Action Plan for Dry Creek Reserve - Communitywebs.org

Action Plan for
Dry Creek Reserve
(City of Port Adelaide Enfield)
Valley View. SA
2009 to 2015
Page 1 of 16

Action Plan for
Dry Creek Reserve,
(City of Port Adelaide Enfield)
Valley View.
Introduction
This Action Plan has been written for the Friends of Dry Creek Trail Inc. to assist in the
protection and maintenance of Dry Creek Reserve, a Catchment Care site, within the City
of Port Adelaide Enfield.
The Friends of Dry Creek Trail Inc. see this as an opportunity to be involved in the
rehabilitation of the biodiversity of the region, and to display the beauty of the regions
native species.
This Action Plan describes the objectives, the site, and the influences that affect the site,
and, who would be involved. It also details the volunteer program of activities, including
planting, maintenance, weeding, and monitoring.
Objectives
To show what can be done in an urban situation,
o re-create the remnant vegetation association,
o re-create the habitat for birds and lizards as well as aquatic insects and
animals,
o restore the population abundance and richness of remnant species,
To seek appropriate funds and resources, to carry out this plan,
Look for opportunities to expand the groups activities,
Offer a range of opportunities to the members of the Group, and the local
community to develop their understanding and knowledge of the regions
biodiversity.
o This will be done by
Projects,
Workshops,
Educational resources,
Formal training.
Page 2 of 16

Location
Dry Creek Reserve Catchment Care site is bounded by Grand Junction Road, Haddington
St, Ancell St and Down Dve Valley View.
It is part of the Dry Creek Reserve under the control and maintenance of the City of Port
Adelaide Enfield.
General Site Description
Dry Creek Reserve is representative of an open Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
woodland, over small trees, shrubs and grasses. The upper canopy is Eucalyptus
camaldulensis, over exotic and native grasses such as Themeda triandra, Poa species,
Austrostipa species, and Austrodanthonia species. A mixture of riparian and terrestrial
plants, including trees, shrubs and groundcovers, are found on the site. There has been
supplementary plantings of some species, and natural recruitment of others. The location
of those species depend on the existing drainage pattern. A list of known endemic species
as well as exotic and Australian weed species is included in the appendices.
The site has a riparian profile with Dry Creek flowing through it.
The Catchment Care site is surrounded by urban residential and local service business
development. The reserve is used by the local community and others for both active and
passive recreation, mainly walkers and joggers.
Page 3 of 16

Conservation Value.
Vegetation Association.
The Dry Creek catchment is part of a nationally threatened species and ecological
community (EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.7) of Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata)
Grassy Woodland of South Australia and Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of
South Australia.
Species significance.
The Catchment Care site has no known species of national significance. Further
identification work needs to be done to determine if there are any species of South
Australian or regional significance.
Comments.
Any revegetation work and rehabilitation work needs to been done sensitively to ensure
the site is restored to the desired association, either a riparian association or an open
woodland - grassland association where appropriate. This will allow the ephemeral
endemic species to return.
Line-of-sight issues for path users, the risk of fire and other risk management issues needs
to be considered in any work undertaken by the group. Advice from appropriate City of
Port Adelaide Enfield, or Catchment Care officers will be sought and taken.
Reference sites
Dry Creek Linear Park, Walkley Heights has been recognised as an appropriate reference
site. This reference site tells us what the Dry Creek Reserve should be like.
Management Issues
The management aim is to restore the Catchment Care site to its original open woodland /
grassland association, weed free, and to promote its biodiversity value and beauty. Efforts
to further restore the grassland lower strata will be the significant part of the approach to
restore the biodiversity of the site. The upper storey species are relatively in tact so do not
require supplementary plantings.
Efforts to remove or reduce the impacts of past agricultural management practices, and
current urban development issues needs to be introduced. This shall be done in
consultation and with approval of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, as it is the ‘landholder’
of the site.
Weeds
Weed infestation are the major problem of the site. Exotic grasses, brought in under past
management, out-compete endemic grasses for nutrients, space, light, and water.
Weed control needs to be sensitive to the desired riparian or grassland species and their
management, allowing natural growth and recruitment.
Page 4 of 16

