wetlander may 2015 for pdf -...

Volume 30, Issue 1 May 2015

The

Wetlander Volume 30 Issue 1 November 2015

ISSN 1325 0744

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE HUNTER

WETLANDS CENTRE

The Wetlander HUNTER WETLANDS CENTRE Volume 29 Issue 3 November 2014

Did you know that 11 November 2015 marks the 30th Anniversary of the day when NSW Premier Neville Wran officially launched the Shortland Wetlands Centre project in front of 300 people. Much has been accomplished since! A celebration of three decades of achievements will be held towards the end of the year, and we hope you are able to take part.

We’ve been looking at old footage from the very start of the wetlands restoration project as we produce a video highlighting our history. It’s truly amazing to see the transformation of the site. It should also fill us with confidence as we plan for the long term outcomes we want to achieve in the next three decades.

As our new Strategy takes shape in the next few months we will be making important decisions about how we intend to achieve our mission over the next five, ten and 30 years. Thanks to our members, supporters and partners who contributed to our Strategic Planning Day on 30 January. Some of the ideas discussed on the day are already taking shape, such as seeking a grant to complete the predator-proof fence along Ironbark Creek to exclude foxes, installing solar panels, cutting costs in Spoonbill Café, and investigating opportunities to restore other wetlands.

We continue to face difficult financial challenges, and are implementing an organisational reform to cut staff costs and re-position ourselves to align with our new strategic directions. We are also looking at selling land to enable us to invest in income generating assets, for example building on-site accommodation.

The major storms of 20 and 21 April blew down dozens of beautiful big trees, and flooded hundreds of meters of roads and paths. As the photos show, the impacts were severe to our paths and trees, but we escaped with only minor damage buildings and fences. Several tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs are being undertaken, covered by insurance.

On a brighter note a major milestone was reached recently when our 200,000th native plant was planted on site. The Forest Redgum (Eucalyptus terreticornis) is now growing strongly beside the Farm Dam. It’s one of 200 species of locally native plants that we grow from seed in our nursery, which last year produced 120,000 native plants.

The floodwaters were deep enough to create new waterways navigable by canoe

Message from our CEOMessage from our CEOMessage from our CEO Stuart BlanchStuart BlanchStuart Blanch

Stuart in flooded Hexham Swamp after storms Stuart in flooded Hexham Swamp after storms Stuart in flooded Hexham Swamp after storms 202020---21 April 201521 April 201521 April 2015

CelebratingCelebratingCelebrating

30 years30 years30 years

of the officialof the officialof the official

opening of theopening of theopening of the

Hunter WetlandsHunter WetlandsHunter Wetlands

CentreCentreCentre

The Wetlander

Despite losing many lovely trees during the storm, the site is still well vegetated.

Thanks to our members who have donated to our Hunter Wetlands Solar campaign to raise $20,000 to install 48 solar panels on our café veranda roof. With the end of the tax year approaching, please consider sponsoring a panel for $500. Donations are tax deductible. Your support will help cut our power bills by over $1,000 per year, and help us cut our carbon emissions. You will also be acknowledged as a sponsor on a sign to be placed in the Visitors Centre, as well as on our website.

We will soon install a large TV screen in the Visitors Centre to show videos produced by ourselves and partner organisations that showcase wetlands in the Hunter Estuary, wetland wildlife and environmental education. Thanks to a grant from AGL, the videos will be played on a loop to provide a wider range of attractions and information for visitors.

We are also seeking funds for projects such as buying a new work buggy for Landcare volunteers, bringing wallabies back to the wetlands, building a captive-rearing enclosure for brolga, and building a

water lily pond that will double as a large outdoor aquarium for native fish such as Australian bass and freshwater catfish.

You can keep up to date with what is happening by following us on Facebook by liking our Facebook page.

Board Chair Ben Chard and Board Deputy Chair Mary Greenwood stepped down from their roles at our Annual General Meeting on 30 April. On behalf of the staff and volunteers, I thank them both for their years of leadership of the Board and

commitment to the vision of the Hunter Wetlands Centre. Both will be staying on as Directors. I am glad to welcome David Crofts and Peter Nelson as the new Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board, respectively.

Thank you for your ongoing support, please feel free to drop in for a chat.

Inside this issue:

Report from our CEO 1/2

Bruce’s Bridge 3

Ducks at the Wetlands Centre 4

Hunter wetlands Centre Nursery

5

Wetlands Environmental Education Centre Report

6

WetlandCare Australia 7 & 10

Hunter Wetlands Centre 30 Years

8/9

Our Intern From the Netherlands - Josh Luijkx

12

Freedom For The Frecklies 13

Site Managers Report 14/15

Report From the Landcare Facilitator

11

Davo looks sad, contemplating the loss of an old friend after the storm!

Will cuts down a tree which has fallen across the boundary fence

Tree down on the Freckled duck enclosure


Steve Wisniewski is caretaker and curator of the rainforest section of our forty-five hectare site running along Ironbark Creek – in fact it is a littoral rainforest.

Steve has noted that there is an infuriating rivulet, which has its origin in a poorly designed storm water drain from Shortland suburb in Newcastle City Council’s domain which runs in any rain through the rainforest.

