- the Ngarri-djarrang (Central Creek) example
Brian Bainbridge March 2009

Summary and introductory information

The State significant Ngarri-djarrang[1] Grassland Reserve covers approximately nine hectares of remnant volcanic plain grassland[2] to the east of Central Creek, a tributary of Merri Creek in the northern Melbourne suburb of Reservoir, Victoria, Australia. Threatened by weed invasion, adhoc biomass reduction and uncontrolled access, restorationof this site has been an ongoing commitment of the Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) since 1993.

Stakeholders & budget

Since 1993 MCMC has been funded by Darebin City Council, the formal managers of the Grassland Reserve and a member body of MCMC, to carry out restoration and maintenance of core vegetation at the site. Grants from regional, state and federal sources have funded projects to improve degraded sections of the Reserve. A residential developer funded substantial planning and fencing in early the early 2000s. Works and community engagement expenditure has varied since 1993. During 2006-2008 MCMC expenditure totaled $111,000 with 48% sourced from grants.

Ecosystem and impacts

Ngarri-djarrang lies towards the eastern edge of the 2.3 million hectare Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion, an area originally covered by a mosaic of Plains Grassland, Plains Grassy Wetland and other communities associated with the quaternary basalt plains.

The Plains Grasslands, dominated by Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), were diverse, containing numerous small grassy and herbaceous inter-tussock species. Over 120 indigenous species have been recorded from the relatively depauperate Ngarri-djarrang.

The Wurundjeri-willam, the traditional people of the Merri Merri[3], hunted Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Emu and a range of smaller macropods on the extensive plains. The Yam Daisy (Microseris spp.) was a staple food plant harvested using hardened digging sticks (‘kannan’). Fire was extensively used to keep conditions suitable for game and the growth of the food plants. The frequent burning and cultivation of the ground over tens of thousands of years influenced the composition and dynamics of this ecosystem.
Impacts on site

Like other Native Grasslands in Victoria, Ngarri-djarrang was subjected to intensive grazing by sheep following the influx of non-indigenous people in the 1830s. The profound disruption of the traditional Wurundjeri way of life ended Aboriginal practices such as burning. The composition of Victoria’s Native Grasslands shifted rapidly to a dominance of grazing tolerant plants and a reduction in grazing intolerant species such as the Yam Daisy (Microseris spp.), which is now very rare. Overall diversity diminished.

Exotic plant introductions have had an ongoing impact on vegetation quality. Competitive exotic plants became established in many ecological niches preventing re-establishment, especially of disturbance dependant species.

Extinctions in the fauna resulted from habitat change, intensified hunting by non-indigenous humans, introduced predators, competitors and diseases.

Fire continued as an adhoc presence in the landscape through wildfires and some agricultural practices.

Development of the land surrounding Ngarri-djarrang for housing began in the 1950s, leading to complete destruction of any remaining remnant grassland. A local road bisected the site in the 1960’s and a ditch was excavated across the northern part in the 1970s.

Ngarri-djarrang itself was, ironically, spared from housing development because the land formed part of a reservation for a future freeway.

The high value of the remnant grassland was first described in 1990[4] not long before the freeway proposal was abandoned. A ten year campaign to secure the site saw a significant portion protected although some areas were lost to housing[5][6], including the last direct link of open space to the extensive habitat corridor of the Merri Creek parklands 50 metres to the west.

The final major alienation of six hectares of land for housing in 2000 resulted in boundary fencing and interfaces designed specifically to protect and enhance the values of the remaining nine hectares. However, the development inevitably intensified the impacts of urbanisation and isolation on the remaining Grassland Reserve area.

A decline in the vegetation quality of the main Plains Grassy Wetland area is suspected, in part, to be a result of removal of overland flow that occurred as a part of the development of adjoining housing. (See lobbying for protection images on page 8)

Restoration goals and planning

When management works began in 1993, the implicit overall goal was to prevent any further degradation of biodiversity values[7] and over time, to improve the quality of the Grassland. Secondary goals recognised the value of the area for education and as a seed resource[8]. The rarity and significance of volcanic plain grassland was widely recognised at the time and the conservation context has subsequently been well documented. Within the wider region of the Port Phillip and Westernport catchment only 3.4% (4,363 hectares) of the original extent of Plains Grassland EVC (see below) remains[9] . Estimates of the area remaining throughout the Victorian Volcanic Plain are of a similar order. In 2008 these grasslands were listed as Critically Endangered under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999[10].

