LANDCARE AND EMERGENCY RECOVERY - A community response to drought Landcare-led fire recovery Cultural burning lessons - Landcare Victoria
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V I C TO R I A N
Winter 2020 Issue 78 & C AT C H M E N T M A N A G E M E N T
LANDCARE AND EMERGENCY RECOVERY
A community response to drought
Landcare-led fire recovery
Cultural burning lessons
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 1
Victorian Landcare and
Catchment Management
WINTER 2020 Issue 78
Contents
04 Community grows together after Bunyip fires
The active involvement of Landcare after the March 2019 Bunyip fires
helped individuals to cope physically and emotionally and ensured biodiversity
was prioritised as the community planned for recovery.
06 Act quickly – a fire recovery lesson from South West Goulburn
The South West Goulburn Landcare Network has been affected by two fire
events since 2009 and the response to them was very different.
08 Landcare-led recovery after the 2014 Mickleham-Kilmore fire
Landcare played a critical role in natural resource management and
16
demonstrated its relevance to the local community after fires swept through
the Mickleham-Kilmore area in 2014.
planting
e rt a k in g some 12 A community response to drought in Millewa-Carwarp
w und und
DEP cre s tubestock aro cecourse.
Kerang ig e n o u a n d ra Working from the old lawn tennis club rooms at Cullelleraine, the
ind rve
of native recreation rese Millewa-Carwarp Community Group has volunteered thousands of hours to
e r
Gunbow meet with politicians, government agencies, local council and other beneficial
parties to assist its local community struggling with the recent drought.
14 Spreading the lesson of cultural burning
ib Wettenhall reports on an Aboriginal-style cultural burn organised by the
G
Wooragee Landcare Group in autumn 2019 where fire is treated as an agent of
renewal.
20 Collaboration the key to network response in the South West
After the 2018 St Patrick’s Day fires the Heytesbury District Landcare Network
learnt that no script or policy applies to how Landcare should respond in the post
fire period – each fire emergency is unique.
24 Landmate prisoners provide valuable support to landholders
20
Prisoners from the Landmate Environment Program have been trained to support
farmers with recovery works and assist with restoring the environment after
natural disasters.
and taking
e team testing
The collaborativ Lake Cobrico, 26 Around the State
d soil samples on
wa ter an g Crawford,
ael Davies, Dou Find out what’s happening in Landcare across Victoria.
from left, Mich ic.
d Nerissa Lovr
Bindi Hunter an
© State of Victoria (Department of Environment, Disclaimer
Land, Water and Planning) 2020 This publication may be of assistance to you but the
State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use other consequence which may arise from you relying
the work under that licence, on the condition that you on any information in this publication.
credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not Editorial Committee
apply to any images, photographs or branding, including Tracey Koper Victorian Catchment Management Council,
the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo Susi Johnson Landcare Victoria Incorporated, Tess Grieves
and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and North Central CMA, Angela Snowdon Landcare Australia,
Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit Alan Morton Landcare Victoria Incorporated, John
22
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/au/deed.en Robinson DELWP and Carrie Tiffany Editor.
ISSN 1327 5496 (Print)
Editorial contributions
ISSN 2207 3396 (PDF)
Carrie Tiffany Email: editorviclandcare@gmail.com
Accessibility
If you would like to receive this publication in an Cover photograph
Farideh Lashkary with a rake hoe soon after the
An endangered butte alternative format, please telephone the DELWP
rfly orchid (Sarcochilus Customer Service Centre on 136 186, email February 2014 fire at her and John Robinson’s
australis) flowering aft property at Bylands. Photograph by John Robinson.
er the 2019 Bunyip cel.hub@delwp.vic.gov.au, or via the National
fire. Relay Service on 133 677 www.relayservice.com.au.
This document is also available on the internet at
www.landcarevic.org.au/landcare-magazine/
2 | victorian landcare and catchment management
From the Minister
The first half of 2020 has presented appropriate support and job security while enhance habitat values along Bendigo
multiple challenges for Victorians. This we work through the broader impacts of Creek while minimising the fire risk.
summer’s bushfires devastated not only the current situation in the coming months.
A number of stories in this issue of
property and lives, but also our wildlife and
This will also enable the Victorian Landcare the magazine touch on the important
biodiversity. As our communities began
Program to run an Expression of Interest role recovery work plays in enhancing
their recovery, coronavirus (COVID-19)
process later this year for Landcare and the mental health and wellbeing of
struck, compounding the strain for many.
environmental volunteer groups and communities affected by fire and drought.
The Victorian Government is still networks who would like to employ a The Heytesbury Landcare Network led
supporting the bushfire recovery, while Landcare facilitator from 1 January 2021. a collaborative approach after the March
working hard to help Victorians stay safe
This is part of a suite of recommendations 2019 fires burnt more than 24,000 hectares
and well.
the Victorian Government is implementing of the south west. The network worked
Our Landcare and environmental following the 2019 independent Victorian across organisational and geographic
groups and networks play a vital role in Landcare Facilitator Program Review to boundaries and with government agencies
the recovery of our landscapes and of improve the program starting next year. for the benefit of landholders, producing
our communities post-bushfires. The some great outcomes.
knowledge and connections members In this issue of the magazine we feature
some inspiring stories about how By working together to help the land
share help them respond quickly and and our biodiversity recover, we are
effectively following bushfires. These Landcare groups and networks deal with
strengthening communities. The bonds
groups and networks, largely made up emergencies, such as fire and drought.
that have developed are also helping
of volunteers, play an important role for Landcare members also talk about the
these communities cope in the current
Victoria’s unique biodiversity, but also for innovative ways they have adapted to a
circumstances.
local communities. changed world.
We are continuing to back Landcare and The Northern Bendigo Landcare Group
environmental volunteer groups and tells its story of losing a decade’s work
networks through these challenging times restoring the Creekline Grassy Woodland
by extending funding for existing Victorian habitat within Huntly Streamside Reserve The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio
Landcare Facilitators until the end of the to bushfire in January. In the aftermath,
Minister for Energy, Environment and
year. This is an important decision that the group has collaborated with Parks
Climate Change
ensures the groups and the Landcare Victoria to replant. They and the Huntly
facilitators themselves are given the Fire Brigade are working on how to Minister for Solar Homes
Advice for volunteers on coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Victorian Landcare Program staff at and the environment, and we are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
DELWP urges you to continue to follow cautiously welcoming the easing of document to provide some suggestions
public health measures and stay informed restrictions whilst being urged to about what you could do under the
through the Department of Health and remain vigilant and ensure everyone’s current public health measures.
