Our Achievements in 2020/2021
Our project “Trees for Weeds Encore” was funded by a $1,380 grant from a member of the community via Landcare Australia to provide 2,744 local provenance native plants, Terraform early growing assistance and other materials to 28 residences. 5 were repeat additional plantings. They were sourced from Hornsby Community Nursery, provided free of cost and Hawkesbury Community Nursery. This project follows four previous years of similar projects. This project ran from 1.04.2020 until 31.12.2020 and had $10,300 in-kind contribution from Still Creek Landcare, which involved assessing local species and advising on planting.
For 2021, our new project “Trees for Weeds 2021” is based on a similar grant of $1,380 and has resulted in 360 plants to 3 residences. We are very grateful for the donations, as are the recipients of plants and advice.
We have provided:
- 10 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 10 field days or working bees on private and public land
- 40 sets of physical and chemical water quality tests and observations at 4 creek sites: summarised on our website up to December 2020
Creek sites: summarised on our website up to December 2020
- 4 samplings and counts of macro-invertebrates as a biological measure of water quality at 2 creek sites
- No community activity days or Floating Landcare events were arranged due to COVID restrictions this year, but some other events were attended
Our Achievements in 2019/2020
Our project “Trees for Weeds” was funded by a $1,000 grant from a member of the community via Landcare Australia to provide 4,014 local provenance native plants, Terraform early growing assistance and other materials to 18 residences. They were sourced from Hornsby Community Nursery, provided free of cost and Hawkesbury Community Nursery. This project follows three previous years of similar projects. “Helping Landowners” ran from 1.04.2019 until 31.12.2019 and had $11,237 in-kind contribution from Still Creek Landcare, which involved assessing local species and advising on planting.
We have provided:
- 11 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 8 field days or working bees on private and public land
- 4 Floating Landcare events attended
- 41 series of physical and chemical water quality tests at 4 creek sites: see results on website
- 2 samplings/counts of macro-invertebrates as a biological measure of water quality at 2 sites
- 1 community event with the focus on habitat, particularly for birds, with examples of weeds and native plants at the November Arcadia Market day.
Our Achievements in 2018/19
Our project “Helping Landowners” was based on a $2,000 grant from a member of the community via Landcare Australia to provide 1,480 local provenance native plants and some materials to 18 residences. They were sourced from Hornsby Community Nursery and Hawkesbury Community Nursery. This project follows two previous years of similar projects. “Helping Landowners” ran from 1.04.2018 until 31.03. 2019 and $4,435 in-kind contribution from our group, which involves assessing local species and advising on planting.
From 1.04.2019, our new project “Trees for Weeds” is based on a similar grant of $1,000 and has resulted in 280 plants to 2 residences. We are very grateful for the donations, as are the recipients of plants and advice.
We have provided:
- 10 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 10 field days or working bees on private and public land
- 35 series of physical and chemical water quality tests at 3 creek sites: see results on website
- 4 samplings/counts of macro-invertebrates as a biological measure of water quality at 2 sites
- 1 community event with the focus on the earth water cycle, water plants and water quality testing at the November Arcadia Market day.
Our Achievements in 2017/18
This was the final year of our 3 year project “Carrs Bush Restoration: Stage 1”, which has been supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding of $39,930 from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. This is about the threatened and highly valued Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest in Fagan Park. We have significantly improved 0.8 out of the 1.2 hectares invaded by privet, blackberry, honeysuckle and bridle creeper.
Unfortunately, the original goals were not met because the Hornsby Council officer managing the site changed the scope late in the project by leaving 3 islands of privet in the otherwise cleared area and by not replanting to supplement the native regeneration. This was claimed to protect small bird habitat, but privet seeds will continue to be dropped in the cleared area. As a result, $6316 was handed back to the government from the project.
See the separate report on this successful project. Disappointingly, due to Council, the proposed Stage 2 project to clear the final area of remaining privet will not occur for some years.
We continued periodic follow-up work for the previous project “Top of Catchment Remediation”. The focus was on eliminating privet and reducing the Bell Miner birds which had taken over the area to the exclusion of other species and resulted in the eucalypts being devastated by the Bell Miner Dieback disease. The Bell Miners have not returned and regeneration is occurring.
