HEALTHY CATCHMENTS INFORMATION KIT

The Healthy Catchments Information Kit provides landholders with the tools to manage their own
land improvement projects, ensuring long term resilience, relevant knowledge and skills for
successful project outcomes.

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HEALTHY CATCHMENTS INFORMATION KIT

Farmers and other

landholders
play a key role
in managing our
natural resources.

this booklet includes the

following sections:
Farmers and other landholders play a key
role in managing our natural resources.
1. Permits and Approvals
The North East Catchment Management
Authority (CMA) has developed this booklet 2. Fencing
to provide further information for 3. Weed Control
landholders and support them in delivering 4. Erosion Control
successful on ground projects, while 5. Planting Guide
following state-wide best practice
a. Site Selection for Revegetation
guidelines.
b. Selecting your Native Plants
c. Site Preparation for Planting
d. Establishing your Plants
6. Nest Boxes
Further Information! See the Contacts 7. Off-Stream Water Trough
List or Useful Website Links Pages. 8. Grazing Management
9. Photo Points / Photo Monitoring
10. Maintenance of Sites
11. Contact List / Useful Website Links
12. References

PG. 1
1 PERMITS AND APPROVALS

TIP!
By constructing crossings and
other structures well, it is possible
to minimise erosion, obstruction
of water flow and ensure the free
DESIGNATED WATERWAYS
passage of aquatic life. Designated waterways are named or unnamed, permanent
or seasonal, and range in size from a river to a natural
depression. Designated waterways are declared under the
Water Act 1989. Maps of these waterways can be
inspected at your local CMA Office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T OBTAIN A PERMIT?

Failure to obtain a permit or failure to observe the given
WORKS ON A WATERWAY PERMIT conditions may constitute an offence under the Water Act
1989 or the CMA’s Waterways Protection By-laws.
This is a list of some of the key approvals that Penalties for offences apply.
may be required when undertaking natural
resource management activities. APPLICATION PROCESS
Where works are with CMA landholders can STEP 1. Permit applications and guidelines are available
be assisted with these permit and approvals, from the North East CMA office or can be downloaded at
where applicable. [Link]/About-Us/Programs-Initiatives/
Permit holders are reminded that they must Undertake-Works-on-Waterways
carry out the works in accordance with all Step 2. Fill in the application form providing as much
applicable laws, including obtaining all detail as possible, before submitting the application to
necessary approvals and complying with the the North East CMA. A processing fee of $120 applies,
conditions of those approvals. although some exemptions do apply.
Works and activities in, under, on or over the bed and Step 3. An assessment of the application is undertaken.
banks of Designated Waterways (see definition below) Assessments of applications can take up to 30 business
in Victoria require a permit from the relevant Catchment days. Depending on the complexity of works further
Management Authority. information may be required to progress your application.
In this instance, additional charges may apply.
To protect our rivers and creeks it is important that new
activities or works undertaken do not adversely affect Step 4. Subject to the application and proposed works
the health of those waterways. Many practices in the past being deemed as satisfactory, a permit may be issued.
have caused major degradation to our waterways. Where an email address has been provided the permit will
be emailed to the applicant when issued.
Works and/or activities requiring a permit may include:
Step 5: Any person, who carries out works or activities for
• Access crossings including bridges, culverts and fords which a permit has been issued must:
• Services/utility crossings • Notify the CMA at least 7 days before commencing the
• Stormwater outlets works or activities; and
• Stabilisation works such as bank protection, bettering • Notify the CMA upon completion of the works or
and retaining structures activities.
• Vegetation and debris

Note: Unless otherwise stated, the permit issued is valid for one year from its
date of issue (unless earlier revoked by the CMA).

ONE
PG. 2
PERMITS AND APPROVALS continued

ACCESS TO WATER HOW DOES A LANDHOLDER OBTAIN THE REDUCED

COSTS?
LICENCE TO TAKE AND USE SURFACE WATER AND If a landholder does require a new TUL, the normal

OPERATE WORKS application process through the RWC will apply. Typically,
the landholder will pay the application fee to the RWC.
Take and use licence (TUL) fees have been reduced for However, the cost of that fee will be included in the
landholders who fence off Crown frontages on waterways reimbursement back to the landholder by the CMA as
to manage stock access as part of riparian management part of the riparian works (and clearly documented in
projects with the CMA. the agreement the CMA has with the landholder for the
works).
Landholders whose land abuts a ‘Crown frontage’ will
receive a rebate for the take and use licence which is In the North East CMA Region, the CMA will notify
required for the purposes of off-stream stock watering. Goulburn Murray Water of the possible requirement for a
They will also have their annual fee waived for three years, TUL Licence for CMA works. Goulburn Murray Water will
as well as being given longer licence periods. This will save then contact the landholder following their normal
landholders up to $2100 in total. application process. Once the application process is
completed, the landholder submits a copy of their receipt
from Goulburn Murray Water, to the North East CMA and
WHO DOES THIS APPLY TO? the landholder is reimbursed.
This applies to landholders with Crown frontage. These However, regional variations in this process may apply.
landholders are eligible if:
Landholders should contact their CMA in the first instance
• They are undertaking riparian management works in to discuss their possible involvement in a riparian
conjunction with their CMA; management project. The regional rural water corporation
• They commit to long term management of the riparian can help advise with the process for applying for a take
land and the works; and use licence.
• They require a take and use licence due to loss of stock
access to the waterway due to the installation of a
fence.
RURAL WATER CORPORATION
Goulburn Murray Water 1800 013 357
Landholders with freehold frontage have a ‘private right’
to water and do not need a take and use licence for Link to Licence to take and use surface water and operate
domestic and stock use. works
In many cases, landholders with Crown frontage will not [Link]/customer-services/forms/surface-
need a new take and use licence as they may be able to waterforms
supply water to that part of their property from existing Source: [Link]
water supplies such as a dam. Or they may be able to use
an existing take and use licence which they hold to obtain
water for other parts of the property.
To be eligible, landholders must be in regions covered by
Southern Rural Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water,
Goulburn Murray Water or Melbourne Water corporations.
Further Information! See the
Contacts List or Useful Website
WHY IS THIS GOOD FOR LANDHOLDERS? Links Pages.
Landholders applying for take and use licences for
off-stream stock watering will pay up to $2,100 less when
fencing Crown frontages (depending on which rural water
corporation issues their licence) by not paying the
application fee or annual fee for three years. Landholders
will also save more by paying the renewal fee less often.

ONE
PG. 3
PERMITS AND APPROVALS continued
What if I have found an Aboriginal place or objects?
REMOVAL OF NATIVE VEGETATION The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 requires that the
In Victoria, a permit is required to remove, destroy or lop discovery of Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects
native vegetation. on any public or private land in Victoria be reported to
Native vegetation is defined in the Victorian Planning AV. Landowners who suspect a discovery of cultural
Provisions as “plants that are indigenous to Victoria, heritage on their land can find out what to do by visiting
including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses”. the webpage Reporting a possible Aboriginal place or
object or the Aboriginal cultural heritage mini-poster on
Landholders wishing to remove native vegetation need to Aboriginal sites on private property.
apply for a planning permit from their local council.
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 also requires
Refer to the Victorian Government’s Native Vegetation Aboriginal places and objects to be recorded on the
page for details on permits and requirements. Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR). The
[Link]/environment-and-wildlife/ Register holds the details of all known Aboriginal cultural
biodiversity/native-vegetation heritage places and objects within Victoria, including their
location and a detailed description.