Human Services (DHHS) website. DHHS safety. As volunteers and members The FAQs are on the Landcare Gateway
have released a factsheet for Victorian of community organisations you are at www.landcarevic.org.au (News).
volunteers DHHS Volunteer Factsheet. resilient and adaptable, and together
we will get through this challenging time. Stay safe,
We know that environmental
volunteering and Landcaring are great DELWP’s Landcare and Community Victorian Landcare Program staff –
ways to stay connected with people Programs staff have prepared a DELWP
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 3
Community grows together after
Bunyip fires By Marijke de Bever-Price, Bronwyn Fleming and Kirsten Leiminger
In March 2019 the Bunyip complex bushfire consumed 15,000 hectares of Bunyip State Park and
properties south of the park from Tynong North in the west through to Tonimbuk in the east.
Pam Cunningham, Secretary of the her home at Cannibal Creek near the foot A committed community volunteer
Cannibal Creek Catchment Landcare of Mt Cannibal, Pam put the call out to involved in the local Cannibal Creek
Group (CCCLG), coordinated the first volunteer groups to clean up fence lines, Reserve Committee, Friends of Mt
working bees while the fires were still chainsaw felled trees, replant vegetation Cannibal and CCCLG, Gary found himself
smouldering. In the year since the fires, and construct deer fencing to protect struggling to cope with the emotions of
which impacted 300 properties around remnant vegetation. anger and frustration at the loss. The
turning point came when Pam Cunningham
Using well-established community
arranged 45 volunteers including the
networks, Pam has coordinated more than
Western Port Intrepid Landcare Group to
200 volunteers who contributed 1300
help Garry’s family clear up the paddocks.
hours to help her community recover.
Like many of her fellow volunteers, Pam Recovery groups a voice for
is caring, eager and has extraordinary community
organisational abilities. Garry is now a member of the local
community recovery committee – a group
Fellow resident Garry Burns saved his
of fire-affected residents who act as an
home from the fire but lost his machinery
important voice for the wider community.
shed, hay shed, fencing and cattle run.
local
Pam Cunningham, a stalwart in the
com mun ity, in fron t of one of the few
property.
remaining gums on her fire-ravaged
Fort unat ely, the hous e was save d.
Like many of her fellow
volunteers, Pam is caring,
eager and has extraordinary
organisational abilities.
Garry Burns with his burnt-out tractor at Garfield North. The view behind him is of Mt Cannibal
where some severe hot spots will need planting out. The community rallied around Garry after the
fire and helped him to carry on.
4 | victorian landcare and catchment management
Resilience can be hard
to find after such an
overwhelming emergency,
but our community has
demonstrated it in spades.
A burnt truck in Tynong North sits in green grass – a reminder of the fires.
Armed with his understanding of how the Cardinia Shire, Baw Baw Shire, Melbourne 300 kilometres of burnt fencing wire and
community, standing side by side, helped Water, Agriculture Victoria, DELWP and reinstate 130 kilometres of fencing on
him to cope physically and emotionally, Parks Victoria came together weekly. fire-affected properties.
Garry coordinated a planting day to This group evolved into the Natural
Jim Armstrong from Labertouche
revegetate the historic Garfield North Environment Recovery Subcommittee,
Landcare Group was another community
Outdoor Education Centre. feeding valuable information into the
member who gave his all to fire recovery.
regional recovery arrangements. The
The nectar feeder garden planting day was Jim worked on 10 local properties for
subcommittee has delivered community
widely supported by local organisations 10 months using his tractor to shift burnt
workshops and information to support
including Western Port Landcare timber, remove wire and clear fence lines.
weed control, fencing, shelterbelt design,
Catchment Network, CCCLG and Jim also organised a dozen volunteers from
soil health and landscaping for fire.
Cardinia Shire Council. The day brought Labertouche Men’s Shed to build wildlife
more than 100 volunteers and community Biodiversity features in recovery nest boxes, letterboxes and even a carport
members together to revegetate the land Involvement on the subcommittee by grass for a local in need.
in a symbolic gesture of recovery and roots volunteer groups such as CCCLG
The fire was and continues to be
regrowth. The day was nominated for and Bunyip Landcare Group (BLG) had
devastating for many. It has had an
Cardinia Shire’s event of the year. enabled them to secure funding from
emotional impact that will linger.
DELWP under the Biodiversity Response
Marianne Sawyer, Cardinia Shire’s The recovery work and local community
Planning process to allow the Cardinia
Biodiversity Officer and Vice President involvement will continue for the next
Creek Catchment Biodiversity Project to
of the Yarra Valley Equestrian Landcare 12-18 months and beyond, as needed.
continue with weed control, pest animal
Group, was one of the volunteers that Resilience can be hard to find after such
control, revegetation and fencing over the
answered Pam’s call to help clean up an overwhelming emergency, but our
next 18 months.
Garry’s property. While helping, Marianne community has demonstrated it in spades.
recognised many landowners lacked the Sue Anderson from BLG is an active Through working together to support
knowledge needed to help their land member of the subcommittee. Sue has each other there is hope that both
recover from the fires. Marianne used championed research into shelterbelt properties and the local environment
her networks to pull together a group design to reduce bushfire risk and trials will recover.
of experts from both government and of cultural burning. Sue also supported
Bronwyn Fleming is Emergency
volunteer organisations to facilitate a her husband, John Anderson, in
Management Recovery Officer for Cardinia
coordinated approach to community coordinating a BlazeAid camp at Bunyip.
Shire, Kirsten Leiminger is Communications
information and resources.