This has caused erosion and a muddy impasse for visitors during rain periods. Steve is a member of the infamous Thursday Mob and while relaxing with fellow Mobsters over morning coffee at the end of a hard morning’s work he mentioned his frustration with the condition of the rivulet (or storm water drain?).

Enter Bruce Tozer another Mobster. Bruce had vast experience in fashioning various verandahs for family members.

“Not a problem”, said Bruce. He and Steve measured up the width and length of the proposed edifice. Timber and screws were ordered. Tools and the HWCA generator were borrowed. Work commenced and the bridge was completed in two days of hard work.

The younger Mobsters carried planks, drilled holes, measured here and there or applied a trusty spirit level to make sure this bridge would last our lifetime. I had a very important job – to go to the café and purchase essential take-away coffees!

This bridge (pictured below) probably rivals some of our City’s greater structures. We suggest members visiting HWCA wander down to the rainforest to cross the bridge or stand in the middle and spend a few moments relaxing and admiring the mangrove edges of Ironbark Creek.

Thanks Bruce, Steve, Col Vickers and Peter Wood.

Steve Wisnieski Peter Wood and Col Vickers setting out the bridge

The completed bridge The bridge under construction

BRUCE’S BRIDGE Paddy Lightfoot

The Wetlander

Over the years 13 different species of ducks have been observed at the Wetlands Centre, and there have been breeding records for many of them. Grey and Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck and Hardhead have been seen on almost every monthly survey since 2004. Others appear quite regularly while some are rare sightings indeed.

Grey Teal appears in the largest numbers, the highest being over 800 in October 2012, and large numbers every month in 2014. Their close relative the Chestnut Teal is seen in smaller numbers. While the female of each is quite similar, the male Chestnut Teal has a distinctive glossy green head especially in sunlight

An attractive duck which appears quite often is the Australasian Shoveler. The male breeding plumage has a grey-blue head and vertical stripe and has, as its name implies, a shovel tipped bill. It does not usually appear in large numbers, although 21 were seen in July 2009.

We frequently see Wandering Whistling Ducks and in several cases with dependant young. The largest flock was 101 in June 2011 but they are usually in much smaller flocks. At present they are enjoying the logs in BHP pond, where 69 were perching recently. Their cousins, the Plumed Whistling Duck, with their obvious upswept cream flank plumes, put in much rarer appearances, usually in ones or twos and are worth noting.

We do sometimes spot Wood Ducks, those ducks seen so often in fields and on farm dams, and the hybrid mallards, but there are several species that really excite us when they put in an appearance and are worth reporting if you see them.

The Pink-eared Duck, which does have a small, hard-to-see pink ear spot, is more distinguishable by its large, square-tipped grey bill and its brown and white barred flanks. It appears from time to time, with 12 spotted in April this year.

While we do have a captive breeding program for the Freckled Duck, it is rare to see them in the wild, but we did see one in May and one in November last year. They are basically a grey bird with one obviously distinguishing feature, the large peak on the rear of their head.

Two recent exciting sightings were:

• Musk Duck in January this year. The male of this species has a leathery flap under its bill and a stiff tail which it raises in display.

• Blue-billed Duck in January last year. The male does have a scooped blue bill and is a chestnut colour when in breeding plumage, but when in eclipse looks much like the plainer female.

In several species , the male is easier to spot than the drabber female, but if do you spot any of these unusual visitors, do report them to the Visitor Centre so that we can add them to tour records, and let other visitors know of their presence.

And on another species of birds, raptors (such as kites, eagles and hawks), a Square-tailed Kite was spotted for the first time ever last year. This brings to 18 the number of raptors seen at the centre over the years.

Ducks at the Wetlands Centre Margaret Stewart

Plumed Whistling Duck from a few years ago, clearly showings it’s upswept plumage

Three wandering Whistling Ducks seen at the Hunter Wetlands Centre


Hunter Wetlands Native Plant Nursery has been very busy and successful supplying 24,000 local providence plants to be planted on site as part of the biodiversity grant. The Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) project involved growing 45000 plants for the Green and Golden Bell Frogs project at Ash Island. This is nearing completion with planting well advanced. The BHP project for their Green and Golden Bell Frog Ash Island project, involved growing 23,000 plants. This is about ready to start with planting planned July or August 2015. All seed for plants grown for the Ash Island projects was collected at Ash Island by our volunteers. All seed for plants grown for the biodiversity grant project were collected on HWC site again by our volunteers. We have also success-fully completed several smaller projects throughout the past 12 months. We are currently seeking additional projects for the nursery.

The HWC nursery is very lucky to have a very dedicated band of volunteers working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The plant potting-on-ladies are particularly skilled at their task. They have achieved a 90% survival rate which to my mind is an exceptional effort. I must also mention that the men who help with this activity are also very skilled. Other activities at the Nursery include mowing and whipper snipping the area with ongoing work to keep the weed mats and hot houses free from weeds etc, grooming and grading the growing plant is an ongoing task that ensures that our plants always look their best, Moving

plants into their allocated project is another important task undertaken by the nursery staff.

