an update in the fight against wandering trad

My thanks to Bill Incoll (Friends of Sherbrooke Forest) for providing this update, Bill has been tireless in his pursuit to rid the Dandenongs of Wandering Trad - Tradescantia fluminensis. Thanks also to Glenn Brooks-McMillan (Community Weed Action of the Dandenongs) and Anne Fitzpatrick (Yarra Ranges Landcare Network) who had a hand in preparing this summary update.

Regular readers of my blog will recall an earlier article detailing the call for research into a biological control for this weed nasty, ranked 10 in Yarra Ranges.

Wandering Trad forms a smothering carpet, it displaces
indigenous ground covers, herbs, grasses and orchids.
It is a common cause of rashes in dogs and is toxic
to cattle.

Funding has been found to start the battle with Tradescantia fluminensis (Wandering Trad). A recent Research Update provided by the Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) and CSIRO has provided the following news.

An application to the Australian Weeds Committee to have Wandering Trad (Trad) a target for biological control has been prepared and is being considered by the Committee.

While the application is being approved, testing of biological control agents can begin, provided this is done under safe quarantine conditions. Two agents, an insect and a fungal pathogen, are being imported from New Zealand. The fungal pathogen has already been imported and is currently in the quarantine facility with CSIRO in Canberra.

The insect, Lema basicostata, attacks the stem of the plant and greatly reduces the biomass of the plant. It has already been released in New Zealand and is successfully attacking Trad in the wild. It spreads by natural increase and will reduce the volume of weed until a natural balance is achieved that maintains a population of insects and a low biomass of Trad.
 

The fungus, Kordyana sp, (Brazilian yellow leaf spot fungus) attacks the leaves. The spores are spread by wind, much more quickly than the insect. This agent also has the potential to reduce Trad biomass to a low level.

The biocontrols will be tested on Australian native plant species likely to be affected, under strict quarantine conditions. DEPI will work on the insect, and CSIRO the fungus.

The first year of a three year program has been funded from State and Federal sources. Further funding must be found for two more years, leading to the safe release of up to four biocontrol agents.

In addition to the biological control program, Federal funding has been found to combat the spread and impact of Trad while the biological control program is carried out safely. These efforts will be concentrated where Trad is likely to affect rare or endangered species or communities in the Dandenong Ranges, on both private and public land.

It's great news and good to receive progress updates, it's a terrible weed which smothers everything else in its path and sadly is commonly found throughout the Dandenongs, especially along our waterways.

sherbrooke forest fun at lillydale lake

I had a terrific day with the Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts Founders Day at Lillydale Lake. An annual event, it gives young people from the hills the opportunity to experience a range of water events.

I had a great time exploring Lillydale Lake and the Olinda Creek with help from Phil, Leader with the Monbulk Group.

Particpants were treated to a range of activities including the water cannon, canoeing, balancing on the inflatable pier. The day included the rafting competition, fondly named "Slaughter on the Water".





Part of my official duties including handing out certificates of service to Leaders. It's terrific to be able to acknowledge the help of these committed volunteers.

Once again it was a great day out, the Sherbrooke Forest District has 11 scout groups and their participation rate across the hills is growing. I'm always impressed by their dedication to young people, providing them with opportunities to experience many things whilst building their life skills.

scouts out and about

It was terrific to be able to join the Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts at their Founders Day celebration at Lillydale Lake.

Scouts, young and old enjoyed a range of water activities including canoeing, water sports and water cannons. It's a terrific way for children to learn water skills in a safe and fun environment.

The Sherbrooke Forest District are starting a recruitment drive for new members, I was pleased to help them out with some funding from my community ward fund for advertising banners.

Pictured left to right: Kassy Drummond - Rover and Cub Scout Leader at Belgrave South, me and Deirdre Lancaster - District Commissioner with one of the new banners.

Mark Goodchild is passionate about Scouts and is the Water Activities Leader in the district.

Here's Mark with some novice canoeists on Lillydale Lake (I'm the one in front!).

The scouting movement provides young people with some great opportunities, to learn skills that will see them through life as well as making lasting friendships. I'm impressed by the passion shown by this dedicated group of volunteers, they're quite inspiring.

The day finished with all troupes on parade and the lowering of the flag.

scouting about

It was terrific to join with the Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts for their AGM and Presentation night for 2009/10.

Scout Leaders from across the region representing cubs, scouts, venturers and rovers came out to celebrate the past year of activities and achievements.

The Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts have had experienced some tremendous growth, across the district its been 7.9% compared with a state average of 3%. Its terrific to see children joining up for the scouting experience.

It was wonderful to join the celebration of the 25 year service award for District Leader Support, Denis Toogood. 25 years in a volunteer role is a wonderful contribution and Denis is certainly committed to the Scouts.