John worked tirelessly, often up to 14 Recovery Officer for Cardinia Shire and
The experts, which included members hours a day, seven days a week to manage Marijke de Bever-Price is President of
from local Landcare groups, the VFF, Port and coordinate 600 BlazeAid volunteers the Western Port Catchment Landcare
Phillip and Westernport CMA, Western over five months. The volunteers assisted Network. For more information email
Port Catchment Landcare Network, more than 170 landholders clean up Marijke at outcon.outlook.com
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 5
Act quickly – a fire recovery lesson
from South West Goulburn By Sonia Sharkey
South West Goulburn Landcare Network
(SWGLN) is an alliance between eight
Landcare groups operating in the
catchments running from the Great Dividing
Range to the Goulburn River near Seymour.
We have been affected by two fire events
since 2009 and our response to them has
been very different.
With 450,000 hectares burnt, the Black
Saturday fires on 7 February 2009 left a
swathe of death and destruction and a
community reeling in its wake. Sunday Creek
Dry Creek Landcare Group obtained funding
shortly after the fires to start critical works
protecting waterways and dams with rice Volunteers from the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group and local Strath Creek fencing contractor
straw. Demonstration days were held to Steve Joblin (kneeling) helping to fence a fire damaged property at Willowmavin in May 2014.
show how the rice straw should be placed
to reduce debris and sediment washing into Our next major emergency event was the then Victorian Landcare Program staff from
waterways. Approximately 16 months after Kilmore-Mickleham fires on 9 February DELWP loaded them on to the Landcare
the fires SWGLN obtained a large amount of 2014. More than 23,000 hectares were Gateway for open access. All of the groups
funding to do the on-ground works needed. burnt along with 18 houses, many in the alliance were able to add their logos
outbuildings and stock. Thankfully there and include critical local information for
A series of fire recovery workshops
was no loss of human life. The difference landholders. Having targeted, relevant
were held and various companies sent
this time was a community determined to and practical notes for landholders was an
volunteers to assist with planting and
bounce back quickly and not be defined important part of the recovery process.
fencing days. This helped the landholders
by the fire. By 13 February SWG Landcare
impacted by the fire to get back to some had organised a meeting of all of the The uptake of landholders involved in the
sort of normalcy. Overall a large number agencies involved in fire recovery. recovery phase nearly doubled from 2009.
of works were completed throughout the In 2014 we were able to involve 42 per
region with a positive outcome, but they SWG Landcare came up with strategies cent of landholders in the recovery phase.
had a very slow start. for what needed to be done to achieve
better outcomes. These included working SWG Landcare’s fire recovery lessons:
Although all fire-affected landholders were with the neighbouring Upper Deep Creek • Beon ground as soon as possible and
eventually contacted, only 23 per cent Landcare Network and natural resource when safe to do so, to provide critical
responded and many were angry at the management agencies to take landholders community support and assistance.
late offer of assistance. More than one through the various steps for rebuilding in an
person asked what had taken so long. • An expression of interest form sent by
organised manner. An 18-month program
of information sessions, workshops and field mail was an effective way of making
Some of our Landcare members produced contact with people affected by the fire.
days commenced within weeks of the fire.
detailed notes on the recovery process
SWG Landcare quickly updated its Landcare • Promise only what you can deliver.
that were used locally but were forgotten
over time. notes with information on the situation and We stated up front we had no money
for works but wanted to find out
what people needed in order to seek
appropriate funding.
• Work with the other natural resource
management agencies and your
neighbouring Landcare Networks –
know who is doing what.
• Takethe time to listen to people.
People need to tell their story.
• Collaboration is the key – we are all on
a journey with the community together.
Sonia Sharkey is the Landcare Facilitator of
SWG Landcare. Sonia’s position is funded
through the Victorian Landcare Facilitator
Volunteers from National Australia Bank take a break from removing burnt fences on Wayne Program. For more information email
Potter’s property at Kilmore in March 2014. swg_landcare@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au
6 | victorian landcare and catchment management
Hungry sheep on Kangaroo Island rush to feed on hay donated by PPS members in Victoria’s Wimmera region.
PPS farmers respond to bushfire affected peers near and far
By Rob Shea
Perennial Pasture Systems (PPS), an island was severely affected by fire. PPS his trucking service for the hay delivery.
independent farmer group in the Project members had visited Kangaroo Island on Corey Price from Eversley also organised five
Platypus Landcare Network’s area in the the 2017 study tour. Several of the farms semitrailers to deliver donated hay for the
Upper Wimmera catchment, was quick visited lost stock, fences and infrastructure in second Gippsland effort in February 2020.
to respond and assist fellow farmers affected the fires. PPS delivered loads of straw to the
by the 2019/20 summer bushfires in Victoria study tour host farms and other properties PPS members also donated funds to assist
and South Australia. affected by the fires, with the fodder going with the transport of fencing material
to sheep in containment areas. for farms on Kangaroo Island, offset fuel
PPS initially joined farmers in the Tatyoon costs and help support a local Lions Club
district who coordinated the first hay drive to While I managed most of the recovery near Lexton who catered for the bushfire
affected areas with hay and straw. The initial process, many members put in hours of recovery crew, BlazeAid.
donations went to East Gippsland and PPS voluntary time to assist with the effort. Stuart
organised more loads later in the summer. Robinson from Lismore coordinated the For more information contact PPS
Kangaroo Island fodder with assistance from project manager Rob Shea at
Many PPS members understood the
Jason Benson’s freight business, who donated yadin@netconnect.com.au
hardship endured by East Gippsland farmers
as several had visited the region on the
group’s annual study tour in 2018. Having
seen the impact of the prolonged drought in
the region, many expected even the most
resilient farmers to be tested by the fires.
PPS were pleased to be able to assist the
recovery effort by sending fodder to affected
farmers. As well as using volunteer trucks, PPS
assisted local businesses that struggled after the
fires by choosing to utilise Gippsland contractors.
A fire in the Lexton area, where most
PPS members are more closely located,
caused huge problems for local farmers.
The members delivered hay and grain to
impacted farms after the fire to assist in the
management of stock.
Assistance was also given to farms on Perennial Pasture Systems farmer group members discuss tactics for getting the donated fodder
Kangaroo Island where more than half the through to bushfire ravaged East Gippsland.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 7
Landcare-led recovery after the 2014
Mickleham–Kilmore fire By John Robinson
On Sunday 9 February 2014, strong winds and a temperature of 40C (for the second day
in a row, and with a statewide Total Fire Ban) saw 78 fires ignite across Victoria. The most
serious of these fires started around midday when a sugar gum on the side of Mickleham
Road at Mickleham, 30 kilometres north of Melbourne, fell on powerlines causing sparks to
ignite the tinder dry grass.
