One Victorian approach in the control of Phytopthora cinnamomi

1. One Victorian approach in the control of Phytopthora cinnamomi The development of a Hygiene station unfortunately dubbed the “Anakie Scrubber”

2. The Brisbane Ranges National Park • The Brisbane Ranges National Park (incorporating the Steiglitz Historic Park, 7718 ha) is a significant conservation reserve close to Melbourne • Known for it’s wildflowers, the park protects about one sixth of Victoria’s total flora and represents the largest area of remnant vegetation between the three major populated centres of Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. • Visitors to the park can enjoy a range of passive activities such as picnicking, nature walks, overnight hikes and car based camping.

3. Walking Opportunities within the Brisbane Ranges • The Anakie Gorge walk • The Ted Errey Nature Circuit • The Wadawurrong Walk • The Deadman’s Loop • The Burchell Trail The park also has an extensive network of management tracks that may be accessed by walkers. A number of publication have been produced highlighting the walking opportunities within the park.

6. The presence of Phytopthora cinnamomi • The park’s Management plan states that; “The presence of Cinnamon fungus in the Brisbane Ranges is a major threat to the vegetation composition and the overall ecology of the park.” “Minimising the spread of this disease is an over riding consideration in every aspect of management, and has a major bearing on permitted activities and where those activities are located”

8. “The Anakie Scrubber”Some initial considerations • This Hygiene station needed to be designed with bushwalkers in mind. • Must be simple, effective and safe to use • Must be portable and easy to assemble and service.

10. Some initial considerations • Must incorporate a means of cleaning organic material from footwear and disinfecting soles of footwear. • The brush need to have reasonably stiff multi sided bristles to limit loss of firmness.

12. Chemical storage needs to be sealed as much as possible to avoid evaporation, dilution from rainfall and contamination from organic materials such as leaf litter. • The immersion plate system needed to be enclosed with a guard to minimise the chance of the walkers foot slipping or being caught under the top cover and therefore in the chemical itself. • The chemical immersion system needed to allow for differences in chemical levels. • The chemical used is called “Phytoclean”. • 1 litre of Phytoclean to 10 litres of water.

16. Basic Construction • The main section of the “scrubber” is approximately 1.5 X 1m in size. The two ramps add approximately 1.5 m to the overall length. • The frame and handrails are constructed of square steel tube with expanded mesh floor and ramps. • The chemical tank is galvanised steel with a chequer plate top cover. .

21. So what’s next • A second prototype is under construction with the following modifications; • Guard around immersion plate modified to further reduce risk of user foot slipping and being caught under top plate. • Method of installing and locating chemical tank modified to simplify installation and maintenance.