november 2025

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: 

Recent Events

UPMC Landcare rabbit control demonstration day

UPMC Landcare Group had a great day at their rabbit control demonstration day.
Neil Devanny from the Victorian Rabbit Action network ran the session. Neil’s depth of knowledge and experience was clear to everyone as he gave us a comprehensive understanding of the rabbit problem as well as how to manage it.
Some key points were:

• Rabbit Control needs to be a community wide effort, rabbits will continue to come in from neighbours properties even if they are under control on an individual landholding
• The foundation of control is removing burrows and warrens. Rabbit can’t breed if they dont have warrens. Destruction of warrens breaks the breeding cycle
• It is unlikely that rabbits will be totally eliminated from an area so it does require ongoing efforts
• Rabbits like cover to create their warrens. Things like wood or junk piles or large weed outbreaks such as blackberries provide a perfect place for rabbits to build their warrens.
• Baiting and shooting can reduce numbers but removal of the warrens has the most effect and should be the starting point

There were also a number of practical demonstrations including:

• Smoking to see which of the holes were connected
• Fumigation
• Two lots of warren ripping using an excavator
• Removal of mounds and weed cover
• Baiting techniques

The event was part of their Partnership against Pests program funded by the Victorian Government through Agriculture Victoria.

Beveridge Environment Group - Bird talk and walk

Eliza Lamb from Birdlife Australia delivered a wonderful talk to the Beveridge Environment Group about the Aussie Bird Count citizen science week, birds of the Beveridge area, and what we can do as a group and as individuals to protect and encourage native birds.    

We also participated in a very enjoyable bird survey around the Beveridge Golf Course and identified 33 different species of birds as part of the Aussie Bird Count. Highlights were the Buff-banded Rail, Australian Reed Warbler, Superb Blue-wren, and Hoary-headed Grebe. See the full list here.

Some great photos attached from Paul Piko.

            

Hidden Valley Rail Reserve Ramble

Members of the Hidden Valley Environment Sub-committee recently had a very rewarding wildflower ramble along the Hidden valley rail reserve. 
                       

Coming Up

Weed and Pest Animal Control Courses

If you are looking to get on top of weeds or control animal pests on your property UPMC Landcare have two Accredited Courses for you.

Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (AQF3)
This course will teach you about the safe purchase, handling, planning and effective use of agricultural chemicals for weed control.
Saturday 8th November from 8.00am to 5.00pm 

Pest Animal Control - 1080 and PAPP Endorsement
This course will accredit you for the safe use of 1080 and PAPP baits to control rabbits and foxes. Sunday 9th November from 8.30am to 2.00pm.
More information and to register click here. 

Nest Box Building Workshop

Come along to the Wallan Environment Group's free workshop and learn how to build a nesting box for wildlife. Building materials generously provided by Bunnings Craigieburn. 

Saturday 29th November 10am – 12pm Wallan Scout Hall 26 Windham St, Wallan.

More information and to register click here.

November Merri bird outings

You’re invited to join one of the next Friends of Merri Creek bird outings. Beginner-birders are welcome, as well as experienced birders. Bring binoculars if you have them, and closed-in footwear, sun hat or raingear if necessary, and drinking water. No dogs, please. Keep an eye out for snakes, especially if walking through grass near water.

Sunday 9th November
Galada Tamboore: Meet in Hatty Court, Campbellfield.
galgi ngarrk (Craigieburn Grasslands): Meet at the O'Herns Road gate off Hume Highway, Somerton. Note this survey will start at 8.45am and finish around 12 noon. Please contact the survey leader to register beforehand, and receive important information about galgi ngarrk and any last-minute changes: Bridget Gardner: 0417 519 251 or   

Sunday 16th November - from 8:45 to 10:30am  
bababi marning (Cooper St Grasslands): Meet in Cooper St service lane, just west of St George Chaldean Catholic Centre, Cooper St, Campbellfield.

Please don’t attend if you're feeling unwell and have any cold or flu-like symptoms.
At all times, children must be under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian.

galgi ngarrk (Craigieburn Grassland) – Walk & Talk

‍When: 10am - 12pm, Sunday 9th November
Explore galgi ngarrk and Curly Sedge Creek, and learn about the rare and threatened species that inhabit this unique location.

Booking essential HERE.

Meeting point: at the end of O’Herns Rd Somerton, off Sydney Rd (the reserve can only be accessed via Sydney Rd, not via Hume Fwy). 
Funded by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

Funding Opportunities

Melbourne Water Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program 

These grants, open all-year around, fund projects and longer term partnerships that provide value to Melbourne Water and the community by aligning with at least one of the following themes:

• Connected habitat and catchments
• Integrated water management (IWM) enablers
• Science, innovation and technology
• Liveable cities

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.