SUMMIT AREA WORKS PROGRAMME

ANNUAL REPORT 1976/77

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Submitted by

A.. E. R. Wild, Resident Soil Conservationist,

Coomao

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' SUt-1tHT AREA HORKS PROGRAt1~·1 E ANNUAL REPORT 1976/77

'. Nii"FRODUCHON

The approved programme for these works in 1976/77 provided for an expenditure of $50,000, consisting of $25,000 from

Soil Conservation Service funds and $25,000 from the Snowy Mountains

Hydro~Electric Authority through the National Parks and Wildlife

Service . The approval was given on 4th November, 1976 ,

The expenditure was approved for stabilisation works of

sheet eroded areas of Mt . Anton and to continue the stabilisation

works at Mt. Anderson . Refertilisation and maintenance work,

were included in the expenditure.

, ·SUMMARY OF GENERAL CONDITIONS AND OPERATIONS

In 1957 the Soil Conservation Service initiated stabilisation works along the main range . The prevention of further erosion and control of existing eroded areas was essential because the Kosciusko alpine area is probably the most important water catchment in Australia. Initially it was necessary to carry out investigations and develop techniques to stabilise the eroded areas . It was estimated that it wou ld take approx imately twenty years to complete the primary stabilisation work. The 1976/77 work season was able to complete the primary stabilisation work.

Mt . Car ruthers ~ where initial works commenced .

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~Jork in the alpine area ~Jas again delayed until the first week in January due to heavy snow drifts ~ross the Blue Lake access track. The .work season cl osed in the latter part of Marc h.

The area outlined for treatment was successfully completed. Approximately 15 hectares was treated between Mt. Anderson and Mt. Anton. (S.C,S , Map 3831).

Eroded pavement - Mt. Anton .

Further, the access track extended from Mt. Twynam to Mt. Anderson in 1975 was stabilised back to Mt . Twynam .

Some sect ions in areas 9, 10, and 11 (S .C.S. Map 3831) were

retreated . The upper section of the spur ridge running north-west

of Mt. Twynam, initially treated in 1973/74, was refertilized .

Cooma sub-district plant was used to clear snow drifts from

the Blue Lake access track .

Two additional table top landrovers were used to transport

men and materials. These vehicles were made available from the

South~east District resources .

The National Park and Wi ldl ife Service made available the ir

helicopter for one day . It was used to eva luate its application for

maintenance work in years 1977/80 .

Stabilisation and revegetation techniques, used during the

season, were similar to those used in previous season.

' EROS ION CONTROL WORKS

Approximately 15 hectares in Mt . Anderson/Mt . Anton area were

given initial treatment during the 1976/77 season . The init ial

treatment was confined to the eroding edges surrounding both peaks,

and along the snow drift edges between the two peaks .

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Erosion along lower edge of snow drift between Mt . Anderson/Mt. Anton

Access in the area is difficult and slow. All materials were transported from Charlottes Pass to t·1t. Anderson by 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Areas were seeded, fertilized, hay mulched and tacked with bitumen emulsion . Mulching wa s the same as previous years with 4p5 tonnes per hectare of good quality grass hay .

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Eroded pavements - seeded, f ertilized, hay mu l ched and tacked with bitumen emulsion .

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The fertili zer used per hectare was as fol l ows:

200 ki l ograms 12:22:0 100 kilograms 11:34:11 600 kilograms Agricultural Lime

5 kilograms Borax 5 kilograms t-1gS04

It was not possible to have the above premixed by Australian Fertilizers Ltd . The lime, 12:22:0 and 11:34:11 were spread separately whilst borax and magnesium sulphate were appl ied with the seed.

The seed mixture (per hectare) included:

20 kilograms New Zealand White Clover 10 kilograms Perennial Ryegrass7 kilograms Browntop Bent 7 kilograms Cocksfoot 5 kilograms Highland Bent Grass 5 kilograms Chewings Fescue

Seed used was again obtained from high altitude areas in New Zealand .

Approximately 2-3 hectares around Mt . Anton, where access was difficult were not hay mu l ched . Ryecorn was included in the above mixture to try and develop ~ulch. The Ryecorn was pre-soaked in water for 15-30 minutes, water 15 C prior to sowing . This method was used before on Mt. Twynam without success. However, because of the lower altitude 1-200 metres lower and northerly aspect, it was decided to again try this method.

Some gal vani sed wire was removed from small sections i n areas 9, 10 and 11. These areas appeared to be showing zinc toxicity on native species. These areas were reseeded and fertilized, mulched.

Old hay was used on these areas. The hay was not spread in 1975/76 because of early snowfalls . It had been covered with snow for 6-8 months, was wet and very difficult to spread .

Old hay bei ng loaded for spreadi ng.

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Small areas where galvanised wire was removed, seeded, fertilized and mulched with old hay.

