This site on a steep slope was severely affected by fire. The Wattle trees on it were sensitive to fire and were all killed. For some reason there has been little regeneration of native species and the main thing that grew after the fire was blackberries. The Blackberries were successfully sprayed and their cover was dramatically introduced. However the bare soil provided an ideal opportunity for this Variegated Thistle to take over and spread. Rehabilitation of this site will be a slow process. The thistles have now been sprayed and native tubestock have been planted, but a long-term follow-up weeding program will have to occur to control the thistles and blackberry and allow the native vegetation to eventually again dominate the site.
Traralgon South and District Environmental Action 