Close to 40 people attended the Eucalyptus Identification Workshop at Grassy Head Nursery. Under the guidance of Ross Macleay the group were taken into Yarrahappini National Park to learn skills needed to identify a number of different species of Eucalyptus. If anyone was not able to attend and is interested in learning the identification skills, please drop into the office at Bowraville Landcare where we have extra copies of the paperwork from the day.

A small group of local volunteers have been meeting fortnightly at Hyland Park, removing weeds from the Nature Reserve. Last fortnight this group removed thousands of Coral Berry seeds - Aredisia Crenata - ripe and ready to reproduce. This fortnight volunteers will continue to remove the remaining ripe berry's and then the entire plants. Coral Berry is a small upright shrub usually growing up to two metres in height, and flowers between winter and spring. Coral Berry prefers well-drained, rich soils and flourishes well in shaded positions and along waterways. Often a garden escapee, Coral Berry can spread into Native bushland easily. Coral berry is now naturalised in the coastal districts of eastern Queensland, in north-eastern New South Wales and in the Sydney area. Globally, the species is a major weed pest, now also naturalised in southern Africa, south-eastern United States and other areas. Coral Berry reproduces by its seed, often spread by humans, through garden waste dumping and garden escapees or by water run off, floods and the birds.

Further information about Coral Berry can be found here https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/coral-berry

This project is supported through The NSW Environmental Trust funded project.

Would you like to volunteer to help protect the stunning littoral rainforest adjacent to the beach at Hyland Park?

We need your help on our new project!

Our first volunteer bush regeneration day for our Blackrock project is on Tuesday 30 April at Hyland Park.

Join a great group of people committed to protecting this endangered ecological community and learn about the different ecosystems, weed species, and practice techniques for regenerating the bush.

Please wear suitable clothing, solid shoes, a hat and bring your water bottle. Hand tools, gloves, and a light lunch will be provided.

If you can’t make this morning but would like to be informed of future volunteer days here please also let us know.

When: 9am - 12 noon 30th April

Where: Beach Access at 62 Banyandah Road (End of Road) Hyland Park

RSVP: admin@nvlandcare.org.au - for catering purposes.

current volunteers and bush regenerators on site.

for catering purposes.

Nambucca Shire Council is looking for comments on their Draft Policy on Roadside Vegetation Management - see draft policy

Under the Draft Policy, Council is proposing to set up a Chemical No Spray Register and if you don’t want the roadside outside your property sprayed with herbicides, you can apply to the Council to be on that register.

Council recognises that there are a number of benefits of having a Chemical No Spray Register:

To reduce the potential for unintended adverse impacts of pesticide use on the communityTo reduce the volume of pesticide used in Local GovernmentTo increase the wellbeing of the general public To increase the quality of the environment we live inTo achieve an effective mechanism to reduce overall exposure to herbicides.

HOWEVER, if your application to be on the register is successful, not only will you then be responsible for making sure the vegetation on the roadside outside your property is not overgrown and that weed species are controlled, but you will also need to pay Council a base fee of $500 (for a five year approval period) plus an annual fee of $30, with these fees incorporated through your Property Rates Notice.

Comments on the Draft Policy are due by 4.00 pm on 28 March.

Local Land Services: Managing dry times workshop Macksville 21 March 2019

With the unusually dry conditions and the general lack of feed and water heading into autumn, many landholders are putting together their plans for the coming months.

The information session is designed to give advice and tips on feeding livestock during dry times. North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian, Ian Poe, will be the keynote speaker. Ian has extensive experience working with landholders in the district and has a wealth of knowledge on animal nutrition and animal health. After the information session, speakers will be on hand to talk one-on-one with landholders.

Rural Financial Counsellor, Terry Pearce, will also be at the workshop to talk about the support services and grants for landholders. Other guest speakers will present on animal health programs and supplements and their place in a feeding program. Local rural store staff will be on hand to talk about the availability of supplements and the impact the drought has had on the supply of other products, including pasture seed.

Brendan O’Brien, Senior Land Services Officer Agricultural Advice said, “The main purpose of the information sessions is to get landholders together to talk about their experiences and share their knowledge.

“Some of the best advice and strategies can come from farmers who can draw from past experience.”

Sessions will be held on 21 March at Greg and Virginia’s Hughes Farm, 121 Taylors Arm Road.

The information session will be on farm, with a farm walk talking about what to look for when buying silage.

