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RE-SOURCE Rural Environment NewsletterSpring 2020

HUME CITY COUNCIL

Controlling Capeweed Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) is a weed of pastures and crops, where it can outcompete preferred pasture species.

Capeweed is an annual flat leafed herb that grows up to 80-centimetres wide and 30-centimetres high, with lobed leaves which grows from a tap root. Its most notable feature is small, daisy-like flowers with a central black ‘eye’.

While it can be eaten by stock, it provides comparatively poor nutrition and excessive grazing of young, rapidly growing plants can cause nitrate poisoning. High intake can also taint milk.

Large infestations of Capeweed can be an indication of poor land management; particularly overgrazing and insufficient ground cover, as Capeweed quickly grows in areas of bare soil.

As such, the best weed prevention is to remove Capeweed early and allow grass to cover any bare soil. This may require destocking and rabbit control in affected areas.

Where manual removal is not possible, a selective broadleaved herbicide can be used. This can be done by spraying a lethal dose while the plant is young and actively growing; or use a sub-lethal dose six to eight weeks after the Autumn rains, followed by heavy grazing after the herbicides withholding period.

When using herbicide, always seek advice before use and follow all label application and safety instructions.

Is a Maremma right for your property? While Maremma sheep dogs are often used as guardians, but the breed can also be strong willed and difficult to train.

Maremmas can be highly effective at protecting livestock and poultry from foxes and stray dogs, and are used by a number of local landholders.

However, if they are not socialised well, accidents could occur with smaller pets and children due to the dog’s size and strength.

Because of this, spontaneous adoption of this breed should be avoided and you should seek experienced advice before deciding if a Maremma is right for your property.

Maremma dog, Warrnambool, by Warrnambool City Council is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The cover photo of this edition is Australian Owlet-nightjar, a local of Hume, resting in a pipe.

Your tiny ally against Paterson’s Curse Did you know, throughout the 1990s, several insect species were released throughout Australia (including within Hume) to help control the weed Paterson’s Curse?

One such insect was the Paterson’s Curse Crown Weevil (Mogulones larvatus), which was released in paddocks around Melbourne Airport.

Although the weevil was released more than 20 years ago, it still persists in Hume today, with numbers increasing and decreasing in cycle with the Paterson’s Curse population.

If you are interested in seeing if they are active on your property, or wish to introduce them to a patch of Paterson’s Curse on your property, adult weevils can be shaken from flowering Paterson’s Curse onto in late Spring as well as from rosettes with ‘shot holed’ leaves in Autumn.

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Growing trees, stopping weedsHume resident Marilyn Fiedler uses farm forestry to suppress Serrated Tussock.

In the past, Marilyn Fiedler faced an ongoing battle against the invasive weed Serrated Tussock. A previous neighbour had not been managing their land effectively, resulting in vast volumes of Serrated Tussock seed blowing into her property every year.

Due to the time and increasing costs involved in managing this problem, alternative methods of land management were necessary. Farm forestry – where trees are grown on farms to produce a saleable product – had been successfully used in the Rowsley Valley, Bacchus Marsh to suppress Serrated Tussock growth, and seemed to be a possible answer.

Blue Gum, Grey Box, Yellow Gum, Allocasuarinas and Casuarinas were all trialled, but Sugar Gum has proven to be the most successful. These trees are relatively fast growing, drought resistant, frost tolerant, grow well in Hume’s clay and were relatively low maintenance.

Minimal maintenance was required for the first 10 years such as initial rabbit protection, watering during dry periods (especially for the first year), weed control and tree guard maintenance. The trees provided a barrier to windblown weed seed and outcompeted any seed present for moisture – thus limiting germination.

As the trees grow, they can be selectively thinned to sell to Melbourne’s firewood market. There is no intention to clear fell all the trees at maturity, but instead only thin and replace as necessary.

This forestry has resulted in an increase in wildlife such as echidnas appearing for the first time. There has also been a noticeable increase in the diversity of birdlife.

Through her experience, Marilyn recommends farm forestry for weed suppression and has found the maintenance of these trees a more cost-effective means of managing Serrated Tussock over the long term, particularly during dry years.

For any landholders looking to start farm forestry, it is essential to use suitable seed stock to ensure good, high quality tree growth.

Does your property have a story to tell? Or do you have some land management suggestions that could help others in your rural community? We would love to write about it. Contact us on ReSource@hume.vic.gov.au or call the Rural Environment Officer on 9205 2200.

Gardens for WildlifeAs we spend more time at home, consider creating a wildlife-friendly garden.

These extra habitat patches in private gardens link up with the creeks, parks and reserves managed by local government, public agencies and community groups. Native wildlife can then move more easily through the landscape to find food, water, shelter and mates.

Need some extra motivation? We’ll be launching a new Gardens for Wildlife program later this year. Residents, schools and businesses in Hume will be able to organise a garden visit. A pair of volunteer Garden Guides will come have a chat with you about your garden and the wildlife you might like to attract. Bee hotels, nest boxes, bird baths, lizard lounges and frog bogs are a few possible habitat projects.

A brief garden report with information and resources will guide you further. If you’re really keen, there’ll be a series of workshops to design your own wildlife garden. Free indigenous seedlings will also be given away at select events. The garden visit and report are also free.

To register your interest in having a garden visit when the Gardens for Wildlife program is launched (after restrictions are lifted) or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer garden guide, please email gardensforwildlife@hume.vic.gov.au

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Rural Strategy consultation updateConsultation on Council’s draft Rural Strategy has been paused during the local government election caretaker period.

Consultation will recommence on Monday 26 October 2020, with project officers looking to schedule face to face community sessions later in the year – subject to pandemic restrictions.

Thank you to the many people that have already registered their email addresses for updates on the consultation of the draft Rural Strategy.

If you haven’t registered for updates and would like to be kept up to date,visit hume.vic.gov.au/ruralstrategy to sign up or email contactus@hume.vic.gov.au with ‘Rural Strategy’ in the subject line.

Submissions sought on Melbourne Airport and surroundsThe Victorian Government is seeking submissions to advise the Minister for Planning on improvements to the planning provisions safeguarding Melbourne Airport and its surroundings.

To have your say visit engage.vic.gov.au/airport-safeguarding-advisory-committee

Biological farming and land management: A webinar with Dr Mary ColeDoes your property have trouble with managing weeds, growing vegetation or maintaining enough pasture throughout the year?

Although land management practices and climate are often considered when addressing these issues, the biology of the soil also plays a major role in the fertility of a property.

Join us online for a presentation by well-known academic Dr Mary Cole, a plant pathologist and founder of Agpath Pty Ltd, as she explores a biological farming approach to managing weeds, soils and properties in the Hume area.

Tuesday 22 September, from 7pm Register at livegreenhume.eventbrite.com.au

Sign up for the RE-Source enewsletter to get the latest news! Email resource@hume.vic.gov.au with the subject line ‘Subscribe’ and include your postal address to receive RE-Source to your inbox instead of your mailbox.

Hume City Council recognises the rich Aboriginal heritage within the municipality and acknowledges the Gunung-Willam-Balluk of the Wurundjeri as the Traditional Custodians of this land. Council embraces Aboriginal living culture as a vital part of Australia’s identity and recognises, celebrates and pays respect to the existing family members of the Gunung-Willam-Balluk and to Elders past and present.

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