Over time we have turned the nursery area into a very pleasant area to work in. The effort carried out to uplift the environmental aspect of the nursery area has been very successful with ongoing 3 monthly audits conducted by nursery volunteers to ensure the area remains environmentally sound. Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are mainly for activities in and around the nursery, Fridays mornings are kept for seed collecting across the site. We have a very dedicated band of seed collectors that are becoming very familiar with different plant species and when their seeds are ready for collecting. These are then prepared to ensure best possible germination results.

I should also mention the efforts of the nursery team that undertake the various nursery duties without having to be asked. They know what has to be done and just get on with the tasks. It is a pleasure to lead such a great bunch of volunteers.

The Hunter Wetlands Centre Nursery Ken Bayliss - Nursery Manager

The Easter Fun Day on Easter Saturday was a successful day even with the miserable weather. We had approximately 100 children attending, where they walked around the Wetlands Centre answered our Easter bunny quizzes (and won prizes). The Easter bunny was a hit this year with all the children coming and having a lot of photos with him. Face painting was successful even through the lady who was supposed to come, called in sick. The BBQ was a success selling many sausages in breads and soft drink cans. Thank you very much to Val, Kristina, Michelle and Marie for organising the event and Davo for organising the BBQ.

Other events organised at the HWC were the Mothers Day Breakfast and Lunch on 10th May held

in the Spoonbill Cafe and Inaugural High Tea Fundraiser on 21st March organised by Jesmond lions Club and the Spoonbill Cafe, these two events were very successful and raised much need funds for HWC. Many thanks to Jenny, Fleur and Ebony in the cafe.

The Spongebob movie night on 2nd April at Events Cinemas Glendale also brought in a small profit.

With the departure of Anna Ryan earlier this year the marketing and events duties have been shared by volunteers Val, Kristina and Peter.

For our 30th Anniversary, we are in planning stages for our celebrations and we hope that you will join us through the year as we mark our successes and plan for the future.

Marketing and Events at the Wetlands Centre

The Wetlander

The Wetlands Environmental Education Centre had a very busy Term 1, after a fairly slow beginning to the year. This gave education staff the opportunity to plan for the year, attend the NSW Environmental Education Centres’ Conference and continue preparation for the new National Curriculum.

The EEC Conference was held at Macquarie University and was a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, share some of our programs with other Centres around NSW as well as be inspired by great teachers and Department of Education leaders.

Term 2 really started with a bang with the April Storm. Our staff was unable to attend school on the first day and were really saddened by the destruction at HWCA when we were able to have a site inspection. The damage will have a very big impact on the opportunity to run some of our programs, particularly the primary programs and we wish HWCA all the best in being able to gather some support in helping with the restoration. Our first excursion was cancelled as the visiting school was still closed. Hopefully things will return to normal quickly.

We also had to cancel a Sustainability Network Day for Teachers. We were fortunate to be able to have support from local councils, NPWS, DEC and University staff to run this event, which aims to support teachers in the implementation of environmental education in their schools.

As well as the usual excursion program for students, the other big program for senior primary students this term is Planet Savers. It is a celebration of World Environment Day and will be held on 3 & 4 June 2015. Students rotate through a series of hands on environmental activities one of which is planting at The Hunter Wetlands Centre. We may be able to repair a little of the storm damage on that day with each of about 800 students planting a tree or two on site.

Autumn and winter are great seasons for students to discover wetlands. The high humidity and mossies have gone and sunny days are very pleasant for outside activities.

Peter Jones & Carolyn Gillard

Wetlands Environmental Education Centre Report Peter Jones & Carolyn Gillard

The Wetlands is going solar! We will cut our power bills, showcase solar on a community owned building, and play our part in cutting carbon emissions.

We’re aiming to raise $20,000 by 30 June to install 24, high-tech microinverter solar panels. You can sponsor a panel for only $500, and you can be confident your support will keep on helping us for the next quarter of a century. And your sponsorship is tax deductible.

The system will cut our average annual power use by

up to 20%, and save us over $4,000 each year. We are partnering with Newcastle based renewable energy community group CLEANaS, which received a grant from the NSW Government to support community renewable energy projects like ours.

With these savings we will be able to: buy a satellite tracker for our Freckled Ducks when we start releasing juveniles next year, invest in new café equipment, or buy large water tanks and efficient irrigation sprays for the plant nursery.

Please contact Reception on 4951 6466 or visit our website to find out how you can help us go solar.

Stuart Blanch, CEO

Hunter Wetlands Solar Fundraising Campaign


Local NGO Leads Community Engagement at Ramsar COP12

At time of writing I am busy preparing to attend the 12th Ramsar Conference of Parties (COP12), which is being held in Punta del Este, Uruguay from June 1 to 9 2015.

My role will be to coordinate World Wetland Network (WWN) activities for Non-Government Organisation (NGO) representatives at the COP.

World Wetland Network is an international alliance of NGOs and civil society organisations, many of whom are focused on one or two wetlands in their local area. These organisations reflect their local cultures and communities and are a considerable force for Ramsar wetland conservation.

I’m looking forward to working with local delegates and supporting NGO representatives to have a voice at the meeting. The activities we are facilitating include:

• A Pre-COP Meeting to bring together and welcome NGO and civil society delegates, provide advice on protocols and review the draft Resolutions

• A WWN Side Event to present outcomes of our recent global survey of NGOs

• Drafting of NGO opening and closing statements, which we hope will be presented by a local delegate during the official proceedings

• Advocacy to ensure the Draft Resolutions to show stronger inclusion of NGOs and civil society, especially the Ramsar Strategic Plan and CEPA plan.

