Spring 2020 | No 78 - hobartcity.com.au/bushcare - City of Hobart
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Spring 2020 | No 78 hobartcity.com.au/bushcare
Lambert Gully Bushcare volunteers brave wet and cold conditions to stabilise an eroded slope and put in new native plants that will
provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Photo: Talia Sawers
Bushcare Roundup
It’s been full steam ahead since
we restarted Bushcare and
Trackcare activities after the 10-
National Tree Day. As always the
giveaway was a big hit – more
than 300 native plants went to
Talia Sawers
week hiatus caused by Tasmania’s Program Officer Bushcare new homes where they will be
COVID lockdown. used to create habitat gardens.
From those first working bees Trackcare volunteers have been
and dig days in early June, the Trackcare programs to cope with working hard to formalise the
program has gone from strength the increased numbers and keep Yellow Hippo mountain bike track
to strength, and we’re now everyone safe during this period behind Knocklofty Reserve, and
experiencing a significant increase of heightened risk. Thank you to it’s looking very impressive!
in the level of interest in our all of our volunteers for working The Friends of Wellington Park
programs. with us to make this happen. completed their grant-funded
With so much interest in Bushcare Despite activities being on project at New Town Rivulet in
activities we’ve hardly had time hold for close to three months Lenah Valley, which included weed
to catch our breath, but we have Bushcare has been incredibly control and a community planting
welcomed 160 new volunteers active. The numbers from July last day to help establish the newly-
into the program since March and year to June tell the story: opened area with native plants.
many more have contacted us in • 140 individual activities held This spring we have some great
the hope of joining our volunteer Bushcare activities planned
ranks. • m
ore than 530 volunteers took
part in activities including more plant giveaways
We are simply blown away by – keep an eye on our Facebook
the community response and • 2
33 new volunteers joined the page for details.
are working on a plan to provide program
Have a wonderful spring, and
additional volunteer opportunities • 3
600 hours were contributed don’t forget to find some time to
for our new volunteers. by our dedicated volunteers. observe the changes around us
We’ve had to implement some We also recently held a native and welcome the diversity of new
changes to the Bushcare and plant giveaway to celebrate life in our bushland reserves.
Contact Us
Cover photo: Cornelian 16 Elizabeth Street P 03 6238 2884
Bay Bushcare do the
“COVID shuffle” at a GPO Box 503, E bushcare@hobartcity.com.au
recent clean-up day.
Hobart 7001, TAS W hobartcity.com.au/bushcare
Bandicoot Times 2 Spring 2020 | No 78
facebook.com/cityofhobartbushcare
On the
trail of the
shy snail
Dr Kevin Bonham
Honorary Curator,
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
T he ammonite pinwheel snail
(Ammoniropa vigens) is a tiny
and very rare snail known only
from the greater Hobart area.
One of many tiny Tasmanian
snails in the family Charopidae,
it is about 3 mm wide with a
remarkably flat white to yellow-
brown shell. Live specimens live
under mossy rocks in wet forests
on dolerite. Dead shells occur Join the snail trail
in the same places but are also If you own land in greater Hobart with wet the ammonite pinwheel snail! If you are
sometimes found in loose soil on forest in good condition on dolerite rock happy for Dr Bonham to search your prop-
track or road cuttings. The snails, Dr Bonham would love to hear from you. erty for snails email him at k_bonham@
Your bush block could be home to iinet.net.au or phone 0421 428 775.
which are probably sightless
(unlike other members of their
family in Tasmania), live under may eat native snails, bushfires, alive since 2011. We have learned
rocks including in cracks in the climatic extremes such as more about how to find this snail
soil. It is believed they spend heatwaves and droughts, and and hope to have more success
much of their lives underground, even flash floods. on future surveys.
grazing on decaying organic
matter and micro-organisms. Some populations are so
The snail was discovered in
localised that we could lose them No ordinary snail
completely through a chance
the late 19th century and was Live ammonite snails are very
event. As a result, the snail has
probably once widespread across unlikely to occur in gardens, and
been listed as Endangered on the
what is now suburban Hobart. there are a large number of other
Tasmanian threatened species
However, only three surviving list and Critically Endangered small snail species (both native
colonies are currently known, all of on Australia’s national list of and introduced) that people may
them in Hobart’s southern suburbs. threatened species. see both in gardens and bushland.
