Working bees resume in February 2022 and the Thursday Crew is back!
After a pretty quiet couple of years, we are looking forward to resuming our working bees in February 2022. There is lots to be done and new helping hands are always very welcome. Check our calendar for dates here.
In the meantime, the Thursday Crew continue their impressive work around town. Thursday Crew working bees are held every Thursday morning at different venues around Woodend during most of the year. Please contact Dave on 0405 910 176 or email dvbower65@gmail.com if you are interested in being involved.
Five Mile Creek survey update
Woodend Landcare thanks everyone who has responded to our survey about File Mile Creek. We have had a tremendous response so far.
We will soon collate the information to pass onto the landscape designers who will begin working on the master plan in the new year. We will be sure to share the draft for comment when it is ready.
The survey closes at the end of November.Click here to tell us your five wishes for Five Mile Creek.
Plogging for health
One thing we have learnt from the community survey so far is that the biggest use of the Five Mile Creek corridor is for exercise and one of the biggest concerns about the creek is rubbish.
So, let us introduce you to something new and exciting taking Europe by storm – plogging! Plogging is the combination of two words ‒ ‘jogging’ and the Swedish phrase for pick up, ‘plocka upp’. It means picking up litter while you get fitter! You get your exercise and make a difference for the environment at the same time.
Plogging can be as simple as heading out on your normal exercise route, collecting rubbish as you go (sort and dispose at home). Or it might be a springboard for you to plan and involve friends or family, your business, or sporting club.
We would love to hear about your plogging efforts. Email us at or share your photos on our Facebook page.
A Box of Habitat grows
Orders are now closed for next year’s Box of Habitat program. The take-up has been fantastic: 40 residents have ordered 78 boxes of habitat. Importantly, many of the orders are going to storm affected sites. It is really inspiring to see the effort people are putting in to restoring habitat on their properties.
Remember that different species of wildlife need different habitats ‒ so a property with a greater variety of habitat features is likely to support more native animal species. Characteristics of a healthy habitat include:
a diversity of native overstorey, understorey and groundcover plants, reflective of the original vegetation type
old, large trees (dead or alive) with hollows
regenerating native trees, shrubs and groundcovers
a ground layer dominated by native perennial plants
fallen timber/debris and leaf litter
areas that are largely free of weeds and introduced grasses
TONIGHT! Grassland Talk and AGM – Monday 16 August 2021
A reminder that our AGM and talk are being held online tonight, Monday 16 August at 7.30pm. Email woodendlandcare@gmail.com for the zoom meeting link.
Martin Roberts will be speaking about the value and importance of local grasslands. These are the most threatened ecosystem types in our region. Martin will discuss the management of a valuable existing grassland – the Woodend Grassland Reserve – including the role of ecological burns. He will also highlight the steps taken to recreate a grassland at the Quarry Rd retarding basin. Martin Roberts is the Bushland Reserves Officer at Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Woodend Grassland Reserve by Hubert Weisrock
Working Bee – Sunday 22 August 2021 – maximum of 10 adults
Our Working Bees start back this month on Sunday 22 August from 9am-12pm. This month we will meet at the Five Mile Creek embankment on Campaspe Dr near Heron St. Please park in Campaspe Park (over the creek from Bowling Club).
Please bring gumboots, waterproof clothing, own gloves, secateurs & eye protection. For this event, please also bring own morning tea. We’ll be cutting, painting and hand-weeding emerging woody weeds below the embankment. We will also look to work in the area opposite the Children’s Park.
Important – Due to strict limit of 10 adults, please RSVP attendance (email woodlandcare@gmail.com) in advance. When you arrive, please use the QR code near the tool trailer to check in.
Please check our Facebook page for any late cancellations due to weather or Covid. Any questions, email us at woodendlandcare@gmail.com.
Five Mile Creek near the Campaspe Drive embankment
Box of Habitat Update
Recipients will be pleased to know that they are close to receiving their long awaited Boxes of Habitat.
Most of the orders from Tree Project have now been picked up. It was a pleasure to meet Kalai Shaw and Suelin Haynes – who are the coordinators of the volunteers growing our order (pictured below). These volunteers have been growing our seedlings all year and include members from Caulfield Gardening Club and a women’s refuge center in St Kilda.
Tree Project is a amazing program to be part of. If you would like to find out more, visit the Tree Project website here. They are now looking for growers and landholders to order for 2022.
