KONGWAK HILLS
- year formed: 2012
- MembersHIP: 33
- Plants in ground 2022/23: 35,800
- CHAIR: Grace Couchman
At the subsequent meeting on 17 June 2012, the group was officially named the Kongwak Hills Landcare Group, with the motto, “from backyard to bush”- the name intended to demonstrate that the group was desirous of embracing the Kongwak valley and hills and welcoming anyone interested in caring for our land and the environment. While membership numbers are currently small, it is hoped that through word of mouth, marketing and observable activities, membership will grow. The group felt it was important to ensure that membership is available to anyone with an interest in land care, whether or not they were a local landowner.
You can contact the group directly at [email protected] |
Become a member
Membership is $35 per household, per calendar year. Sign up or renew your membership here. Community planting days Join volunteers to get plants in the ground. Usually a morning session rewarded by a hearty lunch. Group projects and events Instigate a group project or help organise and carry out a speciality group event. Join or support the KHLG Committee Chairperson: Grace Couchman Secretary: Carolyn Charles Treasurer: Katie Davis BCLN Board Rep: Simon Richardson Attend meetings Held 4 times per year. Provide input, socialise, network. |
Do you have a project in mind for your property?
As a member of KHLG, core activities that Bass Coast Landcare Network can help fund are: • Revegetation • Remnant protection • Vegetation management courses • Waterway protection • ACUP courses • Targeted weed control • Pest animal management • Soil health projects Click here for more information. |
The Kongwak Hills Landcare Group has developed GPS track maps and an interactive tour of the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve which includes informative podcasts about it's history and the flora and fauna within the Reserve.
This data can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet and used while you explore the Reserve. Access the Interactive Tour On your device: 1. Download the Google Earth or Google Earth Pro app. 2. Download the interactive tour file - here. 3. Open the file in Google Earth or Google Earth Pro. 4. Explore! Track Maps Track maps can also be downloaded here. |
Kongwak Hills Landcare Group has had recent success in obtaining funding from Planet Ark and South Gippsland Shire Council grants to support it’s "Love your Reserve" project.
The project focuses on education, restoration and preservation of the Kongwak Pioneer Reserve, 41 hectares of significant remnant vegetation in the heart of Kongwak township and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, some threatened. In recent years, the Reserve has suffered the effects of "die-back" to it's vegetation and is in need of love from it’s community. Project events will coincide with "National Tree Day", kicking off with a Community Tree Planting Day within the Reserve on Sat 29 July. It will be celebrated with a “Bush Foods” feast for lunch, including Wolfgang’s renown gourmet sausages seasoned with bush herbs, native fruit and honey bliss balls and river mint tea. In conjunction with Kongwak Primary School’s “Sustainable Kongwak” program, KHLG will also host a planting event on Schools Tree Day and a further 3 educational workshops where students have the opportunity to gain an understanding and contribute to the sustained health of the Reserve. Workshops will involve indigenous plant propagation, learning about biodiversity and what makes a sustainable forest. KHLG is excited to create an opportunity to connect with the Kongwak community and further educate on this beautiful and significant place in it's "backyard". Thank you to the Kongwak CFA and other local brigades that undertook the cool burn to help prepare planting sites. Project supported by: 2022/2023 South Gippsland Shire Community Grants Program and Planet Ark Seedling Bank. |
Design
6 box designs based on those by Maffra & District Landcare Network and East Gippsland Landcare Network. (Download pdf file here). Targeted species: Crimson Rosella, Spotted Pardalote, Kreff’s Glider, Kookaburra, Owlet Nightjar, Treecreeper. Construction 120 boxes constructed by Wonthaggi Men’s Shed and painted by KHLG members. Installation Bass Coast Tree Care installed boxes 3-4m from ground, in upper-story species of vegetation. Education Educational presentations by: Dallas Wyatt - local bird expert Jane Taylor - Environmental Educator Gio Fitzpatrick - award-winning Naturalist, environmental activist and nest box designer Monitoring Periodic inspections of nesting boxes with monitoring equipment and birdlife surveys carried out by Jane Taylor. Equipment purchase 2 cameras on telescopic poles. Cameras connect wirelessly to smart device for live-view and image capture. |
Walking track development
Construction of additional walking tracks by the Green Army and BCLN works crew, created links to all tracks within the Reserve. Picnic tables and benches installed. Interactive Tour Working with Drift Media, KHLG recorded a number of informative podcasts about the history and the flora and fauna within the Reserve. This has been complied as an interactive geotour that can be used while exploring the Reserve. Access the tour here. Signage Educational paddles and directional signage within the Reserve has been developed and installed. Preservation Weed maintenance, burns and revegetation planting has been conducted to preserve significant flora and fauna. Promotion Creation of a logo and Facebook page to raise awareness of the Reserve. Project partners South Gippsland Shire Council Kongwak Community Group Kongwak CFA Bass Coast Landcare Network |
Kongwak Hills Landcare Group works with landholders, organisations and the community to support revegetation projects by coordinating the volunteer support to get plants in the ground!