Adjoining Land Use.
There is some impact due to the altered drainage patterns from urban development
infrastructure that now occur.
Trash, sediment, illegal dumping, garden and weed species infestation, and vandalism,
are major concerns. Some fencing and defined paths do control the degree of some of the
impacts. However little can be done to remove all impacts. Monitoring shall be carried out
to identify the effects of impacts, and sensitive and appropriate actions will be carried out
in response.
Of interest are the properties just upstream of the site, where the title of the properties was
made prior to the current system. This allows the owners of the property rights to the creek
bed rather than the 1 in 100 year flood levels.
Recreational Use.
The Catchment Care site is next to the linear trail system found along Dry Creek. Walkers,
joggers and bike riders often use this trail system. Trash, weed infestation, unintentional
vandalism, and fire vandalism are impacts. Fences and formed paths control the impacts
to some degree. Monitoring shall be carried out to identify the effects of impacts, and
sensitive and appropriate actions will be carried out in response.
Foxes, Dogs and Cats.
These animals either hunt and eat, or, disturb and harass local birds and reptiles. State
and Local Government controls are in place, but little can be done by the Friends of Dry
Creek Trail Inc. to remove these impacts. However education of the local community and
monitoring shall be carried out to identify any effects of the impacts, and sensitive and
appropriate actions will be carried out in response.
Management Actions
The actions below are considered necessary to achieve the group’s objectives. As stated
before, it is to restore the Catchment Care site to its original open woodland / grassland
association, weed free, and to promote its biodiversity value and beauty. It is also
recognised that this can only be done with an active, knowledgeable and healthy
community, with the support of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and relevant Departments
of the State Government.
Site Management.
The site is surrounded by housing development. Formed access paths run through it and
along side it. Interpretative signage has been erected on the site. The care and
maintenance of the paths, fences and signs are under the control of the City of Port
Adelaide Enfield .
Inspection of paths, fences and signs shall be carried out and reported to the City of Port
Adelaide Enfield, where appropriate actions will be carried out in response.
Monitoring
Monitoring shall be carried out to identify and record any positive or degrading changes to
the site. This will take the form of a photopoint being established according to the Our
Patch document “Using Photopoints”. Also, use of a workbook that has regular and
Page 5 of 16

elevant notes made in it on changes observed in the site as well as species observed,
and any actions taken.
Photopoint.
The method and location to establish the photopoint shall be modified to suit the site. It is
important the method and location is well documented and repeat regularly.
Work book.
The workbook will be used to create and annual list of endemic species, with notes made
on species location, species numbers, and species condition. It will also cover animal, bird
and reptile species. Any other relevant observations will also be included.
The workbook will be used to create and annual list of weed species, with notes made on
species location, species numbers, and species condition. It will also include notes on
weed control efforts and any other relevant observations that can be used to develop a
yearly weed control action plan.
Volunteers are encouraged to record entries in the workbook of their own observations
and experiences whilst working in the general area.
Weed Control.
Exotic weeds have had a significant impact on the Catchment Care site and are a major
issue that will require considerable attention for some time to come. However some good
weed control work has already been done on some areas within the site
A list of weeds is included as an appendix.
Any weed control needs to be sensitive to the desired grassland species and their
management, especially the lower strata, allowing for natural growth and recruitment.
Fire caused by vandalism is a major concern of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. And fire
is a major concern for the committee as it can destroy and set back the efforts of the
Friends. So the reduction of fuel load from weeds shall be a major priority in the Friends
planning and actions.
The Catchment Care site shall have a weed control map developed, where the
distributions of the major weeds are zoned, and where there may be future invasion and
establishment. A weed control plan shall be developed where these zones will be
prioritised depending on the biodiversity or remnant plant value of the zone, the
invasiveness of the weed, and the practicality of the control method. Kept in mind is the
need to reduce fuel load from weed trash.
The book “Stop Bushland Weeds, A guide to successful weeding in South Australia’s
bushland”, 2 nd Edition, written by Meg Robertson, published by The Nature Conservation
Society of South Australia Inc., shall be used to provide the principles, strategy and
techniques to undertake weed control on the site.
The fore mentioned book provides a “Look After The Bush” strategy, which the committee
has amended slightly:-
Primary Weeding. Begin weeding in the least weedy section, then wait and watch
for weed or native seedlings to spread into the gap.
Follow Up. Hand pull weed seedlings and any regrowth.
Page 6 of 16

