wooroloo brook land conservation district committee
Each year the group voluntarily coordinates the planting of between 30-90,000 seedlings over a number of projects across the catchment. Volunteer staff from ALCOA have been the main stay of volunteers, planting tens of thousands of seedlings across the catchment each year since 1991.
The WBLCDC run a Landcare Weekend Sojourn, a Landcare Breakfast and have the Annual Landcare Achievers Award.
The group meets bi-monthly on a Thursday night at the Landcare Building at the Gidgegannup Showgrounds. Membership to the group is free and new members are extremely welcome.
wooroloo brook catchment
The Wooroloo Brook catchment covers an area of 536 kmē.
It extends from its headwaters to the east of El Caballo Roadhouse in the Darling Range,
to where the Swan and Avon Rivers meet to the west in Gidgegannup.
Many of the upper reaches of the Brook flow only during the winter months with permanent water only occurring where there are permanent springs.
The Wooroloo Brook catchment crosses the boundaries of the City of Swan, Shire of Northam and Shire of Mundaring.
Many of the upper reaches of the Brook flow only during the winter months with permanent water only occurring where there are permanent springs.
The Wooroloo Brook catchment crosses the boundaries of the City of Swan, Shire of Northam and Shire of Mundaring.
catchment health
Rising groundwater tables is a major issue causing waterlogging and salinity in the valleys.
Salt has been spread across the landscape over thousands of years by rain.
For example, rainfall records show that in Northam, close to 45 kg per hectare of salt may be deposited in one year.
Long term landholders in the upper catchment report that bores were always salty and that low-lying productive land became waterlogged and then salt affected within 5-10 years after land clearing. Many areas along the Wooroloo Brook itself are degraded due to erosion, clearing, salinity, grazing and weed invasion.
Remnant vegetation in the upper catchment covers approximately 36% of the catchment.
Long term landholders in the upper catchment report that bores were always salty and that low-lying productive land became waterlogged and then salt affected within 5-10 years after land clearing. Many areas along the Wooroloo Brook itself are degraded due to erosion, clearing, salinity, grazing and weed invasion.
Remnant vegetation in the upper catchment covers approximately 36% of the catchment.
revegetation work
Revegetation work has been undertaken since 1989 till the present day.
More than 600,000 seedlings and over $1 million in grant monies have been invested in Landcare projects, voluntarily coordinated by the Wooroloo Brook LCDC.
Volunteers planting seedlings at a revegetation project
In most revegetation project sites the ground is ripped and mounded and sprayed to control weeds.
30% of the landholders, who have done revegetation on their properties, claim that remediation measures have halted the spread of saline areas on their properties, but it had not led to the recovery of the affected land as it still could not be used for productive purposes.
- Plant species used
- Weed species
More than 600,000 seedlings and over $1 million in grant monies have been invested in Landcare projects, voluntarily coordinated by the Wooroloo Brook LCDC.
Volunteers planting seedlings at a revegetation project
In most revegetation project sites the ground is ripped and mounded and sprayed to control weeds.
30% of the landholders, who have done revegetation on their properties, claim that remediation measures have halted the spread of saline areas on their properties, but it had not led to the recovery of the affected land as it still could not be used for productive purposes.
- Plant species used
- Weed species
hydrology
In 2002 a hydrological report was written with the aim to provide technical information on salinity processes
in the eastern upper reaches of the Wooroloo Brook catchment
and to suggest suitable locations to demonstrate integrated approaches to salinity remediation.
It was found that current remediation measures are making some impact on groundwater levels, but these need to be increased and monitored effectively. It was also found that the total discharge (outgoing water) in the area is close to 5,400m3 per year, far less than the recharge (incoming water) of 1,800,000m3 per year.
This means that the recharge water is 300 times the discharge.
This illustrates that groundwater levels will continue to rise in low-lying areas if remediation measures are not undertaken.
They conduct regular ground and surface monitoring to measure the efforts of longterm commitment to Landcare
It was found that current remediation measures are making some impact on groundwater levels, but these need to be increased and monitored effectively. It was also found that the total discharge (outgoing water) in the area is close to 5,400m3 per year, far less than the recharge (incoming water) of 1,800,000m3 per year.
This means that the recharge water is 300 times the discharge.
This illustrates that groundwater levels will continue to rise in low-lying areas if remediation measures are not undertaken.
They conduct regular ground and surface monitoring to measure the efforts of longterm commitment to Landcare
the results of revegetation
Stock exclusion fencing has allowed many of the native plants to recover by themselves along creek lines.
These include; sedges, rushes, herbs, native grasses and shrubs.
Native fauna has also started to return to newly planted areas as degraded land improves in health and habitat quality.
Revegetation of Taffy's Brook in Gidgegannup / Mt. Helena
The revegetation program is complementing areas of natural remnant bushland by re-establishing new areas of native vegetation that are better suited to surviving in areas that have become waterlogged and saline.
Native fauna has also started to return to newly planted areas as degraded land improves in health and habitat quality.
Revegetation of Taffy's Brook in Gidgegannup / Mt. Helena
The revegetation program is complementing areas of natural remnant bushland by re-establishing new areas of native vegetation that are better suited to surviving in areas that have become waterlogged and saline.
contacts
For further information contact the Secretary on 9574 6039.
Other useful contacts:
Other useful contacts:
| Eastern Hills Catchment Landcare Coordinator |
TBC | 9290 6675 0428 101 223 |
| Catchment Support Officer | Craig Warnsbrough | 9250 3952 |
| Community Catchment Education Officer |
Janette Huston | 9250 3952 |
| City of Swan Community Landcare Liaison Officer |
Grant McKinnon | 9267 9203 |
| Shire of Mundaring Environmental Officer |
Toni Burbidge | 9290 6685 |
| Shire of Mundaring Bushcare Officer |
Linda Kirchner | 9290 6685 |
| Environmental Weeds Action Network |
Kate Brown | 9220 5300 |
| Agriculture WA, Weeds | Sandi Lloyd | 9368 3333 |
| Land for Wildlife | Zara Kievel | 9295 1955 |
| Property Planning & Heavenly Hectares |
Department of Agriculture | 9274 5355 |
| Swan Catchment Council (workshops, books, advice) |
9374 3333 |