Driven by strong winds the fire travelled The next six hours were intense. I worked livestock died during the blaze, which also
40-50 kilometres north towards Kilmore. nonstop putting out burning logs and burnt 1670 kilometres of fencing, 9000
I spent an anxious night watching the burning wooden fence posts between hectares of pasture and 2300 tonnes of
glowing rim of the out-of-control grass fire sheds, and garden sleepers and embers hay. The economic loss from the fire was
from a hilltop on my property at Bylands. that were igniting unburnt grass near the estimated to be $18.9 million.
Thankfully the next day was much cooler, house. One pile of logs kept flaring up as
Enormous destructive power
but the fire had split into two fire-fronts, I couldn’t get enough water on to them.
Landowners in the Upper Maribyrnong
and during the day it threatened both I relayed this problem to Farideh over the
Catchment Group’s (UMCG) area were
Kilmore and Wallan townships. phone. She contacted the local police who
left with 17,000 hectares of burnt land –
helped organise a firefighting helicopter
By early Monday afternoon the second fire 73 per cent of the group’s area. The
which dumped 40,000 litres of water
front had reached Bylands from the south UMCG is in Port Phillip and Western
on the pile of burning logs that night –
and was racing rapidly across the paddocks Port CMA region. It has around 75
a welcome relief.
towards me. My partner, Farideh, had members and is one of three member
gone to a friend’s home in Kilmore. After six days the Mickleham-Kilmore groups of the Upper Deep Creek
I felt reasonably well prepared and fire was declared under control. While no Landcare Network (UDCLN). To the
confident that I could deal with the grass lives were lost the fire’s impact on local north, the adjoining Willomavin Landcare
fire. Wearing a firefighting knap sack on my communities was immense. Group (WLG) had a further 3000 hectares
back, as I needed to be agile, I was able to The fire destroyed 18 houses (some were of its area burnt. WLG is in the Goulburn
stop the fire burning the house and sheds never rebuilt), many sheds, and public Broken CMA region and is a member
before it passed, the wind driving it north infrastructure including several wooden of South West Goulburn Landcare
across the paddocks towards Kilmore. bridges. More than 16,000 head of Network (SWGLN).
I spent an anxious night
watching the glowing rim
of the out-of-control grass
fire from a hilltop on my
property at Bylands.
The glowing rim of the uncontrolled fire seen from a hilltop at John Robinson and Farideh
Lashkary’s property at Bylands on Sunday 9 February 2014.
8 | victorian landcare and catchment management
While no lives were lost
the fire’s impact on local
communities was immense.
A scorched hillside at John Robinson and Farideh Lashkary’s property at Bylands after the February
2014 fire.
Direct experience of the immense ferocity Within one week of the Mickleham– The UMCG and SWGLN then
and destructive power of a bushfire Kilmore fire being declared under control collaborated closely to plan and deliver
generates enormous respect for fire. the local Landcare groups/networks held NRM fire recovery workshops for rural
The impact and scale of destruction from a meeting to plan the NRM fire recovery. landholders. Community education was
a bushfire can be overwhelming and The Landcare, local government and critical. Fire-affected landholders wanted to
soul destroying, and it can take years to agency staff at this meeting who were know what to do, when and how to do it,
recover. I have vivid memories of the fire involved in the 2009 Black Saturday fire and what they should look out for through
we experienced in February 2014. While it recovery work, shared their knowledge the recovery process. Around 450 people
was nothing like the Black Saturday inferno and lessons learnt about the fire recovery attended the 15 workshops that were
in 2009 that began 15 kilometres away at process. delivered during the first 12 months.
Kilmore East, the journey of fire recovery
continued...
for many of those impacted by these and
other fires continues to this day.
Immediately after a bushfire there’s lots
to process and consider. The human
instinct of needing to repair what has been
destroyed quickly kicks in. This can include
immediate needs such as providing feed for
livestock, repairing fences and disposing of
dead livestock. It could also include issues
such as soil erosion, water quality and
burnt trees. Areas of native vegetation and
pasture do recover after fires. Waiting and
watching how nature responds after fire
can sometimes be the best approach.
Landcare shares recovery
knowledge and experience
Bushfires, like many emergencies, bring
people together to support each other
and to assist with the recovery process.
Many Landcare groups/networks have
played critical roles in natural resource
management (NRM) emergency recovery,
and have worked with individuals,
communities, and government to deal
with the impacts on natural and agricultural Greg Bekker from DELWP demonstrates the use of sediment barriers for siltation and erosion
environments. control at Karen and Peter Ivory’s property at Darraweit Guim in March 2014.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 9
Bushfires, like many
emergencies, bring people
together to support each
other and to assist with the
recovery process.
Neville Prince from Waratah leads an interactive fencing training session at Thelma and John Castles’
property at Bylands in April 2014.
There was a thirst for knowledge among Darraweit Guim township, where two The Darraweit Guim Memorial Hall
landholders with some attending every homes were lost in the 2014 fires, is at the Committee donated the use of the hall
workshop. Venues convenient for the centre of UMCG’s area. The Darraweit for workshops. The monthly community
fire-affected landholders were chosen and Guim community organised a fire recovery newsletter, Guim Tales, included details
takeaway pizzas made catering simple. picnic concert a month after the fires. about each workshop, and Lorreine
This brought the community together to Dalton, the local postie, distributed
The first workshop, held less than a month
recognise its strength and survival following workshop flyers on her mail run to 150
after the fire, was on pastures, soils, animal
the fires, and to enable locals to re-connect local landholders.
health and farm water. Other workshop
and share their experiences.
topics included fencing, whole farm planning, Losses and gains
weeds, care of soils and pastures, native The UMCG received great support from DELWP staff helped plan and deliver
vegetation and fire, direct seeding, gorse Darraweit Guim’s community with the several workshops and organised aerial
control, and a farm chemical user course. delivery of the fire recovery workshops. property maps for whole farm planning and
soil tests.