The component vegetation types[11] at Ngarri-djarrang are:

• Plains Grassland EVC dominated by Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Tussock Grass (Poa labillardierei) and Wallaby Grasses (Austrodanthonia spp), with a high diversity of grasses and herbs in which the daisy, pea and orchid families are prominent;
• Stony Knoll Shrubland EVC dominated by various Acacia tree and shrub species, Wallaby Grasses, Spear Grasses (Austrostipa spp) and a high cover of rock; and
• Grassy Wetland EVC with Swamp Wallaby Grasses (Amphibromus spp), Mat Grass (Hemarthria uncinata), sedges and rushes.
• The banks of the adjacent small ephemeral stream, Central Creek, probably held Riparian Woodland or Creekline Tussock Grassland. The relictual remnants are extremely disturbed and to date have not been managed as a part of the Grassland Reserve.

Reference ecosystems

The highest quality areas within Ngarri-djarrang have provided a reference for restoration of Plains Grassland areas. Higher quality remnants of Plains Grassy Wetland and Stony Knoll Shrubland at grassland sites within a few kilometers have provided a reference for restoration of these components. Remnants in cemeteries and rail reserves in the Merri catchment provide reference for restoration of grazing sensitive species.
Restoration plans

During the first decade of restoration there was no formalised plan although guidelines developed by MCMC for the management of native grasslands[12] give a clear indication of the approaches followed. Detailed works plans were developed annually for Council and grant funded tasks. A five-year Action Plan was developed in 2003; the second five-year Action Plan is for 2009-2013.
General strategies for restoration

In 1990 Ngarri-djarrang Grassland still retained some high quality and diverse areas but was subject to massive weed invasion which threatened to overwhelm the site. Biomass reduction, which is necessary to sustain native grasslands, only occurred as an unintended consequence of mowing and uncontrolled fire.

Targeted grassland management began in 1993 with the two most critical management tools being:

• ecological burns in late summer with the aim to burn a third of the grassland every year and with all areas burnt at least every five years (see ecological burn photos, page 9); and
• control of woody and grassy weed species through targeted herbicide application, particularly spot spraying following burns as this is the most resource effective time for weed control.

In subsequent years, the following additional restoration strategies have been employed:

• planting of dominant grass species in highly degraded areas (See development of buffer planting photos, page 10); and
• planting of grazing sensitive species.

Harvesting the seed of significant species and of Kangaroo Grass has aided these strategies. (See on-ground works photos, page 11)

The restoration effort has been strengthened by the following:

• secure fencing of the site, including a temporary 1.6m high fence erected during construction of the adjacent residential subdivision in 2000;
• regular removal of dumped rubbish; and
• coordinated slashing of edges and firebreaks

Critically, the restoration effort has been accompanied by a significant community engagement effort, particularly over the last eight years. This has included:

• opportunities for local community involvement in on-ground works and in nature appreciation sessions[13] ;
• installation of interpretative signage;
• site meetings with residents and contractors; and
• preparation and distribution of a new resident’s environmental awareness kit[14] .

Project implementation

Almost all works – including planning, scheduling, on-ground works, monitoring, evaluation and reporting - have been undertaken by paid Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) staff. Every year MCMC organises planting and weeding activities for local community and Friends of Merri Creek participants, and for corporate groups, school groups and participants in government sponsored employment schemes.

Arrangements to ensure high standards of on-ground works

Experienced MCMC staff are assigned to oversee the management of the site and are encouraged to take ‘ownership’ of its development and to mentor other staff. Professional support for staff includes courses in grassland ecology and plant ID, participation in grassland-related monitoring projects at other Grassland sites, access to grassland management references, and formal and informal networking with other grassland managers. For a number of years MCMC auspiced meetings of the Merri Plains Grassy Ecosystems Reference Group which enabled exchange between a range of grassland managers and researchers.

The MCMC staff follow a set of protocols and practices developed over twenty years to maintain quality of works. During community activities, volunteers are carefully supervised and quality control is ensured by experienced volunteers and MCMC staff.

The continued protection of the site is in part ensured by its secure reservation status. The formal site manager, the City of Darebin, is committed to funding ongoing management of the site through annual funding to MCMC. MCMC strives to obtain additional funds from various other sources for further enhancement of the site and community engagement activities.

Progress to date

Biodiversity Goals

1. The key goal of restoring the remnant Plains Grassland, Stony Knoll Shrubland and Grassy Wetland EVCs has made considerable progress over the 15 years of the project. The ‘High’ quality area has been maintained with methodical ‘patrolling’ for grassy weeds and ‘Medium’ areas raised by more intensive efforts. Targeting of low quality and sward vegetation for works including patches of planting and seeding have reduced their extent and number (see vegetation quality maps page 12).

