Introduction – Setting the scene

1. COMBINED PRESENTATION ONBULGANDRAMINE RESTORATION AND RE-VEGETATIONPROJECTBYMATTHEW BAILEYNOXIOUS WEEDS & PEST SPECIES OFFICERPARKES SHIRE COUNCIL&RACHEL SWINDELLPUBLIC OFFICER CENTRAL WEST LACHLAN LANDCARE

2. Introduction – Setting the scene • Originally carried out scheduled on farm property inspection • Absentee landowner contact was in Canberra • Consultation through Bogan River Aboriginal Corporation • Communication strategy • Whole farm management plan, High Risk Pathway • Peak Hill Aboriginal Landcare Group approached Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) to seek assistance on improving site • CWLL worked with key stakeholders to develop and obtain Grant Funding through Protecting Our Places - $34,873 over 2 years

3. Where is Bulgandramine?

4. Aerial Shot Of Bulgandramine

5. Bulgandramine History • Bulgandramine is an old Aboriginal Mission site - 400 acres (161 ha’s) • Located adjacent to the Bogan River – 3km of river frontage • Significant site for the residents of Peak Hill and to the local aboriginal population • The original huts are gone but reminders of the Missions operation remain including a Well and small children’s cemetery • Has been neglected over the years in regards to weeds – African Boxthorn • Project Officer has strong family history living on site previously • Owned by Bogan River Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation • Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party and Peak Hill Aboriginal Landcare Group key stakeholders in the success of overall project • Learning cultural history and its all about teaching kids – Love teaching children esp fishing, hunting, gathering etc

6. Bulgandramine Situation • Location - 20 km Northwest of Peak Hill • Primary Weeds – African Boxthorn, Galvanished Burr (declared at time) • Land Classification – Class 2 land suitable for agriculture and suitable for grazing • Ground Cover – Mostly native grasses of Wallaby grass, Awn wheat grass, wire grass, windmill grass curly grass and spear grasses with annual ryegrass overall ground cover is 90%. • This area has been identified as a high flora diversity of shrubs and tress including river red gums made of both bimble and box trees with rose wood trees and Scar trees on site. • Desired Outcomes – Reduce the impact of WoNs and revegetate native grasses whilst sustaining the flora and fauna along the Bogan River

7. Objectives • To reduce the impact of noxious weeds • Reduce the spread of invasive species into the High Risk Pathway (Bogan River) and adjoining properties • Use best management practices while maintaining ground cover and encouraging native grasses and share these with the community • Educate Aboriginal community on land management for sustainable long-term outcomes

8. Objectives cont… • Reduce the habitat for feral animals and fruit fly • Successfully work and build on long term partnerships between key stakeholders • To improve a land of cultural signifance to the Peak Hill Aboriginal community for increased use • Provide education to the wider community through working bees and field days

9. Working Partnerships

10. Working Partnerships Cont…

11. Working Partnerships Cont.. • Additional funding was received by North Parkes Mines whom enabled two Peak Hill Aboriginal Landcare Group volunteers to undertake Chemcert training – unexpected outcome • Site has been increasingly used for community events such as NAIDOC, Youth Empowerment Project with Central West Catchment Management Authority and National Sorry Day • High levels of student involvement across primary, secondary and tertiary levels have undertaken training workshops includes CWLL Youth Group

12. Integrated Management Used a range of “tools in the toolbox” in regards to integrated weed management techniques these being and not limited to:

13. Key Responsibilities Each stakeholder has taken a responsibility for portion of the project. • Parkes Shire Council- Initial scheduled Prop Inspection, Weed surveys includes undertaking weed treatments, project consultation, Originally prepared PoP grant, MERI monitoring points (step by step) photo points, field days, workshops work with Project officer on a weekly basis. • Project Officer - Collecting evaluations and feedback from aboriginal participants, cooking of Camp Ovens, History of Bulgandramine, Naidoc week, Cultural days, weekly visits with progress updates. Project Officer employed for 3 hours per week over the whole project. • Central West Lachlan Landcare – Grants Administrator and provide support through 2 part-time staff, obtaining evaluation forms from the wider community, collect all data from stakeholders, Administration of Project, submit report, organise promote field days update Social Media Facebook etc

14. For the First Year of the project: Delivered 10 workshops/talks/community education sessions to 225people Plus a further 117 children learning about natural resource management includes CWLL Youth Group Trained 2 local residents in Chemcert Training 18media releases and radio statements promoting Bulgandramine Project Developed 3education and learning resources on site for future training Planted over 300 trees on site as part of the revegetation process includes any re-plantings Training/Education

15. Photo’s

17. Photo’s

18. Every one needs to work together – “Weeds really do not have any boundaries” local knowledge create regional partnerships to empower individuals to take actions Communication is vital always consult with all owner/occupiers continue to inform “absentee” owners of their responsibilities. Work and create with as many stakeholders Partnerships as “possible” this project has exceeded expectations. With all positive outcomes PSC Natural Resource Team has won numerous Awards since May 2013 with both the Lachlan and Central West Catchment Management Authority taking out the “Champions of the Catchment” under the Local Government and Community Regional Partnerships Awards. Offer sound advice we all responsible for protecting the environment But more importantly protecting the agricultural industry for food production and reduce human health issues. Everybody needs to work together to protect and enhance the biodiversity and biosecurity of their local areas. Summary…..

19. Summary Cont….. • Essential that you monitor your work sites on a regular bases – Re-inspections, high risk pathways, creeks and rivers etc • Training – people like to see how it is done, hands on practical solutions, cost effective with results and must make it interesting forms part of the Monitoring process • Be professional, good workmanship, pride in work, achieve common goals, protect Australia’s unique landscape (Keep food production profitable and weed and disease free) • Parkes Shire Council “keeping it local” delivering local services and building partnerships for the wider community

20. Summary Cont.... Parkes Shire Council provides leadership and service in the community all of this develops strong work ethics/values from which comes good team work which enables us to use best management practices to manage the natural environment which will benefit the whole community in the long term. Central West Lachlan Landcare is a not-for-profit volunteer driven community centred organisation which undertakes community education and on-ground environmental projects within the Forbes and Parkes Shire Council areas.

21. Special Thanks This project would not have been possible without the services of: • Kane Davison - Spray Operator - Parkes Shire Council • Andrew Rawsthorne - Spray Operator - Parkes Shire Council • Shaun Gould - Project Officer - Bulgandramine Mission • Christie Eleman - Project Officer – Central West Lachlan LandCare • Central West Lachlan Landcare Youth Leadership Group • All Stakeholders involved in the Project

22. Matthew Bailey NOXIOUS WEEDS & PEST SPECIES OFFICER PARKES SHIRE COUNCIL Phone: 02 68 612 343 Email:Matthewb@parkes.nsw.gov.au Rachel swindell - Public Officer Central west Lachlan landcare THANK YOU