This website is managed by volunteers and is updated as best we can. We try to add things of  interest and use to bush regenerators. If you find links that don't work or have ideas about other content please let us know via the Contact Us link (top left of the page).

 

Directions for AABR's Future

AABR is considering changes to appeal to a broader range of people involved in ecological restoration while still retaining its core focus on natural regeneration.

Click here for more information.

 

A special edition of the AABR newsletter

What is really going on with ticks and Lyme disease?
How can we work safely in tick prone environments?

In this edition we consider these questions, and bush regenerators share their personal stories of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the hope of raising awareness and helping others.

Download it for free from the AABR newsletter section of the site.

 

AABR FIELD TRIP

AABR field trip to the saltmarsh of the Kurnell Peninsula on Friday May 25th. Dig out the gumboots for a visit to two saltmarsh restoration sites, 9.30 to 1.00pm. Meeting point is the end of Horning Street in Kurnell. Places are limited so please contact Heather on 0425 291 879 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for bookings.

 

AABR Plant ID Courses

AABR will be unable to run any of Van Klaphake's identification workshops this year as Van is not available.

Those who have done the Eucalypt ID course might find this spreadsheet useful - Eucalypts of the Sydney Region by area.

Weeds News

The Australian Weeds Committee has declared an additional 12 Weeds of National Significance (WoNS). These weeds have been selected based on their economic, environmental and social impacts and their potential to spread:
•         African boxthorn
•         asparagus weeds
•         bellyache bush
•         brooms
•         cat’s claw creeper
•         fireweed
•         gamba grass
•         madeira vine
•         opuntioid cacti (inc. prickly pear)
•         sagittaria
•         silverleaf nightshade
•         water hyacinth

Declaration of a weed as a WONS has significance for it's prioritisation in control programmes and potential for accessing funding.

In the future the focus for all states will be on reducing the risk of spread to new areas while managing outlying infestations.

For more information visit Weeds of National Significance .

Ming Asparagus Fern, Asparagus retrofractus, has established in SE Queensland. More information at the technigro website.

 

Heteranthera reniformis is now a class 1 noxious weed and must be reported to the DPI. It is a weed of waterway margins and has been found at several sites in the Sydney Metro area. The DPI is currently mapping Heteranthera distribution across NSW. You can find a description and photos at this link.

If you have seen this plant please contact your local council Weeds Officer; your nearest NSW Department of Primary Industries office; the NSW Weeds Hotline 1800 680 244; or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Grants

There is a Grants section in Resources on this website.

SCCG Funding Guide

Sydney Coastal Councils Group has released its 2012 Funding Guide. It can be found on the SCCG website.

The Guide has details of the funding available under a variety of grant programs to support Sydney’s coastal and estuarine environments. They can be used by councils, communities, businesses and individuals to help develop solutions to local and national problems, and fund ideas and initiatives.

 

Legislation

The Upper House of the NSW Government has a Parliamentary Inquiry into the creation of National Parks in the state. The CEO of the National Parks Association has described the terms of reference as "outrageous" and has said "The committee itself does not instil confidence that this unwarranted review will be unbiased and its findings fair and reasoned'. For more information see this link. The Inquiry is taking submissions until August 3rd 2012.

 

 

Workplace health and safety legislation and regulation is changing in Australia. Each state and territory has it's own legislation and there were differences between them. The changes are part of a process of making  the laws uniform across all jurisdictions.

For example, the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 replaced the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 on January 1st 2012. That Act is supported by the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, which replace the OHS Regulations 2001.

The NSW Act can be found here and the Regulations can be found here.

They changes are unlikely to make a significant difference to the way that health and safety is managed in your workplace but all managers, paid staff and vounteers should be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

 

Bush Regeneration and the Federal Award system.

in 2011 Bush Regeneration was covered by an industrial award for the first time. You can read more about it here (Download PDF). We suggest that all those in the industry, workers and employers, have a look and see how it affects you.

 

Herbicide off-label permits for NSW.

