January 2024

Welcome to the website of South Lawson Park Bushcare Group! See About for information about the bushcare group and forthcoming session details.

This month the work session was conducted in ER areas #2 and #4, east Waratah Street. Bushcare Group members welcomed Alison and Russell.

Along the main Lawson Creek tributary extensive Privet weeding was conducted. This allowed more sunlight to fall on existing Hakea salicifolia plantings. Callicoma serratifolia, Gahnia sieberiana and Hakea teretifolia were planted in ER areas #2 & #4. Check dams in the swamp tributary of Lawson Creek were strengthened. Bare soil was mulched. Privet seedlings were managed. Juncus microcephalus seeds were removed.

Hakea salicifolia thriving restoration area #4 Lawson Creek tributary Jan 2024 Photo: P Ardill
Hakea salicifolia thriving in restoration area #4 Lawson Creek tributary Jan 2024 Photo: P Ardill

December 2023

This month the South Lawson Park Bushcare Group worked in the west Waratah Street site (#ER1).

Planting of 10 Gahnia sieberiana plants was conducted: 8 x in the wetland area (ER#2), and 2 x in the western regeneration area (ER#1).

In ER#2 Juncus microcephalus seeds were collected. A start was made on removing another patch of this weed: a small spade is used to sever roots, the plant is hung to dry out, and then redistributed on the ground, to serve as a soil stabiliser. This method is efficient and avoids use of herbicides.

In ER#1 Privet seedlings were managed. The area of Microlaena sp. and Oplismenus sp. was enlarged, by careful weeding of Yorkshire Fog grass.

Previously planted seedlings of Hakea salicifolia (ER #1 and #2) are showing tremendous growth. The Swamp Wallaby is not interested in nibbling them. Leptospermum polygalifolium is also doing well. Leptospermum juniperinum plants are being constantly nibbled and display limited growth.

Regrowth of Blackberry within the entire site is minimal/absent. Regrowth of Japanese Honeysuckle in ER#2 is minimal but still strong in ER#1.

Streamwatch convenor reports that water quality in Lawson Creek tributary (ER#4) was good: oxygen, phosphorous, freshness, chemical balance, turbidity.

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November 2023

The Bushcare Group worked in the Parklands regeneration/conservation area on Sunday 19/11/23. We welcomed two work participation students: a HSC science student and a TAFE conservation and land management student.

Natural regeneration of locally indigenous plant species was facilitated. A seed scattering zone was selected and marked. In the zone, bare sections of soil were chipped. Seed was collected in the bushland perimeter area (Hakea sp., Leptospermum juniperinum, a Banksia serrata cone and Petrophile pulchella), and scattered across the chipped soil areas, between exisiting bushland and halfway to the boundary fence. Good November rains will encourage germination of this seed, and growth of seedlings.

Hopefully, seed of Lomandra longifolia, Gahnia sieberiana, Hakea teretifolia, Callistemon citrinus and a variety of Leptospermum species (polygalifolium, lanigerum, juniperinum, grandifolium and arachnoides) will be available for scattering in the future.

Along the northern section of the Parklands area, Juncus microcephalus seed and plants and also Scotch Thistle plants were removed. Photo points were established.

Juncus microcephalus removal Parklands restoration area (north) Nov 2023 Photo: K Hising
Juncus microcephalus removal Parklands restoration area (north) Nov 2023 Photo: K Hising

October 2023

The Bushcare Group worked in the west Waratah Street ecological restoration zone #1 this month. Juncus microcephalus and Privet were targeted. Nice to see plantings of Hakea sericea and Leptospermum polygalifolium doing well.

Lawson stream tributary (ER #4) recorded good water quality: oxygen satisfactory, phosophates low, turbidity low, chemical balance good and water freshness satisfactory.

September 2023

On Sunday 17/09/2023 the Bushcare Group worked in the new regeneration area, Lawson Parklands. Juncus microcephalus in drain lines was weeded. The site was surveyed for natural regeneration, and it was pleasing to record that quite a large amount of naturally distributed indigenous plant seed has germinated, and the resultant seedlings are maturing. See Parklands at https://southlawsonpark.bushcarebluemountains.org.au/parklands-regeneration/

Assessing natural regeneration, regeneration area, Parklands, looking south Lawson Creek lhs 17/09/2023 Photo: P Ardill
Assessing natural regeneration, regeneration area, Parklands, looking south. Lawson Creek left 17/09/2023 Photo: P Ardill

Streamwatch results were good: oxygen, phosphates, turbidity, chemical balance and water freshness. Happy water bugs!

August 2023

The Bushcare Group continued its work in the #1 ecological restoration area, west Waratah Street. Primarily, Privet was the target.

Water quality in Lawson Creek tributary was excellent: oxygen, phosphates, turbidity, chemical balance and freshness.

Interesting diggings (traces) in the #1 ER site were observed. This is quite a big excavation. Perhaps a Swamp Wallaby digging for fungi? The excavation has been referred to a higher authority, for interpretation.

Large fauna excavation ER#1 Swamp Wallaby? August 2023 Photo: P Ardill
Large fauna excavation ER#1 Swamp Wallaby? August 2023 Photo: P Ardill

July 2023

Work on primary and secondary management of Privet continued in ecological restoration area #1.