There are some other sites Until this year the snail has been Any suspected sightings or
elsewhere in greater Hobart extremely elusive. In hundreds of specimens need to be verified by
where dead shells have been searches over 30 years I had seen an expert because of the number
found and populations of the only six live specimens. But this of similar species that occur in the
snail may still exist. It’s also very winter has been a remarkable one Hobart region. A permit is also
likely that unknown populations for finding this elusive creature. required to collect this species.
could be found on the fringes of
Working with naturalists Bruno To ensure this very special little
the city, especially on unsurveyed
and Otto Bell, we found five live snail is still around in 100, 200 or
private land blocks.
specimens in just one search of even a thousand years we need
a known site that had failed to to find more living colonies. This
Shy by nature turn up any specimens last year. research will help determine
Threats to this species include Other trips have netted seven which areas of Hobart need to be
habitat loss and fragmentation, more findings, including one at a protected with the snail’s habitat
introduced snails and slugs that site where none had been seen needs in mind.
Bandicoot Times 3 Spring 2020 | No 78
Nature through the
eyes of iNaturalist
T ake a walk on the Queens
Domain at the right time of
year and a keen eye will pick
Rob Armstrong
conservation programs
wherever you are, whenever
you like. All you need is a
Program Officer
out tiny orchids emerging from Bushland Recreation smartphone and the iNaturalist
underground, forming their app.
insect-mimicking flowers. What makes iNaturalist so useful
And while there are many
A trip into Fern Tree’s wet ways of connecting with and and appealing is its depth and
forests can turn up stunning, appreciating the nature of breadth. It is a field guide, a
iridescent blue fungi or even connection to expert advice in
Hobart, all require a level of
near-microscopic tardigrades, your pocket, an image library
knowledge and understanding.
sometimes called water bears, and a way to contribute to
foraging in moss. In the still something bigger as a portal to
waters of an alpine pool on
Introducing iNaturalist many citizen science projects.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington you So how do you learn more Whether you are interested in
might find a freshwater shrimp about Hobart’s biodiversity? flora, fauna, fungi, or the whole
with an ancient lineage or catch Traditionally, people have joined gamut of life that surrounds
the reflection of a flowering groups like the Field Naturalists, us, there’s something for every
waratah. Hobart is a hub of visited local libraries and book nature lover on iNaturalist.
biodiversity. stores for field guides and taken
So what are you waiting for?
Learning more about Hobart’s guided walks (or perhaps joined
Download the app today and
incredible wildlife can be one of our Bush Adventures
have a play. If you want to learn
hugely rewarding and with activities). more about biodiversity and
reduced options for interstate Now there is a new and the iNaturalist app, look out
and international travel, what powerful tool that helps you for the Spring Bush Adventures
better time to get to know your learn more about nature program, which offers a range
backyard? and how to contribute to of nature activities for all ages.
Nature in the City
Did you know Hobart may be one of the only cities
where Australia’s largest birds of prey, the
Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax subsp.
fleayi), can be seen soaring over the CBD during a lunch
break? The Tasmanian wedge-tail is a subspecies, and the
largest of all wedge-tailed eagles in Australia.
Or that southern right and humpback whales have been
spotted in the Derwent taking a rest before completing
their long journey south to Antarctica for summer?
If you could stand in the middle of the Hobart CBD and
draw a circle with a radius of 10km around you, you
would be surrounded by at least 7800 different species
Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle.
Photo: Michael
Bandicoot Times Roberts 4 Spring 2020 | No 78
and potentially millions more when we take into account the undiscovered and microscopic. At any moment, wherever you are within the City of Hobart, you are surrounded by nature. This web of life is made up of billions of individual creatures large, small and microscopic, all living their unique and invaluable life among us. LEARN MORE • Bush Adventures: hobartcity.com.au/bushadventures • iNaturalist: inaturalist.org Right, Tasmanian devils are one of the many incredible species that Bandicoot Times 5 Spring 2020 | No 78 call Hobart’s bushland reserves home. Photo: Michael Roberts
Hobartians drawn to
snow in record numbers
F igures released by the City of
Hobart show a record number
of people flocked to the snow on
the weekend of Hobart’s first big
snow dump this winter, with 3250
cars travelling up Pinnacle Road
over the August weekend.
The most popular day was a
Saturday, with 1736 vehicles
travelling up Pinnacle Road,
eclipsing all previous records.