Siltation of dams and waterways and
erosion are major issues after many
bushfires. Landcare Australia funded a
truck load of rice straw bales for
distribution to fire-affected landholders
for use as sediment barriers. Melbourne
Water’s Rural Land Program provided
370 coir logs to manage sediment in the
UMCG’s area.
The UDCLN provided their Landcare
Facilitator to support fire recovery efforts,
and part-funded a reprint of the Weed
Detection and Control on Small Farms
booklet, for fire-affected landowners.
The SWGLN developed five new Landcare
after the Fires information notes, that were
loaded on to the new fire recovery pages
on the Victorian Landcare Gateway, which
was developed by DELWP’s Victorian
Landcare Program staff. The UDCLN’s
Landcare Facilitator also created a UDCLN
Weed control after fire is critical. A gorse control field day was well attended in February 2015 at Facebook page to share fire recovery
Darraweit Guim. information.
10 | victorian landcare and catchment managementAlpacas look for feed in a charred paddock at Bylands a few days after the fire.
To assist landholders with their fire things done, even after emergencies such John Robinson is Secretary of the Upper
recovery revegetation efforts, the UMCG as bushfire. The 2014 fire’s impact has Maribyrnong Catchment Group. For more
subsidised and made available to group been much more than economic. information email upper.maribyrnong.
members 5000 indigenous plants for The UMCG gained 10 new members landcare@gmail.com
20 cents each. by demonstrating its relevance to the
local community through its fire recovery
Subsidising the cost of the plants minimised
the financial burden for members and work. SWGLN and UMCG won
maximised the number of plants going in Community Fire Recovery Awards at
the ground. the 2015 Fire Awareness Awards. The
award judges noted that UMCG’s fire
Scrambling for funds recovery work demonstrated great
Funding for NRM fire recovery is very community outcomes and was really
ad hoc. Hopefully this will change with forward thinking in delivery.
the advent of Bushfire Recovery Victoria.
While the Mickleham–Kilmore fire had a The success of the fire recovery
massive impact, it was not a big enough workshops demonstrated a strong
fire to attract large amounts of much appetite among local landholders,
needed funding for NRM fire recovery many of them lifestylers, for land
projects. management information and knowledge.
In response the UDCLN secured
The fire had burnt across two CMA Australian and local government grants
regions. Goulburn Broken CMA was to deliver five three-day Property One of Landcare’s strengths
able to provide some funding to support Management Planning Courses in 2016
on-ground fire recovery projects in the and 2017, which were attend by around
is its ability to be agile
SWGLN area. The UMCG secured 90 landowners. The courses were and adapt to changes in
$51,000 in Australian Government
National Disaster Relief and Recovery
delivered by small farm consultant David circumstances and conditions,
Stewart and soils specialist Chris Alenson.
Authority funding to reinstate fencing Two of the courses were delivered with and still get things done, even
along waterways and off-stream watering SWGLN. The collaborations fostered after emergencies such as
systems damaged in the fires where there between the Landcare organisations across
had been previous Victorian Government CMA regions after the 2014 fires continue bushfire.
investment. A $30,000 Victorian Landcare to enrich our Landcare and NRM work.
Grant tackled a major gorse infestation
After bushfires some things can be repaired
across nine fire-affected properties.
and replaced, but others, such as the huge
One of Landcare’s strengths is its ability remnant trees that were hundreds of years
to be agile and adapt to changes in old, cannot. Their loss is felt acutely across
circumstances and conditions, and still get the landscape.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 11A community response to drought
in Millewa-Carwarp By Ian Arney
I joined the Millewa-Carwarp Landcare Group 28 years ago. It’s the oldest Landcare group
in the Mallee region and was formed in 1989 after the community recognised the need
for all land managers to start working together to manage their limited natural resources
rather than doing so in isolation.
I have long believed that Landcare is about
more than pest plants and animals and
planting trees. To me, Landcare is about
maintaining and improving biodiversity
in our natural habitat, but also about
maintaining and improving our communities
on a human level. The healthier people
are in a community the more likely they
will show interest in improving their natural
environment, which in turn positively
influences their personal health and
wellbeing. It’s all about perspective.
In July 2019 I was fortunate to hear
the Victorian Minister for Agriculture,
Jaclyn Symes, address a group of
farmers about the ongoing drought in
East Gippsland. As I sat listening to the
description of conditions in East Gippsland
I realised how similar they were to my
own home in the Millewa, in the far
North West of Victoria, and of how I
needed to speak with the Minister to A water trough in a paddock on the Lambert’s property at Meringur after a fierce windstorm on
19 February 2020.
inform her of the very dry conditions
in my district. I felt uncomfortable speaking
on behalf of my community but was Severely stressed crops A Millewa-Carwarp Community Group
determined to do so. Minister Symes The next day I arrived home to severely was formed under the auspices of the
was very accommodating and said she moisture stressed crops. At that time Landcare group to work together on the
would like an opportunity to visit the the Millewa area had received about 40 drought. The group has met many times,
Millewa at some time. millimetres of rain for the year, compared volunteering thousands of hours to meet
to our average of approximately 131 with politicians, government agencies,
millimetres (for the first 28 weeks of the local council and other beneficial parties
year). I started to graze some of my crops including Lions, Rural Aid and Sunraysia
in an attempt to reduce the biomass and Drought Relief Group. We work from
hopefully the rate of water consumption. the Landcare Office/Resource Centre,
Some neighbours and others in the located in the old lawn tennis club rooms
community did similar, providing feed for at Cullulleraine, kindly provided to us at a
livestock, but also hoping to carry the nominal fee by Mildura Rural City Council.
plants through to a major rain event, that Group tackles grants on
we hoped was not too far away. behalf of landholders
Unfortunately, the rain didn’t eventuate. The group members are all volunteers and
Weather conditions were not in our favour. much of our time and work is spent applying
As the President of the Millewa-Carwarp for grants, on behalf of individuals in need.
Landcare Group I started a conversation We have sourced and been provided with
Loddon
Suzie Jacobs, a member of the East with the group’s Landcare Facilitator and donated hay, which is allocated to the
ram Inc stan ds on a strainer so began the time consuming but beneficial
Food Share Prog community members registered with us.
in fron t of a pad dock that was in crop activities to create recognition of our
post The hay is essential for maintaining a healthy
for the 2019 season at Meringur. situation so that we could then ask the State diet for cattle and sheep that need to be
and Federal Governments for assistance. available as breeding stock.
