What does Landcare do?

The role of landcare is to support project activity by its members which improves the environment.  In broad terms the following project activities are supported by our local Landcare groups.

Woody weed control / eradication
Woody weeds like gorse, broome(s), spanish heath, boxthorn, bridal creeper, blackberry and sweet briar are priorities for control.  Woody weeds require bi-annual control for up to 15 years in order to eradicate them.  We encourage an “all weeds” approach in specific areas to achieve eradication.

Invasive weed control / eradication
Invasive weeds like pattersons curse and st johns wort are priorities for control.  Invasive weeds require annual control for up to 10 years in order to eradicate them.

Situational weed control / eradication

Situational weeds like wild garlic, burr(s), cape tulip, horehound, amsinckia, spiny rush and blue periwinkle) usually only affect a single property.  Such weeds require annual control for up to 10 years in order to eradicate them.  They are firstly the responsibility of the landholder to control with their own resources.

Role in Weed Control      

1. Coordinate groups of landholders to undertake control works, including complimentary public land (road, rail, Park) work as applicable.
2. Provide cost offset for landcare members (1/3 of total cost), external funding TBC.
3. Seek DEPI enforcement for non action within a designated control area.

Rabbit control
Rabbits are widespread in the region.  Without external agents (myxamatosis, calicivirus) a minimum 80%  kill of populations is required annually to keep numbers stable.  The only effective long term control of rabbits is to remove the harbour they live and breed in.  Annual inspection and action is required to keep rabbits under control.

Role in rabbit control

1. Coordinate groups of landholders to undertake control works, including complimentary public land (road, rail, Park) work as applicable.
2. Cost offset for landcare members (1/2 of equipment hire) for harbour destruction works, external funding TBC.
3. Cost offset for landcare members (1/4 of poison cost) for annual costs of poisoning, fumigation, external funding TBC.
4. Seek DEPI enforcement for non action within a designated control area.
5. Coordinate ACUP and 1080 endorsement training as applicable.

Role in other pest animal control

1. Coordinate groups of landholders to undertake control works, including complimentary public land (road, rail, Park) work as applicable.

Soil erosion
Soil erosion is a risk associated with steep landscapes along the dividing range and with streamsides throughout the region.  Works are usually undertaken in the context of a broader landscape repair  / regeneration project.

Landcare Role

1. Cost offset for landcare members (1/2 of total project cost) for remediation and other landscape works, external funding TBC.

Native / indigenous vegetation
Landcare is active in both the re-establishment of native vegetation and the protection / enhancement of existing native vegetation.  Landcare assistance will vary based on the size and the quality of the native vegetation present.  Support varies in accordance with these two factors.

Landcare Role

1. Large scale plantings or protection works (30m wide or greater than 0.25 ha), cost offset for landcare members (1/2 of total project cost) including fencing and revegetation, external funding TBC.
2. Limited scale plantings (less than 30m wide or less than 0.25 ha), cost offset for landcare members (all of native seed and sowing costs) only, external funding TBC.
3. Tubestock planting, limited trees provided on a group by group basis at no cost.

Productive agriculture

A significant portion of our landscape is utilized for productive agriculture.  Within this activities that improve soil health, maintain perennial vegetation, integrate diversity and protect water quality all achieve Landcare outcomes.

Peri urban living
This portion of our landscape has primarily the same needs, but has significantly different resources to access in order to maintain the amenity of the properties within it.  These landholders are concerned with improving soil health, maintaining perennial vegetation, managing livestock, integrating wildlife and diversity, as well as protecting water quality all of which achieves Landcare outcomes.

Landcare Role

1. Training / Information / Demonstration events on current and improved practices, products and technology.
2. Coordination of farm / property planning events and actvities.
3. Provision of a range of productivity equipment for landcare members.
4. Specific program activity that is externally resourced.