Following a second donation from a member of the community to our group, we again advertised free local native plants for local residents who were improving their properties. We visited the sites, provided advice and during this year arranged 1524 plants for those residents assessed as suitable. We are very grateful for the donation, as are the recipients of plants and advice.
We have provided:
- 11 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 11 field days or working bees on private and public land
- 35 series of physical and chemical water quality tests at 3 creek sites: see results on website
- 4 samplings/counts of macro-invertebrates as a biological measure of water quality at 2 sites
- 2 community events with an indigenous bush tucker show at the Arcadia Market day and in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Council gave away 211 native plants
- Plantings included 498 Blady Grass at Carrs Bush as a border to the road
- Assistance to the CSIRO Crofton Weed Rust project to control this weed: unfortunately the rust has failed to persist at all of our sites
Our Achievements in 2016/17
This was year 2 of our project “Carrs Bush Restoration: Stage 1”, which has been supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding of $39,930 from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. This is about the threatened and highly valued Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. Over 3 years, we are improving 0.8 out of the 1.2 hectares now invaded by privet, blackberry and honeysuckle.
We have now primary cleared 93% of the area with plenty of secondary clearing done. Although lots of privet seedlings are still coming up, there has also been some encouraging native plant regeneration. See the separate report on this project.
We continued periodic follow-up work for the previous project “Top of Catchment Remediation”. The focus was on eliminating privet and reducing the Bell Miner birds which had taken over the area to the exclusion of other species and resulted in the eucalypts being devastated by the Bell Miner Dieback disease. The Bell Miners have left, some trees have died and some are recovering: a great success.
Following a donation from a member of the community to our group, we advertised free local native plants for local residents who were improving their properties. We visited the sites, provided advice and over 18 months arranged 2370 plants for those residents assessed as suitable.
We have provided:
- 10 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 12 field days or working bees on private and public land
- 34 series of physical and chemical water quality tests at 3 creek sites: see results on website
- 5 samplings/counts of macro-invertebrates as a biological measure of water quality at 2 sites
- 2 community events with an indigenous bush tucker show at the Arcadia Market day and in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Council gave away 211 native plants.
- 307 plantings, including 45 Lomandra at Carrs Bush
- 1 continuing site as part of the CSIRO Crofton Weed Rust project to control this weed
Our Achievements in 2015/16
Our new project Carrs Bush Restoration: Stage 1 has been supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding of $39,930 from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. This is about the threatened and highly valued Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. Over the next 3 years, this project will regenerate 0.8 out of the 1.2 hectares now invaded by privet, blackberry and honeysuckle.
In the first year of this project we have primary cleared 0.35Ha with some secondary clearing done. Although lots of privet seedlings are coming up, there has also been very encouraging native plant regeneration.
We continued periodic follow-up work for the previous project “Top of Catchment Remediation”. The focus at the main site is on eliminating privet and reducing the Bell Miner birds which have taken over the area to the exclusion of other species and resulted in the eucalypts being devastated by the Bell Miner Dieback disease.
We continued water quality monitoring with 35 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. In spring and autumn we sampled and counted macro-invertebrates in Charltons and Still creeks as a measure of water quality, part of Streamwatch with the Australian Museum.
We have provided:
- 13 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 13 field days or working bees on private and public land
- Much advice to local people on native plants
- Following a bequest from a member of the community, arranged for trees to be provided to local residents who were improving their properties
- 3 community events with a walk to Fosters Waterhole, a wildlife show at the Arcadia Market day and in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Council gave away 300 native trees.
- 434 plantings, including 24 at Carrs Bush
- 3 sites as part of the CSIRO Crofton Weed Rust project to control this weed
Our Achievements in 2014/15
We completed the project “Top of Catchment Remediation”, started in the previous year with all targets exceeded. The aim at the main site has been to eliminate privet and reduce the Bell Miner birds which have taken over the area to the exclusion of other species and resulted in the eucalypts being devastated by the Bell Miner Dieback disease. Extensive removal of privet has been done and 936 plantings achieved.
