november 2023

From the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator

Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator and the Merri Creek Management Committee. Please find below information on local initiatives, opportunities and funding.

To subscribe see link below.

If you would like to share photos, events, updates and projects through the Upper Merri Landcare News. Please email through your submissions to: chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Recent events

Landcare Rabbit Control Workshop

On Saturday 14th October Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) ran a very informative session on how to implement an effective rabbit control program and the various control techniques that can be applied on your property. 

Salient points from the workshop were:

• Eliminating rabbits must be a coordinated action, involving community collaboration.
• Monitor to establish the extent of the rabbit problem. RabbitScan is a free resource for landholders and Landcare groups to record rabbit activity, impacts or control activities.
• Baiting to effectively and efficiently reduce rabbit numbers.
• For lasting control destroy all burrows and warrens.

Anthony Rutter from the Mt. Sugarloaf Hunt Club also spoke about managing rabbits using ferrets.
The workshop will be followed up next year by a field day demonstrating the various rabbit management techniques.
More information about controlling rabbits can be found here.

Wallan Environment Group - Wildflower Walk

On Sunday 24th September WEG held a very well attended wildflower walk along the Hidden Valley Rail Reserve and were treated to a wonderful display of wildflowers and other native plants.

The walk was a great chance for people to see and learn about the wildflowers and rare flora found in this significant area of vegetation, and hear how the reserve could become a lasting recreational asset for the whole community.

New environment-landcare group for Hidden Valley

Two community meetings have been held recently to gauge what interest there is in forming a new environmental or urban landcare volunteer group for the Hidden Valley area.

The final formation of the group is still to be decided and further consideration will be done by interested residents about whether the group could be a stand-alone group or a sub-group of the Wallan Environment Group (WEG) at the next community meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 29th November at the Hidden Valley Resort. All welcome.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend the meeting please contact the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator, Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or email chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Coming up

Landcare farm dam planting activity - Wednesday 22nd November 

If anyone has an hour or two to spare on Wednesday morning 22nd November and is keen to do some planting we would love to have your help.
UPMC Landcarer David Markham has 200 sedges and aquatic plants to plant around his dam at 60 Clarkes Rd Upper Plenty.
Dave has fenced the dam off from his stock and the planting will help to increase aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and habitat, and improve the water quality in his dam.

We will start at 10am and should be finished in a couple of hours.
Lunch provided.
All the tools will be supplied and spare gloves if you need them. Rubber gloves and gum boots will be handy for people planting the aquatic plants.

To RSVP please contact the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator, Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or email chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group - Annual General Meeting

When: 6.30pm Wednesday 15th November at 'The Shack' 1240 Wallan Rd Upper Plenty.
With a presentation on Local Wildlife by Landcare Facilitator Chris Cobern
Followed by chance to socialise and catch up with drinks, supper and free tree give away. 
To RSVP - UPMC Landcare Group Secretary: secretary.upmclg@gmail.com

Wallan Environment Group - Annual General Meeting

When: Sunday 12th November 10:00am at 1395 Old Sydney Rd Wallan.
At the AGM, the proposal to expand the interests of WEG to possibly include both the public and private land in Hidden Valley will be discussed and voted on.
This will require a name change. Wallan Urban Landcare Group has been suggested.
To RSVP contact Claudia James - cjdart@bigpond.com

Landcare Plan for Victoria 2023-2033 - Launch Event

When: Monday 20 November 11am-12pm
Landcare Victoria is excited to announce the launch of the landcare movement’s inaugural Landcare Plan for Victoria 2023-2033: ‘Empowering Landcare Communities: Partners in Climate Action, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture’. After 16 months of listening, robust discussions, testing drafts with the landcare community and its partners, this Plan truly represents the views and aspirations of the Victorian landcare community and the stakeholders who support us.

The Plan outlines the collective goals and priorities of landcare community for the next decade and highlights the key actions and areas where support is needed to achieve these outcomes. It also provides a united voice and future vision for landcare in Victoria. LVI extends a warm invitation to all our members, stakeholders, and partners to join us online at the Landcare Plan Launch event.
For details and registration click here.

Birds of Merri Creek Calendar 2024

Local photographer, Adi Tudor, has created her fourth wonderful Birds of Merri Creek calendar and is once again generously donating half the profits to the Merri Creek Environment Fund. This beautiful A4 portrait size calendar features thirteen photos of birds from along Merri Creek and is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. It also includes the dates of next year's Friends of Merri Creek BirdWatch Surveys.

This is an ideal Christmas present for $30.00 (includes FREE local delivery) or $36.70 (incl. postage).
Order from the Friends of Merri Creek on-line shop, which also has other Merri Creek gifts, but be quick, as numbers are limited.

Funding & grants

Melbourne Water Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program

These Melbourne Water grants are open all-year around.
Eligible activities include weed removal, revegetation, erosion control, signage, habitat creation, stormwater management, fencing, irrigation plans, farm layout design and more.
Individual landholders encouraged to find out more here.