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Volume 37 - Winter 2023
Teeing off from revegetation at Growling Frog Golf Course
Golfers have long been chasing birdies, eagles and albatrosses at Growling Frog Golf Course in Yan Yean, but earlier this year ecological consultant Peter Homan caught something else perhaps more elusive – the first record of Krefft’s Glider (Petaurus notatus- previously known as Sugar Glider) at the site.
The glider was observed in a hollow bearing remnant River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) adjacent to revegetation along Barber’s Creek. The seven hectares of restoration works along the creek that began in 2006 are now clearly paying dividends.
Crucial to its success in supporting a glider population seems to be the many Black Wattles (Acacia mearnsii), a favoured food tree, that have reached maturity. Interestingly, extensive surveys by Peter Homan since 2007 had previously failed to detect the species.
While welcome news, the remnant River Red Gum is the only hollow-bearing tree in this area near the creek due to historical clearing. In addition to supporting Krefft’s Glider, the dense understorey and diversity of plant species has proven ideal breeding habitat for many less common woodland bird species.
Replanting more of the creekline will be a focus for future work at the site, as well as providing nest boxes to compensate for the lack of hollows.
The results of this survey highlight the benefits of well-planned revegetation, particularly when complementing existing remnant trees. Locating revegetation in proximity to waterways is also advantageous, given the relative abundance of resources and resilience during drought years. Incorporating a diversity of indigenous tree, shrub and understorey species gives the best chance of supporting less common native animals.
The City of Whittlesea provides support for rural landowners through our Environmental Works Grant Program and Sustainable Land Management Rebate Scheme for similar works on private properties including provision of plants for revegetation projects, nest boxes and funding for fencing. There is also support available through Melbourne Water where projects, including weed control, are focused on waterways.
The City of Whittlesea's environmental incentives will open for applications in spring. Click here for more information
To protect waterways through your property, click here to be taken to the Melbourne Water website
This lone Swamp Gum is the only remaining indigenous tree or shrub at Tambo Reserve.
Trees for Tambo
Tambo Reserve, in the heart of Whittlesea, forms part of a link between the biodiversity hotspots of Yan Yean Reservoir and Toorourrong Reservoir.
The City of Whittlesea will be conducting weed control and revegetation works at Tambo Reserve in July as part of a long-term plan to enhance and protect existing biodiversity and provide wildlife habitat at this important site.
Both Bruces Creek and the Plenty River pass through Tambo and there are some seasonal ponds and waterways that support a vast array of local flora and fauna. Latham’s Snipe are seasonal visitors and Burrowing Crayfish live on the margins of the ponds and drainage lines.
Melbourne Water are working alongside Council to remove weeds along Bruces Creek including Willow and Hawthorn, and prepare the area for revegetation. The planting will be part of the Planting Trees for the Queens Jubilee project and is a collaboration between the City of Whittlesea, Whittlesea Scouts and Whittlesea Landcare.
The focus of this year’s plantings is to establish indigenous canopy trees and shrubs, consisting mainly of Tea Trees, Wattles, Swamp Gums and Manna Gums. The site will be the focus of National Tree Day events this year with scouts and school students participating in planting prior to a community planting day to be held on Sunday 30 July.
This a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference to the local environment with your friends and family. Learn from our team about the values and relationships between the plants you plant and the fauna and insects that rely on them to survive and thrive.
For further information about National Tree Day being held at Tambo Reserve visit our website
Support available to drive the future of farming
The City of Whittlesea actively seeks technology-inspired, creative ideas, and methods to enhance farming practices across the City of Whittlesea.
We are encouraging the community to step forward and share their unique concepts to help connect them with essential resources, including capital and services, for its next growth phase. The goal is to empower entrepreneurs and provide them with the best support and guidance to build thriving businesses.
In addition to the support provided, early-stage entrepreneurs or visionaries can also benefit from a grant that covers operating costs and builds start-up capability and growth. This grant provides access to business development services that enable founders to access the best possible support and advice to build their businesses, grow jobs, and support Victoria’s economic growth.
