Maintenance and planting were the main focus of works for this financial year and during this time 178 plants were planted.

Ground covers:8 x Carpobrotus glaucescens Pig Face13 x Dianella congesta Coastal Flax Lily13 x Dichelachne crinita Longhair Plume Grass37 x Danthonia setacea Wallaby Grass8 x Pelargonium australe Coastal Geranium8 x Scaevola aemula Purple Fan Flower21 x Lomandra longifolia Matt Rush

Mid-storey and canopy:8 x Acacia sophorae Coastal Wattle5 x Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses1 x Banksia serrata Old Man Banksia8 x Correa alba White Correa5 x Melaleuca armillaris Bracelet Honey Myrtle8 x Melaleuca thymifolia Thyme Honey Myrtle8 x Monotoca eliptica Tree Broom-Heath1 x Leptospermum laevigatum Coastal Tea Tree8 x Pultenaea daphnoides Bush Pea8 x Westringia fruticosa Coastal Rosemary

A small amount of pruning was also competed along the stairs and pathways to ensure safe and tidy access.

There have been numerous sightings of the Superb Fairy Wren (Malurus cyaneus) and the White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae).

Overall it has been a very positive and productive year.

The Bushcare group for the Ladies Pool, meets on the first Sunday and fourth Thursday of the month from 9am to 11.30am Sunday and 10am to 12.30pm on Thursday. The dedicated volunteers put on a working bee, followed by a social morning tea.

Total number of volunteers: 13 Total hours worked: 100

Although this is a drop in the number of participating volunteers from the previous financial year, the current volunteers have worked a lot more hours than the previous year. Our core group of regular volunteers remains steady.

Most of the hours reported above were spent maintaining the previously cleared and planted area from between the ladies change rooms and the outside change rooms, working from the bottom of the slope towards the top boundary fence line.

Some of the weed species removed included:Parietaria judaica Asthma WeedAcetosa sagittata Turkey RhubarbAnredera cordifolia Madeira VineChlorophytum comosum Spider PlantBidens pilosa Cobbler’s PegEhrharta spp. Panic Veldt grasses (two species)Cestrum parqui Green Poisonberry

au

tu

mn

201

5

The Ladies Bushcare Group

Spotlight: The Ladies Pool Coogee

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)

PAGE 2

with Maxon the go

PAGE 2

Hi everyone!

Bushcare is out there!

Welcome to 2015! It’s all hands on deck at the Bushcare and Parkcare sites. We’ve had a fair bit of rain, which usually means lots of weeds, but thankfully the sites are looking great – well done everyone! It’s important to get the Bushcare message out to the public – so during February we promoted Bushcare in two ways. Firstly, 10 Bushcare posters went up behind the timetables

posters in bus shelters around the Randwick LGA. Secondly, we had a stall at the UNSW O-week. It was great to chat with university students about Bushcare – there was a lot of interest in Bushcare from the students. Make sure you also look out for my regular emails about Bushcare events throughout the year.

Photos below of the Bushcare banner, UNSW O-week and bus shelter poster!

MaxRandwick City Council Bushcare Officer

Bushcare banner

The Bushcare bus shelter poster

The Bushcare stall at UNSW O-week

Del, Lyn, Rona and Matt

Diego‘s talk on weeds

Bushcare Xmas partyLast year we had a great turnout at the 2014 Bushcare Xmas party. Awards were given to volunteers for their outstanding contribution to the Bushcare progam. We also had guest speaker Diego Bonetto give a presentation on the various uses of weeds - some can be, eaten and some used for medicine. Its good to know that we just don’t have to pull out weeds and throw them out!

RANdWIck cIty cOUNcIL PAGE 3

What to look for in a nursery plantPicking a healthy, vigorous plant is the first step towards success in the garden.