The two main off-label permits for herbicide use affecting Bush Regenerators have been renewed until 2020. PER9907.pdf & PER11916.pdf

 

Myrtle Rust

Myrtle Rust (Uredo rangelii) is a serious pathogen of plants in the family Myrtaceae. It is now widespread in coastal LGAs from the Shoalhaven in NSW to Rockhampton in Queensland. It has recently been found in Victoria. It has been found in bushland, nurseries, gardens and bush food production sites. It is known to infect over 200 species of native plants.
Based on the current knowledge and distribution of the disease, it  is not feasible to eradicate the disease. In NSW management zones have been established.

The new Commonwealth site www.myrtlerust.net.au has a lot of information on the disease and links to the main management documents.

Those working in bushland in NSW should keep a look out for Myrtle Rust and report anything unusual to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. If you suspect Myrtle Rust at sites in Queensland notify Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23. In Victoria please call the DPI on 1800 084 881 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

 

The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) is upgrading its Catchment Action Plan (CAP) for the Sydney region. The CAP is the overarching document guiding natural resource management in our region and is central to the delivery of natural resource management in Sydney. The CAP is intended to reflect and guide actions undertaken by all levels of government in regards to natural resource management.

 

A new feature of the CAP is to consider the long-term resilience of Sydney and its natural resources. To this end, consideration will be given to social/cultural, economic and governance impacts as well as environmental and natural resource issues.

 

SMCMA would like to invite you to provide input in to our new Catchment Action Plan by completing an online survey. Please follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KK2XRTP. The survey is open until the end of May.

 

 

EVENTS

The What's On section has information on events organised by AABR and other organisations. If you would like to publicise an event please forward details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Members, subscribers and non-members are welcome to attend all AABR events.

 

AABR field trip to the saltmarsh of the Kurnell Peninsula

Friday May 25th. Dig out the gumboots for a visit to two saltmarsh restoration sites, 9.30 to 1.00pm. Meeting point is the end of Horning Street in Kurnell. Places are limited so please contact Heather on 0425 291 879 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for bookings.

 

 

Looking for a bush restoration activity outside of the usual sites? Here's a list of some current projects in NSW & the ACT that might fit the bill. There are others in the Volunteering section of the site.

 

 

Geology of the Sunshine Coast with Warwick Willmott

When: Friday 18th May
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Brush Turkey Office - 468 Reesville Rd, Reesville 4552
Cost: $88/person-includes morning tea and lunch
For bookings: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (07) 54943642

Warwick Willmott is a fantastic presenter and the program he has organised will provide a fascinating insight into the geology of the region. He will bring rock samples and take us on a short excursion to explore the geology underneath the landscape.

 

 

 

Interested in planting a locally native forest that can be used for biodiversity enhancement, habitat expansion, stock shelter, a windbreak, soil salinity reduction while it also earns income through carbon trading? If you are a landowner, Council, CMA, Landcare group, or other NGO, these free Plan-A-Regenesis Forest workshops are for you!

Blacktown City Council and Liverpool Plains Shire Council developed these practical workshops show you what we learned.  Farmers are planting native carbon forests on their less productive land and our Councils have done this on Council-owned land and on NSW Crown land.

Thanks to support from the NSW Environmental Trust there are free workshops at:

• Queanbeyan         22 May 2012
• Cessnock              24 May 2012
• Bellingen              13 June 2012
• Lismore                15 June 2012
• Armidale              18 June 2012
• Blacktown            27 June 2012

Take a look at the Regenesis Forest Registry and download the Regenesis Toolkit.

For more information, please contact Brendon Andrei on 0423 784 019

 

The theme of the 2012 Qld State Landcare Conference is ˜Paddocks, Backyards and Balconies. Together, making a difference". This year the conference is open to community groups outside the landcare sector, to 'provide fresh insight on how to develop strong, vibrant and sustainable groups'. 28th – 30th June 2012 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 

 

Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare Training Calender 2012
These workshops are for Coffs Harbour Regional  Landcare  volunteers and members.
27th June – Worksite Health and Safety
29th August – Bush Regeneration Techniques
31st October – Coastal Dune Management
Please RSVP as places are limited.
Contact CHRL 02 66511308 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

The National Landcare Conference will be held in Darling Harbour Sydney on 3-5 September 2012. More information closer to the date.

