the Nyambaga Goori Green Team. The Green Team did a sterling job erecting a board walk across the worst part of the dune but the dilemma was what to do with the rest of the walkway now that the money had run out. NVL and Phil Micallef from Geofabrics Australia devised a cheap and effective solution. Geofabrics have a product called “Bunker Mat” that is designed to hold sand on the side of bunkers on golf clubs. The rolls are about $800 for 25m x 2m, but when cut to a width of 1m will cover 50meters of walking track. Bruce Anderson (Valla volunteer), Phil and Tim Ryan were able to lay 25meters of geofabric in a couple of hours! With experience, 2 workers could prepare and lay 50 meters of beach access track in a morning. This is a cheap, low impact, environmentally friendly solution that is easier on the feet than chain and board, and not slippery like a conveyor belt. NVL donated the cost of the geofabric to the project and have some left to be used somewhere else in the future.  

TAFE Planting Day

TAFE Planting Day NVL would like to thank the TAFE concreting class that helped plant a Missabotti riparian project site. As part of the course, the class has a community sustainability module. Joy and Tim met the class of 8 and teacher, Lyn Orrego, at Missabotti Hall for morning tea. After a quick chat about river function, bed controls and the nature and importance of riparian vegetation, the team hooked in. 200 plants including lomandra, tea tree, bottle brush and water gum were planted in 2 hours at a site where 2 bed controls had been installed. A variety of species could not be planted because it is not the right time of year for planting. All were happy. The river bank was vegetated, the land owner was saved hours of work, the class learnt a little about the river and planting, and Tim is able to report on another finished project.