Avoid plants with signs of insect activity or damage such as holes in leaves or chewed leaves. Common pests include mites, tiny spider-like insects that produce mottling on the surface of the leaf and webbing on the underside, and aphids, small sap-sucking insects that usually feed in groups, and caterpillars.

Many pests produce a sticky substance that attracts ants which then protect the pest against predatory insects. The same sticky substance attracts sooty mould, a fungus that can blacken the leaves and stems.

A healthy tree should have a single trunk that tapers gradually towards the top of the plant. The branches should be evenly spaced along the trunk, indicating regular feeding and watering, and height should be proportionate to trunk diameter. An exception to the single-trunk rule is hedging plants, where multiple trunks can provide a denser screen.

Healthy new growth at the ends of the branches is a good indication of a healthy plant.

Leaf size, shape and colour should be typical of the species. Most nurseries will have signs or labels with their plants showing a healthy specimen. Leaves that are pale or yellow when they should be green can indicate a lack of nitrogen. Discoloured, stunted or distorted leaves can also indicate a nutrient deficiency.

The roots of the plant should fill the pot, with the root-ball staying intact when the plant is removed. However, avoid root-bound plants, especially trees, where poor root development can lead

PAGE 3

from the Nurseryto an unstable tree. If you are worried a plant might be under- or over-developed ask a nursery staff member to lift the plant out of the pot. Circling roots, or roots that are visible on the soil surface or coming out of the base of the pot may indicate the plant has been in the container too long.

While flowers are attractive they can take energy that the plant needs for root development when planted. Either choose a plant without flowers or remove the flowers before planting.

Buying a more mature plant in a bigger container will provide instant impact. However, if you are buying a lot of plants or you’re on a budget, seedlings can be a good alternative. Many people believe the younger plants are more vigorous and adaptable.

Feature Plant: Lemon Myrtle Grow Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) for its deliciously aromatic bright green leaves and masses of fragrant creamy-white flowers in summer. Lemon Myrtle is a rainforest tree but will grow in Sydney with a bit of extra water in hot weather. It tolerates light shade and a range of soils. The leaves can be used fresh or dried in savoury dishes such as laksas and stir-fries, as well as desserts.

Lemon Myrtle Panna CottaServes 4

Ingredients 250ml milk250ml cream 60g caster sugar5-7 Lemon Myrtle leaves 3 tsp gelatine2 Tsp hot water

MethodCombine milk, cream, sugar and Lemon Myrtle leaves in a saucepan and heat slowly until sugar is dissolved and mixture is almost boiling. Remove from heat. Dissolve gelatine in hot water and stir into the milk mixture. Remove leaves. Oil four 125ml moulds, pour in the mixture then allow to cool. Refrigerate for about 3 hours or until set. Serve with fresh berries.

Water wisdomLong, deep watering once or twice a week is better than more frequent light watering, encouraging roots to grow deeper into the soil. Watering in the morning will reduce the risk of fungal disease, with early evening the next best time to water.

PAGE 4

Maroubra Woodland SnailGreater Sydney Local Land Services is working with UWS to produce an identification guide to Sydney’s native snails. The endangered status of the Cumberland Land Snail has brought these little animals to attention. In fact, Sydney has a string of highly restricted snail species which are just as remarkable and threatened as the Cumberland Land Snail.

Peter Ridgeway from Greater Sydney Local Land Services is looking for examples of some of the locally restricted snails so he’s asking local councils and bushcare groups to keep an eye out for shells. Of course in the unlikely case of finding a live snail, photos would be even better!

Randwick, Manly and Warringah councils have their own special species - the Maroubra Woodland Snail (Meridolum maryae). It is only found in the leaf litter of sand dune and headland heath from Cronulla to Palm Beach. It is about 1-2 cm in diameter and has a plain shell compared with the mottled shell of the garden snail (see pictures).

Peter is hoping a local bushcare group might come across the shells during their work. These could be sent to him via email

or he’s willing to come and collect them. It doesn’t matter if people aren’t sure which snails they have found - Peter is happy to sort through and let people know what species they’ve found.

