2007 Projects

THONE RIVER LANDSCAPE PLAN: Stage 1

This plan is a continuation of the Privet Project from previous years. Following weed control, we would like to landscape the area with suitable local native species.  We have consulted with the Board of the Club and the Hall Committee. We also received positive feedback from the wider community about this landscape plan.

Where is the Site?

The riverbank on the eastern side of the Thone River, from the Hall extending to the bridge.

What is Aim?

The aim is to:

• Remove and control weeds (especially privet but also Madeira Vine)
• Beautify the area for the benefit of our community
• Restore habitat for native birds and animals. Hopefully platypus will benefit too.
• Eventually to provide a little snapshot of the river, as it was years ago.

What is The Plan?

1. Rustic Fencing: Fence off an area below the Hall and across to below the Bowling Green then angling down to the riverbank.  The fence will be a rustic style ‘post and rail’ fence using recycled timber. It is hoped to employ a local person to build it. The aim of the fence is to protect the new plantings and for public safety on steep slopes to the river.
2. Mown areas: An area of grass to be mown will remain below the hall and a narrow strip below the bowling green.  A large mown area behind the Club will extend to the river (for community events). Several shade trees will be planted further along the bank.
3. Plantings: the whole area below the fence will be planted and mulched.  Shrubs and small trees, groundcovers and mat-rushes of suitable local native species will be used.  These species have to be frost hardy. Vistas to the river from the Hall and the Club will remain.

How will we do it?

Comboyne Byabarra Landcare group has allocated up to $1000 in cash for plants. Some members of the group will also assist with the project. It is hoped that Council will assist with other costs and materials.  We hope some Comboyne village people will help in planting, mulching and maintenance of the area.

Thone River Restoration Project

The Thone River flows in a northerly direction through the village of Comboyne . The river is currently in a degraded condition especially in the upper reaches and through the village.

The purpose of Stage 1 of this project is to commence rehabilitation of the Thone River and improve water quality. This work is along the river, in the Comboyne Village. It extends from the Showground in the west to the eastern Hall boundary.

Objectives:

• Remove weeds
• Conserve & restore bushland in the riparian zone
• Control erosion
• Enhance habitat for native fauna
• Improve water quality

The Privet Menace

Comboyne’s natural environment is being progressively damaged by Privet.  All remnant patches of native vegetation on the Thone River suffer from some degree of weed infestation, ranging from medium to severe. Privet flowers and fruits profusely and affects water quality along the waterways of Comboyne.

Dense infestations of small leaved and large leaved privet occur on the roadsides and waterways of the plateau. Some people say that privet provides benefits as wind breaks/farm shelter, riverbank stability and native fauna habitat. BUT... it presents a very serious threat to the biodiversity of our natural systems.

Biodiversity refers to the many plants, animals and micro-organisms that inter-relate, and are interdependent, in our environment. Biodiversity underpins the health of all farming practices.

Privet is very invasive; it takes advantage of disturbed areas and invades good bush. It produces huge amounts of seed and can form monoculture privet forests.

Unchecked, Privet invasion will not stop!

The economic impacts of weeds already established in Australia has been calculated at approximately $4 billion per annum. These figures represent production losses and control costs, as the cost of weeds to the environment and biodiversity is largely incalculable.

(Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. 2007)

The Project: Weed Control and Restoration using Native Plants

Initially, privet and other weeds were removed. This was followed by plantings of suitable (frost hardy) local native species that were grown from seed collected locally.

Future work will involve maintenance of the initial work, weed control, follow-up plantings and extending the rehabilitation work upstream and downstream of the Stage 1 section.

Native Vegetation on the Thone

Remnant species on the riverbank (identified by Matt Bailey, Bolwarra Bushland Services) include:

Nothofagus moorei (Antarctic Beech)
Tristaniopsis collina (Mountain Water Gum)
Lomatia arborescens (Tree lomatia)
Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood)
Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coachwood)
Callicoma serratifolia (Callicoma, Black Wattle)
Acmena smithii (Lilly Pilly)
Duboisia myoporoides (Corkwood)
Cassinia trinerva (Three veined cassinia)
Doryphora sassafras (Sassafras)
Dysoxylum fraserianum (Rosewood)
Sarcopteryx stipata (Steelwood)
Melia azedarach (White Cedar)
Cryptocarya sp.(Laurels)
Tasmannia insipida (Pepper Bush)
Acronychia oblongifolia (Southern Lemon Aspen)
Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-headed mat-rush)
Carex appressa (Tall Sedge)
Carex gaudichaudiana (Lizard's Tail Sedge)
Juncus spp.,
Microlaena stipoides and ground ferns.

The distribution and groupings of these species varies according to different locations along the river.

Antarctic Beech: Ancient rainforest tree

Antarctic Beech, or Nothofagus moorei, is an ancient rainforest species. Its occurrence on the Thone River, at Comboyne, can be considered rare. As very few trees remain, it is at risk of disappearing .

This majestic tree is our own ‘Wollemi Pine’. We must not lose any of our Antarctic Beech trees.

Project Outcomes

Stage 1 is merely a start of ongoing work along the Thone River.

The Comboyne Community Association aims to continue the work with the aim of gradually restoring the river and improving water quality.

We will work with the local community, farmers and landholders, other stakeholders, government agencies and funding bodies towards this purpose.