Weeding Project Update – August 2007

 

June Working Bee (9 – 16 June 2007):

 

  • 3 volunteers plus Laura worked on follow up from March and November 2006 trips in Area 1 (middle bushland reserve in Happy Valley township). Some primary weed control in Area 3.
  • QPWS rangers Ivan and Rob assisted with one days work.
  • Weeds targeted: Singapore Daisy, Cape Ivy, Corky Passionfruit, Stinking Passionfruit, Edible Passionfruit, Easter Cassia, Lantana, Basket Asparagus, Mother-in-Law Tongue, Green Panic, Broad Leaved Pepper, Brazillian Nightshade.
  • Decided that the use of herbicide (Glyphosate 360g/l in a dilution of 1:1) was necessary to gain best possible results. Herbicide is only to be used where unable to hand pull weeds and only by the method of cut/scrape and paint. Herbicide is not to be used in the area around Bree Jashin’s houses (including bushland behind houses), in order to respect her values.
  • Wrote full plant species list for middle bushland of Happy Valley town ship.

 

July Working Bee (15 – 22 June 2007):

 

  • 4 volunteers plus Laura worked on primary weed treatment in ‘Cassia Gully’, part of Area 1 (middle bushland reserve in Happy Valley township) and primary/follow up weed treatment in Area 2 (bushland on South side of town, gully running beside Yidney Bypass track).
  • Weeds targeted: Singapore Daisy, Cape Ivy, Corky Passionfruit, Stinking Passionfruit, Edible Passionfruit, Easter Cassia, Lantana, Basket Asparagus, Mother-in-Law Tongue, Green Panic, Broad Leaved Pepper, Brazillian Nightshade.
  • Used herbicide in a dilution of 1:1 to cut and paint any stems/plants that could not be hand removed.
  • Concern of Abrus prectorious vine species becoming a potential weed?
  • Re-treated large Broad Leaved Pepper’s that had re-shot. Previously these trees had been cut and painted with herbicide. It is necessary for any Broad Leaved Pepper to be frilled with herbicide if the stem diameter is greater than 20cm. Re-treated by cutting re growth and painting as well as scraping back to roots where possible and painting with herbicide.
  • Collected seed from Corymbia intermedia.

 

Sign Erection Trip (2 – 5 August 2007):

 

  • Laura and volunteer Brad assisted builders Tony and Paul with transportation and erection of information shelters in Happy Valley and Eurong townships. Congratulations to be given to all involved for a fantastic effort!
  • Although Weeds CRC and Hervey Bay City Council large weeds posters were not available, the 3 panels of each sign were successfully covered with NRM Pest Factsheets appropriate to the townships, other HBCC environmental weed information and FIDO weeding working bee information.
  • Resorts in both townships pleased with the sign erection. Eurong Beach Resort requested HBCC ‘Dirty Dozen’ weed brochures to distribute to those interested (they are at the general store, the closest point to the information sign).
  • Operations Manager at the Happy Valley Wilderness Retreat has requested to go on a plant/weed identification walk during the next weeding bee. Another new gardener will be on board at this date, so weed identification and treatment training will be conducted at the same time.
  • Laura and Brad walked the boundaries of the Happy Valley township with the National Park to gauge weed infestation. Found NW and SW boundary survey pegs. Infestation not too bad the further out of town you go.
  • Interesting finds included ground orchids, huge patches of scrub that are completely free of weed species, Mellong Sandblow to the south west of township and too many interesting plants to name.

 

What the future holds for the project:

 

  • Weeding bees in September, October and December 2007 in Happy Valley.
  • These weeding bees will concentrate on targeting weeds on the outskirts of town (not shown on attached map) with the aim to reduce the major infestations to the most accessible areas i.e. the main township area.
  • Major infestations in Areas 2, 5 and 7 will also be treated.
  • More plant and weed identification with residents of Happy Valley.
  • Update the Information Shelters and coat with some sort of stain/varnish/protecting paint to give an extra boost of protection to the wood against the elements.