HERITAGE How do I found out if there is an Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage Place on my property?
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE To find out whether your property has any recorded
The preparation of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan Aboriginal cultural heritage places or sites, such as scarred
is required when a listed high impact activity is proposed trees, occupation sites or places of burial, you will need to
in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity, as defined by the access the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.
Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007. Landowners are authorised to access the Victorian
High impact activities are prescribed in the Aboriginal Aboriginal Heritage Register but need to apply for access.
Heritage Regulations 2007. High impact activities include Applicants will then be contacted by the Heritage
developments with the potential to cause significant Registrar. If you don’t use the internet, please email
changes in land use. VAHR@[Link] to ask for an application form to be
emailed to you.
Areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are landforms and
land categories that are generally regarded as more likely If you don’t have an email account, phone the Heritage
to contain Aboriginal cultural heritage. An area of cultural Registry on 1800 762 003 to ask for an application form to
heritage sensitivity (other than a registered place or cave) be posted to you.
is no longer regarded as sensitive if all of it has been More Information:
subject to past significant ground disturbance. [Link]/[Link]/aboriginal-affairs/affairs/
Significant ground disturbance is defined as disturbance aboriginal-affairs-overview
of the ground or waterway by machinery in the course of
grading, excavating, digging, dredging or deep ripping
(to a depth of 60cm or more). Ploughing, other than deep EUROPEAN HERITAGE
ripping, is not considered significant ground disturbance Some sites, structures, and vegetation have European
for the purposes of the Regulations. Heritage significance, landholders should check through
What are Aboriginal places and objects? the local council to see if there are any heritage
restrictions on their land.
Aboriginal people have lived in southern Australia,
including what is now Victoria, for thousands of years.
During that time, people left physical evidence of their
activities which now survives as cultural heritage places
and objects. Aboriginal places and objects can be found
Further Information! See the
all over Victoria and are often near major food sources Contacts List or Useful Website
such as rivers, lakes, swamps and the coast. Links Pages.
Aboriginal places and objects can also be found on private
property. Aboriginal Victoria (AV) works in partnership
with landowners, land managers and Aboriginal
communities to record, protect and manage these places
and objects.

ONE
PG. 4
FENCING

TIP!
TAKING THE TIME TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT
FENCE FOR YOUR PROJECT SITE WILL
PROVIDE LONG TERM BENEFITS

The most common types of stock exclusion fencing

are:
Livestock grazing and trampling • Conventional fencing, i.e. standard post and wire
fencing, typical on many rural properties.
can seriously damage both • Mesh fencing, i.e. prefabricated wire fencing often used
remnant and planted native for sheep (e.g. ring-lock, hinge joint)

vegetation. In areas adjoining • Electric fencing (often added to conventional fencing to

enhance livestock control).
waterways and wetlands,
livestock can also compact soils, CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCE TYPE
destabilise beds and banks, and Each fencing type has advantages and
degrade water quality. disadvantages. Choosing the type most
appropriate to a particular project site will depend
(DELWP output delivery standards 2015)
on several factors, in particular:
• The type of stock to be excluded.

FENCE LOCATION • The risk of damage, e.g. from flooding.

• Site topography, e.g. river meanders.
Fences should be a suitable distance from native • Cost.
vegetation (about 10m from the drip-line of the tree (Staton and O’Sullivan 2006)
canopy) to minimise damage to vegetation during
construction and maintenance requirements from fallen
branches, etc, during the life of the fence. (DELWP output
delivery standards 2015)
A fence’s location should also take into account land
classes and topographic features (e.g. waterways, gullies, For further information see our
steep slopes). resource contacts list and further
information links page.
If you are receiving funding for your
project site, please check your project
agreement for any minimum fencing
standards.

TWO
PG. 5
FENCING CONTINUED

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

FENCE TYPE ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Collects less flood debris than mesh • Less effective against sheep than
fencing. mesh fences.
• Cheaper than mesh fencing.

CONVENTIONAL • Relatively effective against cattle.

• Simple to cut to reduce damage if
flooding is imminent and can be
designed to lay down in flood
events.

• Forms a solid, impenetrable barrier • Expensive in relation to other types

to cattle, sheep and some vermin. of fencing.
• Most effective against lambs. • Susceptible to flood damage.
MESH • Copes well with minor damage as • Can restrict the movement of
snapped wires are supported by wildlife.
surrounding wires.

• Comparatively cheap and quick to • Not as effective against sheep.

erect as less wire, and fewer/smaller • Requires a reliable source of power
posts are required. and a strong electric current.
• Relatively flood proof. • Vegetation and animals can cause
ELECTRIC • Can be used flexibly to manipulate shorting.
stock numbers and grazing impact. • Can be a fire risk.
• More labour intensive as fence needs
to be checked regularly.

Adapted from DELWP output delivery standards 2015

ELECTRIC FENCE OPTIONS

TWO
PG. 6
FENCING CONTINUED
FENCING WIRE
Wire specifications for the three most common types of stock exclusion fencing are detailed in the Table below.
These specifications should be applied to all fencing projects aimed at controlling stock access. (DELWP output delivery
standards 2015)

WIRE SPECIFICATIONS BY STOCK TYPE

FENCE TYPE BEEF CATTLE DAIRY CATTLE SHEEP
7-strand plain wire* 7-strand plain wire*
CONVENTIONAL
Standard 6/70/30 or Standard 6/70/30 or Standard 6/70/30 or
MESH 7/90/30 ringlock and plain
wire*
7/90/30 ringlock and plain
wire*
7/90/30 ringlock and plain
wire*

4-strand plain wire with at 3-strand plain wire with at 5-strand plain wire with at
least 2 electrified strands least 2 electrified strands least 2 electrified strands,
ELECTRIC ensuring that the bottom
wire is earthed**

*A common addition to these fences types involves installation of an electrified offset wire. The height of this wire
should be about 2/3 the height of the animal to be excluded.
** Long grass may short-out fences, so the site will require regular maintenance. (Adapted from DELWP output
delivery standards 2015)

Exceptions are where:

• Fencing will be erected on flood-prone land (the project manager in consultation with the funding body must
determine the most appropriate number of wires to control livestock and minimise flood damage to fences).
• Fencing restricts the movement of native wildlife.
An exemption only applied and approved by funding body
can include the use of Barbed Wire in fences but only
under exceptional circumstances.
(DELWP output
delivery standards
2015)

FENCING STANDARDS DIAGRAM

TWO
PG. 7
Weed Control

WEED CONTROL FOR IMPROVED SITE, PROPERTY

AND CATCHMENT HEALTH TIP!
Weeds, or invasive plants, pose a serious threat to primary
production and biodiversity in Victoria. Many species have Best results are achieved by
controlling weeds for at least
the potential to reduce agricultural productivity, displace
native species, threaten social values and contribute
significantly to land and water degradation.
[Link]
and-weeds/weeds 3 to 6 months before planting.
Weed management on private land is generally
considered a landholder responsibility, unless the species
is identified as a State Prohibited Weed.
There are many information sources to help you identify
plants that may be weeds, including reference books and
specialists.
The Agriculture Victoria website
[Link] has many resources on pest WEED CONTROL FOR REVEGETATION METHOD
plant management. • Strip or spot spraying.
Those most relevant include: • Great care should be taken before exposing
highly-erodible soils. Weed control should be in strips
• Main Agriculture Victoria Weeds Section has a range of
approximately one metre wide with a grassy strip
resources on weed management.
retained between rows, or in spots one metre in
• A-Z of Weeds contains a selection of declared and diameter around each planting location.
non-declared invasive plants, with information on
• When using herbicides it is essential that you read the
identification and management for each.
label on the container and follow the manufacturer’s
Another useful National resource for weed information
instructions.
and management is the (Department of Environment)
• Weeds in Australia website [Link], which
includes: TIMING PREPARATION FOR REPLANTING
• About Weeds - what is a weed and why, weeds The best results are achieved by keeping the planting
database. zone weed-free for two years prior to planting. (Andrews
• How you can help - guidance for Gardeners, Farmers, 2000) Satisfactory results are achieved by controlling
Hobby Farmers and Landscaping Industry. weeds for at least one full year before planting. (Greening
• Weed Management - information on prevention, Australia 2008c) (DELWP output delivery standards 2015)
detection and management.
Timing preparation for replanting is highly important, the
following timeline should be followed. However, where
WEED CONTROL FOR REVEGETATION weeds are difficult to control, herbicide application should
begin at least two years prior to planting to assist native
Weed control is usually the most important factor for the species regeneration within remnant vegetation.
successful establishment of vegetation in agricultural (DELWP output delivery standards 2015)
areas. (Corr 2003)
Young seedlings need time to develop a vigorous and
deep root system that can tap into reliable sources of soil
moisture (Greening Australia 2008c). Weeds can reduce
a plant’s early growth rate by up to 70% compared with Further Information! See the
weed-free sites, and can decrease survival from an Contacts List or Useful Website
expected 90% of trees planted to as little as 10%.
(TreeProject 2003)
Links Pages.
(DELWP output delivery standards 2015)

THREE
PG. 8
Weed Control continued
Initial herbicide application (target
SPRING/ weeks during or just prior to flowering MECHANICAL/MANUAL CONTROL

SUMMER to reduce/eliminate seed set that may

go on to germinate) In many cases, it is more environmentally sensitive to
consider non-chemical weed control (TreeProject 2003),
particularly when using herbicides near waterways. It is
Follow-up herbicide application important to consider techniques that can be alternatives,
AUTUMN (optional - enables moisture to be or complementary, to the use of herbicides. (Ainsworth
stored from autumn and winter rains) and Bowcher 2005)

Options for Mechanical/manual weed control

Final herbicide application (kill any
include the following:
WINTER/ newly germinated weeds four weeks
prior to replanting) Cultivation, Scalping, Mulching, Weed matting, Fire,
SPRING Grazing, Slashing, Mowing, Hand removal or Chipping.