In 2014, World Wetland Network conducted a global survey of NGOs to explore their relationship with the delivery of Ramsar wetland conservation goals. 190 individuals responded from 52 counties, giving us the chance to hear the collective voice of local people. Findings of the survey have led to a set of recommendations, which will be presented at

WWN’s side event. The survey overwhelmingly showed that NGOs are committed to Ramsar and want to do more. Supporting and enabling volunteers and NGO staff to be engaged in wetland conservation requires resources, but small inputs create big outcomes, leading to better programs for Ramsar sites.

The survey report can be found on World Wetland Networks web site at www.worldwetnet.org.

Thanks to WetlandCare Australia for funding my participation at the COP, as well as all the local donors and members of the Australian Wetland Network (AWN) for their support.

Follow us on Twitter: @worldwetnet

Further information contact:

Louise Duff

Hunter Region Manager

WetlandCare Australia

Phone: 4951 1425

Email: [email protected]

Louise Duff, Hunter Region Manager of WetlandCare Australia is attending Ramsar COP 12 representing the

World Wetland Network

WetlandCare Australia PO Box 114 Ballina NSW 2478 Ph: (02) 6681 6169 Mob: 0412 334686 [email protected] www.wetlandcare.com.au www.facebook.com/wetlandcare

The Wetlander

HUNTER WETLANDS CENTRE WHO’S WHO 1985-2015!

HUNTER WETLANDS TRUST 1985-1996

President

Brian Gilligan .......................................................................... 1985 - 1989

Pam Dean-Jones .................................................................... 1989 - 1992

Max Maddock ........................................................................ 1992 - 1996

In 1996 the Council of Hunter Wetlands Trust Inc. and the Board of Shortland Wetlands Centre Ltd. agreed to an amalgamation of the two organisations, pending approval. The past separation of the two

organisations was largely a legal technicality. The amalgamation took effect as of January 1st 1997

THE HUNTER WETLANDS CENTRE 1997-2015

CEO (New position from 1996)

Rod Caldwell ......................................................................... September 1996 - Jul 1998

Tim Bowring .......................................................................... July 1998 - 1999

Chris Morris .......................................................................... 1999 - September 2001

Louise Duff ............................................................................. September 2001 - June 2003

Tara Ure / O’Connell .......................................................... June 2003 - April 2009

Ken Conway .......................................................................... April 2009 - October 2014

Stuart Blanch ......................................................................... October 2014 -

Chairman

Max Maddock ........................................................................ 1985 - March 1998

Christine Prietto ................................................................... March 1998 - April 2011

Ben Chard .............................................................................. April 2011 - May 2015

Bits and Pieces (1997) Peter Lewis, the popular cartoonist from The Newcastle herald, put the wetlands centre in the picture at the “Pathways to Sustainability” conference, held in Newcastle from June 1st to 5th.. Peter Lewis completed a 1 by 1.5 metre colour cartoon poster as a donation to the Wetlands Centre

(2002) Since 1985, volunteers have worked over 180,000 hours and planted over 35,000 natives. In 2002, volunteers worked a total of 14,400 hours, or 1200 hours per month. They planted a total of 3508 natives.

(2007) Renovations to Cafe Jacana to start April 2007, install a new commercial kitchen, modernised cafe and a large outdoor deck, this work will double the size of the cafe.

Re-opened with new name Cafe Nourish, 2007 run by contractors Greg & Jan Hopper and managed by

Glenn Foster. The contract was taken over by Jo Bailey in 2009 until November 2012 when the running of the cafe was brought back into the ownership of the Hunter Wetlands. It was renamed the Spoonbill Cafe and re-opened in early 2013.

Faces from the not so distant past - Paul Trute, Jake Relf & Anna Ryan, at 2012 Christmas party for HWC Volunteers

Tara Ure / O’Connell Stuart Blanch Ken Conway Max Maddock Christine Prietto

Ben Chard

Brian Gilligan

Louise Duff


A Reversal of Fortunes! A copy of a report in the Newcastle Herald made in December 2009, the out come was the Centre was able to put on four trainees!

No apology over Federal cash

By JULIEANNE STRACHAN State Political Reporter

Newcastle Herald - Dec. 10, 2009

FEDERAL member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson, has said she would make no apologies for attracting the lion's share of the nation's job-funding stimulus to Newcastle.

A review by Fairfax revealed yesterday that the electoral seat of Newcastle received $5.4 million from the Rudd Government's job fund, which was the high-est amount allocated to any area in the nation.

It prompted accusations from the Federal Opposition that the Government was preferencing Labor-held seats, in order to curry favour in lead-up to the election.

The Government has denied favouritism claims but about 70 per cent or $77 million was spent in Labor-held electorates, the Fairfax review found.

The jobs fund was announced to protect jobs during the global financial crisis.

Ms Grierson was at a jobs fund grant launch at the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia yesterday when the news broke.

The event was held to highlight a federal grant of $541,727, which will help the centre retain its staff numbers.

The centre was one of the first 123 successful appli-cants for first-round funding and its application was supported by Ms Grierson and Charlton MP Greg Combet.

