Funding Program: Gippsland Transport Environmental Projects (Regional Roads Victoria)
Timeline: May 2022 – March 2023
In 2022 South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) received $50,000 to improve the habitat and condition of woodlands adjacent to the South Gippsland Hwy at two locations – 1) a tract of woodland between the highway and Great Southern Rail Trail near Meeniyan and 2) Ritchie Nature Reserve near Korumburra.
The woody weeds controlled during 2022-2023 included Sweet Pittosporum, Cotoneaster, Holly, Tree Tobacco, small Pines and Mirror Bush. Their control will improve natural regeneration and improve the integrity of these woodlands as important wildlife corridors. The methods used to control woody weeds are quite specific – often referred to as ‘drill and fill’ (or drill and inject) and ‘cut and paste’ technique.
These initial works have been continued by volunteer groups at Meeniyan (in the Recreation Reserve) and Ritchie Reserve. These works may initially look quite destructive, with dying trees on the ground, but as they decay and native species take their place a better condition woodland or forest grows back.
The videos below demonstrate the techniques use to control woody weeds.
