Mirboo North community keen to boost biodiversity and habitat

COMMUNITY members turned out in large numbers to hear and discuss ideas to restore the biodiversity of Mirboo North and surrounds at a ‘Recovery, Replant, Renew’ session held at Walter J Tuck Reserve on Tuesday night.

The information evening was organised by the Mardan Mirboo North Landcare Group, and Preserve Our Forests Mirboo North.

Speakers represented those organisations along with Parks Victoria, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), South Gippsland Shire Council and Ecocentric Consulting.

“It might be incumbent on us to support mother nature in her efforts,” Susan Koci, a member of Preserve Our Forests’ Biodiversity Working Group said.

She outlined the destructive impacts of the February 13 storm, including loss of animal habitat and biodiversity, as well as the opportunities for community members to protect biodiversity.

“You can go out in the forest and learn about our native species, plant a garden of local native species, propagate your own plants, create habitat and control weeds,” Susan said, also suggesting joining a landcare group.

Another member of the working group, Ian Starkey offered practical advice for those keen to boost the biodiversity of their gardens.

He spoke of the value of indigenous plants, the need to keep weeds out, and the wonderful plant nurseries in the area, advising people of the need to plan well ahead if wanting plants of tube stock size so growers can meet orders.

Ian said Autumn is generally a good time to plant due to decent rains and recommended mulching around plants even if using gravel to minimise fire risk.

He mentioned the South Gippsland Seedbank in Leongatha, open on Thursdays, and noted people can learn how to pick seed.

“I hope you all get out there and do your bit,” Ian said, encouraging people to create more habitat.

Peter Gannon of Ecocentric Consulting advised people to resist the urge to turn all fallen timber into firewood or woodchips, saying that leaving some of the debris on the ground helps protect new plants.

South Gippsland Shire Council’s Chris Rankin focused on Mirboo North’s Baths Road Reserve, explaining the extent of the damage and the fact the reserve is yet to be reopened due to dangerous trees.

He stressed that council wants to know people’s views on what they would like to see happen there.

Gerard Delaney, area chief ranger for South Gippsland and Bass Coast spoke of the need to balance fire risk reduction against environmental benefit in determining how to manage bushland.

He also touched on the need for organisations to work together to achieve the best results.

DEECA’s Andy Gillham noted the need for human intervention to assist nature to bounce back from February’s storm, with the huge amount of resultant coarse woody debris one of the challenges needing to be overcome to achieve desired regeneration.

He mentioned damaged forests are now more vulnerable to the next weather event that comes through and are susceptible to drying quicker and presenting a fire risk.

Andy explained that DEECA has a strong focus on its fire responsibilities on public land and is aiming for positive forest outcomes and effective fire management. 

“Nature won’t do this on her own; we need some kind of intervention but what that looks like we don’t know,” he conceded, saying much more is known about the impacts of fire than windthrow events.

Andy noted the importance of working in partnership with Gunai Kurnai people.

An extensive Q&A session followed the speeches, with the high level of community passion on show.

People raised ideas such as the opportunity to consider the flammability of various species in determining what to plant, the need for a diverse range of species and the chance to create koala habitat.

A major part of the night was the desire to get community members active in recovery, renewal and replanting efforts.

“What we want to do is get a group together that will help to coordinate replanting around town,” Denyse Menzies of Mardan Mirboo North Landcare Group said.

While work still has to be done to establish who needs help with replanting, and to source funding, she is keen to hear from those interested in helping.

Those keen to be involved or wanting to learn more are encouraged to email denyse@menziesco.com.au or call Denyse on 0417 566 783.

“It went really well and I think it’s something that the town needed,” Denyse said of Tuesday’s event and the strong local desire for revitalisation.