Group says area needs replanting

CARDINIA Catchment Landcare Group (CCLG) president Margaret Cromb said clearing and replanting along Walsdorf Creek was necessary.
Mrs Cromb said the creek had been neglected for 10 years and was badly degraded.
“The creek is silted from road runoff and infested with blackberry, pittosporum, willow, pampas, and hawthorn.
“It has also been open to stock.”
She said the council was at last accepting responsibility for the reserve that it owned along the creek.
“The purpose of replanting is to restore the creek to its original state as near as possible.
“Walsdorf Creek runs into Cardinia Creek and Melbourne Water regards Cardinia Creek as a priority stream for revegetation because of its degraded condition and the consequences for the health of Western Port Bay that is effected by pollution and silting from feeder creeks.”
Mrs Cromb said that because of these problems the council decided to fund weeding at the Walsdorf Creek site.
“The plan involves creating access to the site and that is the purpose of removing the pittosporums.
“The boundaries will be fenced to keep stock away and weed plants will be replaced with indigenous species over a period of years so as not to disturb bird habitats.
CCLG will replant the area as weeding is done.
“We have already worked on the section of creek that runs beside King Road on the opposite side.
“CCLG intends to approach adjoining neighbours with an offer of free indigenous plants, guards and stakes if they decide to remove the pittosporum on their properties.
“Pittosporum is a contentious plant that has a confirmed status as a weed in this area,” she said.