TIMELINE FOR HERBICIDE APPLICATION PRIOR TO REPLANTING. (DELWP OUTPUT

DELIVERY STANDARDS) WEED CONTROL - TECHNIQUE
Control option considerations depend on
NON-WOODY (HERBACEOUS) WEEDS - TECHNIQUE site-specific values, conditions and weed species,
this booklet is limited to the most common
The methods used to control weeds will depend on what
techniques to control woody weeds:
weeds you have on your site. Briefly outlined below are
control methods for non-woody (herbaceous) and woody • Chemical control.
weeds. • Mechanical control.
It is important to determine the appropriate • Manual control.
herbicide/technique to control herbaceous weeds • Burning.
such as: • Grazing.
• Determining the appropriate technique to apply the
herbicide. CHEMICAL CONTROL – APPLICABILITY
• Identifying the type of herbicide applicable to the A number of chemical control options are available
landscape feature. for the management of woody weeds. The most
common are:
CHEMICAL CONTROL – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. • Stem injection.
• Cut and paint.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES • Foliar spray.
• Stem scrape.
• Cost-effective & • High risk in sensitive
efficient option areas, such as along Advantages and disadvantages of chemical control are as
compared with waterways. per the herbaceous weed control advantages and
mechanical or manual disadvantages table above. Chemical control methods
• Risk of off-target
methods. work best when applied to actively growing plants that
damage to desirable
are not showing signs of stress. Woody weeds should be
• Can be used native herbs (and
treated with herbicide when they are actively growing
selectively, with remnant vegetation),
(usually from spring to early autumn, depending on the
precision, in difficult unless skilfully applied.
species).
topography. • Risk of off-targe dam- (DELWP output delivery standards 2015)
• Often the only age to adjoining
effective method properties (e.g. vine
for weeds that are yards undergoing
difficult to control, springtime bud-burst).
e.g. perennial weeds. • Not appropriate for
• Limits physical organic farms.
disturbance to site • Precise hand spraying
and avoids promotion can be time
of subsequent weed consuming.
establishment
associated with
mechanical methods.

DELWP Output Delivery Standards

THREE
PG. 9
Weed Control CONTINUED
WEED CONTROL CONTINUED
STEM INJECTION SLASHING/ MULCHING OR HAND REMOVAL
This technique involves drilling or cutting through the bark 1 Slashing involves cutting plants at the soil surface with
into the sapwood tissue in the trunks of woody weeds. blades or chains that spin parallel to the ground. It can
The aim is to reach the sapwood layer just under the bark reduce the height and density of the thickets to enable
(the cambium growth layer), which will transport the access and more economic use of herbicides.
chemical throughout the plant. (Ensbey and Johnson Mulching involves cutting plants at the soil surface,
2007) 2
usually with a flail rotor mechanism. Mulching units
Stem injection is particularly suitable for large climbers, are another means of control in areas where
shrub and tree species where you want to kill the plant but conventional slashers may not work.
do not wish to immediately remove it from the landscape. Hand pulling seedlings is often useful as a follow-up
3
treatment. It is most effective after rain when the soil
is moist. A mattock, chip hoe or lever can be used to
remove larger plants, including their root system, from
the ground.

CUT AND PAINT

This technique involves cutting the plant as close to the
ground as possible and then immediately painting the
stump with a suitable herbicide. It is used mainly for large
scramblers/climbers, trees and woody weeds (Ensbey and
Johnson 2007) and is particularly useful in sensitive
environments, e.g. areas of remnant vegetation or near
waterways. (CRC for Australian Weed Management 2003)

STEM SCRAPE
This technique involves scraping a very thin layer of bark
from a section of stem then immediately applying
herbicide to the exposed soft underlying green tissue.
It is mainly used for the control of vines (and some woody
weeds where the surface bark can be peeled away easily).
For further information visit;
[Link]/solutions

THREE
PG. 10
EROSION Control

TIP!
Vegetative cover is normally the
most effective and practical
control of erosion.

RILL EROSION
Erosion is a natural process but Rills are shallow drainage lines less than 30cm deep.
some historical or inappropriate They develop when surface water concentrates in
depressions or low points through paddocks and erodes
land management practices, can the soil. Rill erosion is common in bare agricultural land,
exacerbate or accelerate erosion. particularly overgrazed land, and in freshly cultivated soil
where the soil structure has been loosened.

Overgrazing removes too much of the soils protective

vegetative cover and trampling compacts the soil, causing
GULLY EROSION
the infiltration capacity (water holding capacity) of the Rills are shallow drainage lines less than 30cm deep.
land to be reduced. Gullies are channels deeper than 30cm that cannot be
removed by normal cultivation. They can be spectacular

SPLASH EROSION to look at but over time actually lose less soil than sheet
and rill erosion. Gullies occur when smaller water flows
Splash erosion is the first stage of the erosion process. concentrate and cut a channel through the soil.
It occurs when raindrops hit bare soil. The explosive
impact breaks up soil aggregates so that individual soil
particles are ‘splashed’ onto the soil surface.
TUNNEL EROSION
Tunnel erosion occurs when surface water moves into and

SHEET EROSION through dispersive subsoils. Dispersive soils are poorly

structured so they erode easily when wet. The tunnel
Sheet erosion is the removal of soil in thin layers by starts when surface water moves into the soil along cracks
raindrop impact and shallow surface flow. It results in loss or channels or through rabbit burrows and old tree root
of the finest soil particles that contain most of the cavities. Dispersive clays are the first to be removed by
available nutrients and organic matter in the soil. Soil loss the water flow.
is so gradual that the erosion usually goes unnoticed, but
the cumulative impact accounts for large soil losses.
WATERWAY AND STREAM BANK EROSION
Streambank erosion is the direct removal of banks and
Works on designated beds by flowing water. Typically, it occurs during periods
of high stream flow. It is sometimes confused with gully
waterways require a erosion as this has similarities with seasonal or ephemeral
permit. streams.

See [Link]/About-Us/Programs-Initiatives/Undertake-Works-on-Waterways for full details

FOUR
PG. 11
EROSION Control continued
VEGETATIVE COVER
If you have issues Vegetative cover is normally the most effective source
and practical control of erosion and sediment loadings but
with Gully, Waterway takes time for establishment. Sodding can reduce the time
required for grass establishment and can be used to
and Stream Bank control erosion in some channels in lieu of riprap or
concrete. The roots of vegetation, such as grass, binds
erosion you should soil particles together to resist erosion. Vegetation helps
absorb the impact of raindrops to prevent detachment of
contact the North soil particles. Vegetation can flatten and, like shingles on
a roof, allow the runoff to flow above the soil. Stiff,
East CMA, for further standing vegetation can slow runoff (which may allow
larger particles to settle out) and act as a filter to remove
information and soil particles from flowing water.

advice.

Further Information! See the

PREVENTING THE PROBLEM Contacts List or Useful Website
Strategies could include: Links Pages.
• Maintaining remnant vegetation along drainage lines
and removing grazing from areas (where possible) that
are highly eroding and are of a high risk to erosion.
• Increasing water usage by planting deep-rooted
perennial pastures, trees or a mixture of both to
maintain healthy, vigorous levels of vegetation.
• Identifying drainage lines as a separate land class in
which vegetation needs to be protected and established
(managed differently to the rest of your farmland).
• Immediate stabilisation of sheet or rill erosion.
• Vermin control (rabbits).
• Ensuring run-off from tracks/drainage areas is evenly
distributed across paddocks and through areas of
vegetation to dissipate its energy before allowing it to
enter the gully.
• Maintaining high levels of organic matter in the soil.
• Avoiding excessive cultivation/grazing by using
rotational techniques.
• Retention or revegetation of native sedges and rushes
are extremely useful for binding soil together and
providing a great filter for trapping sediment.
Reference SJE erosion control workshop field day slides
2012

FOUR
PG. 12
PLANTING GUIDE (A) SITE SELECTION FOR REVEGETATION

TIP!
ONLY PLANT AN AREA THAT
YOU CAN realistically
maintain.