2. Eradicating first and second order priority environmental weed species is well advanced. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Briar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa), Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Canary Grass (Phalaris aquaticum), Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) and Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma) are subject to ‘mopping up’ of the low level surviving infestations. Chilean Needle Grass (Nassella neesiana) remains the worst weed threat although several dense stands have been eradicated and patrolling has reduced the extent over the site. In 2004 a new weed species Piptochaetium uruguense, was discovered, the first time this species had been found in Australia. Eradication of the species is a high priority and the extent of the infestation has been reduced in the last five years.

3. Ensuring the long-term survival of all indigenous plant species currently existing on the site by measures including, where necessary, population augmentation and enhancing genetic flow with nearby populations, has had a few clear successes. However at least one of the rare species, Callitriche brachycarpa, appears to have become extinct in recent years. A detailed analysis has yet to be done on all augmentation attempts.

4. Re-introduction of elements of the presumed original flora including disturbance-dependant daisies has been undertaken. At least twenty species have been introduced. Four have developed self-sustaining populations, natural regeneration for ten others has probably not occurred and another six species are too recently established to assess success. (See reintroduction of species photos, page 13 )

5. Protection of the site from dumping and vehicle traffic has been largely, if not fully effective. Fencing of three boundaries occurred in 1999. Fencing of the remaining boundaries, induction of workers and regular inspections minimised impacts from housing developments in the early 2000’s. Recent incidents of dumping point to the need for further effective community engagement to raise awareness and commitment among residents to grassland reserve goals. (See threats and management photos, page 14)

Ecosystem services

Native Grasslands in urban areas are notably lacking in tangible ecological services for modern residents in marked contrast to their importance to traditional Wurundjeri and their value as pastoral land. With continuing management, one potential service of this remnant is to produce good quality, weed-free native grass seed for restoration of other sites.
Social and cultural benefits

Ngarri-djarrang provides a biodiverse recreational experience. It has important cultural landscape values, representing the traditional Wurundjeri landscape, and contributes to a contemporary, local sense of identity. It is an resource for educational institutions and for non-structured environmental learning. It provides a venue for volunteering activities that contribute to social connectedness and personal well-being. (See community engagement photos, page 15.)

Monitoring and research links

Regular monitoring of vegetation quality has been undertaken by MCMC (see vegetation quality maps, page 12).

In the early years of the project, there was considerable reliance on the findings of grassland management researchers, practitioners and other specialists[15] . The Merri Plains Grassy Ecosystem Reference Group played an important role. Researchers associated with Victoria University and ARCUE[16] have profiled the site and it has been the location for various student research projects.

Experienced MCMC staff and residents are encouraged to feedback observations of flora and fauna and problems that influence works programs.

Lessons learned

• · Consistency of weed control is essential, as is careful observation and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatments and attention to the timing/seasonality. In particular recognising the value of integrating weed control with ecological burns has improved effectiveness and efficiency.
• · The value of, and skills development in conducting ecological burns has been vital. Early burns were small in area, largely a function of equipment and control limitations. Growing confidence and improved equipment have allowed burns to occur at effective scales and at ecologically appropriate times.
• · Scientific valuing of Native Grassland and official protection of these values is ahead of wider community perceptions. This hampers efforts to protect grasslands. Addressing community perception is a goal that requires explicit allocation of resources and imagination.
• · Following Community Engagement principals can lead to effective programs in gaining public sympathy and support for native grassland.
• · Defined procedures for streamlining the complex planning and liaison required to conduct ecological burns support the success of regular burning in this urban, residential context.

Future modifications

• · Dense infestations of Chilean Needle Grass, Nassella neesiana continue to be subject to intensive control efforts. Other weed species, such as the Cape Tulip, Moraea miniata, will become a focus as higher-threat weeds are eradicated.
• · Consolidation of ground cover and reintroduction of a diversity of species capable of dynamic responses to environmental change is the subject of the ongoing adaptive management approach.
• · Trials of small-scale cultivation of soil to encourage specific disturbance dependant species are being considered.
• · Proposals to trial seasonal variation in ecological burns are being considered.
• · More detailed planning and a monitoring protocol for rare species are included in the new action plan.
• · Revegetation to connect the remnant Native Grassland area to the creekside is planned.
• · Community engagement projects to build and deepen connection to Native Grassland will be pursued.

Contact information

Visitors are welcome. Volunteer opportunities include:

• · organised community working bees;
• · on-ground experience with the MCMC Team
• · Tertiary Student projects

Contact:

Merri Creek Management Committee

2 Lee Street, East Brunswick

Victoria, Australia 3057

Tel; +61 9380 8199

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.mcmc.org.au

Lobbying for Protection