For further information please see and contact Brendan O’Brien and Local Land Services on 6563 6709 or email Brendan.o’brien@lls.nsw.gov.au

Work Smarter Not Harder: Learn how the Pros Control Invasive Weeds

FREE workshop with Master Landscaper, Bush Regenerator and Educator: Kosta Delimihalis. Thursday 28th March 9.30 am - 12.30pm

RSVP : 6564 7838 greenearthw@gmail.com

The Nambucca Shire coastline and estuarine waterways are a significant natural resource, ideal for undertaking various recreational activities, and providing suitable habitat for large areas of protected riparian and estuarine vegetation. The waterways are frequented by locals and visitors and provide for the livelihood of commercial fishermen, aquaculture and tourism operators. A Coastal Management Program (CMP) is currently being prepared to provide a long‐term strategy for the management of the Nambucca Shire coastline and estuaries. The study area comprises an extensive 25km of open coast from Oyster Creek to Scotts Head and the estuaries of Deep Creek, Swimming Creek, Nambucca River and Warrell Creek. The CMP is being developed by Hydrosphere Consulting on behalf of Nambucca Shire Council with assistance from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Project Stages:Stage 1 ‐ Scoping study – involves collation of existing information, preliminary risk assessment, community engagement and scoping of technical studies to fill key information gaps. Indicative timeline: July 2018 – February 2019. The Stage 1 Scoping Study is currently underway.Stage 2 ‐ Detailed studies of vulnerabilities and opportunities – involves confirmation of key issues and concerns, field work to confirm current knowledge and completion of identified technical studies to fill key information gaps. Indicative timeline: February 2019 – May 2019.Stage 3 ‐ Response indication and evaluation – involves threat consequence and risk assessment, the evaluation and identification of management options and the development of management actions. Indicative timeline: May 2019 ‐ June 2019.Stage 4 ‐ Finalise, exhibit, certify and adopt the CMP – involves the preparation of a Draft CMP for agency review and public exhibition, the identification of funding and final mechanisms to implement the CMP, compiling and addressing submissions from agencies and the community and finalisation of the CMP document for certification. Indicative timeline: June 2019 onwards.Stage 5 ‐ Implementation, monitoring and reporting – involves the implementation of management actions from the certified CMP by NSC and involved agencies as well as the monitoring and reporting of CMP progress. Indicative timeline: Ongoing from late 2019.Community Engagement: There is a lot of public interest in these waterways and community input to this plan is critical in getting the right balance in management priorities. Community members can have their say via: Project webpage communication portal - available soon at:https://www.hydrosphere.com.au/nambuccacmp Community drop‐in sessions will also be held during the survey period and during public display of the Draft CMP.

Do you want to help us deliver environmental and sustainable ag projects like this riparian planting atAutarky Farm on North Arm? Come to the Nambucca Valley Landcare Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, October 23 at 5:30 at the Bowraville Pub. All members are welcome, and we’d love to get your input and ideas. For the agenda, committee nomination forms and previous AGM minutes, please email me at lzingus@nvlandcare.org.au.

Join Gwen Harden, Co author of Rainforest Plants of Australia, to learn how to identify native rainforest plants. Gwen will use her new app, which helps users identify native rainforest plants. Learn how to identify over 1140 species of rainforest trees, shrubs and climbing plants. If you're not app-savvy, copies of the rainforest plant identification book will be available to use.

When: Tuesday 5th June 9am - 3.3 pm

Where: Nambucca Community and Arts Centre - Ridge St Nambucca Heads

RSVP Tue 29th May PH:6564 7838

Email: admin@nvlandcare.org.au

Lunch will be provided by NVLCI

Local Land Services Present a Community Information Meeting at Argents Hill Hall, Agents Hill, Monday 26th March , 9.30 am. The success of this program is dependent on wildspread landholder involvement and agreement.

The NSW Government is taking a regional approach to pest

animal management through the development of regional

strategic pest animal management plans.

Major pest animals such as rabbits, carp, pigs, foxes and dogs to

name a few are estimated to cost the NSW economy

approximately $170 million annually.

The plans will be developed in consultation with stakeholders

and the community to ensure strong and responding pest animal

risk management, that is outcomes focused and based on

regional priorities.

A regional approach to pest animal management will ensure that

pest animal management tools, actions and investments are

catered to the needs and impacts experienced in each region.