It is important during site selection

and planning you consider looking
at a plan of your entire property and
think strategically. Think about the
purpose of your proposed planting:
will it be for shade, wildlife habitat,
or amenity.

This will help determine the design of your plantings with

regards to location, shape, composition and size.
Revegetation will be most efficient and effective if you
work outwards from your healthiest native vegetation
EXAMPLE OF WHOLE FARM MAPPING FOR REVEGETATION (UPPER MURRAY LANDCARE
remnant. Starting to plant in the middle of an open
paddock is much more difficult. NETWORK)
Planting can be used to produce the best results in Consider site constraints such as the soil type,
situations such as: topography, slope and/or aspect, exposure to drying
• Expanding and buffering existing remnants. It is winds, likely occurrence of frost and floods and site
important that remnants and old trees with hollows are access for planting and ongoing maintenance.
retained as these provide important habitat for many Leaving logs, dead and fallen timber provides important
bird and mammal species. habitat for many creatures. It is important to consider
• Improving connectivity between remnants (corridor providing areas with these characteristics in a variety
planting). of conditions, from heavy shaded to wet areas as this
• Restoring riparian corridors and degraded habitats. will also encourage biodiversity. Essentially fallen timber
• Restoring areas cleared of environmental weeds. should be left to decay naturally where it lies.
• Preventing or mitigating soil erosion.
• Consider natural regeneration as an option for sites with
existing overstory remnant vegetation.

FIVE
PG. 13
PLANTING GUIDE continued (A) SITE SELECTION FOR REVEGETATION
Other factors to consider include the size and shape of the area proposed for planting.

SIZE, SLOPE AND EDGE EFFECTS

1.3HA 1.3HA
1.3HA 8300m PERIMETER
LAND FOR WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND:
4780m PERIMETER 5400m PERIMETER NOTE G1 HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS AND
YOUR PROPERTY

Shape is important, because bushland with

a small perimeter or edge length relative
to its area has greater resilience against
threatening processes. For example, an
area of bushland that is round or square will
be less prone to weed invasion than a long
and narrow strip, which has a greater area
of “accessible” to the invasion of weeds.
Things to consider when selecting your site:
• Budget constraints.
• Site preparation requirements.
• Labour resources for planting and long term
maintenance.
• Weed density and your ability to control target species.
• Climatic factors such as drought.
• Physical restrictions such as flooding and power lines.
• Site access.
• Ability to fence off from stock.
• Whether the area is affected by flood.
• Whether other landholders are involved in
revegetation as plantings on one property can
Further Information! See the complement and enhance those on adjoining sites.
Contacts List or Useful Website
Links Pages.

FIVE
PG. 14
PLANTING GUIDE continued (B) SELECTING YOUR NATIVE PLANTS

TIP!
IF PLANTING IN CLEARED LAND, AIM
TO CREATE LINKAGES WITH EXISTING
REMNANT VEGETATION
Photo Credit:
Manifesto Photography

Step 3. Look at the geology and soils

Geology:
• Alluvial (deposited by water).
Selecting appropriate native species will ensure that you
are using plants that will enhance the biodiversity • Colluvial (eroded from elsewhere).
values of existing remnant vegetation, be suited to local • Sedimentary (siltstone, sandstone, mudstone etc).
conditions and provide habitat for native animals. • Igneous - granite, granodiorite.
A list of Local Native Plant Nurseries and Suppliers can • Volcanic - basalt.
be found by clicking on the following link (they may be • Metamorphic - (hard or compressed rock include
able to provide assistance in choosing your plant gneiss, schists etc).
species):
Soil texture:
[Link]/Solutions/Native-Plants-Animals/
Vegetation-communities-revegetation • Clay - heavy soils, cracking in summer.
• Clay loam - mix of organic matter and clay.
If you would like to know what grows best in your area,
see the North East Native Plant Lists. • Sandy loams - some organic matter, gritty.
• Soil profile and depth: (tick an appropriate box or write
Step 1. Locate the correct Native Plant List for your in your own description).
location.
• Deep soils with defined profile (A and B horizon).
Native Plant Lists for different regions throughout the
• Gradational soil - no obvious profile change.
North East have been developed and
can be found here: • Sandy - obvious grains, little organic matter or clay.
[Link]/Solutions/Native-Plants-Animals/ • Silts - very fine, powdery soils.
Vegetation-communities-revegetation • Shallow, stony).
Step 2. Standing on the site to be planted with your plant • Skeletal - little to no soil.
list brochure, choose the Landform that matches your site.
By using the Native Plant list Brochure and
Floodplain; Plain; Rise; Low Hill; Hill, Foothill; Mountain;
choosing your location, landform, and soils
Water body, swamp, depression; Sand Ridge; Creekline or
Drainage line; Slope and Valleys; Mountain Plateaux.
description you should have narrowed down to
which Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC) and
Taking into consideration: native plant list best suits your site.
• Steepness of the slope.
• Aspect.
• Drainage.
• Other features such as rock outcrops.

FIVE
PG. 15
PLANTING GUIDE continued (B) SELECTING your NATIVE plants
Step 4. Double check with the mapping.
EVC Map and Location example
PLANTING DENSITIES
Use either the EVC map on the back of the brochure to Use the below Guides to calculate the number of
find any of the similar landforms or EVCs in your area, plants required for your site.
or visit the location example/s, if you’re able to travel to More information at [Link]
them. Note the features: landform, and soils as well as Solutions/Native-Plants-Animals/Vegetation-
types of trees, and any understory plants. communities-revegetation
Rivers and Creeks
• If planting trees and shrubs only, select 20-30% trees
(approx 50-100/ha), 70-80% shrubs (approx 400/ha).
• If planting groundcovers, plant larger tussock grasses
approx 1m apart ans scatter smaller groundcovers in
gaps.
• Allow 15m between trees, with clumps of 5-20 shrubs
between.
Wetlands
• Plant trees around perimeter of wetland only; allow 10m
between trees.
• Plant larger tussock grasses and sedges approx 1m
apart, and place smaller plants in gaps.
• Ensure that at least the top third of emergent plant
species remain above the water surface.
Grassy Woodlands
• If planting trees and shrubs, select 20% trees (approx
50/ha) and 80% shrubs (approx 300-500/ha).
• If planting groundcovers, plant larger grass tussocks 1m
apart, and scatter other groundcovers in gaps.
• Plant trees 15m apart with clumps of 5-20 shrubs
between and groundcovers planted in gaps.
Northern Plains Grassland and Grassy Wetlands
Victorian Government, Department of Sustainability and • Do not plant any trees or shrubs.
Environment 2007, North East Native Plant List.
• Plant groundcovers densely, with approx 0.3m between
Things to remember once you have chosen a list that suits plants.
your site. • Use only the species recorded for native grasslands in
• A great place to start is the more common plants in the the area.
EVC which are found in bold on your plant list, and the
Tall Forests of cooler, wetter areas
species that are underlined are more commonly avail-
able from Nurseries. • If planting trees and shrubs only, select 30% trees
(approx 100/ha) and 70% shrubs (approx 250/ha).
• It is recommended that you start with native trees and
shrubs for your revegetation. Ground cover plants could • If planting groundcovers, these can be planted densely
be added after the revegetation has been established in gaps.
and any weeds have been controlled. • Plant trees 10m apart with clumps of 5-20 shrubs
• If planting in cleared land, aim to create linkages with between, and groundcovers scattered in gaps.
existing remnant vegetation.
The ratio of trees to shrubs and ground cover plants
and their densities will depend on the type of vegetation
Further Information! See the
community being created. As a general rule, for what were Contacts List or Useful Website
originally forest environments, a 20% overstorey of trees Links Pages.
and an 80% understorey of shrubs and ground covers
is suggested. For grasslands or grassy woodlands, the
Source: The State of Victoria,
ground layer would be an even greater percentage. Department of Natural
Resources and Environment,
2002

FIVE
PG. 16
PLANTING GUIDE continued (c) site preparation for planting
TIP!
the booklet should not be read in
isolation, but rather applied with other
relevant standards and information
available as appropriate.

