The Maleny IGA through its Community Chest supports 134 groups with a combined membership of 6,352.

Thank you Maleny Supa IGA! A quick glance at the website shows Barung Landcare right up there with Maleny Hospital in terms of membership support, which is quite an achievement  for a landcare group. We received more than $6000 last year from the Community Chest.

The locals clearly do value Barung’s work in helping us all to conserve and enhance our wonderful natural resources.

Another large number concerns the acacias, or wattles. September is officially spring and wattle time but we are already enjoying their pale yellow or gold flowers. There are 950 currently recognised Australian acacias, a very large number. Not all of course are suited to our climate, but some certainly are and they come in various sizes. Acacias are fast growing, useful pioneers, relatively short-lived although longevity varies with species. Some can be weedy when planted outside their own areas and two of these are Cootamundra wattle, Acacia baileyana, and the Mt. Morgan wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia. The latter, a popular and hardy shrub used in roadside plantings, will spread its seed into open forest edges.

Continuing to look at numbers, Barung is presently carrying about 132 different species of plants native to the vegetation types of our region. There is absolutely no excuse for not growing a diverse forest! Each chosen species will provide shelter and /or food for an unknown and possibly uncountable number of insects and other invertebrates whose identity is also frequently unknown. All are important, whether they provide pollination
services, return carbon to the soil or perform any other of the myriad tasks which  contribute to a healthy, diverse environment. Their number is very, very large.

BARUNG NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
Nursery opening times: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am -3pm
Phone 5494 3151

ONCE UPON A TIME … not too long ago, it was considered good practice to remove useless scrub and brush from creek banks and replace it with pasture. Not only did the scrub along the creek and river banks reduce the area that could be grazed, but the trees often fell into the creek and made snags … and that’s just messy!

So for over a hundred years, native vegetation was removed from the landscape and creeks were de-snagged of dead wood. The consequences should have been obvious in retrospect, but let’s not forget that the guys who undertook this herculean task, were often first generation settlers, new to the rhythms’ of this landscape and the monsoonal downpours that can turn bare hillsides into custard.

Massive erosion occurred across the landscape, crystal clear rocky creeks became silted  bogs, big rivers became creeks, native fish populations collapsed as resources and habitat  dwindled. Hills dried out as soils became shallower, floods increased as water moved across the land quicker and creeks dried up sooner as their catchments dried out.

These changes often happened subtlety over a few generations and the community memory of what has changed is often quickly lost.

Yes a riverbank that is now covered in grass is relatively stable. However, if the bank becomes undercut, the shallow roots of pasture grasses don’t stand a chance in holding the bank together and it will steadily collapse. Also once we introduce livestock into the creeks or even the nearby landscape, nutrients in the creek will also rapidly increase.

Add to this the balmy subtropical summers of south east Queensland and a lack of shade from the absence of trees and we have perfect conditions for a range of potentially toxic algae … and little else.

Planting trees on creek banks can help turn back the tide of ecological degradation. Yes there may be some initial erosion in the short term as we switch from pasture back to forest cover, but within five to ten years the roots of trees such as Figs (Ficus spp.) and Lillypilly’s (Syzygium spp.) will provide deep long term protection for creek banks. The shade that these trees provide cools the water and reduces algal blooms. The fallen trees, branches, leaves and fruit provide the habitat for native fish and other animals such as the platypus.

The water that flows through these forested creeks provides cleaner water for dams and for us!

A good example of creek bank rehabilitation is the Obi-Obi boardwalk in Maleny, twenty years ago this was an area full of weeds, erosion and rubbish. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the project from its very early stages and have witnessed the changes along this stretch of creek. I remember planting a Deciduous Fig (Ficus superb) on a steep collapsing bend (rather optimistically – I thought at the time) and can now go back and see a beautiful tree holding the creek bank firmly together. This area is a great testament to the community spirit of Maleny and our ability to heal the landscape when we work together.

Brush Turkey Enterprises
Ph 0428 130 769
spencer.shaw@brushturkey.com.au
www.brushturkey.com.au

The garden is walking distance to Montville, and is acolourful old-fashioned garden around a century-oldQueensland house. Refreshments and plant sales are alsoavailable on the day.