Planting with desired lower strata species.
Maintenance. Monitor weeded sections regularly, working towards keeping it weed
free.
The book also provides a “Bushland Weeding Code”:-
1. Look before you weed,
2. Choose the most effective and selective weed control technique,
3. Adapt to the season and the weather conditions,
4. Minimise the amount of trampling that would occur when weeding,
5. Look for the smaller weeds under the larger weeds as you control the larger weeds,
6. Avoid damage to desire plants,
7. Disturb the soil as little as possible,
8. Remove any parts of the weed that will regrow or set seed,
9. Do follow up weeding before moving to a new section,
10. Sufficiently weed around desired plants to prevent them being shaded out, or outcompeted,
11. Prevent weed seed, bulbs or runners being brought on to the site.
Techniques to be used are:-
Hand-pull,
o for seedlings and other small, soft plants without reproductive bulbs,
o for small woody plants such as olive seedlings,
avoid soil disturbance and manual handling injuries.
Hand-dig and grub,
o for soft leafy plants with tap roots,
o for plants with a growing point just at or below the ground,
o for plants with a swollen root system,
o for small to medium woody shrubs which may reshoot or it is undesirable to
use herbicide,
avoid soil disturbance and manual handling injuries.
Slash or clip,
• Use of power tools such as a whipper snipper will only be used by a trained
operator,
The operator shall use the Safe Operating Procedure provided by the
City of Port Adelaide Enfield .
o for annual species prior to seed set,
o for dense stands of perennial weeds prior to seed set, or prior to use of
herbicide,
o for perennial plants to remove dead or old growth prior to use of herbicide.
Herbicide for “soft” plants,
• Only trained operators will apply herbicide,
training is available through Catchment Care, Friends of Parks,
registered training providers etc.
o Spot spray for appropriate weeds,
Shield desired plants,
o Wipe on using a sponge, wick, weeding tongs etc, for appropriate weeds.
Herbicide for “woody” weeds,
• Herbicide use is not expected to be required at this stage. However its use
may be warranted in limited situations. Therefore only trained operators will
apply herbicide,
The operator shall use the Safe Operating Procedure provided by the
City of Port Adelaide Enfield .
Page 7 of 16

