The working bee went very well on Sat 22 May.

We achieved the following :

1. The gate was installed at the bottom of the park (end of Christmas Street)
2. Two Parks Vic signs showing “Metung Bushland Reserve” were installed. One at the bottom of the park and the other at the entrance near the school
3. About 2 dozen people turned up. Some were only able to come for a couple of hours, but all helped and made a difference.
4. The rest of the people not involved in digging holes for the gate etc were busy planting about 400 trees and shrubs.

Still to do:

• Parks Vic to install bollards and place large rocks so vehicle access is restricted.
• Parks Vic to install a table at the top.
• Main sign design finalised, manufactured and installed.
• FoM to organise another working bee to plant out the rest of the trees and shrubs (mainly in the rainforest area).
• Stuart and Ryan to get together and organise and build another low table for the top of the park.
• Walking tracks re-routed and rebuilt by Parks.
• Way-marker signs to be installed.

Because of budget constraints (the original Parks Vic grant of 10,000 is almost exhausted) please bring your own lunch and refreshments.

The work will involve putting in the last gate, placing boulders, any cleaning up that is needed and planting approx 300 trees and shrubs.

Please also bring spades, shovels, gloves etc; Parks will provide any other equipment that is required.

This, of course will mean a requirement for volunteers at various stages, including the installation of the gates, etc. Requests will be emailed!

As well, Neville Pinnow and I met with Peter Murrell, Facilitator with East Gippsland Rainforest Conservation Management Network to determine the status of the gully area within the Reserve. We have been uncertain as to whether or not Warm Temperate Rainforest (E. Gippsland Coastal) planting is appropriate there. At this stage, it looks positive, but we await formal feedback.

In the meantime, Springtime in the Reserve has been glorious and if you’ve never visited the area, take a look; it’s obviously degraded but still quite an unexpected treasure within a township. Access is behind the Primary School, up the bitumen track to the water tower. No signs as yet!! Just explore.

Jenny Dalgleish

Friends of Metung and the students of Metung Primary School held a planting day on Monday 3rd Aug as a follow up to National Tree Day. The 60 shrubs and trees that were planted marked the beginning of the revegetation project and contributed to the students understanding of the importance of the neighbouring Reserve. As well, the day provided an excellent opportunity for members of FOM to work with the younger members of our community.

A submission for a Parks Victoria ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy People’ grant was made on the 24th July. In it we outlined proposals for track blockage (2 gates, one tonne rocks and timber bollards), minor entry, directional and interpretive signage, 600 seedlings, guards and stakes and seating plus low table. If our submission is accepted we hope to start installation of gates etc by the end of this year.

Botanical experts in the group pointed out the significant vegetation that survives despite the degradation of the area; from ancient Gippsland Grey Box trees to tiny orchids. Proposals for restoration were outlined and ongoing support was given by many of those present for future action.



The day ended with a free sausage sizzle (thanks Parks Vic), a cuppa and lots of discussion in the sun.

Thanks to Metung Primary School for providing their facilities.

East Gippsland Water are to install bollards and gates to hopefully end the inappropriate usage of the Reserve as a 4wd and motorbike track.
 

• Friends of Metung to be supported by FOGL and Parks Vic in the project.
• Objectives to be in line with recommendations by Emma Orgill in her suggested management plan.
• Notification to relevant groups eg Primary School, East Gippsland Water, GEGAC, CFA, S P Ausnet etc.
• Engagement of the local community in the project, initially by a community clean-up and information day.
• Closure of tracks with bollards/gates.
• Request to East Gippsland Water to put up a barrier/gate on their pipeline track.
• Erection of signage.
• Removal and control of weeds by contractors and volunteers.
• Revegetation using indigenous species either grown by volunteers or approved Parks Vic growers.
• Provision of informal seating at various points throughout the Reserve.

Parks Vic will supply and cost the following:

• appropriate gates, bollards for track closures,
• signage, including interpretative,
• informal seating/plans/materials,
• plants, stakes and tree guards for revegetation.

Where necessary, funding for the above projects will be achieved by grants, applied for by Friends of Metung.

Parks Vic will also assist with weed identification and removal, with payment of any contractors being the responsibility of Friends of Metung.

From 10 am to 1 pm, followed by Sausage Sizzle. Meet at the Metung Primary School oval, Park Rd. off Stirling Rd..

There will be two guided walks led by renowned local botanist James Turner, one at 10.15 and the second at 11.30, leaving from the School grounds.