Our boxes of habitat will be mixed and distributed as soon as our order from Western Plains Flora arrives. Helpers to mix the boxes are most welcome – let Krista know if you can.
After the storm, we were lucky enough to source an extra 500 plants which meant we could give out a additional 16 boxes of plants. Most of these have gone to people who missed out earlier and to properties that were badly impacted by the storms. The boxes looked great (see pic below), however the boxes coming soon will be even more diverse. A big thanks to Raina Kilner for the plants and to Jen Firestone for helping deliver and mix up the boxes.
Shall we do it again 2022?
We are thinking about offering this Box of Habitat program again. It would be good to know the level of interest before we commit. If you are keen in being involved and planting some habitat next year, please email woodendlandcare@gmail.com or call Krista on 0408 204 449.
Note that, if we go ahead, there will likely be some adjustments to the program including the price and timing. We want to ensure we get plants at the best time for planting and that we fully cover the costs involved. We are also open to any feedback from those involved this year.
Community Grant Success! Five Mile Creek Masterplan
We are pleased to share the we have been successful in obtaining a Council community grant for the development of a Masterplan for Five Mile Creek. A masterplan will help Woodend Landcare and Council work together to enhance Woodend Five Mile Creek over the next ten years or more.
It will guide habitat restoration projects, support grant applications and inform infrastructure needs to improve the passive recreation and access to the creek for a broad range of users. Most importantly for Woodend Landcare, the masterplan will ensure future actions have the best ecological outcome for the creek and its surrounds and will ensure this work is supported by the local community.
Development of a masterplan for the creek and its environs was a key action in the recent community climate action plan developed for Woodend, and in the broader Five Mile Creek project being developed with North Central Catchment Management Authority.
We are keen to get started on this exciting project and will encourage lots of input when the time comes. *watch this space*
Healthy Landscapes Program
Readers may be interested in the following programs about regenerative agricultural practices to help you improve your land, soil, water and livestock in the shires of Macedon Ranges, Hepburn and City of Greater Bendigo:
Individual, free, on-farm advice
Webinars, workshops and field days
Holistic Grazing Management short course
Farmer discussion group
Click here to find out more about the program and to register your interest.
The program has a newsletter covering upcoming events, interesting tips and other ways to be involved in the regenerative farming world – subscribe to the newsletter here.
Draft Updated Environment Strategy
You are invited to share your feedback on Council’s updated Environment Strategy.
The previous Environment Strategy was adopted in 2016 and since that time, Council has delivered most of the strategy’s actions such as preparation of a Biodiversity Strategy, Climate Change Action Plan and Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.
The vision and key principles from the original strategy have been retained, and the updated strategy responds to a range of emerging priorities identified by the community through previous engagement processes. It is also aligned with Council’s recent declaration of a climate emergency, the development of technologies in the energy sector, and changes at a state and national level to legislation and environmental priorities.
Woodend Landcare invites you to join us on Monday 16 August for an interesting evening celebrating Woodend Landcare and our local grasslands.
Woodend Grasslands Talk
Martin Roberts will be speaking about the value and importance of local grasslands. These are the most threatened ecosystem types in our region. Martin will discuss the management of a valuable existing grassland – the Woodend Grassland Reserve – including the role of ecological burns. He will also highlight the steps taken to recreate a grassland at the Quarry Rd retarding basin. Martin Roberts is the Bushland Reserves Officer at Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
AGM – would you like to join the committee?
On the same evening, we will hold our Annual General Meeting. We encourage you to consider joining the committee – we’d love some new faces at our bi-monthly meetings. Please contact Kate if you are interested on 5427 2312 or email woodendlandcare@gmail.com.
The grassland talk and AGM will be held online via zoom at 7.30pm on Monday 16 August. Email woodendlandcare@gmail.com to rsvp and for the zoom link.
Join or Renew your Membership
Now is that time of year when we ask members to renew their Landcare membership. Membership demonstrates support for our group and ensures participants are covered by insurance at our working bees. We currently have 48 members (including families) – it would be great to see this membership grow. If you would like to join, click here to download a Woodend Landcare Membership Form.
Our annual membership fee remains $20 and you can join or renew your membership by either:
sending cash or cheque to Woodend Landcare, PO Box 297, Woodend 3442; or
paying $20 electronically (include your name in the transaction). Account details: Woodend Landcare, Westpac Bank, BSB 033-674, Acct 982435.