Ms Grierson said it came down to putting in good bids.

"Actually I think the allocations to Newcastle were even higher than $5.4 million," she said.

"And I congratulate the community groups and the council that put in such high quality applications for this funding.

"The Newcastle City Council, for example, was willing to put in more than $1 million of its own money for the number two sportsground upgrade and community amphitheatre.

"The benefits of these grants will be ongoing."

Opposition employment spokesman Eric Abetz said the grants, of which only 17 per cent, or $18 million went to Coalition areas, was a clear sign of pork barrelling.

But Employment Minister Julia Gillard rejected the figures.

She said the Government's own analysis showed only 57 per cent of grants were in Labor seats.

"You've basically got the amount going to Labor seats [being] about the same as Labor's share of the parliament," she said. with AAP

Matt Stow, Will McCaffrey, Matt Wagstaff & Jake Relf, as trainees starting in 2010.

(2008) The 23rd World Youth Day was a Catholic youth festival held from 15 to 20 July in Sydney. A BBQ was held at the Wetlands Centre for a group of young pilgrims who were staying in the Newcastle area and helped out by planting natives at the Wetlands Centre.

(2009) On 2 February 2009 under the Australian Governments Local Schools Working Together Pilot Program, received a grant for 2.5 million dollars to construct an Environmental Learning Centre.

Building work completed at the end of 2010, ready for the 2011 first school term.

(2010) A new undercover work area and double work shed con-structed with funds generated by the sale of some land to the RTA.

Also in 2010 the Wedding Chapel was constructed.

(2013) The Wetlands celebrated the planting of its 200,000th native plant on site and with another 100,000 to be planted by 2017.

World Youth Day BBQ July 2008

Celebrating 30 years of the official opening of the Hunter Wetlands CentreCelebrating 30 years of the official opening of the Hunter Wetlands CentreCelebrating 30 years of the official opening of the Hunter Wetlands Centre

The Wetlander

WetlandCare Australia is coordinating a large scale revegetation project at Hexham Swamp, as part of the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees program.

Hexham Swamp adjoins Hunter Wetlands Centre and flows into the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar Site. It is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia, and is part of the Hunter Estuary Important Bird Area. Hexham Swamp was once a vast freshwater and saltwater wetland complex. Eight floodgates have been re-opened to reinstate tidal flows. EPBC-listed migratory birds observed in Hexham Swamp BEFORE rehabilitation commenced include Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Latham's Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper. Ann Lindsay from Hunter Bird Observers Club is conducting regular surveys of birds using the wetland since the floodgates were opened, and is excited by the results.

The 20 Million Trees project site is the Shortland Waste Water Treatment Works, which is owned by Hunter Water Corporation. WetlandCare Australia will plant 10,750 trees to reinstate Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest in the paddocks closest to Hexham Swamp & improve the riparian zone of Crawchie Creek. Jenny Castle’s Shortland-Wallsend Landcare Group has been working for over a decade with the City of Newcastle and Local Land Services to restore and revegetate this creek from Northcott Park to the boundary of the Hunter Water Corporation site, and are glad their work will now continue into Hunter Water’s land. The resulting vegetation will increase the extent of terrestrial woodland fringing Hexham Swamp, improve habitat for avifauna and arboreal mammals and improve water quality in Hexham Swamp.

Ten Thousand Plus Trees For Hexham Swamp Louise Duff, Hunter Region Manager, WetlandCare Australia

Wetlands Center stalwart Paul Davidson is using his trusty Massey Ferguson tractor to prepare paddocks at Shortland Waste Water Treatment Works for native revegetation.

WetlandCare Australia has been tapping into the goodwill of community volunteers to restore urban waterways flowing into the Hunter Wetlands Centre Ramsar Site.

WetlandCare Australia is almost half way through the 4-year Newcastle Wetland Connections program, restoring 14 sites along urban waterways flowing into the Hunter Wetlands Centre and Hexham Swamp. The project is funded by the Australian Government.

Throughout Autumn, WCA worked with CVA Better Earth teams and the University of Newcastle Landcare group to plant 575 local natives at Newcastle Wetland Reserve and 790 plants at the University. This brings the total revegetation for the project to 24,785 plants at 10 sites. The purpose of the plantings is to restore the biodiversity of urban bushland remnants and riparian zones, and create wetland buffers.

For further information on the above articles, contact:

Louise Duff, Hunter Region Manager, WetlandCare Australia Phone: 4951 1425 Email: [email protected]

Community Get On Board For Newcastle Wetland Connections

The Uni Landcare Group led by Jessica Styan have planted 790 local natives on the wetland channel this year.


Hi to all the wonderful people at the Wetland Centre what an awful storm the area had in April, and what about all you great volunteers there to help with the clean-up.

Big thanks to ‘Davo’ for continuing with the Ploughing and Poisoning of the ‘Snipe’ site at Butcherbird Hill which has kept the weeds down. This method has allowed Butcherbird Gully Landcare to hold three planting mornings to date. The Green Army has also helped out with mulching the site and the Watagan Wonderers had their usual day on Saturday the 9th May and they planted another four hundred plants. This group has paid their first visit for this year to the centre and will be back the second week in August making it Fourteen years Land-caring at the Centre.