We have provided:
- 10 media articles have been published and are available on the website
- 12 field days or working bees on private and public land
- Much advice to local people on native plants
- 6 community events with 2 planting days, a bird walk, a talk on bush friendly gardening at Bunnings, a wildlife show at the Arcadia Market day and in conjunction with HSC a native tree give away day.
We continued water quality monitoring with 36 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. We started sampling and counting macro-invertebrates in Charltons and Still creeks as a measure of water quality, part of Streamwatch with the Australian Museum.
Our new project Carrs Bush Restoration: Stage 1 has been supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding of $39,930 from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. This is about the threatened and highly valued Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. Over the next 3 years, this project will regenerate 0.8 out of the 1.2 hectares now invaded by privet, blackberry and honeysuckle.
Our Achievements in 2013/14
We commenced the project “Top of Catchment Remediation” with the $37,600 funding granted by the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, now the NSW Local Land Services and with $4200 additional support and plants from Hornsby Shire Council.
There are three sites with clearing of 1.5 Ha of extensive privet on two of them completed, mainly by Warrigal Green contractors with assistance by the Landcare members and landowners. 332 shrubs and trees have been planted at two sites, with 900 to be planted in the spring at the main site. The main aim has been to eliminate privet and reduce the Bell Miner birds which have taken over the area to the exclusion of other species and resulted in the eucalypts being devastated by the Bell Miner Dieback disease.
We ran five community events with 2 planting days, a wildlife show at the Arcadia Market day and in conjunction with HSC, a Native Grasses course with Ross Rapmund and a tree give away day.
Last year we prepared the folder “Caring For Your Small Acreage: Resident Information Guide” and the introduction sheet. This year we included seven new information sheets on Bushland, Weeds, Soil, Wildlife, Water, Horses and Bushfires and the Rural Residents guide has been distributed. We reprinted the Fireweed brochure. 9 media articles have been published and are available on the website.
We held 13 field days or working bees on private and public land…
We monitored water quality with 36 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. We measured: dissolved oxygen, salinity, Phosphorus, turbidity, E. coli and pH as part of the Streamwatch campaign with the Australian Museum.
Our Achievements in 2012/13
Successfully completed the project: “Helping Our Local Catchment” with the $8,800 funding awarded under the Caring For Our Country Australian Government Grants scheme and with $2220 materials funding and plants from Hornsby Shire Council.
For community awareness and education in the local environment, we:
Ran 5 events for awareness and training people in the local environment:
- Native Grasses Course by Tim Berryman
- Micro-bat nesting box building with Bunnings and Dural Men’s Shed
- Native plant information stall at Hornsby Shire Council plant give away day
- Advice stall and sponsored the Australian Wildlife Show at Arcadia P/S market day
- Night frog walk
Produced 11 education and publicity articles in the local media.
Published the folder “Caring For Your Small Acreage: Resident Information Guide” and the introduction sheet. Seven information sheets will be published in 2013/14.
On-ground improvement activities were removing weeds or replanting:
Ran 11 on-ground events over 6 sites for weeding, planting and watering.
We planted 224 trees and shrubs at the main Hall Trig site crown land. This was to provide an additional wildlife corridor from the Still Creek Catchment to the next catchment to the north.
A further 0.418 ha were weeded and 58 plantings were made at another 4 sites.
We monitored water quality with 34 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. We measured: dissolved oxygen, salinity, Phosphorus, turbidity, E. coli and pH as part of the Streamwatch campaign with the Australian Museum.
Our Achievements in 2011/12
Successfully completed the the project: “Still Creek Catchment Community Skill-Building” with the $19,400 funding awarded under the Caring For Our Country Australian Government Grants scheme.
For community awareness and education, we:
Ran 5 events for awareness and training people in the local environment:
- Presentation to two local groups
- Nocturnal frog walk
- Native plant information stall at Hornsby Shire Council plant give away day
- Advice stall and sponsored the Australian Wildlife Show at Arcadia Public School market day
Produced 11 education and publicity articles in the local media.
Published and distributed education information via brochures and on our website:
- The Value of Trees
- Clean Waterways
- Groundcovers for Your Garden
- Bush Friendly Gardening
- Native Grasses
On-ground improvement activities were removing weeds or replanting:
Ran 10 on-ground events over 7 sites for weeding, fencing and planting.