12 | victorian landcare and catchment managementMembers of the Renmark and Mildura Lions Clubs combined to organise a hay drop at Meringur in January 2020.
Our Landcare projects continue to run news blaming the situation on farming Personally, the more that I heard ‘no’,
in the background, including the use by practices can be taken personally and only the more I tried to get people to say
members of our five and seven tyne adds to the psychological and emotional yes to providing the Millewa-Carwarp
rippers for ripping lines across paddocks. pressure. community with much needed help,
Ripping brings large soil clods to the surface the help that I am very grateful for.
Like every committee, you cannot please
that trap drifting sand and reduce wind
everyone all of the time. The Millewa- Ian Arney is President of the Millewa-
speed. We also have two grader boards
Carwarp Community Group chose Carwarp Landcare Group. For more
that will be used extensively this year to
to try to improve our community’s information email millewalc@outlook.com
drag drifted sand back on to blowouts on
circumstances, rather than hoping
the hills and away from fence lines. The community says thank you
someone else would do it for us.
Andrew and Megs Kay from Meringur
The advocacy work continues and has
wrote to the local newspaper thanking the
provided significant benefits to community
Millewa-Carwarp Community Group:
members, including rate relief through the
Mildura Rural City Council. We have been Our family would like to thank Annette
very fortunate with our Landcare Facilitator, Lambert and the other volunteers of the
Annette Lambert, who has provided community group for all their hard work
great service beyond the scope of her helping to support our farming community.
employment. The endless hours attending meetings with
Government agencies alone to support our
Mental health a major concern
community is huge, not to mention the hours
One of the issues that we often consider,
sourcing the many truckloads of donated hay
and Annette has dealt with directly, is
to help feed our hungry stock and give our
mental health. Having low or no income
farmers some relief.
for several years creates significant
challenges and detrimental effects for farm The work put into securing funds to pay
families. Watching a family farm wither and for fuel for the volunteers who transported
slide into a poor state takes a personal toll. the hay, the granting of rate relief and
Most farmers have a significant emotional our registration with Rural Aid has been
tie to the land. To watch the land that you invaluable. The group has also worked to
love suffering is difficult to bear. facilitate food hampers, Christmas packages,
household funds and grants for maintenance,
The pressure on individuals can be
emergency water and infrastructure.
overwhelming. I reflect daily on the adage,
‘don’t judge someone until you’ve walked Your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed in our
a mile in their shoes.’ Most people are household as I’m sure there are plenty of
supportive of each other, our community The Karween North Road at Meringur. More others that feel the same. As a community
and our difficulties, but occasionally a than 30 roads were closed in the district fighting this drought, we all need to band
comment on social media or in the local during 2019 and 2020 due to sand drift. together and support each other.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 13The first Australians did not
fear fire like we do, instead
they learnt from childhood
how to master it.
Ngarigo Elder Uncle Rod Mason shared his knowledge of cultural burning at a workshop run by the
Wooragee Landcare Group in autumn 2019.
Spreading the lesson of cultural burning By Gib Wettenhall
Aboriginal mosaic burning once patterned the entire continent, as intricate and connected
as the scales on a crocodile’s back or the feathers on an eagle’s wing. The first Australians
did not fear fire like we do, instead they learnt from childhood how to master it.
I believe it’s time for us to replace our The workshop was under the direction of
fear of fire with a more thorough and Uncle Rod Mason, a Ngarigo Elder from
nuanced understanding, including how the high country, who had studied with a
local topography, climate and different firestick in his hand from a young age. Uncle
vegetation types will affect the fire regimes Rod relishes fire as an agent of renewal:
delivered. We need to put aside the “You got to fire it! When you burn Country,
prejudice of the past towards Indigenous it makes it brand new fresh,” he said.
knowledge and collaborate with our Under Uncle Rod’s gaze, we built small
neighbours in trickle burning our forests pyres of leaves and twigs. When these
and vegetation. were regularly spaced throughout the
Repetitive pattern work is integral to patch to his satisfaction, Uncle Rod tested
Indigenous design whether in a dot wind direction and advised us to trickle
painting, clan symbolism or digging yam burn backwards into the wind.
daisies. Fire is no different. Large scale Lighting the first pyre, Uncle Rod stood in
‘hazard’ burning is antithetical to the the centre directing traffic. He’d wave an
Aboriginal approach of building a mosaic arm: “Light more fires over there!” When
pattern, slowly and incrementally, until the fire crept over a marked boundary,
eventually a whole landscape has been he’d send a group to beat it back. He lay
burnt and remade. on the ground so he could feel wind flows
and predicted from cloud patterns that we
Burning Country makes it fresh
could expect a wind change that evening.
At an Aboriginal-style cultural burn
organised by the Wooragee Landcare The pyres burnt low and slow into each
Group in autumn 2019 a group of 30 other. A cloud of moist white smoke rose
participants prepared a patch of grass and and enveloped us. It was a wonderfully
weeds for firing. gentle process accompanied by much
Uncle Rod Mason lights up. laughter, chatter and no fear.
14 | victorian landcare and catchment managementThe fire crept low and slow as it trickle-burnt backwards into the wind.
Training needed impact of cultural burns and western fire The desire to protect biodiversity and
Workshop participants discussed the need reduction burns on vegetation and wildlife. to live safely in the landscape is front of
for a fire master’s course where people More research is needed. There are also mind for all Australians. It’s time to stop
could be trained to use fire proactively to issues around identifying Aboriginal people and listen to the locals – to learn from
prevent wildfires as well as to optimise with knowledge of cultural burning and their 65,000 years of land management
our nation’s biodiversity. Ideally the course how the next generation is trained. Poor experience before we arrived.
would incorporate the best of both worlds training could lead to further devastation of
Gib Wettenhall is an author, publisher
– Indigenous traditional knowledge on land and wildlife.
and farm forester from Mollongghip,
mosaic burning combined with the results
Who burns and speaks for Country? near Ballarat. For more information
of evidence-based scientific research on
Richard McTernan, the coordinator of the visit www.empresspublishing.com.au
fire’s impact on native flora and fauna in
Wooragee Landcare Group, has worked
differing ecotypes.
extensively with Traditional Owners in
This is underway in the widescale burning north-east Victoria and facilitated 10 fire
of the northern savannah across Arnhem workshops led by them.