Many thanks to all involved.

I have taken on some much needed ‘Fundraising’ to get a New four seater with tray for tools ‘Buggy’ to make life easier for our volunteers. So far there has been three Sausage Sangas days at Bunning’s Wallsend, A basket of ‘Goodies’ Raffle for Mothers Day raised $150.00 well done to the Staff in the Cafe and anyone else that was involved. Other money being donated at the entry desk at the centre are adding up and I am happy to report that the ‘Tally’ is well over the half way for the New Buggy.

The next Buggy ‘Fundraising’ event will be a Sausage and Steakett Sandwiches Lunch for all at the Wetland Centre on the first Thursday of each month until we reach our target for the Buggy. The Steakett Sandwiches will cost $3.00 and the Sausage Sandwiches will cost $2.00.

I am hoping these events will provide a good opportunity for the volunteers and staff to have some Bonding time and meet people that you might not have seen before at the centre. And of course help raise the much needed funds for the ‘NEW BUGGIE’.

Cheers, Jenny Castles

Report from the Landcare Facilitator Jenny Castles

Farm Dam Before the storm

Have your next Corporate FunctionHave your next Corporate Function

at theat the

Hunter Wetlands CentreHunter Wetlands Centre with catering from thewith catering from the

Spoonbill CafeSpoonbill Cafe We can also provide catering for:

• Conferences • Weddings

• Birthday Parties • School Farewells

• Anniversaries and more

Contact the Cafe on

Phone:Phone: 4951 64664951 6466

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

1 Wetland Place, Shortland1 Wetland Place, Shortland1 Wetland Place, Shortland1 Wetland Place, Shortland PO Box 66, Shortland NSW 2307

Web: www.wetlands.org.au Centre Open 9am to 4 pm Centre Open 9am to 4 pm Centre Open 9am to 4 pm Centre Open 9am to 4 pm ---- 7 Days7 Days7 Days7 Days Cafe Open 9am to 3pm Cafe Open 9am to 3pm Cafe Open 9am to 3pm Cafe Open 9am to 3pm ---- 7 Days7 Days7 Days7 Days

Farm Dam before the storm

The Wetlander

My name is Josh Luijkx, I am a Dutch student and I have undertaken an internship at the Hunter Wetlands Centre from the beginning of February till the end of April. The internship was in order to my study, Garden and Landscape Management at the ''HAS University of Applied Sciences'' situated at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands).

During my internship at the Hunter Wetlands Centre I learned a lot about environmental issues, including environmental weeds and threatened ecological communities and species. I wrote a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) that includes guidelines for weed control and guidance for bush regeneration activities. During the internship I learned a lot about Australia’s flora and fauna too. It is striking that the ecological communities are completely different.

Besides the Vegetation Management plan I did a lot of different tasks. I learned about the proceedings and processes in the HWCA Nursery and about bush regeneration activities. Furthermore, I did a bird counting with two colleages and attended an interactive discussion about the rehabilitation of the Hexham Swamp with other professionals. It was interesting to experience such a big rehabilitation project.

It was a great and successful period full of learning.

Our Intern From The Netherlands By Josh Luijkx

I have been invited to say a few words to mark the retirement of Carolyn Gillard from the Department of Education and Communities and from her teaching position at The Wetlands Environmental Education Centre at Shortland. I taught alongside Carolyn for 20 years there so I appreciate this opportunity.

Carolyn began her teaching career at Shortland in 1992 when she was appointed as a relieving teacher at what was then called Awabakal Field Studies Centre. From its base at Shortland, Awabakal FSC ran school education programs at both Shortland and at the original Field Studies Centre at Awabakal Nature Reserve at Dudley. With her history of involvement at Shortland through the Newcastle Plant Society, her classroom experience and her love for and knowledge of plants, Carolyn was a natural fit for the job. This appointment was the beginning of our extremely productive teaching partnership in environmental education over 20 years, during which Carolyn played a significant role in the growth of WEEC and its role in the region.

Although we were a small team we designed and delivered excursion programs at both Awabakal and Shortland for many thousands of students which were always well received and highly valued by teachers. Over the years many other significant initiatives and programs were designed and delivered, including an

early online competition called Wet and Wild, Planet Savers which continues to attract primary schools, tree planting initiatives and energy efficiency pro-grams in schools. We designed and ran many short workshops for teachers and several environmental education conferences and also managed the development of the Regional Environmental Education Strategy for the Hunter. The culmination of this partnership was the securing of a Local Schools Working Together grant and the 2 year planning and management process which resulted in the opening of the education building now occupied by the Wetlands Environmental Education Centre. The landscaping design was done by Carolyn is an important asset of the building.

Carolyn was a wonderful teaching partner who was integral to everything we did. She is a logistics genius, a critical asset for the programs which WEEC delivers. Above all she is an educator who always had student outcomes at the forefront. During her career she has been a sought after speaker to share her experience with trainee teachers and a well respected Environmental Educator in NSW. We congratulate Carolyn on a wonderful teaching career and the many thousands of students she has inspired. I hope that her transition from full time work is stress free.

Carolyn Gillard Retires By Christine Prietto

Carolyn Gillard


In a world first, the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia, a community-owned, not for profit environmental organisation are proposing to release Freckled ducks from our conservation breeding program and track them using satellite technology.

