2021 – 2022 Activity Report
Gunning District Landcare has had another productive year, supported by an engaged committee that meets every two months. In particular, the energy of GDL’s new Chair John Storey and the ongoing commitment of vice-Chair Janet Heffernan, has driven some wonderful progress. Sonya Duus has continued in the Coordinator position funded by the NSW Landcare Program, which runs through to mid-2023. Some of the highlights of the past year include:
Paddock Tree Project – South East Local Land Services provided $10k for GDL to run our own Paddock Tree Project. We followed Yass Landcare’s model of asking landholders to provide a financial contribution ($25 per cattle/horse guard and $20 per sheep guard), which helped to stretch the funding further. The project was fully subscribed, and all up delivered 276 paddock trees, guards and weed mats to local landholders in May and June 2022. We held a couple of very successful working bees to cut up the mesh which were a good chance to meet the participating landholders.
Southern Pygmy Perch Project – At the end of 2021, fish scientists Luke Pearse and Mark Lintermans conducted a survey of Southern Pygmy Perch on Oolong Ck, as the creek had not been investigated since the drought. To our utter delight, a healthy number of Southern Pygmy Perch were found. This prompted us to approach OzFish Unlimited to request funds for Mark to write up a survey report, and it led to us signing an agreement with OzFish to help fund and undertake work to enhance habitat for Southern Pygmy Perch on Oolong Ck over several years! Separately, Council approached us to be involved in managing the weeds on Oolong Ck in Fossil Park in Dalton (they received $10k from LLS for this work), and we have lined up the OzFish Riparian Repair Bus team to undertake this work.
Gunning Showground Bush block – Building on the great work of John Anderson while employed by ULSC, and with the support of Council and the s355 Showground Committee, GDL sought funds from the ‘Planting trees for the Queen’s Jubilee’ grant to get some initial work done at the Gunning Showground bush block. The area includes remnant Box Gum Grassy Woodland and if carefully restored, has much to offer in terms of ecology and community recreation. Our application for $20k was successful, and these funds will cover the removal of rubbish from the site (mostly old horse jumps), the removal of two large standing dead pine trees, the planting of 75 native trees, as well as commemorative events and signage. We are in the process of applying for further funding to continue work at this site.
Charity and DGR Status - GDL’s application for charity status with ACNC was successful, and we are now waiting for approval of our ‘Deductible Gift Recipient’ application.
Mates of Mundoonen Project – While the WIRES-funded Mates of Mundoonen project is now complete, there are ongoing quarterly bird surveys involving local bird watchers and Canberra-based ornithological experts.