The upper section of the spur ridge was refertilized. This section was initially treated in 1974/75. There has been a very good re~invasion of the eroded pavement by Neopaxia and Senecio lautus. However, there is a poor establishment of exotic grasses and clovers. These species are necessary to provide primary stabilisation to ensure a continuing recolonising by the native speci es .

Eroded pavement treated 1974/75.Refertilized 1976/77.

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Eroded pavement Mt. Twynam treated 1974/75.

Refertilized 1976/77. Note Senecio lautus foreground.

The access track from Mt. Twynam to Mt . Anderson was cross drained, where necessary, seeded, fertilized, hay mulched and tacked with bitumen. Previous experience with the Carruthers track would seem to indicate that native species will recolonise the track . However, it will be essential to refertilize the track for 2-3 years to ensure continuing stable conditions for the native species.

Carruthers access trac k treated with seed, fertilizer, hay and bitumen 1970/71 bei ng r ecoloni sed by nati ve species.

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Rock weirs built on Carru t her's Creek in 1966/70

Note growth of Neopaxia above and below weir.

Rock weirs on Carruther's Creek . Note Neopaxia growing down over weir .

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~LANT OPERATIO NS

The Cooma 040 tractor and driver were used to clear snow drifts . Two large snow drifts were encountered on the Bl ue Lake access track .

The Int erna tional 4x4 was not used to tra nsport materials from ~harlottes Pass to Mt . Twynam . All materia l s and la bour were transport ed Y t hree table-top Toyotas. These vehicles are quite sui t abl e and do not

cause excessive damage to the access t rack .

The National Parks and Wi l dl i f e Serv ice•s hel i copter was used fo r one day t o transport hay and bitumen f r om Rawson •s Pas s t o t he summit of Mr. Anderson . This operation was programmed i nt o t he Na tional Park• s wor ks programme.

The helicopter i s a Gazel l e 341Q and has an ext ernal sling load

capacity of 700 ki l ograms at sea l evel .

Sudden weather changes and low density atmo sphere make for

difficult operating conditions in the al pine area . There is a lot

of idle time . However, it does seem the helicopter would have

application for transport of material s to Mt . Anderson/Mt . Anton

next year . These materia l s would be required for maintenance of

previously treated eroded pavements and edges . It was noted during

the one day tria l that six men wou ld be required to l oad and unload .

Further four slings were requ i red for an efficient operation .

' LABOUR AND PERSO NN EL

Mr. P. Swain as Foreman f or the Summi t Area Wor ks Programme,

carried out his duties in a most efficient manner . His abil i ty to

organise the workforce and materials to successful conclusion

contributed greatl y to a very successfu l works season .

The l abouring force proved very satisfactory and the continued

empl oyment of students studyi ng agr i culture, forestry, economics and

environmental sciences is very satisfactory . Most of th i s year•s

workforce had previous ly worked in t he summit area . This experience

no doubt contributed to a high standard of work and output . A fu ll

team of twel ve was engaged on the Summi t Area Works Programme .

Summit Area Pers onnel 1976/77 . . . . . /9

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' \CtiMATIC CONDITIONS

Conditions ~ere very hot and dry for the al pine area with several recordings of 25~30 C, associated with the high temperature, there was a very dry period during January, February and March, when on ly 80 mm of rai·n was recorded .

These conditions lead to moisture stress . The dry, warm season appeared to favour the growth of Cocksfoot and Chewings fescue. Both species appeared to make sound growth.

· 'TRIALS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Investigations in the alpine area during the works programme

were concerned with the refertilisation and the continuation of the

tria l to record the rate of regeneration of native species .

The transects measuring the rate of regeneration of native

species were again photographed towards the end of the season .

. \VISITORS

On the 4th February, 1977 the Minister for Conservation the Hon. A.R.L. Gordon and the Hon. W.F. Crabtree, Minister for Lands inspected Soil Conservation activities in the Summit Area . The inspection proved to be instructive and informative for the inspecting party. In particular, it showed the degree of co-operation that has been achieved between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Soil Conservation Service and the Snowy t·1ountains Hydro-Electric Authority.

Other notable members of the inspecting party were:

Mr. J. Akister, M.L.A., Member for Monaro. Mr . G.H. Knowles, Commissioner, Soil Conservation Service. Mr. D. Johnstone, Director, National Parks and Wildlife

Service. Mr . O'Brien, Commissioner, Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric

Authority. Mr . N.A. Blake, Special Soil Conservationist (Works), Soil

Conservation Service . Mr . R. Dawson, Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority. Mr. J . Gallard, Kosciusko National Park Ranger . Mr. J. Robson, Kosciusko National Park Ranger .

On 28th February, four officers from the Soil Conservation

Authority of Victoria visited the alpine area . They inspected the

reclamation works that had been completed over a twenty year period .

GENERAL

Assistance from the staff of the Kosciusko Na tional Park was once agai n appreciated. In particular , t hanks is expressed to t he Superi ntendent for hi s co-operation in t he trial use of the helicopter in the matter of mater ial s handling . Thi s has enabled a forward planning programme for the coming season to be initiated .