Sitting above Bellingen – Sarah Wheelwright and Peter Guthridge’s upper catchment property

Committed landholders in the upper Bellingen Valley are making a significant change to the property through local energy and commitment energy and commitment.

Sitting above Bellingen – Sarah Wheelwright and Peter Guthridge’s upper catchment property

Committed landholders in the upper Bellingen Valley are making a significant change to the property through local energy and commitment energy and commitment.

Taking Action -

LLCI033-071

The issue

The property was originally cleared for farming. Natural regeneration has occurred over the past 50 or so years but the property has been heavily and frequently logged, primarily for hardwood species.  There is a mature pine plantation in the northern section of the property of approximately 3 ha extent. Heavy infestations of small leaf privet and Camphor laurel stands are widespread. Seed banks are prolific. The property  subject to Landcare restoration works over the past 20 years.

 

The solution

  • Identify higher quality/better condition areas and aim to link over time and from higher quality/better condition  areas towards weedier areas
  • Maintain and improve as a priority areas that are in better condition as defined by majority of native canopy with  ground layer dominated  by leaf litter/ground ferns/native tree seedlings
  • Weed control operations/ bush regeneration should create minimal disturbance
  • Minimise planting due to its expense, high risk and resource commitment.
  • Where planting is considered a priority, use species found naturally growing in the habitat
  • Use minimal amounts of the most appropriate chemicals in the most targeted and efficient application method for specific weed species

The impact

  • Reduction in extent (area/number) of particular target weed species
  • Increase in extent of area dominated by natives in canopy/mid-storey/ground layer
  • Increase in number and extent of regenerating native species
  • Increase in ground area dominated by leaf litter rather than exotic grasses
  • Reduction of  seeding weed species after primary treatment and follow up
  • Decrease in areas of actual/potential erosion
  • Provide corridors for koala habitat in the Bellinger valley.

Learnings

Key facts

  • 700 trees planted to date
  • 3 hectares weed control
  • 0.2 hectares revegetation
  • 1 hectare riparian zone protected