We planted 615 trees and 70 aquatic plants along a dam at a project site on private land. This was to restore an important gap at the confluence of two creeks in the wildlife corridor from the Berowra Regional Park to the next catchment to the west.
We planted 243 trees on an area of land previously worked on to remove extensive lantana. A further 0.14 ha were weeded and 178 plantings were made at other sites.
We monitored water quality with 33 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. We measured: dissolved oxygen, salinity, Phosphorus, turbidity, E. coli and pH as part of the Streamwatch campaign.
Our Achievements in 2010/11
Successfully completed the project: “Community Caring for Our Still Creek Catchment: Skill-Building and Engagement” with the $25,000 funding under the NSW coastal CMA Caring For Our Country Australian Government Grants scheme.
For community awareness and education, we:
Ran 5 events for awareness and training people in the local environment:
- Bush regeneration training field day
- Night animal spotting walk
- Advice stall at Hornsby Shire Council plant give away day
- Advice stall and sponsored the Australian Wildlife Show at Arcadia Public School market day
- Part sponsored with HSC the Sustainable Horse Management seminar.
Produced 11 education and publicity articles in the Galston Community News.
Published and distributed education information via brochures and on our website:
- Crofton Weed
- Wildlife Corridors
- 5 Step Guide to Help The Catchment
- Revision of the Still Creek Landcare brochure
On-ground improvement activities were removing weeds or replanting at 6 sites:
We prepared 0.3 Ha of ground by removing extensive privet and other weeds and putting up a wallaby proof fence ready for planting local native trees at a project site on private land. This was to restore an important gap at the confluence of two creeks and next to a Dam in the wildlife corridor from the Berowra Regional Park to the next catchment to the west.
We prepared 0.07 Ha of ground by removing extensive lantana ready for planting local native trees at a project site on private land. We planted 74 trees at another site on private land.
We planted an additional 122 local native trees at the previous George Hall Creek Bayfield project site, to replace trees killed by frost, wallabies and vandalism. The purpose was to restore a critical gap in the wildlife corridor from the Berowra Regional Park to the next catchment to the west and thence to Marramarra National park.
We removed whisky grass over 0.33 Ha at the stanchions on the Radnor Rd Fire Trail.
We monitored water quality with 32 series of water condition tests on Charltons Ck, Still Ck and where Still Ck flows into Berowra Ck. We measured: dissolved oxygen, salinity, Phosphorus, turbidity, E. coli and pH as part of the Streamwatch campaign.
Our Achievements in 2009/10
For community awareness and education, we:
- Created a website for information storage and reference.
- Published 4 articles in the Hills Rural News or Galston Community News
- Conducted 2 catchment bushwalks
- Made a presentation to a local group on Landcare activities
Our on-ground activities: surveys, plans, removing weeds & replanting:
We published a master plan for the catchment incorporating the vegetation survey of the catchment along sections of creeks, ridge traverses and along roadsides and planned improvements.
We started the restoration of a critical gap in the wildlife corridor from the Berowra Regional Park to the west into Marramarra National park by preparing the ground and planted 525 local native trees at the George Hall Creek Bayfield site covering about 0.3 ha.
Worked with a school group to plant 115 local native trees at Arcadia Public School.
Conducted weed removal at the stanchions on the Radnor Rd Fire Trail and on the banks of Still Creek near Crosslands.
Monitored water quality with 38 series of water tests at 3 routine and 2 additional creek sites.
Our Achievements in 2008/09
Conducted 4 catchment bushwalks.
Published 4 articles in the Hills Rural News.
Published and distributed into all 450 letterboxes in the catchment brochures on:
- The Still Creek Landcare Group, describing purpose, activities and contacts
- Fireweed, describing identification, impacts and how to stop it
Created 2 WEB Based Multi Media presentations about the catchment.
Conducted vegetation surveys of the catchment, following creeks, traversing ridges, walking all the catchments roadsides and summarising the results in digital and map formats.
Conducted 22 series of water tests at 3 routine and 6 additional creek sites.
Set up a Steering Committee comprising the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA, Hornsby Shire Council and DECC Parks and Wildlife to advise and guide on plans and activities
Started our library of reference literature relevant to the local catchment and environment.