Land where Indigenous traditional
“Burning Country is not learnt overnight
knowledge has been integrated with the
techniques of western science. Indigenous and I believe local knowledge of the
ranger programs describe this hybrid as a environment is essential,” Richard said.
‘both ways’ approach. There are questions regarding who has the
It is critical that we do not take over from right to speak for Country and who has the
Aboriginal people or speak for them when cultural fire knowledge for that Country.
adapting their traditional knowledge of Respect for Aboriginal leadership is critical. It is critical that we do not
Although Uncle Rod is a ceremonial fire
fire. According to Yorta Yorta woman and
man he argues that it is his peers – other take over from Aboriginal
environmental scientist, Minda Murray, self-
determination is at stake. elders from each local language group – people or speak for them
that determine his right to teach and burn
“Cultural burning is done by our mob in their Country.
when adapting their
not only as a physical practice, it is deeply
Training of new practitioners could provide
traditional knowledge of fire.
entwined in culture and Aboriginal
lore. Aboriginal people should always another culturally appropriate employment
remain at the forefront of protecting our pathway for Aboriginal people. At the
culture and our land – that’s part of self- Wooragee cultural burn, a young Wiradjuri
determination,” Minda said. man, Dean Heta, spoke passionately about
the wish of many of his peers to get back
There are a number of complex issues
on their land, managing Country.
that need to be considered before cultural
burning can be rolled out more widely. “It’s about connecting Aboriginal people
There has been a lack of monitoring of the back to their cultural identity,” Dean said.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 15Drought Employment Program a win for the
community and the environment By Tess Grieves and Tracey Harbridge
The social and economic impacts on communities and individuals who live, sometimes for
months on end, with little or no rain can bring even the strongest to their knees. That’s when
Landcare and the North Central CMA Drought Employment Program (DEP) steps in to help.
With funding from the Victorian Links to Landcare
Government, the North Central CMA has Landcare has been a steadfast and successful
hosted four DEP programs since 2008. DEP project partner. Landcare groups and
The programs are a win for farmers and networks are a first point of call when a
for the environment. They provide local DEP program starts. Many important local
employment opportunities for drought Landcare projects involving weed control,
affected farm workers, tradies and fencing to protect habitat, and revegetation
community members to undertake a range have been assisted by DEP work crews.
of natural resource management activities.
DEP replicates the Landcare model – local
Planning is critical to ensure each program people deliver local projects. It also allows
is a success. Drought affected farmers, farm people facing times of uncertainty and crisis
workers, farm service providers or rural to stay within their communities without
community members adversely impacted having to seek work elsewhere. DEP
by the drought submit an expression of helps to build the capacity of individuals
interest to be part of the program. Flexible and the community through training that
employment arrangements are available to can provide future employment options.
suit the needs of individuals who have ongoing It supports the wellbeing of participants
farm work and seasonal commitments. and has a flow-on economic benefit
to drought-affected communities. The
All employees are fully inducted and trained to
on-ground works also achieve positive
North Central CMA requirements, including
natural resource management outcomes.
occupational health and safety, chemical and
manual handling, and first aid training. Specialist The Buloke Northern Grampians Landcare
training on chemical usage and chainsaw Network, located in St Arnaud, is a frequent
Brett Hawting planting trees at Dumosa in operation is undertaken by crews using DEP project partner. According to the
2017 as part of the DEP. these skills. Fencing crews with skills and network’s Landcare Facilitator, Kevin Spence,
experience are also established to complete when the DEP is on his phone starts ringing.
works according to agreed standards.
“Landowners start calling because farmers
All employees are provided with and landowners know the resources are
the equipment they need to do the available and they know from experience
job including full personal protective that it works. When the drought crews
equipment, project materials, tools, work come they’re a real catalyst for farmers
vehicles and mobile phones. A work crew who are really struggling as they see people
leader is appointed to help coordinate coming out from the CMA which motivates
Drought affected farmers, employees, project partners and the North them to do some work themselves. They
Central CMA. don’t feel like they are all alone. I don’t
farm workers, farm service
providers or rural community
members adversely impacted
by the drought submit an
expression of interest to be
part of the program.
DEP crew members tackle boxthorn on the Avoca River at Quambatook in 2017.
16 | victorian landcare and catchment managementWe worked hard over the
years, and with the drought,
we hadn’t yet recovered
properly. It will take some
years to recover financially,
physically and mentally.
Members of the Barapa Barapa Indigenous Works Crew undertaking cultural site assessments along
the Loddon River, from Appin South to Kerang in 2009.
know how you measure it, but I wonder DEP assists financial, The program offered off-farm paid
what the multiplying effect is.” physical and mental recovery employment and involved works such
Dairy farmers Colin and Bev Domasche from as tree planting, fencing, spraying weeds,
Kevin said really positive relationships form
Kerang were on track for a stable financial rubbish removal and pest control. Like
with each crew and working with DEP
future until the millennium drought threatened most crew members, Bev and Colin said
gave him a personal sense of achievement.
their livelihood. Further dry conditions in 2015 the program helped them to connect with
“I absolutely loved it – it allowed me to took them to the edge. The 2016-17 DEP other people who were also in difficult
achieve things, it justified my existence. program arrived just in time. financial circumstances.
It was great to see so many people on According to Colin and Bev the DEP has “As well as attending to farm work I
the ground. I’m so supportive of these been valuable both financially and mentally. was also working at the piggery to make
programs.”
“We would have been alright if the milk ends meet and that was really tiring work.