Training is available through Catchment Care, Friends of Parks, Trees
For Life and registered training providers etc.
o Drill and Fill,
o Frill and swab,
o Cut and swab,
• Use of power tools such as a chainsaw for woody weeds is not expected to
be required at this stage. However its use may be warranted it limited
situations. Therefore only trained operators will use chainsaws,
The operator shall use the Safe Operating Procedure provided by the
City of Port Adelaide Enfield .
Training is available through Catchment Care, Friends of Parks, Trees
For Life and registered training providers etc.
Disposal of weeds, trash and other debris shall be removed from the site to prevent weed
invasion, fire vandalism, and soil disturbance. Large quantities may be taken away on
request to the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. However, if possible, the weeds, trash and
other debris will be bagged for removal by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. The bags will
not be filled to more than 20 kilograms per bag to prevent manual handling issues for the
City of Port Adelaide Enfield workers.
A range of weed control handouts developed for the National Trust is also included in the
appendices. These handouts illustrate the concepts that are further developed in the “Stop
Bushland Weeds” book.
Planting.
Two of the objectives of the group are to show what can be done in an urban situation,
and, to offer a range of opportunities to the members of the Group to develop their skills
and knowledge of the regions biodiversity. To meet those objectives, planting days have
been set aside to help restore the Catchment Care site.
The plants used will be endemic species of the site, preferably grown by the members of
the group, from seed collected in the area. Appropriate City of Port Adelaide Enfield
permission and Department of Environment and Heritage Permits will be obtained prior to
seed being collected.
However, if the members of the group are unable to grow the plants required for planting,
then alternate growers and any required funding shall be sought from either the City of
Port Adelaide Enfield, the Catchment Care program, the Natural Resource Management
Board, the Urban Biodiversity Unit of the Department of Environment and Heritage, or any
other body that will support the objectives of the group.
To improve the biodiversity of the site, the plantings will reinforce the population
abundance and richness of remnant species existing on the site, especially the lower
strata. Species selection will be determined by the group after consulting the appropriate
officers of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Catchment Care.
The planting positions are to be determined in line with the Friends “Look After The Bush”
strategy, after consulting the appropriate officers of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and
the Catchment Care program.
A planting plan will be developed using a staged strategy that divides the site into sections.
Each section will undergo a process of Woody Weed Control, then Perennial Weed
Page 8 of 16

Control – Tree/Shrub Plantings, followed by Perennial Plantings, and finally Site
Maintenance.
Woody Weed Control.
Trees and woody shrubs will be selected for removal either in the year assigned, or
after the replacement plantings have grown sufficiently to minimise community
response.
The trees and shrubs are selected as they are not endemic species grown and do
not conform to the endemic association.
Approval from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield is required prior to the removal of
any vegetation.
Perennial Weed Control – Tree/Shrub Plantings.
Appropriate weed control shall be undertaken to remove perennial weeds prior to
plantings of trees and shrubs.
Approval from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield is required prior to any weed control.
o The City of Port Adelaide Enfield will determine who is responsible for weed
control.
Tree and shrub planting will be carried out to replace vegetation that has been
removed.
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Perennial Plantings.
To further improve the biodiversity value of the works, understory and other aquatic
plants will be planted.
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Site Maintenance.
This will take the form of weed control
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Maintenance will continue on all zones during the year. But it is hoped that
maintenance will reduce in the following years.
Page 9 of 16

Page 10 of 16

Volunteer Development.
The committee see’s that the group needs to broaden the experience and understanding
of its members so they can value and recognise the beauty of the region’s biodiversity.
This will in turn repay the efforts of the members which will then hopefully mean the
members will remain involved and enthusiastic.
The committee sees the need to source training and information for the members in:-
Plant and Animal knowledge and understanding.
Understanding of the area’s biodiversity and how Kingfisher Reserve fits into the
regions context.
Obtain training in Bushcare techniques.
Obtain training in Weed and Pest control.
Involve the members in Waterwatch, frog, bird, reptile, and bat census to further
develop the understanding of the regions biodiversity.
Tours of other sites to develop the Friends appreciation of the regions biodiversity.
The group will register with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and the Natural Resource
Management Board to obtain volunteer support, volunteer development, and training.
Volunteer Management.
The management committee of the Friends of Dry Creek Trail Inc. will manage the group.
Its purpose will be to meet the needs of the volunteers, by recognising the skills and
wishes of the volunteers, then to match those skills and wishes to activities and
opportunities that the group can provide.
The group shall use the “In Safe Hands” toolkit developed by Conservation Volunteers
Australia to manage the risks and safety of the members. The committee will implement an
Occupational Health and Safety policy, Implementation Guidelines, Safety Prompts,
Volunteer Induction guide, Project Briefing Guide, Volunteer Safety card, and other record
keeping documents as provided by the “In Safe Hands” toolkit.
The group will register with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and the Natural Resource
Management Board to obtain volunteer support and insurance. Support sought includes
the provision of advice and direction in conservation matters, safety and volunteer
management procedures, as well as materials and resources.
The committee will seek funding to purchase any appropriate equipment required to safely
carry out its activities. This includes an outdoor first aid kit suited to conservation groups
using hand held tools and power tools. It will also purchase a suitable drinking water
container and sufficient drinking cups.
The committee will endeavour to communicate all its activities to the local community
surrounding the site, as well as to the broader community through the City of Port Adelaide
Enfield. The intention is to gain support for the group’s activities and to broaden the
community’s understanding of biodiversity and conservation issues
Page 11 of 16