PHYSICAL METHODS OF SOIL PREPARATION FOR

Determining whether soil REVEGETATION ACTIVITIES
preparation for re-planting is an RIPPING
appropriate activity for a Ripping is used to improve aeration, rainwater infiltration
particular vegetation management and moisture retention of particular soils to improve the
root development of seedlings through faster downward
project is important and will be root growth and deeper soil penetration. (Anderson 2003,
dependent on a number of factors, Perry 2004, Corr 2003, TreeProject 2003).
including: In addition, ripping can enable the efficient use of manual
planting tools and mechanical planters (Corr 2003).
To determine whether ripping is necessary/suitable for
• The vegetation class at the project site. your replanting project, a number of factors must be
• The condition and extent of remnant vegetation at the considered, in particular:
project site, which in turn determines whether the • Soil type and condition.
project will focus on:
• Landscape setting.
• Establishment of overstorey and/or understorey
• Sites and cultural heritage significance (to ensure they
plants within a remnant patch i.e. supplementary
are not disturbed), particularly within 200m of a
planting.
waterway.
• Establishment of native vegetation in formerly
cleared areas outside of remnant patch i.e.
revegetation.
• Specific site conditions e.g. soil type, slope, location
in the landscape (e.g. floodplain).
• The type and severity of threats present.
Therefore, these fact sheets should not be read in
isolation, but rather sequenced and applied with other
relevant standards and information available as
appropriate.

FIVE
PG. 18
8 PG. 17
PLANTING GUIDE continued (c) site preparation for planting
LANDSCAPE SETTING TECHNIQUE
Ripping produces a high level of soil disturbance, which Specific techniques for mounding (e.g. m-profile
may make it inappropriate for soil preparation on some mounding for saline sites, mouldboard ploughing for
sites. (Corr 2003) In particular, ripping must not be heavy wet soils) are set out in Greening Australia’s
undertaken on: handbook Revegetation Techniques. A Guide for
Establishing Native Vegetation in Victoria (pages 78–82).
• The banks of waterways (Perry 2004) and waterlogged
These techniques should be followed for mounding
areas.
projects in Victoria. (DELWP Output delivery standards
• Riparian areas. 2015)
• Sites of cultural significance.
• Rocky ground. (Perry 2004)
• Sites where there is a high level of intact native ground
LICENCES / PERMITS
flora. (Corr 2003) High-impact activities in culturally
When ripping is considered a suitable option the following sensitive landscapes (e.g. deep ripping
steps need to be followed. Deep rip the soil to at least 30 within 200 m of a named waterway) can
to 45cm deep, at least 3 to 6 months before planting, after cause significant harm to Aboriginal
you have completed your initial onsite weed management.
At the time of ripping the soil should be dry enough to cultural heritage.
shatter, but moist enough to allow ripping to occur along In these situations, the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 may
the contours. Run the tractor tyre along the rip lines to require the project manager to prepare a Cultural Heritage
help decrease air pockets in the soil. Management Plan or obtain a cultural heritage permit or
enter into a cultural heritage agreement with the relevant

MOUNDING Registered Aboriginal Party.

Specific information on considering Aboriginal cultural
This is a technique involving the mounding of topsoil over heritage needs can be sourced through the Department of
a rip line to provide improved conditions for tree Premier and Cabinet website. (DELWP Output delivery
establishment (Anderson 2003). standards 2015)
The five main reasons for mounding are to:
• Provide soft soil, which makes replanting easier. Further Information! See the
• Improve drainage and soil aeration.
Contacts List or Useful Website
• Build up a friable soil bed to allow rapid root growth.
• Combat cracking soils.
Links Pages.
• Combat saline soils. (Corr 2003)

Mounding is most commonly undertaken to

facilitate early plant growth on:
• Heavy soils. (Corr 2003)
• Wet and poorly drained sites. (Corr 2003, Stackpole
1998, Perry 2004)
• Saline soils (critical for moderate to highly saline soils).
(Corr 2003, Perry 2004)

Mounding produces a high level of soil disturbance

and is unsuitable on:
• Fragile saline sites. (Perry 2004)
• Sites with cultural heritage values. (Perry 2004)
• Sites where there is a high level of intact native ground
flora. (Corr 2003)

FIVE
PG. 18
PLANTING GUIDE continued (d) establishing your plants

TIP!
TIMING YOUR PLANTING FOR AUTUMN
WILL ALLOW YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
WINTER RAINS.

TIMING OF PLANTINGS
Determining whether plant establishment is an Earlier planting in autumn or winter are recommended
appropriate activity for a particular vegetation to take advantage of winter rains, however this will be
management project will depend on a number of dependent on local climatic conditions. For further advice
factors, including (DELWP output delivery see NECMA Solutions page
[Link]/Solutions
standards 2015):
• The condition and extent of remnant vegetation at the
project site, which, in turn, determines whether the METHOD
project will focus on:
The following sections describe appropriate
• Protection of remnant vegetation.
techniques and timing to re-establish native
➢ • Establishment of overstorey and/or understorey vegetation species using:
plants within a remnant patch, i.e. supplementary
planting. • Direct seeding.
➢ • Establishment of native vegetation in formerly • Seedling planting.
cleared areas outside a remnant patch, [Link].
• Specific site conditions, e.g. soil type, slope.
• The type and severity of threats present.
DIRECT SEEDING
This method involves sowing seeds (either dry or
To ensure success of on ground works the pregerminated) directly onto a site to achieve
following steps need to be completed correctly: germination and establishment (Corr 2003).
There are several direct seeding techniques:
FENCING • Hand sowing – seed, usually mixed with a bulking agent,
is placed onto a prepared seed bed.
GROUND PREPARATION • Mechanical direct seeding – specialised direct seeding
equipment, which is calibrated for different seed sizes
WEED CONTROL and planting depths is used. (Greening Australia 2008a)
• Brush mulching – cut stems of a plant with ripe fruit
SPECIES SELECTION present are laid across a prepared site. This technique is
often suitable in areas with few weeds.
PLANTING • Hydromulching – a slurry of mulch, water, fertiliser and
seed is sprayed across bare ground. It can be quite
WATERING useful for erosion control.

MAINTENANCE (Upper Murray Catchment Farm Tree Group 1999)

FIVE
PG. 19
PLANTING GUIDE continued (d) establishing your plants
DIRECT SEEDING
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Natural look and more diversely structured. • Long establishment times may lead to more
• Establishes healthier plants. maintenance such as weed control.
• Enables early establishment of root systems. • Growth rates can be delayed if plant densities are too
• Increased growth rates of established plants post high and may require thinning.
sowing. • Not all species germinate from seed successfully.
• Higher plant densities after germination provide • Experience required to ensure seed is not too deep or
better shelter to new seedlings and reduce weed too shallow.
competition.
• Less maintenance is required.

Table Adapted From DELWP Output delivery standards 2015

SEEDLING PLANTING
This method involves planting seedlings by hand or with a mechanical seedling planter. Seedlings are grown in a variety
of containers to suit the scale and purposes of works; the most common are individual containers (e.g. forestry tubes)
or cells (multi-celled containers arranged in trays). (Corr 2003)

SEEDLING PLANTING
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• More reliable and immediate results. • Often results in unnatural looking rows.
• Placement of individual plants is controlled. • Higher establishment costs than direct seeding
• Revegetation is visible to passers-by. (particularly for large areas).
• Uses small quantities of seed. • Substantially more labour intensive and costly than
direct seeding.

Table Adapted From DELWP Output delivery standards 2015

SEEDLING PLANTING TECHNIQUE

The following section presents techniques for:
• Planting seedlings (either by hand or mechanical
planter).
• Guarding, watering and fertilising seedlings at planting.

FIVE
PG. 18
20
PLANTING GUIDE continued (d) establishing your plants
PLANTING BY HAND GUARDING
The most common tools used for hand planting Placing tree guards around seedlings is common practice
seedlings are: and aims to increase the survival rate of plant
establishment projects.
• Mattock and shovel.
• Planting spade. Tree guards may be beneficial in protecting
• Hamilton tree-planter (or similar). seedlings from:
• Pottiputki tree planter. • Rabbits and hares (particularly their browsing of tasty
• Powered or hand auger. new seedling shoots).
• Hot and cold winds.