Connecting to culture prices didn’t go down. But the drought came We worked hard over the years, and
DEP was given a further boost in 2009 and the water sort of fizzled out, we couldn’t with the drought, we hadn’t yet recovered
when one of its crews, the Barapa Barapa afford it. We were getting 18 cents per litre properly. It will take some years to recover
Indigenous Work Crew, won the Victorian and we had to get 21cents per litre to break financially, physically and mentally. The
Indigenous Landcare Award. The crew’s even, so we were just going backwards. program really helped us with having to get
work focused on Aboriginal cultural heritage When I saw this in the paper, we jumped up each morning. We met a lot of people
and river health assessment. on it and it really helped us,” Colin said. like us, in the same boat,” Colin said.
The Barapa Barapa Indigenous Work Crew According to Bev the program also
assessed flora and fauna, pest plants and enhanced her and Colin’s appreciation
animals, river condition, deep river pools, of the natural surroundings.
riparian vegetation, fish habitat, rubbish
“We can see the difference in what we
build-up, bank erosion and waterway and
are doing, particularly at the lakes and in
boundary fencing in need of repair as they
the Gunbower Forest. We probably didn’t
moved along a 26 kilometre stretch of the
appreciate the environment in the past
Loddon River.
but when you’re involved in something
The work undertaken by the crew like the DEP you do look around and say,
helped the North Central CMA staff ‘well that is beautiful’ and take care of it.”
better understand Indigenous issues
Tess Grieves is Regional Landcare
within the region. Cultural site information
Coordinator at North Central CMA.
collected by the crew was made available
Tracey Harbridge is the Drought
to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria for inclusion
Employment Program Project Officer at
on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.
North Central CMA. The North Central
In 2015 the Barapa Culture Team also won and Goulburn Broken CMAs are running
the Victorian Indigenous Land Management A DEP crew member injecting wheel cactus at DEP in 2020. For more information go
Award. Buckrabanyule in 2017. to www.nccma.vic.gov.au
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 17On day three my neighbour
commented on how lucky we
were – to be sitting around
together sharing stories,
having a whinge and a laugh.
Landholders revegetating bushfire affected private land at Clarendon as part of the Scotsburn Phoenix
Project in 2018.
Leigh Catchment Group shares its
On Saturday 19 December 2015 a major bushfire burnt out
4570 hectares of the Scotsburn area and severely affected
the community, assets and the natural environment.
Compared to the summer 2019/20 fires ours was short,
sharp and quickly contained, but every disaster is personal
and traumatic to those in the front line.
From left, landholder David Wells discusses
fire recovery with Neil James from DELWP at
a community get together at Scotsburn Hall As the fifth anniversary approaches the fire harnessed helpers from the community,
organised by the Upper Williamson’s Creek is still impacting our lives – although some support workers, agencies and the council
Landcare Group on Christmas eve 2015. of it is for the better. and put a call out for a community get
together on Christmas eve at the local hall.
In the days immediately after the fire,
Approximately 100 people attended, and
my family, some neighbours and friends,
the emotion was palpable.
formed a small fire crew to take care of
the mop up process. At the end of each We continued these events on a monthly
day one of us would host the evening meal basis. A team of community, Landcare and
– sharing our food resources to feed all of agency staff was formed with support from
the tired and grubby crew. the State Government and Moorabool
Shire Council to manage the events and
On day three my neighbour commented
other recovery initiatives.
on how lucky we were – to be sitting
around together sharing stories, having Our next priority was the recovery of
a whinge and a laugh. It occurred to us the natural environment. Many of our
that even more people could benefit Landcare projects had been destroyed,
from this sense of connection. In the with waterways spoiled. As Chair of
next two days a team of us from Upper the Leigh Catchment Group (LCG) – a
Williamson’s Creek Landcare Group had network of eight Landcare groups in the
sourced donations from local businesses, Ballarat area –
18 | victorian landcare and catchment managementLandcare is community.
A community knows itself.
Support offered by friends
and neighbours is more
likely to be accepted
by traumatised fellow
community members.
An emotional community get together on Christmas eve 2015 – just six days after the fire.
lessons from the Scotsburn fire By Andrea Mason
I sought advice from the wider Landcare Four years on, the Scotsburn Phoenix • Landcare is established. Landcare groups
community. Landcare staff from the Project is drawing to a close, with many can offer a point of contact for the local
Goulburn Broken CMA region supported successful projects completed. The municipality that leads the recovery
us by sharing information and resources bimonthly community get togethers are processes.
that helped us step up to the challenge of now an ongoing event. They demonstrate • Landcare is a buffer. Landcare can
the disaster. that we are closer and stronger after the help streamline and coordinate
fire than before. the extension activities of agencies.
I represented our community on two
regional fire recovery sub committees. Landcare can be critical in emergency Traumatised community members can
This enabled me to influence the delivery recovery, for the following reasons: be overwhelmed when dealing with
of the agency outreach operations and numerous agency staff and requests.
• Landcare is active. Landcare networks We coordinated joint property visits to
communicate community priorities around
losses to vegetation, existing Landcare and groups can be the most relevant, reduce the number of interactions.
plantings and opportunities to undertake resourced and operational community
group within the fire zone. When some • Landcare is a broker. Landcare can be
significant recovery actions into the overall a conduit for discussions by providing
Scotsburn Response Plan. This proved of our members were directly affected
by the fire other members stepped in safe community events where agency
critical to our recovery outcome. staff can attend to field questions from
quickly to support them.
During this time we were also working community members.
• Landcare is community. A community
with the Corangamite CMA and DELWP Andrea Mason is a long-standing Landcarer
on an action plan to restore and revegetate knows itself. Support offered by
friends and neighbours is more likely and former Landcare facilitator. She has
bushfire affected private land. In 2016
to be accepted by traumatised fellow undertaken numerous local, regional
this plan became the Scotsburn Phoenix
community members. and statewide roles in Landcare and is
Project to be delivered by the LCG with
the current Chair of Australian Landcare
State Government funding. • Landcare is local. We have a clear International. For more information email
The project supported landholders to understanding of the impact on the andrea.mason@findingnorth.net.au
undertake works including environmental natural environment in our local area.
assessments, revegetation of indigenous With the Scotsburn fire, it was Landcare
plants, weed spraying, rabbit control, that raised concerns about the impact on
fencing of environmental features, native bushland and Landcare projects
protecting remnant vegetation, erosion on private land which were not being
control and pasture redevelopment. considered under the emergency
management plans.
Winter 2020 issue 78 | 19You can also read