So keep an eye out for the Maroubra Woodland Snail next time you’re in the bush! It’s great to have such a specialised and rare animal living in our bushland.

You can contact Peter Ridgeway via email, peter.ridgeway@lls.nsw.gov.au or ph: 4725 3061.

Two new species for Fred Hollows ReserveTwo previously unidentified plant species have been recorded in Fred Hollows - Pyrrosia rupestris (right) and Cyperus mirus (left).

Pyrrosia rupestris has been recorded in Centennial Park and Nielsen Park. Cyperus mirus has been recorded in St Jude’s Cemetery.

Maroubra Woodland Snail

Garden snail

Photo B M Ralley 2011

plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Photo J & P Edwards

floragreatlakes.info/html/rfspecies/cyperusmirus.html

RANdWIck cIty cOUNcIL PAGE 5

Birds, birds and birds!Here are some photos of birds from Grant Reserve and Randwick Environment Park.

Grant Reserve

Rona Wade from Grant Reserve Parkcare group took some lovely snaps. Rona wrote: “Look what our working bees have done - made a bird haven. The garden is quivering with them - New Holland Honeyeaters, wattle birds and Fleeting Wren. I could not do justice to them... ”

Thanks Rona!

Randwick Environment Park (REP)

Vic Duncombe regularly vists REP, patiently taking photos of the birds that visit the wetland. Vic has kindly shared some of his amazing photos.

Thanks Vic!

Black Swan and chicks

Eastern Spinebill

Brown Honeyeater

White-necked Heron

PAGE 6

bushcare

bushcare

GROUP LOCATION WORKING BEE TIME APRIL MAy

Bundock Park Grassed area opposite 3 Donnellan Circuit, Clovelly

9am – 1pm 11 9

Fred Hollows Reserve Bligh Pl entrance, Randwick

9am – 1pm 8 13

Gordons Bay Meet at the main gate of The UNSW Cliffbrook Campus Grounds, 45 Beach St, Coogee

9am – 1pm 12 10

Grant Reserve BBQ area across from Wylies Baths, Neptune Street, Coogee

9.30am – 11.30am 14 & 28 12 & 26

Ladies Pool McIvers Rock Baths, Grant Reserve, Coogee

9 – 11am Sundays & 10am – 12pm Thursdays

5 & 23 3 & 28

Lake Malabar End of Manwaring Avenue, Maroubra 12pm – 3pm 15 20

Long Bay Foreshore Lawn area opposite 9 Bay Parade, Malabar 9am – 1pm 4 2

Maroubra dunes South Maroubra SLSC car park 9am – 1pm 2 7

Randwick Environment Park Corner of Dooligah Avenue and Burragulung Street, Randwick

9am – 12 noon 1 & 18 6 & 16

The three sites below are non-council Bushcare groups. Please contact the organisers directly.

Little Bay Landcare Between 119 and 121 Bilga Cresent, Malabar.Contact Kerry Gordon on 9311 7647 for more information.

8am – 12 noon 11 9

Magic Point (Malabar Headland)

Contact Jonathan Milford on 9398 3619 for the meeting place.

9am – 1pm 9, 16, 23, 30 14, 21, 28

Malabar Headland West Contact Don Kerr on 9311 2665 for the meeting place.

9am – 1pm 5, 12, 19, 26 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

parkcare

GROUP LOCATION WORKING BEE TIME APRIL MAy

Alison Rd Corner of Alison Road and Beach Street, Coogee

8 – 9.30am 23 28

clyde Street Clyde Street Reserve, Randwick 1 – 3pm 18 16

Grant Reserve Vehicular entry to Coogee Surf Life Saving Club

8 – 10am 21 19

Old tramline Dudley St – Carrington Rd, Randwick 8 – 10am 9 14

RANdWIck cIty cOUNcIL PAGE 7

My name is Wendy and I arrived in Coogee from the UK nearly seven years ago, having recently retired as a primary school teacher in a village outside Oxford.