Replacement of Privet by planting of indigenous plants ER area #1 west. Limited natural regeneration Photo: P Ardill July 2023
Replacement of Privet by planting of indigenous plants ER area #1 west. Limited natural regeneration Photo: P Ardill July 2023

Very pleasing to spot an Australian White Ibis in the wetland immediately north of the BMX track. Much restoration effort has been expended in this area over the years! Bandicoots continue to be very active in ER area #1.

Australian White Ibis. Restored ER area #1 Photo: P Ardill July 2023
Australian White Ibis. Restored ER area #1 Photo: P Ardill July 2023

Streamwatch convenor reports that water quality in Lawson Creek tributary ER #4 was good: oxygen levels, phosphorus (low), saltiness (low), chemical balance and turbidity (low).

The Bushcare Group agreed that a natural regeneration audit of Lawson Parklands riparian zone would be undertaken during the September session.

June 2023

This month (18/06/2023) work continued in the western ecological restoration area (#1), upper Lawson catchment. Management of Privet seedlings and mature specimens (seed limitation) along the boundaries were the main activities. Three x Hakea salicifolia and three x Leptospermum polygalifolium were planted.

Probable Long-nosed bandicoot diggings were observed.

Conical excavation likely made by a Long-nosed bandicoot June 2023 Photo: P Ardill
Conical excavation likely made by a Long-nosed bandicoot June 2023 Photo: P Ardill

As usual, members of the Bushcare Group collected litter during the walk from parked vehicles to the work site.

Discussion of future Parklands riparian zone management was held during the work session. The Bushcare Group agreed that a survey of natural regeneration within the riparian area would be a good idea. The survey will be conducted in forthcoming months.

Discussion about future Parklands works was conducted during the bushcare session: proposed construction of access toilets on Parklands site and upgrade of Ferris Lane carpark.

A. The new toilets are welcome. Full management of construction sediments and runoffs is necessary to avoid contamination of down slope Lawson Swamp (State and Federal listed threatened vegetation community).

B. Any upgrade of Ferris Lane car park should be mindful of the environmental qualities and values of the adjacent ecological community, Lawson Swamp (State and Federal listed threatened vegetation community). No construction encroachment into swamp; existing grass buffer zone to be maintained for nutrient absorption; full management of construction sediments and runoffs; provision of adequate management and treatment of stormwater flows in upgraded drain located between existing car park and oval; no drainage of stormwater flows into bordering bushland; careful management of listed C.gummifera E.sieberi Open Forest Woodland and Blue Mountains Swamps along Ferris Lane during construction period, particularly management of vehicles and machinery.

Streamwatch convenor reports that water quality in upper Lawson Creek tributary was good.

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May 2023

The May session was conducted in the west #1 ecological restoration site, Waratah Street. Despite receiving very little attention over the last six months, due to the closure of Ferris Lane, the site was looking fairly good: lots of healthy sedges, grasses, Hakea sp., Leptospermum sp. and of course, Privet!

Privet was tackled: big, small and medium. Eight Hakea salicifolia and Leptospermum polygalifolium were planted in the “slump”, or mini headcut, located along the eastern perimter of the site. This area is reasonably stable, as it is well vegetated with Privet. The task of selectively removing and trimming back Privet and Japanese Honeysuckle, to create space and light for further planting, commenced today.

Streamwatch convenor reports that oxygen, phosphate, water freshness, chemical balance and turbidity in Lawson Creek were all satisfactory.

April 2023

Today, 16 April, South Lawson Park Bushcare Group met for the first time on its new Lawson Parklands site, the riparian zone of Lawson Creek. The riparian zone has been fenced and borders the exisiting bushland that stretches along Lawson Creek. The objective is to revegetate the riparian zone, using a range of methods: natural regeneration (germination of naturally distributed indigenous plant seed); assisted natural regeneration (distributing by hand the seed of indigenous plants); planting of indigenous plants. Some natural regeneration is already occurring within the riparian zone, so that is very pleasing.

The group worked in the riparian zone today, along the edge of and also in Lawson swamp, mainly targeting Japanese Honeysuckle and Privet. The indigenous plants planted by the bushcare group over ten years ago are doing quite well.

We were then pleased to meet with Gundungurra community member, David King, and partner Belle, to discuss revegetation and other Parklands management issues. Maintaining this important partnership with the Gundungurra community and respecting their deep interests in the Parklands site and land, a part of their homelands and subject to an ILUA, will always be a high priority for the bushcare group.

The new South Lawson Parklands community recreation and nature hub is proving to be a great success. There were many parents, children on bikes, mums and dads with prams and strollers, joggers and walkers all out enjoying the new walking path. Dog owners and their pooches were having a great time in the new fenced dog off-leash area. A very pleasant scene.

Lawson Parklands riparian zone at left April 2023 Photo: P Ardill
Lawson Parklands, riparian zone at left April 2023 Photo: P Ardill

As reported in the March 2023 news on this website, Belle Butler and Hamish Dunlop, Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, Katoomba, BMCC, are preparing an article on the ecological restoration work of the bushcare group in the upper catchment of Lawson Creek, and interviewed group members. Their report has now been published, and makes for good reading. See Archives: Mid-Mountains News: South Lawson Park Bushcare Group April 2023.

Streamwatch convenor reports that water quality in Lawson Creek on the Parklands (downstream of Lawson swamp and adjacent to riparian zone) was very good: oxygen levels (satisfactory), phosphorous (low), pH (balanced), turbidity (low) and freshness (high).

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