Bush Regenerator Tips: Planning a Successful Project

Proper planning is essential to the success of any bush regeneration endeavour. The following tips will help you plan and execute your regeneration campaign successfully:

1. Using contractors

If you will engage contractors, ensure that the persons you choose have recognised experience in environmental weed control, revegetation, bush regeneration and/or fencing. Alternatively, you can approach your local council to get their list of contractors. Source for quotes from a number of contractors with similar expertise before selecting.

2. Fencing

Fencing is important to prevent livestock from accessing and destroying remnant indigenous vegetation, revegetation seedbeds, waterways and wetlands. Ensure you have made adequate provisions for the estimate length, cost and type of fencing that will be installed. Your project map should clearly outline the area to be fenced off, especially for your application to the local council.

Wildlife-friendly fencing is preferred which means using plain wire on the highest and lowest fencing strands. Speak to conservation experts to find out exactly what wildlife-friendly fencing means in your locality.

When fencing along waterways, put your fences along high banks if possible, which reduces the risk of damage during flooding. For longevity, consider permanent fencing. Do not install electric fences in areas that experience frequent flooding.

3. Livestock crossings and watering points

Your project plan should include provisions for prevention or mitigation of soil erosion along the waterway. Existing and proposed fences should be used to control livestock access to the waterways for the duration of the project. Ensure that you obtain licenses/permits from the relevant government departments to allow for waterway barrier and in-stream modification activities.

4. Bush regeneration and environmental weed control

Use suitable control techniques according to the area being remediated; seek help from your local Conservation Partnerships Office (CPO). At the site visit, the CPO can recommend apt methods for environmental weed control. If you're going to use herbicides, research to find which herbicides are recommended/allowed for your area.

Your application to the Council should include the main weed types you will control, as well as the exact location where you will be undertaking this. Your weed control efforts should be for purposes of degraded area rehabilitation or remnant vegetation protection.

5. Revegetation

Only use indigenous plants to revegetate degraded areas. Your plants should be about the size of tubestock, but you can get exceptions for plants that cannot be obtained in that size – again, the CPO's input in developing your species list is invaluable.

Revegetation project details must be planned down to a tee, since timings are every important – ensure your schedules match the weather conditions of that time and other pertinent factors. Consider elements like seasonal rainfall, flooding, frost, availability of recommended tubestock and contractor schedules.

Contact a local professional, such as EcoHort Pty Ltd, for more information. 

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