On my second day in the country my partner went off to work and I thought, “What do I do now?” So I went for a walk along the coastal path and met a Bushcare group working outside the Ladies Pool and joined up there and then. I enjoyed myself so much that I also joined the group at Wylies Baths. The nice thing is I can really see we have made a difference along the coastal path.

I have met such a wonderful group of people from all over the world and learned so much about native flora and noxious weeds both from fellow workers and our council leaders. I love the Flannel Flowers, Fan Flowers and the huge variety of grevilleas! Not so keen on Turkey Rhubarb, Lantana and Whiskey Grass. It still gives me a buzz when I look up from weeding or planting and see the gorgeous Fairy Wrens darting about or the comical Kookaburras watching us at work before swooping down to catch

Wendy’s farewell BBQThe Grant Reserve and Ladies Pool Bushcare groups celebrated Wendy’s hard work and dedication with a farewell BBQ! It’s sad to see Wendy leave our shores but she’s always welcome back.

Wendy sent a thank you email:

“It was lovely to see old friends as well as current workmates and between you, you produced a lovely spread. Compliments to the chefs. It was cooked to perfection.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with you all and I have learned a lot about life as well as about gardening through the conversations over morning tea.”

a lizard or an elegant White faced Heron tiptoeing along the cliff or most exciting of all, the sight of a pod of dolphins or a whale breaching near Wedding Cake Island. I learned even more about life in general during the conversations over morning tea!

I was also missing my garden back home as we rent an apartment here and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to work, usually followed by a dip in the ocean. Who wouldn’t want to get involved? Sadly, I am returning to the UK in the new year so my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made it such fun.

Volunteer profile Wendy Whittaker

Bushland Management Unit192 Storey StreetMaroubra NSW 2035

Supervisor-Bushland 9399 0686 Bushland Officer 9399 0687 Bushcare Officer 9399 0708

Randwick City Council Community Nursery2B Barker StKingsford NSW 2031Phone: 9662 6225

Opening hours:Monday to Friday 9.00am -3.00pm

RANDWICK CITY COUNCIL30 Frances StreetRandwick NSW 2031Phone 9399 0708Email bushcare@randwick.nsw.gov.au

NSW WeedWise app NSW Department of Primary Industries

The NSW WeedWise app provides key information to help users reduce the impact of noxious and environmental weeds in NSW. The app profiles over 300 weeds, describing legal requirements under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993, control information and registered herbicide options.

Users can search or browse weed names (common or scientific); recognise a weed from its physical description and image gallery; and find out about its impacts, where it occurs, how it spreads and its preferred habitat.

It is important to know if a weed is declared in NSW under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993, and users can see what legal requirements exist in their own local area, and elsewhere in the state.

Users experience different functions within the app depending on whether they are landholders/residents or weeds professionals.

Landholders/residents can enter the contact details of their local council weeds officer, and then directly report sightings of high-priority weeds via email or SMS.

Weeds professionals can share information about a weed with clients via email or SMS, including a weed’s profile, legal requirements, control advice and herbicide options.

Compatibility: Requires iOS 7.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This app is optimised for iPhone 5, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Visit the itunes store to download the app.

GRASSES OF COASTAL NSWAn easy-to-use reference to the grasses of coastal NSW, including the methods of identifying species. Beautiful colour photographs for each species. Notes on appearance and management.

Table of contents:Introduction Flowerhead structurePlant structure Spikelet structureGlossary Spike or racemeDigitate or subdigitate Primary axis of racemesPanicle SpatheateHidden Further readingIndex

Published in 2012, Grasses of Coastal NSW has 184 full colour pages and for only $20 it makes a great glovebox guide. Available online http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/resources/bookshop/grasses-of-coastal-nsw

REAdING MAtERIAL