Snow Gum Restoration and Revegetation Project
The proposed scope of the works is to restore & maintain the vegetation in a strip of roadside reserve on the northern side of Kyneton -Trentham Road between Victoria Street and Gunyah Drive under the guidance and support from Hepburn Shire Council (HSC).
Proposed/approved works will overtime improve the biodiversity and support the environmental values of the snow gums, while in the longer-term support neighbouring residents to reduce the overall on-going maintenance whilst ensuring safe pedestrian access adjacent to the area.
Background:
Roadside bushland includes some of Hepburn Shire’s most important conservation areas and are a contributor to the area’s amenity, and as such should be maintained and managed for their long-term ecological survival as far as is consistent with maintaining road function.
The proposed area is notable in having a high proportion of Snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. pauciflora) as an overstorey, alongside the more usual Manna Gum and Narrow-leaved Peppermint. Snow gums are considered regionally rare and are of interest as potentially susceptibility to climate change impact.
The woodland vegetation contributes to the aesthetics along a major entry to the town and is a highlight of the Gunyah Drive walking path which leads residents and visitors into town.
Proposed Activities:
The work area at the Gunyah Drive Snow gum Woodland will be progressively broken into multiple areas of works with several management approaches to be utilised.
1. Woody Weed control - manual hand removal / Cut and paint Method.
This method is usually only suitable for small infestations and large isolated plants. Stems of small trees and woody weeds can be cut as low as possible, and the stumps immediately painted with a registered herbicide. Currently there are species such as ivy, viburnum, holly and hawthorns which have all self sown.
2. The Bradley Method : The Bradley Method – AABR).
The preferred approach to ecological restoration is ‘assisted natural regeneration’ - a gradual approach promoting natural regeneration which
The essence of the Bradley method will guide regeneration, considering modern techniques and the need for appropriate ecological disturbance to trigger regeneration. HSC representatives & Trentham & District Landcare members will provide guidance and advice on this “gentle weeding’ technique to build skills and knowledge of all volunteers. The weed species to be removed include broom, holly and gorse to name a few.