“The weekend was incredibly
busy for our staff working to keep
people safe in the snow
on kunanyi/Mt Wellington,”
John Fisher, Manager Bushland
said.
This winter has seen some extraordinary scenes as Hobartians embrace their mountain,
“The record traffic numbers kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
on Pinnacle Road was an
extraordinary event given national nature reserves, with 7000 people book out with people on all of our
and international travel bans, recorded walking the Milles Track waiting lists.
and shows the huge interest in just one week in late June to “Our Bush Adventures activities
locals have in exploring Hobart’s see the Disappearing Tarn. are getting snapped up as soon
incredible bushland reserves, “Our Bushcare program has been as they are announced and
especially in the snow. flooded with people wishing to mountain bike riders can’t get
“This winter has seen enormous volunteer in our bushland reserves enough of the new tracks we have
interest in exploring Hobart’s and our working bees continually opened on the mountain.”
August 2020
CITY OF HOBART BIANNUAL GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN
The City supports activities taking place in the Hobart local government area that demonstrate
a creative, community or environmental benefit.
Apply now for:
Applications close at 5 pm
• Creative Hobart Small Grant up to $5000
on Monday 5 October 2020
• Creative Hobart Medium Grant up to $5000 - $15 000
• Community Grant up to $5000 To find out more and to apply,
• Event Grant up to $20 000 visit hobartcity.com.au/grants
•Bandicoot
Urban Times
Sustainability Grant up to $15 000 6 or phone 03 6238 2132 Spring 2020 | No 78
Credits left: image; Eat Well Tasmania I centre: Estia Festival, image; Alastair Bett I right: artwork; Georgie Green, Vibrance 2018, image; Dougal McLauchlan.
The City of Hobart has released a sustainable action plan for Hobart. Photo: Craig Garth
Sustainability at the heart of
new climate change report
O ngoing reductions to Hobart’s
energy use and emissions,
improved resilience against natural
FROM THE DRAFT PLAN: RESILIENCE
disasters and the embracing of HABITAT EXTENSION & RESTORATION
innovative energy and transport Helping our bushland teams develop a more resilient landscape.
solutions are among the key
goals of the City of Hobart’s draft As bushfires increase in frequency and urban development continues,
the loss of vegetation, hollow logs, dead trees and other crucial habitat
Sustainable Hobart Action Plan
is increasingly stressing native animals, insects and birds. The City of
now out for community feedback.
Hobart’s Bushland Unit designs its hazard reduction burns specifically
The draft Sustainable Hobart to protect existing habitats, but it is possible to involve all areas of our
Action Plan – Responding to Council and community together to not just preserve what we have,
Climate Change, aims to make but create natural habitat within our gardens, parks, reserves and open
Hobart more environmentally, spaces. Technology can help: we will use drone footage to provide our
socially and economically bushland teams with map overlays of locations of certain types of trees
sustainable and is open for and vegetation crucial to some of our threatened natural species, and
then work with Landcare and other groups to identify places to plant new
community consultation until
ones to encourage wildlife to hop across and spread to new areas.
25 September.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said HAVE YOUR SAY
the City was reducing its corporate View the draft plan and provide
emissions and responding to feedback at yoursay.hobartcity.com.au
climate impacts through both
mitigation and adaptation
measures. “This draft plan aims to further energy-efficient transport and
“The City of Hobart was the first develop and promote the City’s technologies, and programs that
Tasmanian council to commit to leadership in this area through a encourage new ways of sharing,
climate action in 1999, the first series of practical steps to make purchasing and storing energy.
Tasmanian council to set a zero- Hobart a more sustainable city. “Before we can finalise this
waste-to-landfill target, and the “It includes programs aimed at plan, we want to know what a
first capital city in Australia to fostering sustainability leadership sustainable Hobart might look
declare a climate emergency,” among our young people, like for those people who live and
Cr Reynolds said. the investigation and trial of work in our city.”
