Local Grassy Box Gum Woodland on the Brink

The Australian Government has identified Grassy Box Gum Woodland as a national environmental priority, and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA) is now seeking local landholders to help identify and protect this vegetation type.

According to the HNCMA, nearly all Grassy Box Gum Woodland is found on private land, with landholders the most important players in bringing this vegetation back from the brink.

"This doesn't mean we're asking farmers to lock up parts of their land or radically change their practices.  We need help to identify remaining stands of Grassy Box Gum Woodland and we have funding available for landholders to help us manage it," the HNCMA's Catchment Officer, Jenny Schabel said.

"The ultimate aim is to ensure this precious natural feature is not lost forever from the catchment and to provide healthy farming landscapes into the future," Ms Schabel said.

The Grassy Box Gum Woodland is a signature vegetation type in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment, home to hundreds of native species including rare and threatened animals like Superb Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and Squirrel Gliders.

Although mapping is difficult, the HNCMA estimates only 30,000 hectares remains, or just over 1% of the total area of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment.  Less than 5% remains along the whole of the Great Dividing Range.

Most Grassy Box Gum Woodland was originally cleared for agriculture, with the remaining stands under threat from overgrazing, clearing and weed invasion.

"Some of the largest remnants in the entire Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment can be found in the Capertee, Wolgan and Kanimbla Valleys and the Hartley, Cullenbenbong and Ganbenang localities.  We're particularly interested in talking to landholders in these areas," Ms Schabel said.

"Funds can be used for farming infrastructure such as fencing and alternative water sources for cattle as well as weeding and other activities suggested by the landholder.

"In our experience the management and retention of remnant vegetation on farms is a win win situation.  It provides habitat for plant and animal species and can provide shelter for stock, pasture and crops, a seed bank for further tree and native grass regeneration on the property, habitat for birds, mammals and insects that eat insect pests, and assist in the management of rising water-tables and salinity," Ms Schabel said.

What should landholders look for?

According to the HNCMA, this vegetation is found extensively on valley floors and lower slopes, generally in good fertile soils.  One obvious feature is large white and/or yellow box gum trees, often with the understory removed and overtaken by exotic species.

If you're not sure, the HNCMA can help.  Landholders who think they may have Grassy Box Gum Woodland on their property can contact the local HNCMA team at Lithgow for advice over the phone, get an information sheet or arrange a free site visit on (02) 6350 3110.

Media contact: Peter O'Malley 0400 461 792