Male Gang-gang cockatoo feeding on seeds of Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata), one of the ten local shrub species that volunteers planted along the drainage ditch to replace environmental weeds.
Message Sat 20/03/21 16:45
Due to predicted wet conditions on Sunday 21 March we postpone the work party to Sunday 28 March – same time and place.
Friends of Mt Majura will be hosting a working party on Sunday, 21 March to plant native species along the edge of the drain ditch close to the Hackett water tank. Help to clean sites off weeds prior to planting, learn about the project and the plants we use to improve the site and enjoy homemade cake at morning tea.
When: Sunday 21 March 2021, 9am to 12 noon, give as much time as you like.
Where: Meet at the drainage line close to the ParkCare notice board opposite of the water reservoir off Rivett Street and French Street intersection; view this map.
What: Planting and some weeding to clear the planting sites.
Bring and wear: Sun protection, garden clothing and sturdy shoes or gumboots and gloves if you have them; instructions, tools, disposable gloves and hand-sanitiser will be provided.
Inquiries: secretary@majura.org
You need no experience to attend this event just your enthusiasm and love for local nature.
We will be planting native False Sarsaparilla or Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea) to replace scambling cleavers.
The Friends of Mt Majura began work at the drain ditch in 2004. Meter by meter we worked our way from the upper parts of the drain ditch towards the Hackett backyards removing English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle, Blackberry, African Olive, Broad-leaved Privet and Chinese Privet, Firethorn, Cotoneaster and even a Willow along with numerous herbaceous weeds particularly the difficult-to-control Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus eragrostis) and the similar difficult-to-control Cleavers or Sticky Weed (Galium aparine) that scrambles over the edge into the gully.
Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolius) naturally occurs in the drain line further uphill and has been planted within the lower drainage gully to replace Blackberry. Birds love the fruits.
As we removed weeds, we planted the following local species along the edge and slopes of the drain ditch: Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata), Early Wattle (Acacia genistifolia), Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), False Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Narrow-leaved Hob Bush (Dodonea viscosa subsp. angustissima), Australian Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla), Rosemary Cassinia (Cassina quinquefaria), Cauliflower Bush (Cassinia longifolia), Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolius) and Long-leaved Matrush (Lomandra longifolia), and various rushes, sedges along the wet bottom.
There are still uncovered parts of the drainage ditch that are exposed to weed infestation and prone to erosion.
We hope the planting of native species will address these problems as well as provide habitat for our slippery, scaly and feathery friends.