Community planting days usually involve a morning of “planting out” a prepared revegetation site, followed by a social gathering over a meal afterward. The “planting season” takes place over the cooler months, June - September. Equipment used includes:
Indigenous Plants Propagated by local nurseries. Individually potted tubestock or Hico trays of 40 plants. Tubestock is usually laid out where it is to be planted. Hico plants are “popped” from trays and carried in buckets. Planters Hamilton and/or Pottiputki (to suit tubestock type). Tree guards Site and funding specific. Used to deter rabbits, wallabies, etc. Protective gear Gloves, sturdy footwear, rain and wind protection. |
Creek Crossings
I have two creek crossings as part of my revegetation of Molloco Creek, which flows across the back of the farm. In wet years, the creek level rises considerably, up to 2 metres from its “seasonal” level. This poses a challenge for fencing that is perpendicular to the creek bed. A traditional fence in this situation will be destroyed as a result of the build-up of debris against the wires crossing the creek, with posts likely to be pulled out of the ground and so on. My solution was to hang aluminium channelling from an overhead wire across the creek, which was then attached to the electric fence. When a “flood” comes down, the debris has nothing to build up against, and the fence lines aren’t impacted. Given the swift rising and falling of the creek water level, the times the electric fence is shorted by the aluminium channelling coming into contact with the creek water are relatively brief. Between December and June, I also add a temporary “hot” wire across the creek, just to ensure stock don’t walk up the creek bed and try and get through the aluminium “barrier”. |
Bill's solution to fencing creek crossings on his property.
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Continual Increase in Flora and Fauna
The increase in birdlife over the years has been amazing, and a joy to behold. After nearly 15 years I’m still seeing new bird species taking up residence in the revegetated areas. The same goes for flora. It took about five years before I noticed ferns beginning to re-establish along the creek, and this year I’ve noticed native ground cover plants starting to appear as well. Given half a chance, nature will get on with the job of repairing our environment. |
Other Impacts
Apart from the obvious improvement in the natural habitat as a result of planting out areas to native vegetation, the existence of these areas provides shelter and shade for stock in adjacent paddocks. The presentation of the property is improved out of sight. A well vegetated property sells itself! I argue that if no other idea in favour of revegetating appeals to a land holder, appeal to self-interest. Revegetation is an investment that earns a return, not a cost that reduces income. |
"Revegetation is an investment that earns a return, not a cost that reduces income."
In 2000, I purchased a 32 ha. valley of ‘blue gum country’ at the top of the Powlett River catchment, in South Gippsland.
The native floral biodiversity included six mature eucalypts, some declining mature blackwoods, silver wattles, and a few native grasses along the tracks. The fauna consisted of quails, magpies, kookaburras, some migratory birds, a few reptiles and frogs, the Giant Gippsland worms on south and east facing slopes, burrowing crayfish, loads of eels in the dams, foxes and one hare. The Gippsland forest had been cleared in the late 1800’s and the land used for dairy farming then as grazing for young heifers. In 2000, it had few weeds - blackberries, thistles, some ragwort and boxthorn in a steep gully, and some mature pine trees, weeping willows and five |
"Springbank" transition 2000-2023.
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Landcare contributed over 43,000 tubestock consisting of 64 locally sourced indigenous flora species
16 ha. of revegetation will be covenanted by Trust for Nature
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As with all revegetation, weed management is an issue but as the tree canopy closes over, the only pest issues continue to be the garden escapee ‘Forget Me Nots’ (Myosotis scorpioides), the blackberries bought in by the birds, and the foxes which live under them. The perimeter fences need regular upkeep in order to exclude the livestock, as trees regularly fall across them.
