Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Positive results at Oyster Creek Gully project site

Geroges Riverkeeper Stage 2 Oyster Creek Gully revegetation
Stage 2 Oyster Creek Gully revegetation

Stage 2 works at Oyster Creek Gully have now finished and, as you can see from some of the images, the site has changed significantly since the project began. During monitoring, there were no flowering privets to be spotted along the whole length of the project site. Privets are  serious environmental weeds. Infestations threaten biodiversity and ecological communities. Dense stands of privet prevent other vegetation from surviving or establishing. As these competitive woody weeds have only short seed viability in the soil, stopping their production is a huge step in shifting the balance towards native species. Contractors are now focusing on progressively smaller woody weeds to ensure that the site doesn’t return to its pre-contract condition.

There have been a few setbacks during Stage 2 works. Unfortunately, kids have been expanding their bike trails within the reserve into areas of good bush. Sutherland Shire Council is working on a strategy to balance the needs of the community and the bushland. Heavy rains throughout the year also saw some erosion at the bottom of the project site where the creek flattens out. Eventually, the trees and shrubs planted in this low resilience area will stabilise the banks, but in the meantime, jute-mat, coir-logs and hardy ground-covers installed during Stage 2 are doing a great job mitigating erosion.

The local community has been involved with the project with Bushcare groups working at three sites including Glendale Place, Surrey Place and Tea Tree Place. Two educational workshops were also held. The broader community has been kept informed of the benefits of the project through our Facebook page and also via Sutherland Shire Bushcare’s Facebook page.

Progress Report for Stage 2:

  • Worker hours: 1053
  • Area weeded: 5.89 hectares
  • Plants installed: 920
  • Happy neighbours and native wildlife: lots!

 

 

    'Before' the Oyster Creek Gully restoration
    'After' Stage 2 of the Oyster Creek Gully restoration
    Jute-mat installed during Stage 2 at Oyster Creek Gully

    This project is funded through the NSW Environmental Trust Restoration and Rehabilitation grants program.

    To volunteer with the Bushcare groups listed below that are helping to restore this site, please contact Sutherland Shire Council.

    • Tea Tree Place – 1st Saturday of the month, 1:00 pm

    • Oyster Creek Gully (Glendale Place) – 1st Sunday of the month, 1:00 pm

    • Surrey Place – 1st Tuesday of the month, 1:00 pm