The Draft Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan will

be available from 8 March at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/pestplan and

three community information sessions are being held. All

sessions will commence at 11.00 am and conclude at 1.00 pm

Location: Kempsey

Date: 3 March

Venue: Kempsey RSL

Location: Coffs Harbour

Date: 14 March

Venue: CeX Club

Location: Lismore

Date: 16 March

Venue: Lismore City Hall

Nambucca Valley Landcare and North Coast Local Land Services are hosting a free ‘Soil Health and Grazing Management Workshop’ with Dr Judi Earl on Friday 23 March at Utungun Hall. Dr Judi Earl has been a pasture and grazing management consultant and Holistic Management educator for 20 years. Her driving philosophy is to utilise livestock and pastures to gain maximum benefit from freely available resources – sunlight, rainfall and the vast populations of soil biota present in your soil.

Judi has put this philosophy into practice by dramatically improving the soil health at her own 1100 acre property, ‘Glen Orton’.

If you are a seasoned farmer, new to farming, or have an interest in soil health, this is fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. Date: Friday 23 March 2018 Time: 9:30am morning tea for 10am start to 2pm Location: Utungun Hall, 1029 Taylors Arm Rd, Utungun Cost: Free RSVP: Please RSVP by Tuesday 20 March for catering lzingus@nvlandcare.org.au or 6564 7838

Are you an organic farmer, or are you interested in learning how to create a successful organic farm business? This course is for you!

Nambucca Valley Landcare and Nambucca Shire Council are running a FREE eight module Organic Farm Business Program to support new and existing organic farmers in the valley. The program is funded by the Australian Government under the Building Better Regions Fund.

The course will be held at organic farms across the valley, and we want your input to make sure we cover the topics that best help your farm.

To register for the course, please fill out the EOI form , and return to admin@nvlandcare.org.au. EOI's close 31 January 2018.

For more information, contact the office.

With the dry weather over the last few years, lots of landholders are looking to improve their water security and water quality through farm dams and off-stream watering for stock.

To help you make the best water management decisions, we’re hosting a workshop with the experts.

Farm Dams and Off-Stream Watering - Best Practice Workshop

Best practice farm dam design and maintenance

Peter Corlis - Soil Conservation Service. Peter will talk about the importance of correct dam positioning and construction, spill way width, maintenance, common faults and solutions to rectify.

Pumps and poly

Tinks Pumps and Water, Macksville. Tink’s pump specialist will talk about the correct pump for the correct application, off stream water setups, and necessary infrastructure.

Please bring a chair and a hat.

Date: Thursday 26 October 2017

Time: 9:30am morning tea for a 10:00am start – 2:30pm finish

Location: 27 Bakers Creek Road, Taylors Arm

Cost: FREE

RSVP: 19 October for catering purposes (lunch provided)

Logan Zingus – Local Landcare Coordinator

Phone: 65647838

Email: lzingus@nvlandcare.org.au

Funded through the NSW Environmental Trust, and the Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative

Young people across NSW are starting Intrepid Landcare groups, mixing conservation projects and outdoor adventure on day and weekend trips to amazing places.

We'd love to get more young people involved with Landcare in our valley through these types of activities, and we've been lucky enough to host a workshop with the co-founders of Intrepid Landcare to share with us how they've been so successful.

If you're a young person, or you work with young people, this workshop is for you!

The Intrepid Landcare Youth Engagement Workshop will be held on Saturday 1 April at Valla Beach Community Hall. Spaces are limited, so please RSVP here: http://tix.yt/intrepid-landcare-nambucca

Would you like to learn more about pastures species suitable for the Nambucca Valley? Come along to the free Nambucca Valley Livestock Producers Workshop on Thursday 23 March at Utungun Hall to hear from a range of pasture specialists. including:

Dr Don Loch. Pasture researcher, agronomist and plant physiologist.

New Rhodes varieties and where they fit into a coastal grazing system. Managing tropical pastures.

Peter Waghorn. Valley Seeds.

What’s new? Annual and Italian ryegrasses, the difference and their roles in your pasture management system variety and establishment methods.

Adam Firth. Heritage seeds.

New and improved varieties. New tropical forages and rye grass varieties.

Brendan O’Brien. North Coast Local Land Services.

A quick up date of tropical grass varieties showing promise from planted demo site. Paddock walk; discussion on pasture establishment.

RSVP: 21March for catering purposes (lunch provided)

Brendan O’Brien – Local Land Services Officer.

North Coast LLS Ph: 6563 6709. Mob: 0400 685 400

Email: brendan.o’brien@lls.nsw.gov.au

In 2017 the Local Land Services will hold elections for board members. To be eligible to vote, you must be the nominated occupier of a rateable landholding and enrolled to vote through the Local Land Services website.

