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Newsletter #51 July 2004

In the bushland

 
Employees of Woodside Energy donated a day of their labour in the bushland on Wednesday, 12th May. Activities included weeding and erecting shadecloth along the Defence Department fence (to reduce weed seeds being blown into the bushland). Thanks Woodside!

Underwood Update

Following the wonderful decision by Judy Edwards to reject the current proposal by UWA to subdivide the Underwood Avenue Bushland, we have been thinking about how the bushland can be protected permanently. Since this may also involve Shenton Bushland, we are interested in your comments and suggestions.

We feel that the long-term future of the Underwood Avenue Bushland may be protected by making it part of a regional park encompassing Kings Park and Bold Park.

Issue 1: would it make sense for Shenton Bushland to be included in such a regional park? This could mark the end of our group as it presently exists - and involve becoming more like the Friends of Kings Park or Friends of Bold Park. What are your thoughts about this?

We are also debating how to protect the environmental values of the bushland given that UWA is likely to continue putting forward proposals to subdivide the bushland.

Issue 2: how can we save this bushland from future plans for subdivision? Should we put forward ideas for development that we think are acceptable, or should we oppose all proposals?

Please send any comments and suggestions to Dani at bojel@it.net.au, 9381 3470 or 117 Derby Rd, Shenton Park.

Spring flowers are on the way

The bushland is already showing the first signs of spring flowers – blue fairy orchids (Cyanicula deformis), hardenbergia, hoveas, hibbertias, and a variety of daviesias are in flower – make sure you pay the bushland a visit soon!

Bushland activities planned for 2005

For next year we plan a two-pronged approach to weed control – firstly, continuing on with the present approach of spraying of veldgrass and weeds to stop them taking over the bushland, - and secondly, initiating a strategy for reducing the area of bushland infested by weeds, so that eventually we might get rid of them.

To support this activity, we will be applying for funding under the State Government’s Community Conservation Grants programme for our ongoing weed control, and the State Government’s SALP programme for our strategic weed reduction project.

As part of our strategy for weed reduction, we plan to remove some of the mounds of soil created 50 years ago – and which are now a continuing source of weed infestation in the bushland.  We also plan intensive hand weeding along the boundaries between good bushland and weed infested areas.

Thus, there are plenty of opportunities for involvement by people interested in physical activity. We estimate at least 10 cubic metres of soil mounds to be removed – the average trailer load is half a cubic metre – so it is several hundred wheel barrow loads!

If you are interested in being involved in either the mound removal, or the weeding activities, please let Dani know (08 9381 3470 or bojel@it.net.au).

Coming Events

Bush-to-beach walk

August /September – annual walk through Shenton Bushland and Underwood Bushland to Perry Lakes – usually coincides with an extremely wet and windy Sunday – and when the bushland flowers are at their peak.

Roadshow & Celebration

September 4 –Bushland visits (tour Claise Brook, City of Gosnells, Shenton Bushland, Ellis Brook). There are still vacancies for this event – book by ringing the Swan Catchment Centre (9374 3333)

Lupin mulch

October – an opportunity to obtain high quality lupin mulch for your garden – we will be cutting and mulching lupins from the weedy area on top of the hill.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 21 July. All welcome (7.30 pm, 117 Derby Road, Shenton Park). We will be discussing our weed management program for this year.