Friends of Edgars Creek

Hello FoEC'ers and friends,

I promise I have got the dates right this time; we are planting this Sunday May 17th from 1-3 PM at the Ronald Street footbridge area (west bank of the creek). Unfortunately I am going to be limited in my capacity for this event as I had a knee arthroscopy last Wednesday (an investment in my future capacity!). I'm mobile though Rob and Stephen will need your help. I'm sure I can be a great foreman on the day...

The forecast is looking great for Sunday. Sunny and 19 degrees! Perhaps hard to believe given it is about 10 degrees outside with a single figure wind chill factor. Don't forget thought that today a year ago we began an unheralded run of days above 20 degrees in May. 

As per my first email this year, a reminder I am doing something a little different with the planting day information we provide - basically more details will be included which comes from the grant application that we submit to Melbourne Water or Satterely (the Coburg Hill developers). So the Sunday planting is:

M9 Water Main Revegetation Site to the Ronald Street Footbridge - Site extension along the Concrete Channel (EVC 851).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project aims to expand upon the revegetation works at the M9 pipeline cutting area; which were funded by Melbourne Water (MW) and carried out by Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC, 2012 as a direct offset for the pipeline works) and FoEC (2013). The expansion of this site will assist with consolidation of the existing asset, creating an enlarged area of revegetation which will buffer against invasive weed species. The proposed works will be concentrated in the area that extends immediately along the ridge of the concrete channel bank, the west side of the creek and includes spot planting of trees and shrubs and an extension of the grassland area at the M9 site towards the bridge. A second pocket of grasses will also be planted at the footbridge end of the extension. The project also seeks to enhance the habitat corridor from the gooseneck meander site to the Ronald Street footbridge.

Fast-growing indigenous riparian species will be planted to produce over-shading of the stream to reduce eutrophic effects on water quality; consequently reducing the impact of aquatic weeds in the stream and improving aquatic habitat. Galaxia have recently been observed during Water Watch activities at this site and eels were recently observed in the creek; their presence reinforces the value inherent in a clean and (EVC consistent) vegetated Edgars Creek.

The project will also improve the amenity of the area. This will enhance community engagement with the creek; it is a high use area with pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers and the general public regularly accessing this site. 

PLANT  LIST

Scientific name	Common name	Quantity
Poa labillardierei	Common Tussock Grass	216
Lomandra longifolia	Spiny-headed Mat-rush	30
Grevillea rosmarinafolia	Rosemary Grevillia	6
Goodenia ovata	Hop Goodenia	18
Acacia melanoxylon	Blackwood	3
Leptospermum lanigerum	Woolly Tea Tree	12
Eucalyptus camaldulensis	River Red Gum	3
Carex tereticaulis	Rush sedge	6
Bursaria spinosa	Sweet bursaria	12
Callistemon sieberi	River bottlebrush	18
Melicytus dentatus	Tree Violet	9
Dodonea viscosa	Wedge-leaf Hop Bush	6
Correa glabra	Rock Correa	12
Acaena novae-zelandiae	Bidgee Widgee	18
Acacia paradoxa	Hedge Wattle	6
Acacia mearnsii	Black Wattle	3
	TOTAL	378

See you on the creek!

David P.