Over 64 species of resident and migratory birds are regularly observed including some less common species. There are eastern grey kangaroos, black wallabies, echidnas, possums, wombats, migratory koalas, microbats, various snakes, skinks, frogs, lizards, and numerous bugs and insects. The Trust for Nature (TFN) is in the process of covenanting 16 ha. of revegetation containing the Giant Gippsland Earthworms to protect this habitat in perpetuity. They have also replaced and repaired the perimeter fencing and carried out woody and herbaceous weed control. I retain ownership of the land and have formulated a management plan in consultation with the TFN for the covenanted land. |
Landcare have installed a number of nesting boxes in the trees for native birds and animals to use as the trees will take many years to develop nesting hollows.
The original eucalypts have been incorporated into the revegetation or have been fenced out of the paddocks. I still raise and fatten beef cattle at low stocking rates and will continue to do so into the future. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to re-establish a small microcosm of the magnificent Gippsland forest that once stood here. Libby Lambert - "Springbank", Bena |
"Springbank" is home to many species of wildlife.
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KHLG NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be: Wednesday 30 October - 1 PM Online via Zoom. For more information or to RSVP email: [email protected] Also, save the date for our End of Year Break up BBQ and final meeting for 2024: Saturday 23 November - 4 PM |
FIRE WISE PROJECT COMMUNITY PLANTING
Bass Coast Landcare Network are hosting a community tree planting day at the property of our members Carolyn and Serge: Thursday 26 September - 10AM - 2PM The event is a part of the ‘Promoting and demonstrating Fire Wise planning and implementation in the Bass Coast’ project. Joining on the day will be the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation who will welcome us onto country with a smoking ceremony. Biosecurity measures will be in place on the day. Please ensure your vehicles and footwear are clean prior to arriving at the property. Due to limited parking space, it would be much appreciated if you could carpool to the planting if possible. Date: Thursday 26th September 2024 Time: 10am – 2pm Venue: Address details provided upon confirmation of RSVP Catering: Lunch provided by landholder What to Bring: Gumboots or sturdy footwear, gloves, water bottle and wet weather gear if rain is forecast. RSVP: [email protected] |
KHLG MEMBERSHIP
New Members and Membership Renewal
KHLG manages new memberships and renewals through our website. We accept payment via deposit into our Bendigo Bank account - you can do so in branch or via EFT online. To join or renew and for more information click here. INDIGENOUS PLANTS
FIRE WISE
Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife's Fire Wise project: information about the project.
Lakes Entrance Community Landcare Group's Green Fire-walls project:
Read about the project here and videos here. Download fact sheets for Shelterbelt design here and Garden design here. Fire Wise Plant Species List: download Bass Coast Landcare Network's plant species list here.
GIO FITZPATRICK
Gio has provided the below resources to support his "Homes for Wildlife" presentation: Noisy Miner Story Glider Excluders Mistletoe restoration Presentation Slides |
GIPPSLAND BIRDLIFE
Handy links:
Birdlife Australia: bird information website and app Ebird: bird information website and app Xeno canto: bird call database website The Australian Bird Guide (Second Edition): field guide book/hardcopy Morcombe's Birds of Australia: field guide app Beginner's Guide to Bird Watching and ID: webinar from Birdlife Australia Local plants to encourage birds:
Prickly Moses, Hazel Pomaderris, Narrow-leaf Peppermint (E. radiata), Messmate Gum (E. obliqua), Manna Gum (E. viminalis), Lomandra, Dianella, Hop Goodenia. ON FARM
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Did you know... many of our native animals rely on tree hollows for their survival? To put a number on it, nearly 20 per cent of bird species, nearly 30 per cent of reptiles and almost 50 per cent of mammals! Hollows form in mature trees such as eucalypts, taking a minimum of 80-120 years to be habitable (or even hundreds of years for large hollows). However, as these trees are removed across the landscape, homes for these animals are becoming few and far between. Take a look around your neighbourhood - how many homes you can spot? If there are few, there are ways to help... |
About our Boxes
We are now excited to offer wildlife nesting boxes for purchase! This was inspired by our 2021 project "Kongwak Hills homes for wildlife – Engaging Volunteers in Citizen Science" which saw 120 nesting boxes installed over 13 Kongwak properties - read more here. Our boxes are made sturdy and non-toxic from recycled hardwood and are supplied raw, so you can choose to paint or leave them natural. There are currently 5 designs on offer, based on those of the Maffra & District Landcare Network and East Gippsland Landcare Network - see here. Once an order is placed and payment taken, we have our local Men's Shed set to work to expertly construct them. Due to the hand-made nature and recycled materials used, each box will be unique, varying in dimensions, shading, construction technique. |
Price = $66 per box (inc GST)
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EMAIL If you'd like to know more about Kongwak Hills Landcare Group or get in contact: [email protected] |
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Contribute to your landscape
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