PLANTING USING A MECHANICAL SEEDLING PLANTER • Insect damage (e.g. wingless grasshoppers).
• Frost (particularly when planting in autumn in frost
Mechanical planters work on the principle of opening prone areas).
the soil with a broad tyne or shank so that a plant can • Spray drift from herbicides.
drop into the space. Press wheels then push the soil back
around the plant as the machine travels forward. Different In addition, tree guards may stimulate plant
machines are able to plant different seedling stock. growth by:
(DELWP output delivery standards 2015) • Creating a warm and moist micro-climate.
• Funneling rainwater to the roots of plant.
HAND PLANTING However, tree guards that shelter plants from wind may
On very sticky clays, a mattock is a good planting tool. lead to development of non-sturdy ‘leggy’ stems and
Dig a hole slightly larger than the tubestock, remove the weaker roots by over-sheltering plants. Plant stems can
seedlings from the tubes, being careful not to damage also be damaged or weakened by rubbing on tree guards
the tap root, and place in the hole, so that the base of the as they are blown in the wind. (DELWP output delivery
seedlings is just below the surface. Place the soil back standards 2015)
around the hole and firm down. Tree guards that restrict light penetration (e.g. milk
On prepared loamy soils, there are various tree cartons) may also lead to weak or ‘leggy’ growth of short
planters that can be used for planting tubestock. seedlings. Milk cartons also provide no significant
Most will remove a core of soil the same shape but one protection from browsing/grazing animals once the plant
centimetre deeper than the seedling pot. This method has grows clear of the tree guard.
the great advantage of allowing the seedling roots to be
placed beneath any surface layer of residual herbicide.
Plant as per above. The most common planter is the
Hamilton Planter.
For cell tray stock, the “Pottipuki” planter can be used.
This makes a hole for the plant, and has a chute that the
seedlings can be dropped into, going straight into the
hole. This requires less bending over, saving time and your
back! (Greening Australia Victoria Planting notes)

Further Information! See the

Contacts List or Useful Website
Links Pages.

FIVE
PG. 21
NEST BOXES

TIP!
It may take a very long time,
maybe even a year, before your nest box
is occupied so don’t be disheartened if
something doesn’t move in
immediately.

LOCATIONS
Nest boxes are a valuable tool Locations for nest boxes are dictated by the species of
animal you are targeting and the type of nesting box you
which can act as a temporary are using. In the case of Squirrel Gliders and Brush-tailed
replacement measure for the Phascogales these two species naturally occur in plains
woodlands and riverine environments. Remnant
loss of naturally occurring tree bushland blocks, roadside vegetation, timbered creek
hollows. lines and shelterbelts on farms are all areas where they
can [Link] nesting boxes near existing features
like tracks, creek lines, gullies or a contour can make them
Nest box size and design will depend on the type of easier to locate for monitoring in larger bushland blocks.
species you are aiming to attract. (Indigo Shire Council, Nest Box Installation and
Maintenance Guide)

NEST BOX CHECKLIST When installing multiple boxes we recommend placing

them 30 to 40 metres apart.
• Choose the species you want to nest within your site.
• Make sure the nest box is suitable for that species in
terms of size, shape and entrance.
NEST BOX SIZE
• Choose an appropriate site, out of the wet-weather Nest Boxes for Squirrel Glider and Brushtailed Phascogale
winds, and in shade or semi-shade. should provide an access hole size of 45 to 50 mm.
This will allow Squirrel Gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogales
• Attach it securely.
and Sugar Gliders to enter but will be too small for larger
• Ensure it is not attractive to introduced species. possums such as Ring-tailed Possums and Brush-tailed
• Enjoy the experience of interacting with and Possums to enter. (Indigo Shire Council, Nest Box
assisting our native wildlife. Installation and Maintenance Guide)
Nest boxes for Australian native birds will vary in size and
shape. For further information on next boxes for attracting
native birds see:
For further information see
[Link]/images and search info sheets
[Link]/
Solutions/Native-Plants-Animals

SIX
PG. 22
NEST BOXES continued
INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE
Installing your nest box - It’s all about location! Most nest boxes will last for up to 10 years however they
may require some maintenance over time.
By adhering to the following guidelines you will
be able to select a safe and desirable location to Monitoring your nest box:
install your nest box: • Checking for damage.
• Ensure that the nest box is protected from human • Check that the lid is intact and that the nest box is held
disturbance, cats and away from roads. securely to the tree.
• Place your nest box where it is protected from rain, • Check the condition of the tree.
cold and direct light. • Checking for occupants.
• Place your nest box in a place where you can later
observe it. Watch for wildlife entering (both wanted and unwanted)
• Place at least 2.5m to 3.5m above ground on the or leaving the nest box. If you identify introduced species
eastern side of the tree. occupying the nest box you should try to deter them.
The most common pests to occupy nest boxes are Indian
Assess the area you want to install nest boxes in for size mynas (not to be mistaken with the native noisy miner)
of area, access and determine the number of boxes to be and introduced bees.
installed. For larger blocks where you wish to have them in
a line for easier management, 8 to 10 boxes will fit in In order to deter Indian mynas remove nesting material
approximately 500 metres. For blocks of remnant and block the hole to stop the birds from returning.
bushland between 2 and 10 hectares 4 to 8 boxes spread To deter bees you can attach insulation wool to the inside
throughout the block gives you good coverage. of the box. This material is undesirable for them to attach
their hives to.
Where possible place the boxes on the eastern side of
trees so they are away from the hot afternoon sun. It may take a very long time, maybe
Choose trees where possible with fairly straight trunks as even a year or two, before your nest box
these make attaching the boxes more secure. Remove any
loose bark before attaching the box.
is occupied so don’t be disheartened if
something doesn’t move in immediately.
Use 100 to 125 mm tech screws to attach the backing
board to the tree. Use a cordless drill to drive the tech
screws through the backing board and into the tree, make
sure the box is attached securely and the screws are firmly
into the wood of the tree not the outer bark layer
(Indigo Shire Council, Nest Box Installation and
Maintenance Guide)

More information on next box

placement and monitoring see;
[Link]/solutions/
native-plants-animals

SIX
PG. 23
off-stream WATERING

TIP!
PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES
& LIMITING STREAM ACCESS PROTECTS BOTH
LIVESTOCK AND THE RIVER.

Problems related to unrestricted livestock access

include:
Controlling livestock access is • Loss of native fringing vegetation.
the single most important • Weed invasion.
management tool in the • Compacted soils.

protection and restoration of •

•
Erosion.
Poor water quality.
riparian zones in rural areas.
Limiting stream access or providing alternative
This can be achieved through water sources protects livestock and the river from
fencing, the provision of off- the problems associated with unrestricted access.
The benefits include:
stream or restricted access
watering points, and the • Improved water quality by limiting sedimentation and
nutrient enrichment.
implementation of sustainable • Enhanced livestock health through access to cleaner
grazing systems. water.
• Reduced livestock deaths.
• Reduced erosion of river banks and bed, improved
riparian vegetation and riverine habitats.
• There are a variety of alternatives to direct river access
for watering stock. These include providing limited river
access watering points, using an alternative water
supply (e.g. reticulated water supply, dam or bore),
or piping or pumping water from existing sources.

For more information on undertaking

works on waterways see:
[Link]

SEVEN
PG. 24
off-stream WATERING continued
Other options include the following:
LIMITED ACCESS POINT
The width of the access point can vary from 2 - 20 metres
PIPING WATER TO AN OFFSITE STOCK TROUGH
and will depend on the number of sites available and the If there is a dam upslope, or a reticulated water supply is
number of stock requiring water. The access points are located nearby, then piping water from these sources may
made by putting a break in the riparian zone fencing and be an economical alternative to pumping water from the
running two fences out into the water to the low water stream. A tank and trough may need to be installed and
mark and fencing off the end to prevent the stock wading regularly inspected (frequency depending on the reliability
further into the stream. If floods occur regularly, then a of supply and equipment) to check the water supply and
permanent fence can be replaced with live electrical tape, clean out the trough. (DELWP output delivery standards
as it is easily replaced should it be washed away. 2015)
(DELWP output delivery standards 2015)

Where to locate an access point, the following PUMPING WATER TO AN OFFSITE STOCK TROUGH
factors should be considered: This option involves pumping water from the stream or a
• Maximum slope of 1:6 to prevent erosion and make it bore directly into a tank or trough. Pumping systems are
easy for the stock to reach the water’s edge. quite often set up in remote areas. As a result, they have
• A lack of shelter will prevent stock from lingering. to be reliable and easy to maintain, as well as being able
to deliver the required volume of water. There are a large
• Locating of the access point on the inside of a bend
variety of systems available which are suitable for use in
where water movement is slowest, will reduce the risk
remote areas. It is up to the individual landowner to
of scour and erosion.
decide on the most appropriate system to use.
• Angle the access ramp away from the direction of flow. (DELWP output delivery standards 2015)
• The ramp surface should consist of compacted soil or
gravel, or be covered with flat stone or concrete to
minimise damage to the bank and water’s edge as well PUMP AND WATER REQUIREMENTS
as providing a sure footing for the stock. The volume of water to be delivered and the height to
• Commencement of the ramp should be at least 1 metre which the water is to travel need to be taken into
back from the top of the bank. consideration when choosing a pump system. This will
• A works on waterways permit from the CMA will be give an indication of the head the pump will need to
required for these works. develop in order to move the water from the stream or
bore to the watering point at the desired flow rate
(DELWP output delivery standards 2015).

