Demonstrations Site – Gully Restoration

This site is all about restoring the vegetation in a steep gully that runs through a grazing property in the upper catchment of Flynn’s Creek and contains some remnant vegetation. The steep gully land has relatively low productivity; given its difficulty to manage and access it is also an area of the property that is vulnerable to erosion and weed infestations.  Fencing to exclude stock and re-vegetation of the cleared areas will have multiple environmental benefits and provide a valuable habitat link for scattered patches of remnant forest. The total area involves 1.3 ha and 2000 indigenous tube-stock plants are being used for the re-vegetation. It is anticipated that stock exclusion will also allow natural regeneration of plants from the pockets of remaining vegetation contained in the gully as well as from the newly planted species when they are established enough to start reproducing. Other native species will also be re-introduced to the site via movement of seed and spores.  There is a narrow stock crossing across the site where access can be gained to the other side of the gully; this will allow access for maintenance of the boundary fence-line and for weed control.

Demonstration Site – Landslip

Landslip demonstration site – dead burnt trees and high rainfall have contributed to a significant soil erosion event.

As part of this community environmental action project we are setting up demonstation sites to highlight some best practice action that community members can make. This project example involves stabilising a significant Landslip, which occurred on an area of steep grazing land, the only woody vegetation on the site was some large wattle trees that were killed in the fires and have not regenerated.  The slip occurred after some heavy winter rain fell on the fire damage landscape and the mass movement of soil move the landholder’s boundary fence out of alignment and caused the temporary closure of the adjacent road. Plantings of 1200 carefully selected native species and fencing of the site to exclude stock are actions taken to rehabilitate the site and stop further slippage and mass movement of the soil.

Landslip after planting – this landslip also occured on similar volcanic red soil, close to the other site. The picture was taken soon after it was fenced and planted out.

Landslips and Erosion Brochure

Landslips and Erosion Brochure

Click on the image to download a Pdf of the Landslips and Erosion information brochure produced by the Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network.

Managing Erosion

Landslip area before planting

The steep land in some parts of this district have always been vulnerable to erosion especially when the original forest vegetation has been cleared. Immediately following the bushfires soils were very exposed and with the lack of protection rainfall events caused extensive gully and streambank erosion. Wet seasons since 2009 have resulted in other issues particularly

Landslip fenced and re-vegetated

an increase in landslip activity. Many projects addressing erosion have been carried out by landholders since the fires, works have included fencing out and revegetation of waterways, planting trees on steep slopes and gullies as well as using logs and rocks to stablilise areas of extensive erosion. Your local Landcare group can provide advice and assistance if you have erosion issues that need addressing on your property. Phone 1300 094 262 for further information.

Landslips and Erosion

Creek fenced and re-vegetated