The garden is wheelchair compatible and there is streetparking available. See the garden website for moreinformation. www.montvillegarden.com

The garden “Beaufort”, at Mountain view Rd, Maleny,owned by Enid and graham Cooksley is open on the sameweekend.

“The Shambles”, at 85 Western Avenue Montville.

Saturday October 9 and Sunday October 10 – 9.30am -4 30 pm. Admission $6. Under 18 – free.

Montville state school Year 7 students from left: Anja Christoffersen, Niamh Netherwood, Max Hajncl and Nathan Gneist

STUDENTS in Year 6/7 at Montville State School have successfully combined classroom learning with achievements in the garden via a multi-layered outdoor learning experience.

Mathematics skills were a core part of the project. Class teacher Suzan Zeichner supported by an interested team of parents helped the 24 students measure the garden plots and construct scale models of the gardens.

Students then conducted experiments testing the effectiveness of different growing practices. Data was then transformed onto graphs comparing growth rates under different growing conditions.

“Students also kept a journal,” said permaculture garden coordinator, Ms Duggan,“ and used their literacy skills to comment on their observations and write descriptive paragraphs comparing the results of the experiments. A PowerPoint presentation communicated their conclusions,” Ms Duggan added.

In the school’s permaculture garden students learn that sustainability is about growing enough for everybody forever. They learned to work cooperatively and to talk knowledgeably about the social impact of growing fresh produce for their community in the future.

Student Maxwell Hajncl was busy helping to sell the produce at the markets.

“I have learnt some new skills,” he said. “It will be good to keep on growing produce as it will help sustainability for future generations.”

Ms Duggan said other students had already started their own gardens at home so this initiative has resulted in learning that is really embedded into their daily lives.

The not-for-profit market hosts up to 40 stalls offering fresh and value-added produce that changes with the seasons. Co ordinator Pat Fuller adds: “Every market event is unique, there is always something new on offer, but the core principle of showcasing the commitment of our community to sustainable practices remains constant.

The Farmers Market kicks off at 7.30 am on the third Saturday of each month with breakfast and Montville coffee a popular attraction for locals and visitors.

There are locally produced breads, cheeses, honey, pickles, sauces, dips, cakes, jams, snacks and drinks, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, seedlings, potted plants, fresh flowers, tasty treats, home-made soaps and lotions.

Local musicians add to the ambience and, for those wishing to know more about sustainability, local community groups hold forums and host guest speakers in the renovated school building.

The next market day is Saturday July 17, from 7.30am-12pm.

Why not try an environmentally responsible and fun way to get there? Call 1300 511 163 to book the Council-operated Flexilink bus, departing Maple Street Maleny public bus stop at 8.55am.

A bus returns to Maleny from the Farmers Market at 10.30am. The fare is $2 each way. For more information: Phone (07) 5499 9924

Euphorbia Leucocephala (Snow flake bush)

Closely related to the Poinsettia the snow flake bush is native to Central America. It is more suited to warmer climates, growing successfully as far south as Sydney. A classic low maintenance shrub growing to 1.5m – 2m tall and 2-3m wide, it flowers from April to July and then loses its leaves for a short period. Artificial lighting at night may inhibit flowering. Euphorbia can be grown as a clipped dense hedge, a specimen shrub or as a standard in a tub. Full sun or semi-shade in a well-drained soil with protection from wind & frost is ideal. Prune heavily after leaf drop, with a light pruning in early summer.

As in all Euphorbias the white sap may irritate your skin, therefore, gloves & eye protection is recommended.

Loors Landscaping
GARDEN DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND CONSULTANCY
Phone: 5445 7615
Mobile: 0412 680 801

This is a special opportunity to see a wonderful spectacle and delight in the array of fragrances. Admission includes access to talks by eleven renowned speakers, as well as art, floral art, container garden, and photography competitions. Refreshments are available and the venue is wheelchair friendly.

“Caloundra’s Golden Orchidfest” will be open to the public Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June from 9am until 5pm and on Monday 14 June from 9am until 2.30pm.