Type of stock litres/animal/day summer

requirement:
• Sheep 7 litres.
• Beef cattle 30 litres.
• Dairy cattle 50+ litres.

When choosing a power source for your pump,

there are 4 common power sources suitable for use
in Australia. These are:
• Electrical mains power.
• Solar power.
• Wind power.
• Petrol or diesel.

A Licence to take and use water and operate

works may be required.
(WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION WATER NOTES 2000) Visit [Link]

See [Link]/Solutions/Floodplains-Waterways for further information.

SEVEN
PG. 25
GRAZING MANAGEMENT

TIP!
Grazing more animals for a shorter period of
time reduces grazing selectivity and allows
longer rest period for desired species to recover.

Grazing can also have other environmental benefits.

Grazing can be used to For example, short-duration, intense, livestock grazing
can help to open up a dense indigenous grass ground
control palatable weeds, reduce layer, which can allow the establishment of many

the quantity or manipulate the indigenous herbs and forbs.

composition of the pasture While grazing—controlled and uncontrolled—can

manage excessive weed growth and promote
resulting in healthier native indigenous herb growth in some situations, it can
woodlands and grasslands that also be a major degrading factor for sites.
For example:
potentially provide a productive
• Using grazing to reduce weeds and excessive grass
benefit. Excessive growth of growth can compact the soil and increase nutrient
pasture grass and weeds can levels, which in turn may exacerbate weed invasion.

become a problem on some • Grazing may further degrade the vegetation in areas
programs are trying to protect.
fenced and revegetated riparian
land from which grazing is
excluded. Grazing of any project site needs to be
Two tools have been developed to assist in determining carefully thought out before it is used as
grazing regimes for conservation sites. a management tool.
Grazing Tool for Managing Grassy Woodlands and
For further information see the North
Grasslands of Northern Victoria
East Catchment Management Authority
Managing grazing on riparian land, The State of Victoria
Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning,
Solutions page;
2016
These can be found on the at:
[Link]/Solutions
[Link]/Solutions

EIGHT
PG. 26
GRAZING MANAGEMENT continued

WHEN NOT TO GRAZE WHEN TO GRAZE

• The soil moisture is relatively low (to avoid or
• When the site is in poor condition.
minimise soil impacts).

• When problem grasses are not green as they will be • When Indigenous plants are likely to be dormant —
less palatable and livestock will eat preferred native usually from late summer to early winter1 as grazing
species giving exotic species an advantage. at this time won’t affect their flowering and seed set.

• When grazing sensitive preferred species are setting • When problem weed species are actively growing
seed and flowering. but before they set seed.

• When invasive weeds such as St Johns Wort and

• Where weed cover is high and native species would
Paterson’s Curse are likely to get an advantage by
benefit from the disturbance.
germinating in open ground.

• When the site is very dry and susceptible to

degradation or very wet and prone to pugging.

• After natural regeneration events occur including

following fire and flood.

1
However, species go into, and come out of, dormancy at different times. In addition, some native species such as
wallaby grass (Danthonia sp.) can be active in winter.

Photo Credit:
Manifesto Photography

EIGHT
PG. 27
PHOTO POINTS/PHOTO MONITORING

TIP!
comparing and analysing Photo points
show habitat trends and conditions
- assisting in making management
decisions.

WHEN TO MONITOR?
The answers to the previous three questions determine
Photo point monitoring consists which photo interval (seasonal, annual, or biennial) is
of repeat photography of an area appropriate. It is critical to take photos at approximately
of interest over a period of time; the same time of year when making statements about
changes from one year to the next.
it is an easy, yet effective, method
of monitoring vegetation and HOW TO MONITOR?
ecosystem change. The choice of detailed feature photos
or broader landscape photos depends
For any type of project, consider four basic on the answers to the previous four
questions to help set up the appropriate photo questions. Determine the best way to
points (Hall 2001, Borman 1995, Nader and others emphasize the visual changes occurring
1995): through time as a result of the project.

WHY MONITOR? To choose the locations of the permanent photo

points, consider the following site characteristics:
What are your objectives or reasons for monitoring?
• Will changes be visible at the desired scale?
The answers can determine whether the project was
implemented correctly and whether the restoration action • Is there adequate light to take the photo?
effectively met the project objectives. Identify the • Will the photo capture the “area of influence?”
expectations for visual monitoring before you make a • This includes not only the work area but also areas likely
commitment of time and effort. (OWEB Guide to Photo to show the effects of that work. (Gerstein and Kocher
Point Monitoring 2007) 2005)
• Will the location of the permanent photo point marker
WHAT TO MONITOR? need to change? For instance, is it placed too close to
an erosion-prone stream bank or an area where
Selection of photo point locations depends on local growing vegetation will become too dense?
topography, accessibility, site specific restoration work, • Can this location be reached conveniently and
availability of reference points in the landscape, and the consistently?
specific objectives of monitoring. A project map is helpful
in choosing the appropriate photo point locations and the
use of corner posts or landmarks at the site.

NINE
PG. 28
PHOTO POINTS/PHOTO MONITORING continued
STEPS TO FOLLOW IN THE FIELD WHEN TAKING EXAMPLES OF PHOTO POINT MONITORING
PHOTO POINTS
1
Mark the location of each photo point on a map, PHOTO POINT YR 1
landscape photo, or aerial photo along with arrows
showing the directions in which to point the camera.

2 Mark each photo point location with a stake, flagging,

or other identifying marks such as corner post of
fences. If your photo points are in riparian areas, set
the locations 5-10 meters (roughly 15-30 feet) back
from the stream bank edge to avoid complications
resulting from bank erosion or high water.

3 Photo Management
• Save the images in a consistent, designated
location; that is labelled in an easily identifiable
folder (e.g. Projects/TarRanch/PhotoPoints/2013)
Photos will need to be easily found for future
efforts.
• Print the Photos in a format that will provide: 1]
project name, 2] photo date, 3] an image name for PHOTO POINT YR 2
each photo (e.g. 01-NW)

PHOTO POINT YR 3

Photo points will be compared and analysed to show

habitat trends and conditions, and to assist in making
management decisions.

Further Information! See the

Contacts List or Useful Website Photo Credit:
Links Pages. SJE Consulting

NINE
PG. 29
MAINTENANCE OF SITES

TIP!
Be selective and plan well to establish
revegetation sites that can be
maintained in an appropriate
condition.

Once you have finished planting your site you will

Good pre-planting weed control need to monitor and maintain it for the best results.
minimises the need for post Monitoring may include some of the following:
planting spraying. However, weeds • Document what was planted and the date. This will
enable you to monitor the success and/or failure of
often grow back after planting. species allowing you to modify your practices for future
An appropriate allocation of revegetation sites.

resources for weed maintenance • Take regular site photos, this will allow you to monitor
the changes on your site e.g. habitat developing,
MUST be included as an essential seasonal changes, impacts from fire, flood or drought.
Section 9 Photo points - photo point monitoring
component in all projects. • Monitor weeds and control them as required.
• Weed control should be undertaken for at least the
Sites will need ongoing monitoring, weed first 12 months to reduce competition with establishing
management, pest animal control and perhaps watering to plants and completed as required each season
ensure establishment. thereafter.
• Water as required.
• Replace dead plants if required. (Notes library Land for
Wildlife Queensland no date)

WATERING
Further Information! See the Plants may require regular watering.
Contacts List or Useful Website However be careful not to over water
Links Pages. your revegetation, creating shallow
roots on plants or under water during
dry seasons and risk losing all your
hard work.

TEN
PG. 30
MAINTENANCE OF SITES CONTINUED
WEED CONTROL Good fencing and the use of appropriate tree stakes and
guards will help protect your hard work.
Weeds should be controlled when they are actively
growing, before they set seed and before they begin to
compete with newly installed plants (Greening
Australia 2008a). Reducing surrounding competition is
most important when seedlings are in their first year of
growth. (Heytesbury District Landcare Network 2009)

Options for weed management post-planting

include:
• Manual weed removal
• Chemical control by overspray with a selective
herbicide, e.g. where grasses are dominant, plantings
may be over-sprayed with a selective herbicide that
does not damage broadleaved plants. (TreeProject
2003)
• Chemical control by spot spraying or wick-wiping.
• More detail can be found in Section 3 Weed Control.

