Follow ups from last year

Our work 2022-23 saw a focus on

• removing *Kunzea baxteri from around the lake, where it had started spreading into the park proper.
• Continued reconnoitre to find and address Bluebell creeper.
• Work on freesias and bridal creeper to contain their impact
• Removal of several each of *Acacia iteaphylla and *Acacia viscidula
• Removal of boneseed north of Addison Ave to Prosperity Way. (minimal seedling growth to this time)
• Commencement of work on Watsonia north of Addison Ave to Prosperity Way.
• Re-mulching the walking tracks

The *Kunzea baxteri around the lake has been treated and at the moment, does not appear to be regrowing.

Bluebell creeper is an ongoing issue, and continues to come up randomly.

Work of feesia and bridal creeper continues

*Acacia iteaphylla and *Acacia viscidula were found again and treated – these are an ongoing issue

Boneseed towards Prosperity Way has been removed, and seedlings removed

Watsonia work continues – it is clear this will take some years to complete, however, areas previously worked show a significant decline in numbers, allowing us to work into new areas. We have also taken out Darwinia citriodora in this area

Mulching of walking tracks has been completed, a top up may be required in some areas soon.

Kieran Brewer has gave us 4 Olearia pannosa ssp pannosa for planting.  Discussion about the best location gave consideration to Euc porosa association, heavier soil type and the capacity to water the seedlings over summer. Advice was sought from the District Ecologist, Anthony Abley.

The Olearia pannosa ssp pannosa were planted and watered throughout the summer – but do not appear to have survived. We have planted others that were propagated but Russell, and they are continuing to survive.

There is also an introduced succulent plant ( a pigface) that we have in the WFG that is also very tenacious – we again removed a moderate amount of this weed in the last twelve months, and will need to check for it again when it flowers.

The coming year

We will need to continue to monitor and treat the following weed species

• *Acacia iteaphylla(Flinders Ranges Wattle)
• *Acacia viscidula (sticky wattle) A sticky wattle that loves to get together with our local native Acacia paradoxa and produce a weird hybrid both sticky and spiny!)
• Bluebell Creeper – Western Australian plant that has escaped the boundary of the WFG.
• *Gladiolus undulatus – an introduced garden plant Native to southern Africa
• Freesias – introduced garden plants – threatens the native orchid colonies and has been given a higher priority
• Annual Veldt Grass – overtakes the garden in winter
• Perennial Veldt Grass – A limited area- in and adjacent to the Arid Garden we are gradually brining this under control.
• Bridal Creeper – less of an issue now we have the rust.
• Watsonia, Boneseed and Perwinkle (*Vinca major) adjacent to Addison Ave (north side)
• The pigface plant – remove when flowering.

In addition we are on the watch for:

• *Kunzea baxteri
• *Darwinia citriodora
• *Dodonaea hexandra

Future Directions

Continue to manage and control introduced plants.

Ongoing monitoring and management of weed species aforementioned including:

• Watsonia control needs to continue and be consolidated.
• Follow up on seedling Boneseed and other weeds listed above for some years