Bandicoot Times 7 Spring 2020 | No 78
BURNING QUESTIONS
A fter the massive bushfires
that swept through NSW and
Victoria last summer many minds
Alan Hill
We still have areas of these native
grasslands in Hobart and they
require fire every three to five
Program Officer
have turned to why and how Fire & Biodiversity years. This is known as the fire
we reduce the bushfire risk by interval or fire threshold, and
minimising the build-up of fuel in varies for different vegetation.
the Australian landscape. It would be financially impossible Drier woodland forests generally
and environmentally catastrophic should not be burnt at less than
The method goes by a number
to burn every patch of bushland five year intervals and no greater
of names: fuel reduction burns,
in Hobart every year in the hope than about 20 years.
hazard reduction or prescribed
that razing nature to the ground Wet forests should not be burnt
burns. I’ll use the term prescribed
would rule out any bushfire risk. at intervals of less than 30 years,
burn here for reasons that will
Instead, we work within a number if at all. However, under most
hopefully become obvious.
of parameters: environmental conditions wet forests will not
The City of Hobart takes considerations, resource burn and often only burn during
prescribed burning very seriously. limitations and community needs. a major wildfire, so prescribed
Over the past few years we have burns are rarely an option in this
invested heavily in equipment Environmental type of forest.
and training staff to undertake
prescribed burns, predominantly considerations
between autumn and spring. The Australian bush is fire Variables at play
adapted, but that doesn’t mean When taking into account the
Prescribed burns alone will not
all native plants and animals can needs of the community we look
stop major bushfires impacting
survive regular prescribed burns. at which bushland areas are close
communities and under severe
There are animals and plants to houses. Will smoke impact the
or catastrophic fire conditions
that will not survive even a small local community? How can we
nothing can stop a bushfire in full reduce that impact?
amount of fire, while others,
flight. Tragically, the entire nation
especially many plants, rely on We also factor in activities
witnessed that last summer on the frequent burning as part of their
mainland. planned for the area. The
life cycles. grasslands in the Queens Domain
Tasmania’s grasslands were once are an obvious case. The Domain
Burning by nature extensive throughout the state’s often plays host to sporting
A lot more goes into carrying out midlands – a landscape most events and people use it every
a prescribed burn than picking likely created and maintained day for walking and jogging, it is
a good day and lighting up a through regular burning by close to houses and businesses,
section of the bush. Aboriginal people. bounded by major roads and
Bandicoot Times 8 Spring 2020 | No 78
City of Hobart fire crews carry out a
“ The Australian bush is fire adapted, but that fuel reduction burn earlier this year in
Ridgeway Park.
doesn’t mean all native plants and animals can
survive regular prescribed burns.
watching the weather forecasts
and waiting for the weather gods
there are even commercial grape removing fuel from fire trails, to give us the right conditions for
vines nearby! raking around flammable trees our burn.
Evaluating other factors is also and larger habitat trees as well as The day arrives, our trained fire
critical to a safe and successful any threatened assets or sites. crews arrive early and everybody
prescribed burn. This includes The City takes the matter of is shown the proposed burn area.
understanding what the wind smoke very seriously. Smoke from They are drilled in every aspect of
will do on the day, how well the prescribed burns can disrupt the day’s proceedings, including
smoke will rise and disperse business and traffic, taint crops how the burn will be conducted
high into the atmosphere and such as grapes and, even more and any potential safety risks.
of course knowing that the seriously, impact people’s health. Finally, a test burn of a few
vegetation is dry enough to take
To counteract these threats we square metres is lit and then
on a cool burn, but not so dry
do all we can to give people extinguished. This is the moment
that it becomes a fire hazard in its
plenty of notice about planned we make the final call on whether
own right.
prescribed burns in their area. or not the prescribed burn can go
All of these conditions, and more, ahead.
are taken into account for each People living nearby are alerted
individual burn, and form what is to the upcoming burn prior to the If the burn gets the green light
termed the prescription, hence day, as are those who have let us we call the Tasmania Fire Service
prescribed burn. know they may suffer breathing and let them know the burn will
difficulties because of increased proceed as planned.
smoke in the atmosphere, such as
We have a plan people with asthma.
The burn then proceeds as close
as possible to the plan. At the
Every time we carry out a
We also voluntarily comply with end of the day, any burning
prescribed burn in Hobart’s
the smoke management program or smouldering material is
bushland reserves it has behind
managed by the EPA. This extinguished, dangerous trees
it a detailed burn plan setting
program assesses the amount removed and the area patrolled
out weather conditions, any
of smoke in the atmosphere and into the night.
limitations on burn intensity and
constraints such as threatened if conditions will result in poor We watch the area until the fire
plant or animal species, or smoke dispersal, planned burns is completely out. The TFS is
Aboriginal and European heritage can be halted. informed and the fire is declared
values that should be protected. out.