For more information call Local Land Services on 1800 795 299, visit the North Coast local office website.

Do you have a Landcare project in mind? There are a number of new funding opportunities for 2017.

If you are interested in any of the below funding opportunities for a project in your area, Nambucca Valley Landcare are happy to work with you to design a project and apply for funding.

Grass Roots Grant The 2017 granting round is now open! Small grants are available to organisations working in rural and regional Australia. AFF will be accepting Expressions of Interest between 15th December 2016 and the 28th February 2017.

Building Better Regions Fund | Community Investments Stream The Community Investments Stream will fund community building activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability building activities. These projects will deliver economic and social benefits to regional and remote communities. Applications for the Community Investments Stream open on 18 January 2017 and close on 31 March 2017.

Litter Prevention Grants Program In partnership with Keep NSW Beautiful, community litter grants help community groups tackle littering in their local area. Funded by the waste levy under Waste Less, Recycle More, this program also provides resources, tools and advice to community groups working to keep their local area clean. Due 1st March 2017.

Small Grants for Rural Communities is the longest running and broadest program FRRR offers, opening twice per year.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities in rural, regional or remote Australia. Priority is given to communities of 10,000 or fewer. Hard copy applications must be clearly postmarked on or before Friday, 31 March 2017.

Check our our Summer 2016 Newsletter !

Nambucca Valley Landcare's river restoration work has been featured in an article

Leftover tree stumps from highway expansion projects are being used to help protect more than three kilometres of the Nambucca, Bellinger, Macleay and Hastings estuaries in an innovative recycling initiative.

Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Senior Coast and Estuary Officer, John Schmidt, said the exciting project expands available habitat by using the unwanted tree stumps, timber and rocks to create vital bank protection structures.

“Bank protection structures are usually made entirely of rock, so this timber will deliver nearly 100 tonnes of additional carbon into the estuary food chain, as well as providing a habitat niche for an extra one hectare of mangroves and promote fish habitat,” John said.

“OEH and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI Fisheries) successfully negotiated with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), the Environment Protection Authority and Pacific Highway contract partners to supply timber materials generated from h

ighway clearing between Oxley Highway and Urunga at no cost.“

With RMS support, highway partners Lend Lease, Pacifico, Thiess and OHL Construction have provided around 600 stumps, 1600 timber pins and 120 tonnes of rock, most of which has been delivered onsite at the river restoration project spanning 3.5 km.“

With assistance from DPI Fisheries and support from local councils, landowners, and Forestry Corporation, timber and other material was also allowed to be temporarily stored on their properties until required.

“This unique project is a good example of how landowner willingness and collaboration between many stakeholders can help bring about coordinated action to improve the health of estuaries on the north coast of New South Wales (NSW),” John said.

With the help of Nambucca Valley Landcare, funding for river restoration projects has come from a number of sources complementing Pacific Highway partner contributions, including NSW Recreational Fishing Trust’s Habitat Action Grant program, private landowner contributions, Nambucca, Bellingen, Kempsey and Port Macquarie Hastings Councils and the NSW Government Estuary Program.

A highly successful ‘Evening with Landcare’ provided a unique opportunity for Members of Parliament to meet grassroots Landcarers, including our own Nambucca Valley Landcare Chair and Coordinator, and engage with issues facing agriculture, the environment and rural communities in NSW.

Held at Parliament House on 10 May, the event was organised by the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Landcare, a non-political group formed in 2015 to enable MPs to show their support for Landcare in their local communities. Parliamentary Friends of Landcare is chaired by the Hon Katrina Hodgkinson, who hosted the evening.

The event was attended by around 65 people, with Landcare NSW Councillors, Local Coordinators, Landcare volunteers and senior departmental representatives mingling with MPs from all political parties and parts of NSW.

Ms. Hodgkinson noted the role of Landcare, Bushcare and Oceanwatch saying, “All these different types of caring for our land and caring for our environment are very, very important.” She also highlighted the importance of the partnership between Local Land Services and Landcare NSW.

Sue Salvin, Chair of Nambucca Valley Landcare and Vice Chair of the North Coast Regional Landcare Network spoke to the group about the realities facing Landcare groups on the ground, while our new Local Landcare Coordinator Logan Zingus discussed the opportunities presented by his recent employment funded under the NSW Government’s $15m Landcare Policy 2019. They discussed how Landcare in their area is being reinvigorated. Logan has been employed as one of the 66 part-time Landcare Coordinator positions.