Brilliant Barkers Creek – A Cleanup Project on the way

Posted on 17 February, 2012 by Connecting Country

A fantastic partnership between three Landcare groups will see the clean-up of Barkers Creek – from its headwaters in Harcourt North to Castlemaine.

Hosted by Connecting Country, the project officer, Michael Luke shall be working with North Harcourt /Sedgwick Landcare Group, Harcourt Valley Landcare group and the Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group in the development of a ‘Local Action Plan’.

The Local Action Plan will determine achievable Landcare projects that will produce high ecological outcomes and restore Barkers Creek to a healthy watercourse – thus the working title “Brilliant Barkers Creek” was chosen. Initially a focus will be placed on the eradication of invasive woody weed species that occur along this locally important waterway – particularly Blackberry and Gorse. Following the successful first phase of the project (woody weed removal), it is intended that revegetation of indigenous flora species will follow in subsequent years (dependant on funding).

Michael will be engaging local landholders in the area, to provide advice, mapping and related extension work. He will also be looking to source additional funding to provide subsidies for landholders to assist them to remove woody weeds on their properties.

Funding for the Barker Creek Clean-Up Project has been received from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Victorian Blackberry and Gorse Taskforces.

Michael Luke

Michael is new to Connecting Country. He has always had a keen interested in the environment and decided to leave the Commonwealth Department of Education after 16 years to commence a course of study in the environmental field. He has recently completed a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management and Sustainable Water Management at the Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE and is excited to be commencing employment with Connecting Country. Michael is planning to engage a large number of local landholders, and to assist them to make a difference not just on their ‘patch’ but also to increase the overall health of Barkers Creek.

For more information or to get involved, Michael can be contacted at michael@connectingcountry.org.au or on 5472 1594.