Preparing for each burn can Wait and watch Then we wait for the right
be quite complex and includes It is then a waiting game, conditions and the next burn.
Bandicoot Times 9 Spring 2020 | No 78
Weed Watch
Spanish heath? Not on our patch
A s every Bushcarer knows,
taking weeds out of the
landscape is hugely satisfying,
strangers to Tasmanian roadsides.
Its prolific, tiny seeds have been
Bec Johnson spread across large tracts of
but nothing beats removing a Team Leader Bushcare Tasmania over the past decade
patch of environmental weed from by roadside slashing and the
bushland that is otherwise free of movement of heavy machinery.
weeds, allowing the native seed heath has not returned.
Once this weed invades a roadside
bank to recover. Ridgeway Bushcare convenors verge it’s just a matter of time
That’s why Ridgeway Bushcarers Andy and Bron send out a huge before it ventures into nearby
are grinning ear to ear after taking thank you to everyone involved, bushland and forestry areas. If
out a patch of Spanish heath over especially the new volunteers slashed or burned it will regrow
the course of a couple of working who may not know the area as with stronger roots.
bees. well as the locals but made up for To spray or not to spray…
We caught this weedy patch that with their commitment and
energy! Contrary to many people’s views,
in the nick of time, removing it herbicide spray is a good option
before it could spread into the for woody weeds if they have
nearby healthy native bushland What’s the fuss about? become too widespread to be
surrounding it. Although Spanish heath (Erica controlled by hand.
We left the Spanish heath onsite lusitanica) is now a declared
It is important the right herbicide
to break down, rather than risk weed it was once widely is used by an experienced and
spreading it by offloading it at the available for sale in Tasmania – its qualified person, and that they
tip as green waste. attractive bell-shaped flowers follow all correct usage and
Mother nature will now take her made it irresistible to the cut- safety directions, including the
course as local native shrubs flower industry and many home appropriate protective equipment.
and grasses reclaim their rightful gardeners. This way there will be little off-
territory. We will check the area Spanish heath is a winter flower – target damage to insects, soil,
again next year to ensure Spanish its sprays of white flowers are no waterways or other plants.
FAST FACTS
• S
panish heath is a declared
weed, so it’s illegal to sell the
plant at a nursery or garage sale,
or to give it away. It’s even illegal
to take some home for your
favourite vase!
• If you are cutting out Spanish
heath to remove it from your
garden, leave the cut pieces
onsite to break down. Even
better, cut it into smaller bits so
that it breaks down more quickly
and reduces seed output.
• If there’s no room to leave it
onsite, get a council permit to
transport a declared weed to a
secure landfill, not green waste.
Bag it and put a tarp over it
while driving.
Bandicoot Times 10 Spring 2020 | No 78Hobart mountain biker Leyla Sharman shows off her technical skills on the new upper Drops. Photo: @kiphotomedia
Riders fly high on new tracks
N ew mountain bike tracks built
by the City of Hobart in the
foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington
informal track was upgraded to
meet international guidelines. A
new lower section was also added
will contribute to a network of
mountain bike tracks that allow
riders to stay off roads and ride all
have proved irresistible to local to replace a degraded informal the way to The Springs.
mountain bike riders. exit onto Strickland Avenue. The new tracks are jointly funded
The two new tracks, Stumpside All three tracks were built with the by the City of Hobart and a
and Pitfall, and an improved aid of Trackcare volunteers and Tasmanian Government cycling
and extended Drops track, have offer a range of riding styles – grant. They also contribute to
recorded huge numbers of riders cross-country, flowing tracks and a the City of Hobart’s Mountain
during the coldest months of variety of technical challenges. Bike Network Plan, which aims to
winter – around 160 people a day The City of Hobart is now turning improve riding opportunities in the
have been queueing up to test a its attention to building a climbing foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
new jump section across an old track that will connect the new The draft plan underwent
fire trail. tracks to Shoobridge Bend, extensive community consultation
The upper section of the Drops linking up with the North-South and the final report will go before
track was added after the existing Track. Once finished, the track Hobart Council later this year.
Bandicoot Times 11 Spring 2020 | No 78Using local native plants in your own garden is a great way
to attract local birds and other wildlife by providing food
and shelter. Learn how to create your own native garden
sanctuary at hobartcity.com.au/careforenature
Bandicoot Times 12
Photo: Superb fairy-wren, Michael Roberts Spring 2020 | No 78You can also read