Located near Newcastle in the Hunter Estuary of New South Wales, the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia is a Ramsar listed wetland of national and international importance. In addition to providing significant waterbird habitat to over 67 species, including the endangered Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) and the vulnerable Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata), it serves as a breeding site for Egrets and Ibis, plus a welcome refuge for migratory bird species, especially during droughts.

Since commencing the program in 1993, the Hunter Wetlands Centre has been one of the world’s most successful captive breeders of the vulnerable Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa). Freckled Ducks are a wetland dependent waterfowl that nest in densely vegetated, inland Australian wetlands. They are adapted to the erratic fluctuations of water distribution, often seeking coastal refuges, such as the Hunter Estuary, in times of drought. The Freckled duck is threatened from the draining and clearing of vital wetland habitat, alterations to natural water flows as well as illegal shooting.

The Freckled Duck conservation breeding program was originally established to conserve the future of one of Australia’s rarest ducks. Our largely volunteer run program currently boasts a thriving population of 32 “Frecklies”.

After years of deliberation, we have finally decided to fulfil the last stage of the program and release some of our un-imprinted Freckled Ducks back into the wild. The inaugural release, scheduled for autumn 2016, will launch our annual plan to release healthy juveniles, while also maintaining a viable breeding population on site.

But where will they go?

Freckled Ducks, dispersive and nomadic by nature, may migrate thousands of kilometres in search for greener pastures. Based on

expert advice and comprehensive research, we have decided that our best choice for monitoring their dispersal is the highly regarded but expensive satellite transmitter technology. This will allow individual birds to be tracked in real time, providing novel information on the distribution patterns and habitat use of the Freckled Duck.

The Hunter Wetlands Centre ambitious Freedom for the Frecklies project, subject to funding and approval, will be a valuable contribution for the conservation management of this rare and vulnerable wetland dependent species.

For further information of the

Freedom for the Frecklies project, please visit:

Email: [email protected]

www.wetlands.org.au

Phone: 02 49516466.

Freedom for the Frecklies

By Grace Bourke - HWCA Intern

Making waves in the Hunter…setting the “Frecklies” free

Walking to Freedom? An inquisitive male Freckled Duck coyly approaches. The base of the male’s bill turns crimson during breeding season.

Our Freckled Ducks with their purpose built tepees at the Hunter Wetland Centre Australia.

The Wetlander

We have entered our final year of the current Environmental Trust grant, which guides several environmental projects on site. This grant is required to manage all aspects of the site and continues our rehabilitation, monitoring and operations management work, much of which wouldn’t be possible without this funding.

Since the installation of the hydrology gates in 2013, we have been actively managing water levels across the site an attempt to control the nutrient levels in Melaleuca Swamp resulting from nesting populations of Egrets and Ibis. This involves setting levels on our hydrology gates and releasing water from our system where possible to ensure that water flow is maintained and preventing the buildup of nutrients within the system. Water quality and groundwater monitoring is conducted regularly to measure key indictors including dissolved oxygen and available phosphates, allowing us to track our progress and measure the success of the program. We are also intending to monitor the level of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in Melaleuca Swamp next year as part of the program. Work on nine of our storm water drains has begun at the end of 2014, focusing on erosion and sediment control, filtering of pollutants, track stabilization and revegetation of disturbed areas. This work is being completed in partnership with Hunter Local Lands Services and with assistance from Newcastle City Council.

Mapping has been completed for 80 nest boxes that are due to be installed during 2015. (HBOC REP) assisted staff in selecting suitable areas and designs for the nest boxes, which will be installed as part of our Biodiversity Fund project. Two nest boxes have been installed to test their design and during monitoring, Rosella eggs were noted in one of the boxes. Monitoring of pest management species such as rabbits and foxes is an ongoing task. Approximately 56 fox baits were taken throughout our baiting program in 2014 and strategies to control our low rabbit population numbers are being investigated for implementation in 2015.

As usual the ‘wetlands’ have been full of wildlife, especially after recent rain events. We have had our annual egret breeding event on the melaleuca swamp, adult swans maintaining residence that have been raised from cygnets on site, an elusive musk duck, grebes breeding on BHP pond, and the diverse mix of

Site Manager’s Report By Matt Stow & Will McCaffrey

Biodiversity Fund Project area

Before shot of site planting After site planting


amphibian, reptilian and avian varieties that can be seen around the wetlands.

Another year and more successes for our captive freckled duck program. We have been lucky enough for our population to continue to breed and successfully raise 12 ducklings in 2014. This has been largely due to the hard work and number of hours contributed to the program by volunteers and staff. The next step forward for the future of the program is establishing a viable and effective translocation proposal to soft release our offspring at the hunter wetlands centre.

Our display tanks in the visitors centre are always a popular attraction for visitors to get an up close look at our wetlands reptiles. This has been especially popular throughout the January school holidays as we saw an increase in interest and numbers for our daily reptile show. This interest in our reptiles has not been limited to on-site reptile talks as we are also seeing an increase in our off site ‘wetlands on wheels’ reptile shows.