2021-22 Calendar
Our monthly Working Bees are set to resume in August. Below is a snippet of our calendar for the remainder of the year so you can note the dates in your diary.
A reminder that Working Bees will be cancelled on days of Total Fire Ban without further notification.
Thursday Crew working bees are held on Thursday morning at 9 am (when weather and restrictions allow). Contact Dave Bower on dvbower65@gmail.com if you would like to join the Thursday crew mailing list.
Plants and Animals of the Wombat Forest | Online event, 2-4pm, Sunday 8 August
Join the Macedon Ranges Field Naturalists to learn more about the plants and animals of the Wombat Forest. Gayle Osborne and Trevor Speirs from Wombat Forestcare will describe the special species such as the Powerful Owl, Greater Glider, Brush-tailed Phascogale and important flora as well as efforts underway to protect and document them.
A Woodend resident recently found a Powerful Owl along Black Forest Drive. This exciting discovery had us thinking about how we can help protect this beautiful but threatened species in our area. Click here to listen to local nature writer Tanya Loos explain how choosing a better rodenticide will give the species a much better chance.
Have your say – Macedon Ranges Shire Rural Land Use Strategy
The draft Rural Land Use Strategy seeks to update the policy direction for rural land in the Macedon Ranges Shire. The strategy is currently open for feedback. Click here to find out more.
Our final Sunday working bee for the current season will be at Slatey Creek Black Gum Reserve on Sunday 23 May from 9am until 12pm. This is a lovely small bush reserve managed by local residents throughout the year. Once every twelve to eighteen months Woodend Landcare helps out by scheduling a working bee here. Tasks include woody weed removal, plant guard maintenance, litter pickup and burning off of some debris piles if conditions are suitable.
The reserve is 1.4 km on the left along Ashbourne Rd and parking is in the no through road on the east side of the reserve. Wear protective full-length clothing, suitable footwear and bring secateurs, safety glasses and gloves. The work at this site is easier than some of our more recent working bees so come along for a relaxing morning and our tasty morning tea (provided). As always, newcomers to Landcare are very welcome. Due to any possible changes in Covid restrictions and to help with catering, please register your interest at woodendlandcare@gmail.com.
After this event we head into our Winter recess. Our Sunday working bees will recommence on 23 August 2021.
Celebrate Ecosystem Restoration this World Environment Day – 5 June
World Environment Day encourages awareness of the environment. The theme for this year is ecosystem restoration. To celebrate, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is hosting a range of activities throughout the day. Click on the links below for more information and to register to attend the event.
Visit a farming property in Malmsbury where the owners are restoring ecosystems with the use of tree plantations and regenerative grazing beef cattle. The tour will commence at 2pm and finish at 3pm.
Tour of Black Hill Reserve, Kyneton. Join Council officers on a guided walk from 10am-12pm to look at the recovery of vegetation after the bushfires of 2015.
Check out the stall at the Woodend Farmers Market to find out how to help restore ecosystems on your property and provide feedback on the Draft Roadside Conservation Management Plan.
Useful resource: Revegetating your property
Have you ever thought about the types of plants that once lived on your property? Planting native plants on your property will increase habitat for wildlife, reduce soil erosion, improve waterways and water quality, and provide shelter and shade to livestock. Council now has a handy resource to help work out what native plants to use in your gardens and revegetation projects. Click here to check it out. Also, remember that Woodend Landcare also has a simple guide for local planting which is available on our website.
Interested in Roadside Vegetation?
Roadside vegetation is pretty special and plays a important environmental role. Fortunately, Council has its first ever Draft Roadside Conservation Management Plan open for consultation. The draft plan sets out a series of actions aimed at protecting the conservation values of the shire’s rural roadsides while managing fire risk and maintaining road safety. Click here to check it out and provide feedback.
Inspiring viewing: Linking the Landscape – The Cobaw Biolink
This inspiring five minute video promotes the important role of the Cobaw Biolink in enhancing the connections between Mount Macedon and the Cobaw Range on both private and public land. Importantly, it shows that any environmental contribution, no matter how big or small, is vital. Landholders can help contribute through enhancing waterways, undertaking weed and pest control, protecting remnant vegetation, revegetation and encouraging native grasslands on their properties.