GRAZING IN REPLANTING SITES

Grazing should be avoided where there has been
replanting until plants are beyond browsing height.
This will normally be after three years from planting
(TreeProject 2003, Perry 2004), however this will be
different for each site and may require a longer period SLASHING FOR GRASS
before grazing is reintroduced. Slashing can be used to prevent tall growing weeds from
Grazing MUST NOT be used when native grasses are in flowering and setting seed. This method can be
flower or setting seed ie. During spring and early summer undertaken with a tractor and slashing implement or by
and grazing SHOULD be implemented only when the using a hand-held brush-cutting machine. However this
majority of native plants are dormant ie. From late needs to be conducted carefully to ensure no native
summer to early winter (provided the ground is not too vegetation is impacted.
wet or too dry).Livestock must be grazed on weed-free
fodder or pasture for seven days prior to their
introduction to the project site.
Remember you are required to
In addition, sheep must NOT be introduced until after
shearing. Stock MUST be kept in a control area for seven maintain this site as per your
days before entering project site. (DELWP Output delivery
standards 2015)
management agreement or as
agreed by your funding body
where applicable.

Further Information! See Section 8

Grazing Management

TEN
PG. 31
CONTACT LIST

NORTH EAST CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

[Link]
Responsibilities: Works on waterway permits, floodplain
management, advice, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity
projects, land and soil health.

TRUST FOR NATURE

[Link]
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LAND, WATER Responsibilities: Trust for Nature works to protect native
AND PLANNING plants and wildlife in partnership with private landowners in
Victoria.
[Link] 1800 99 99 33
Responsibilities: Native vegetation and wildlife, weeds,
game licence.

02 6043 7900 | WODONGA

GOULBURN MURRAY WATER
[Link]
03 5723 8600 | WANGARATTA
Responsibilities: Licences for take and use of water,
03 5731 1222 | OVENS irrigation, dams and bores, blue green algae reporting.

02 6076 3100 | CORRYONG 03 5833 5500

02 6030 4500 | RUTHERGLEN
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY (EPA)
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOBS, [Link]
TRANSPORT AND RESOURCES Responsibilities: Licences/approvals for waste disposal,
advice on waste chemical spills, pollution, reporting for littering,
[Link] fish kills.
Responsibilities: Land and soil health and other agricultural
information 1300 372 843

02 6043 7900 | WODONGA

03 5723 8600 | WANGARATTA
03 5731 1222 | OVENS
02 6076 3100 | CORRYONG
02 6030 4500 | RUTHERGLEN

ELEVEN
PG. 32
USEFUL WEBSITE LINKS
RESTORATION & REVEGETATION GUIDE FOR THE ATLAS OF LIVING AUSTRALIA
NORTH EAST CATCHMENT [Link]
[Link]/solutions A collaborative, national project that collections
The restoration and revegetation guide provides biodiversity data from multiple sources and makes
practical information about native vegetation in it available and usable online.
the North East catchment of Victoria. Responsibilities: Collection and collaboration of
biodiversity data.
Responsibilities: The restoration and revegetation
guide provides practical information about native
vegetation in the North East catchment of Victoria. NORTH EAST CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY SOLUTIONS PAGE
GREENING AUSTRALIA
[Link]/solutions
[Link] North East Catchment Management Authority
Provides links for details on revegetation, land Solutions Page
management and restoration.
Responsibilities: North East CMA Solutions page.
Responsibilities: Provides links for details on Here you can find information on a range of natural
revegetation, land management and restoration. resource management topics relating to the North East.

BIODIVERSITY INTERACTIVE MAP LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

[Link]/environment-and- Wodonga City Council
wildlife/biodiversity/biodiversity- [Link]
interactive-map Indigo Shire Council
Biodiversity Interactive Map (BIM) is an easy to
use tool to display and produce maps of Victoria’s
[Link]/home
biodiversity, native vegetation, flora and fauna Rural City of Wangaratta
data. [Link]
Responsibilities: Biodiversity Interactive Map (BIM) Alpine Shire Council
is an easy to use tool to display and produce maps of
Victoria’s biodiversity, native vegetation, flora and fauna [Link]/page/[Link]
data.
Towong Shire Council

WEEDS AUSTRALIA [Link]

Moira Shire
[Link] [Link]/home
Weed identification and information .
East Gippsland Shire
Responsibilities: Weed identification and information.
[Link]/home
DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET
FARMSAFE
[Link]/[Link]/aboriginal-
affairs/ [Link]
The FarmSafe website provides information to people
Aboriginal Affairs, Areas of Cultural Heritage working or living on farms about how to stay safe on
Sensitivity mapping. farms, children on farms, older farmers and includes an
Responsibilities: Aboriginal Affairs, Areas of Cultural online induction tool.
Heritage Sensitivity mapping.

ELEVEN
PG. 33
12 REFERENCES
Ainsworth, N. and Bowcher, A . (2005). Riparian Weed
management in riparian areas: south-eastern Australia

Anderson, G. (2003). Site Preparation for Farm [Link]

Heytesbury District Landcare Network (2009). Site Preparation for
Revegetation. Fact Sheet No. 6.

Land for Wildlife Queensland (no date). Wildlife Friendly Fencing

Notes AG0770. Department of Primary Industries, Victorian and Netting. Note G4
Government, East Melbourne.
Nader, G., M. DeLasaux, R. Delms, [and others]. 1995. “How to”
Andrews (2000).Revegetation and Wildlife School of Ecology and monitor rangelands. Handbook. Level-1. Alturas, CA: University of
Environment Deakin University California, Cooperative Extension Service, Modoc County. 44 p.

Borman, M.M. 1995. Photo monitoring. The Grazier. Corvallis, OR: Notes library Land for Wildlife Queensland (no date) Land
Oregon State Extension Service. 282(May): 2-6. Management Notes

Corangamite Seed Supply and Revegetation Network (2006). OWEB Guide to Photo Point Monitoring (2007) Shaff C, Reiher J
Improving Biodiversity Outcomes in Revegetation Activities – and Campbell J.
Protocols, Resources and Supporting Documents.
Corr, K. (2003). Revegetation Techniques. A Guide for Establishing Perry, D. (2004). Tree Planting and Aftercare. Landcare Notes
Native Vegetation in Victoria. Greening Australia, Victoria. LC0104. Department of Primary Industries, Victorian Government,
East Melbourne.
DELWP Output delivery standards (2015) for the Delivery of
Environmental Activities Version 2.1 Includes standards for fence, Stackpole, D. (1998). Eucalypt Plantation Establishment – Site
vegetation management, weed control and vertebrate animal Preparation. Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
control.
TreeProject (2003). Preparing and Planting your Revegetation Site.
Department of Environment and Sustainability (2009b). Standards Upper Murray Catchment Farm Tree Group (1999) Don’t Waste
for Management – Fencing. Bushbroker. Information Sheet No. 7. Money Planting Trees
Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victorian
Government, East Melbourne.

Ensbey, R. and Johnson, A. (2007). Noxious and environmental

weed control handbook, 3rd edition. New South Wales Department
of Primary Industries, Orange. 80 pp.
Further Information! See the
Greening Australia (2008). Site preparation – Protection from Contacts List or Useful Website
Grazing by Livestock and Feral Animals. Links Pages.
Greening Australia (2008a). Revegetation Techniques.

Hall, Fredrick C. 2001. Photo point monitoring handbook: Part A

- Field procedures. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-526. Portland, OR:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Research Station. 48 p. 2 parts. Available at: ([Link]/pnw/
pubs/gtr526/).

Herbicides: guidelines for use in and around water. CRC for

Australian Weed Management. (Available on [Link].
au).

TWELVE
PG. 34
Looking for information on Landcare, community or managing your land?
The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) website has a solutions area, with an extensive range of information and links to key resources to help
you manage land.
[Link]/solutions

Keep up to date
The North East Catchment Management Authority produces regular Enewsletters with regular updates and news of events, projects, funding opportunities and
activities in the region. To subscribe go to;
[Link]

Get links to more

information

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
[Link]/licenses/by-nc/4.0

This project
is supported
by the North
East Catchm
ent Managem
ent Authority
, through fu
nding from th
e Australian
Government’
s National La
ndcare Prog
ramme.