Our bush regeneration and weed management activities continue, with an estimated 30,000 plants planted during 2014. Much of this work has been completed as part of our Biodiversity Fund Project, which aims to meet several targets such as:

• Removal and control of weeds of national significance

• Revegetation of approximately 8ha of the site using a staged mosaic pattern

• Install 80 nest boxes across the site and install habitat piles to provide shelter for reptiles and small birds

• Ongoing maintenance of the site, including follow up weeding and planting

• Monitoring and evaluation of the project at 6 month intervals

Several other smaller projects have been taking place during 2014, mainly consisting of follow up maintenance weeding, planting and watering. Despite the loss of key team leaders, new volunteer teams are continuing the vital maintenance work required to keep the sites free of noxious weeds. We are continuing our work on Water Ribbon pond to restore and recreate habitat for the Latham Snipe through Aurizon’s Community Giving Fund Program. This project, lead by Jenny Castles, is due to be completed in May 2015 increasing potential Latham Snipe habitat by approximately 2 hectares.

Weed management is an ongoing task undertaken by our dedicated volunteers. We are currently in the process of mapping high priority weeds on site and are developing and implementing a Vegetation Management Plan in 2015 to assist with setting priorities for weed control and recommended control techniques.

A program to monitor salt water intrusion into Ironbark Marsh was developed and implemented in 2014, which is being compiled into a report, with assistance and feedback from Department of Environment and Hunter Local Lands Services. This will inform a vegetation management plan for the site and assist staff in adequately managing the transition from freshwater vegetation to salt marsh and any potential impacts on fauna. As a result of the higher tidal fluctuations, riparian vegetation along the banks of the canoe trail is also changing. These has lead to large Casuarina trees dying along the banks of the trail, falling over and tearing large sections of the bank away. In partnership with WetlandCare Australia, we have removed several of these trees during 2014 to prevent erosion and placed rock revetment along key sections of the bank. Mangrove recruitment in these areas has already begun and it is expected that they will establish quickly and stabilize the banks over time.

As always, the role that our volunteer teams and team leader play in the day to day operation of the site cannot be underestimated. Without their continued support and assistance, we would not be able to continue to work on our project management responsibilities. Our on ground works have also been supported by our Green Army team, who continue to work on Biodiversity and Environmental Trust targets. I have also been assisted by two Environmental Science interns through the Globalinks program. Their assistance on development and implementation of monitoring programs has been invaluable.

Thank you to all the volunteers, staff and interns for their efforts in 2014.

Freckled Ducks & Teepee

Latham Snipe

The Wetlander

HWC Staff Directory:

CEO: ......................................................... Stuart Blanch

Chairman: ................................................. David Crofts

Site Staff/Managers: ................................... Matt Stow

................................................................ Will McCaffrey

Volunteers & RMN Co-ordinator: .................. Ken Bayliss

Nursery Manager:....................................... Ken Bayliss

Finance Officer: .......................................... Marie Page

Finance/Events: ......................................... Michelle Strathmore

Visitor Centre Information Officer: ............... Mel Latos

Birthday Host: ............................................ Susan Smith

School Holiday Host: ................................... Val Noake

Café Manager: ........................................... Fleur Gray

Landcare Coordinator: ................................ Jenny Castles

Wetlander Editor: ....................................... Lenore Horvath

................................................................ Denis Hilder

DONATIONS December 2014 to May 2015

Our thanks go to all these people and groups. The Hunter Wetlands Centre is always grateful for donations, big or small.

Prosperity Audit Services, Anon,

Robyn Swinbourne Fried P/L,

Lions Club of Maitland, Peter & Sue Woods,

Diane Rogers, Anita Gelderman,

Dr Andrew Keyworth, Paddy Lightfoot,

John Murray, R & A Harborne, J & R Dorman,

John Walsh, Sharon Vernon,

Margaret Reidy, John Stuart, Doris Dumbrill,

J. Brierley, Maitland Ladies Probus,

MF & PS Hely, Margaret Uren, Alex Ward

Also thanks to the many anonymous small donations

that come from the Donation Box, Freckled Duck &

Money Whirlpool - it all helps!

Hunter Wetlands Centre 1 Wetland Place, Shortland NSW 2307

PO Box 66, Shortland NSW 2287

Phone : 4951 6466 Fax: 4950 1875

Email : [email protected]

website : www.wetlands.org.au

Open 9am to 4pm - 7 Days

Spoonbill Café: [email protected]

Don’t forget we are a Visitor Information Centre

Please join us for any of these special activities:

Regular Weekly Events: Dipnetting, Bird Feeding Talks, Freckled Duck Talks, Reptile Feeding Talks,

Discovery Zone, Self Guided Tours, Canoe Hire.

Other Regular Events: Breakfast with the Birds, Daily Guided Walking Tours, Spotlight Prowl,

Canoeing on the A-maz-ing Ironbark Creek and Segway Adventure Tours.

School Holiday Activities: WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

(Saturday 27th June - Sunday 12th July)

Please check our Website for our new exciting holiday activities. We

will be having special events for the children, so please get in touch if

you wish to know details.

SPECIAL EVENTS: INTO THE WOODS Sat. 23rd May 8pm & Sun. 24th May 2pm

IF YOU WISH FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE NUMBER/EMAIL IN THE BOX BELOW.

Sponsors

Supporters

wetlander may 2015 for pdf -...

Documents