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The Chief Commissioner's award was handed out to the 1st Belgrave South, 1st Kallista, 1st Selby and 1st Upwey groups to recognise growth of greater than 10% in the last 12 months.

From left to right: Deirdre Lancaster - District Commissioner for the Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts, Cr Samantha Dunn - Lyster Ward and Michelle Thomas - Cub Scout Leader, 1st Belgrave South.

I was struck by the committment and dedication of all the people involved with the Sherbrooke Forest District Scouts. They are passionate about our young people and teaching them skills they can use throughout their life.

In the press – bushfire royal commission, fuel reduction burning

Fuel burn concerns

Mail Newspapers

by Tania Martin

03 Aug 2010

alleged arsonist caught in sherbrooke forest

On Friday police arrested a 26 year old man on four counts of lighting a fire in a national park, two counts of conduct endangering life and one count of failing to answer bail.

It was detestable to learn that this person allegedly has been deliberately lighting fires in the Dandenong Ranges. It is an abhorrent crime of which the consequences could be disastrous. Police did a great job of tracking the suspected arsonist, utilising 24 officers and a police helicopter, their commitment to finding the suspect unfailing. Their work was a great success with police nabbing the suspect who will appear at the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Monday (11/01).

It has been reported that the arrested man told the hearing at Belgrave Police Station that he was homeless and been suffering from illness for the past two months.

Although the alleged crime is heinous and reprehensible this leads to broader questions about how we as a society deal with factors that create a bushfire arsonist including the issues of homelessness and mental illness.

There is no doubt homeless people are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to accessing health care among many other things. Where are adequate support services for our homeless, where is appropriate funding for public housing, where is the coordinated effort across government to deal with homelessness? I could ask similar questions about our mental health system.

Clearly not all arsonists are homeless, indeed arson is a complex matter with many different factors at play, but there is no doubt we need better long term plans and strategies to ensure a healthy society. There are grave consequences to not adequately addressing mental health and homelessness in our community. The alleged lighting of fires in Sherbrooke Forest highlights the potential of some of these consequences.

Not only do we have to ensure that the police and our firefighters are properly resourced to deal with the issue of arson and that our communities are educated to adequately prepare and plan for a bushfire event, but we also need to take longer term action to ensure that arsonists do not flourish in our society.

I urge residents to be watchful, keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour and report it to the police.

what to do with the cockatoos?

Last Thursday’s public meeting to discuss cockatoo damage saw a huge community turn out, at last count it was 137 locals who took the time to attend. The crowd was a mix of residents whose houses/decks had been chewed, environmentalists who were concerned about the destruction to Sherbrooke Forest as well as the proprietors of Grant’s Picnic Ground Café.

Ian Temby, DSE’s cockatoo guru (aka: Senior Policy Officer Wildlife Damage Control Flora & Fauna Program), had much to say about this very intelligent bird.

I have long campaigned to try and change the laws in relation to feeding of wildlife, with cockatoos being top of the list. It was one of the first issues I raised when elected to council. In the past I have spoken and met with Parks Victoria and James Merlino (MP for Monbulk), but all to no avail. I welcome the reinvigorated debate about feeding cockatoos, perhaps this time government will listen and make the legislative changes required to stop this outmoded practice.

Ian’s key message was around the relationship of backyard feeding of cockatoos and how that impacts on local neighbourhoods. In the wild cockatoos need around 2 hours of foraging to get their fill of food, from a backyard feed they can get their fill in 15 minutes, this leaves cockatoos with a lot of spare time to wreak havoc.

I have long been concerned about feeding of all wildlife and Ian’s presentation confirmed my concerns. As a starting point the community needs to be aware of the impact feeding the birds has on their neighbours. I have asked the shire to start an education campaign so people know the impact of feeding, it’s not going to be easy, some people have been feeding birds for many, many years. In some cases it’s a tradition that’s been handed down from generation to generation. The difficulty will be further compounded by the fact that feeding of birds is allowed at Grant’s Picnic Ground, an activity that is supported by the state government, locked in by lease agreement until 2019! But knowing what we know today, it’s time to stop this outdated and obsolete practice.

Public meeting organiser, Kaz Mckay, asked people to write down the dollar value of damage to property caused by gnawing cockatoos, a total of 61 people had $240,000 of costs, that’s around $4,000 per property. The cost of damage to Sherbrooke Forest - how will we ever be able to quantify that?

I will also investigate whether there is any capacity under the nuisance provisions of the Health Act for enforcement action. Ian mentioned this is a possibility and I’m keen to see if this is an avenue the Shire could pursue.

If you want to help the cause write to your local MP, ask them to outlaw feeding of wildlife, tell them how it impacts on you and your environment, they need to hear your voice in order to act, make sure they do.