The initiative aims to encourage the adoption of new technologies that improve the efficiency and sustainability of farming practices. By embracing innovation, the City of Whittlesea and the grants available are paving the way for entrepreneurs to realise their vision and contribute to the development of the agricultural industry.
Interested individuals can discuss their ideas and contact Rikki Keys by email or call 9217 2081 to learn more about the program and the opportunities available.
Are toxic plants harming your animals?
In this edition we are drawing your attention to another issue that invasive plants present- toxicity to livestock.
Nearly all plants contain toxic compounds within their leaves and stems as a defence mechanism against browsing, however some plants in the Whittlesea region contain higher levels of chemical compounds which could be harmful, or potentially fatal, to animals if consumed.
Some weeds require very small amounts to cause damage, while others may cause damage when consumed in large quantities or accumulate in the system over time.
We have outlined some of the worst weeds around Whittlesea in the table below but there are many more that may pop up on your property.
* Denotes City of Whittlesea Pest Plant Local Law species.
Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) is a protected native plant but is sometimes confused for the noxious weed Gorse.
What's that plant?
With so many different types of plants growing in Whittlesea it can be easy to get confused or a bit overwhelmed by what’s on your property, especially when some plants can look superficially like each other based on flower colour, leaf shape or just the way they grow.
If similar looking plants are ticking all the same boxes you might come to the conclusion, they are the same, when they may be different species altogether.
Knowing what’s what is critical when it comes to planning and undertaking your annual property weed control program to ensure you’re removing weeds and not similar looking native plants.
There is sometimes a misconception that prickly plants are more likely to be weeds and while there are certainly prickly weeds, there are also many prickly indigenous shrubs. The indigenous shrubs are important in providing excellent habitat for small birds.
Some weeds can appear similar to our indigenous plants, so it’s best to be 100% sure prior to removing them. Native vegetation is protected through the Whittlesea Planning Scheme and significant penalties may apply for its unauthorised removal, even if you identified it incorrectly as a weed.
New landowners, or landowners encountering a new plant, can always contact Council’s Rural and Environmental Planning Team for assistance in identifying plants on your property.
Several common similarities across the rural areas include:
- Onion Orchids and African Weed Orchid (similar upright flower stalk),
- Hedge wattle and Gorse (prickly nature with yellow flowers),
- Native Raspberry and Blackberry (both prickly scramblers with berry fruit) and,
- She-oak or Cherry Ballart and pine trees may even look superficially similar (similar needle like leaves) to the untrained eye.
Contact Council's Rural and Environmental Planning team for assistance on plant identification on your property via email or call Mark Williams, Rural Land Management Officer, on 9217 2471.
Mobile phone applications including iNaturalist and PlantNet can also assist with plant identification.
All welcome at Whittlesea Community House
Whittlesea Community House offers local opportunities for lifelong learning and connection.
Regular classes are offered in digital literacy, beginners welding and machining, community catering, textiles and upcycling and accredited courses such as first aid, boat licence, traffic management and hospitality are often available as well.
Weekly social activities include ukulele lessons, choir, computer gaming for teens, pilates, water aerobics, crafternoons, boomerang bags making and community gardening.
There is also a monthly outreach service with face-to-face help on hand from Whittlesea Community Legal Service, Centrelink, Lift Mental Health, Whittlesea Police, NDIS, My Aged Care, Jobs Victoria, Whittlesea Community Connections and more.
Whittlesea’s Community Women’s Lunch is held fortnightly on Thursdays from 11.30am at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre. The lunch is an initiative of the Whittlesea Community House and has been operating for five years.
The Catering for Community course participants prepare the meals each fortnight, giving the trainees a real-life opportunity to practice what they are learning.
It provides a great opportunity for local women to connect over a shared meal and currently attracts around 40 people. At times, there are guest speakers, activities and demonstrations.
To get involved or for more information contact the Whittlesea Community House on 9716 3361, visit the website or send an email, or pop into 92A Church Street, Whittlesea.