 

Bushcare Major Day Out, Sunday September 9th.
A National Day to promote the regeneration of native bushland through awareness and engagement of the local community in an enjoyable and sociable way. Events are Australia wide. Info at www.bushcaresmajordayout.org.

 

Coast to Coast 2012, Living on the Edge. September 17 - 21 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The National Coastal Management Conference, when all with an interest in coastal, estuarine and marine matters get together
to share knowledge and experiences on management, science, policy, governance, activism and many other topics. Provides an excellent forum for Australian coastal workers and managers from councils, universities, consulting companies, community  organisations and all levels of government. Contact www.coast2coast.org.au/.

 

18th Australasian Weeds Conference

The Sebel, Albert Park, Melbourne. October 8 - 12th.                        Recent advances in weed science, extension and policy across Australian and international communities and landscapes.
Information and networking opportunities for anyone with an interest in aspects of weed legislation and development of  practical solutions to evolving weed problems. More information at www.18awc.com.

 

Australian Network for Plant Conservation’s 9th National Conference, in Canberra, October 29 - Nov 2nd. 'Plant Conservation in Australia - Achievements and future directions'.
Contact www.anpc.asn.au

 

 

Society for Ecological Restoration, Australian Conference, Perth, WA, November 28 - 30. More info at SER-Australasia Inaugural Conference.

 

ESA12 ‘Ecology: Fundamental Science of the Biosphere’
December 3 - 7 in Melbourne. More information here

 

 

RESOURCES

Want to contact bush regenerators and others working in the industry? The Bushregeneration and VCN listservers are available as a forum for discussion and ideas. Look in the Networks section.

 

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has launched the BioNet website. It replaces both the old Atlas and BioNet sites and provides access to government held information on flora and fauna in NSW. The new site can be accessed at http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au.

 

The Queensland Government has a free weed ID resource at www.business.qld.gov.au/agriculture/land-management/weed-identification-tool.html

 

 

NSW Roads and Maritime Services (formerly RTA) has developed guidelines to minimise impacts on biodiversity during construction projects and maintenance works. The Biodiversity Guidelines: Protecting and managing biodiversity on RTA projects are intended for RMS project managers, staff and contractors (including ecologists and landscape designers). Download the Biodiversity Guidelines at
www.rta.nsw.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/biodiversity_guidelines.html

 

In support of the International Year for Biodiversity, Oxford University Press is making a new textbook Conservation Biology for All, edited by Navjot S. Sodhi and Paul R. Ehrlich, Oxford University Press (2010), freely available on the internet. Download the 350 page book (6.4 MB) for free at: www.mongabay.com/conservation-biology-for-all.html

 

The third edition of The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Bush Regenerators Handbook includes updated details on environmental legislative requirements and a new section on OH&S. Printed on recycled paper, it contains all the drawings of weed control methods included in the previous edition, enhanced with colour photographs. The handbook also includes information on weeds of national significance.

The  Handbook is available for $30 + GST from the National Trust via (02) 9258 0176 or E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . or mailed to National Trust of Australia (NSW) GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001 and through the National Trust s website www.nationaltrust.com.au

 

Many of the management guides for environmental weeds that were on the old WEEDS C.R.C. website are now available in the Resources section under Management Guides.

 

AABR has produced a report with WWF-Australia on the effect of garden plant escapes on bushland in Eastern Australia. Click here to download the Report (1.2MB PDF). The report is based on information from those working in remnant natural areas. Many respondents are AABR members.

 

Bush Regenerators' pay and working conditions and other pressing issues facing the Bush Regen industry. Email discussion on the Bush Regeneration list server identified over 30 urgent issues which need addressing. Click HERE to read more. Click HERE to find out how to subscribe to the list server.

 

The Volunteer Coordinators Network Group is for members of the Volunteer Coordinators Network or those who'd like to join. Any professional coordinator or facilitator of a community environmental program is eligible to join. Examples are Landcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Streamwatch, Waterwatch, Saltwatch, etc. Run by AABR as a service to the Volunteer Coordinators' Network (Natural Areas). Read more...