Councillor Jenny McKay will officially open the event on Saturday morning and visitors from as far away as New Zealand and Singapore will join with Peter Slipper MP, his wife, Inge, and members of the Sunshine Coast Orchid Society Caloundra for the Orchidfest Dinner at the Power Boat Club Saturday evening.

What has this to do with a landcare group in our area is an obvious question. We are fortunate to live in an already biodiverse part of the country so we have a good base on which to build. As we replant our creek lines, increase the width of buffer zones and revegetate paddocks no longer used for production, we need to use the widest range of plants available to us and appropriate to the site.

Biodiversity is of course not only plants but the litter the fungi which are part of the recycling process and the associated fauna, large and small. They all contribute to the health of the system and keep it resilient. Change is a constant but we and our environment can adapt so long as we build a sufficiently biodiverse base on our own properties.

BARUNG NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
Nursery opening times: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am -3pm

I RECENTLY sat on the panel for the community input workshops for the new Sunshine Coast Regional Councils first “Pest Management Plan”, that is in its planning phase at present.

It’s great to see all levels of government, business, academia industry and community of course, coming together to discuss the issue of pest management. This regional plan will provide the framework which oversees pest management at a local level in the Sunshine Coast region.

Pest management plans are required by state legislation for local government areas, to ensure that we are all making some sort of effort to control our pests. The plan defines the pests i.e. what invasive weeds, feral animals, insects etc… threaten our economic, domestic and recreational wellbeing.

If the pests are declared pests under state legislation – they must be managed as per the requirements of this legislation (a handy little fact sheet which summarises and outlines the weeds and their management is available by searching for “declared plants of Queensland” on the internet – I’d provide you with the link, but that would literally use up my word count for the rest of this article!).

Pest management plans also enforce the control requirements for the state declared pests and any others that are seen to be locally significant, which of course extends to you – if you have declared pests on your block!

I hope that the above hasn’t made you too comatose, but if you are a landowner then this is very relevant. To my mind it doesn’t matter how much legislation, management plants and experienced pest management professionals we have, if the knowledge of pest management doesn’t trickle down to the landowners themselves, who actually have the pests on their block, we still have a problem.

If the first thing you know about pest management is when you get a letter from Council stating you have a class 2 weed such as groundsel (pictured) on your block and that it must be controlled – we all have a problem!

One of the greatest hurdles I think we face in pest management is the focus on the pests themselves, (which don’t get me wrong, pests do need control!). However in my usual role as devil’s advocate, I’d offer the perspective that pests that are running rampant are often merely the symptoms of poor, bad or at least inadequate land management.

This is in no way a criticism of rural land owners and managers, who are often most knowledgeable and passionate about pest management on their land. The gaps in land management often fall at the feet of recent arrivals with no background in land management, and not surprisingly the vast estate of under resourced crown lands such as roadsides.

As always we could best address pest management by supporting sustainable rural industries and residents, educating and empowering residential landholders, managing roadside weeds and properly resourcing natural area land managers.

Do your bit and educate yourself about your land and the “pests” that might call it home – check out your local council website for more information.

Ph 0428 130 769
spencer.shaw@brushturkey.com.au
www.brushturkey.com.au

The term foliage plant tends to bring to mind cordylines, syngoniums and possibly ferns but the shapes and colours of all our local native plants are incredibly variable. Many have divided or compound leaves and these include the Davidson plums and tamarind species such as the large Diploglottis australis and medium size Diploglottis campbellii with its pinkish apricot coloured fruit. The aril surrounding the seeds is edible although sour. Lepiderema pulchella or Fine-leaved Tuckeroo is a particularly pretty small tree with wavy margins to its leaflets. This one is worth planting in any garden and can also be part of the revegetation program.

Red Kamala, Mallotus philippensis, is a relatively slow growing species but will develop a dense spreading canopy of simple deep green leaves. There is a good specimen in the picnic area at Kondalilla Falls National Park. Other trees and shrubs have rusty or silvery backs to the leaves, colourful flushes of new growth or provide year round colour contrast. Gossia ‘Blushing Beauty’ is one of the best of these.

BARUNG NATIVE PLANT NURSERY
Nursery opening times: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am -3pm

Phone 5494 3151

Riverside Centre office hours: 9am-4pm. Next to Maleny Post Office, Riverside Centre