The video has been produced by Newham & District Landcare Group, with funding support from Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Melbourne Water. Click here to watch.
We are very pleased to be starting our Sunday working bees again. To make up for lost time, we are planning two working bees in February!
On Sunday the 7th of February from 9 am, we will be working in the paddocks near the Children’s Park. Tasks will include woody weed removal, ivy removal, plant guard maintenance and a check of the ornamental trees Landcare have planted in this area. The best place to park is near the gym in Wood St. Look out for the blue Landcare trailer to find us.
On Sunday the 28th of February from 9 am, we will target willow and gorse regrowth downstream of Romsey Road. Park at Ruby Mackenzie Park and meet us near the Shirley Park weir.
Please register your interest in attending our working bees or Thursday Crew by emailing woodendlandcare@gmail.com. Newcomers are always very welcome.
Due to COVID restrictions we encourage participants to bring their own secateurs, gloves, and protective eye and ear wear. A tasty morning tea is provided at our Sunday Working Bees. Landcare events will be cancelled if a total fire ban is declared in the Central district.
Let’s hope we can get in a more consistent run of working bees this year as, after the wet past year, the weeds have not taken a break. Our volunteer work is more important than ever.
Flash back – Planting ‘the Paddocks’
Ten years ago we planted advanced ornamental trees at the extension to the Children’s Park – affectionately known as ‘the paddocks’. These days the Macedon Ranges Shire Council parks crew do a fantastic job mowing and keeping it looking neat and tidy. When we get dry spells, David Gossip is deeply committed to watering the newer trees. This area is already nice, but will only get better with some great shade and autumn colour trees as they mature. This is where our first working bee for 2021 will be held – we hope to see you there!
“The paddocks” planting 2011
“The paddocks” today
Thursday Crew in Action
The Thursday crew is also back in action on many important sites around town. The before and after photos below show the impact of their recent activity cleaning up the Trees for Mum site near Lake Earnshaw. Thursday Crew working bees are held every Thursday morning at 9 am at different venues around Woodend during most of the year. Contact Dave Bower if you would like to get involved: dvbower65@gmail.com.
Before Thursday Crew
After Thursday Crew
Works happening along the creek and around town
We are very pleased to see some important weed control being undertaken along Five Mile Creek near Bowen Street. The tidy up under the powerlines looks amazing – this is the last remaining really bad area between the High St bridge and Romsey Road to have the woody weeds removed and it will be so much easier now to access and maintain that area.
Bowen St Hill – Before
Bowen St Hill – After
Down by the creek, there is a big oak tree which will be a beautiful sitting place in the years to come. Local contractor, Pat Mansbridge from Bushco Land Management, has done an excellent job. If you get a chance, don your work boots and take a look!
Further downstream, a Working for Victoria Crew from the North Central Catchment Management Authority have been removing weeds along creek behind the pool. Hosted by Macedon Ranges Shire Council, the crew have also been working in the Woodend Grassland Reserve, Quarry Road Retarding Basin, and Old Ashbourne Road Reserve.
Thanks to the Environment Team at Macedon Ranges Shire Council for making all of this important restoration work happen around town. We (Council and Landcare) will now have to be vigilant over the coming years to maintain these efforts.
Video – Celebrating the Wildflowers of Newham and Woodend
We have enjoyed working with Newham Landcare to develop a photographic display that celebrates the wildflowers found inWoodend’s Grassland Reserve and Quarry Road Reserve, and along the rural roadsides of the Newham district. Produced as part of the Sustainable Living Festival, you can watch it here: https://mrsg.org.au/environment.
How many plants can you name?
A Box of Habitat Update
There was a tremendous amount of interest in our ‘Box of Habitat’ initiative. We received orders for 95 Boxes of Habitat from 34 Woodend residents. That is some 4560 native plants! What an incredible outcome this will be for our native animals, birds and insects.
We have submitted our order to Tree Project who have confirmed that the plants are now being grown by their committed volunteers. Woodend Landcare has also ordered some additional (and more difficult to grow) species through Western Plains Flora. This will help to ensure recipients get a really interesting and diverse Box of Habitat. We anticipate the boxes will be ready for pick up in late winter / early Spring this year.
Looking ahead – Woodend Landcare’s 2021 Calendar
Click here to view our 2021 calendar. To help you easily update your diary, here is a snippet through till May 2021:
Woodend Landcare 