Native Species List
Name
common name
Acacia paradoxa kangaroo thorn
Acacia pycnantha golden wattle
Acacia salicina Port Broughton Willow
Acacia acinacea wreath wattle
Arthropodium strictum common vanilla lily
Atriplex sp. saltbush
Austrodanthonia sp.
Austrodanthonia racemosa sp. racemosa wallaby grass
Austrodanthonia caespitosa
common wallaby grass
Austrostipa nitida spear grass
Austrostipa nodosa tall spear grass
Austrostipa scabra ssp. Falcata slender spear grass
Austrostipa sp.
Bursaria spinosa sweet bursaria
Calystegia sepium
Carex breviculmis short stem sedge
Chloris truncata windmill grass
Convolvulus remotus grassy bindweed
Cyperus vaginatus stiff flat sedge
Dianella revoluta ssp. revoluta black anther flax lily
Dodonaea viscosa ssp. spatulata sticky hop bush
Eucalyptus camaldulensis river red gum
Lomandra nana small mat rush
Oxalis
perennans
Pittosporum phylliraeoides var. microcarpa native apricot
Themeda triandra kangaroo grass
Vittadina sp. new holland daisy
Page 12 of 16

Action Schedule
The following table suggests a possible action schedule. It may be adjusted each year and
through the year due to seasonal factors and work already undertaken.
Year
Woody Weed
Control
Perennial Weed
Control-
Tree Shrub
Plantings
Perennial
Plantings
Site
Maintenance
2009 Zone 1
2010 Zone 2 Zone 1
2011 Zone 3 Zone 2 Zone 1
2012 Zone 4 Zone 3 Zone 2 Zone 1
2013 Zone 4 Zone 3 Zone 2
2014 Zone 4 Zone 3
2015 Zone 4
Woody Weed Control.
Trees and woody shrubs will be selected for removal either in the year assigned, or
after the replacement plantings have grown sufficiently to minimise community
response.
The trees and shrubs are selected as they are not endemic species grown and do
not conform to the endemic association.
Approval from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield is required prior to the removal of
any vegetation.
Perennial Weed Control – Tree/Shrub Plantings.
Appropriate weed control shall be undertaken to remove perennial weeds prior to
plantings of trees and shrubs.
Approval from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield is required prior to any weed control.
o The City of Port Adelaide Enfield will determine who is responsible for weed
control.
Tree and shrub planting will be carried out to replace vegetation that has been
removed.
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Perennial Plantings.
To further improve the biodiversity value of the works, understory and other aquatic
plants will be planted.
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Site maintenance.
This will take the form of weed control
Replacement planting and infill for lost plants will continue in the following years.
Maintenance will continue on all zones during the year. But it is hoped that
maintenance will reduce in the following years.
Page 13 of 16

Plant List
The following table suggests a possible plant list. It may be adjusted each year and through the year due to seasonal factors, site issues
and work already undertaken.
Year Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4
2009 100 Eucalyptus camaldulensis
50 Acacia salicina
50 Acacia pycnantha
2010 50 Acacia paradoxa
50 Acacia acinacea
50 Bursaria spinosa
50 Dodonaea viscosa
2011 400 Phragmites australis
100 Calystegia sepium
100 Eucalyptus camaldulensis
50 Acacia salicina
50 Acacia pycnantha
50 Acacia paradoxa
50 Acacia acinacea
50 Bursaria spinosa
50 Dodonaea viscosa
2012 400 Phragmites australis
100 Calystegia sepium
100 Eucalyptus camaldulensis
50 Acacia salicina
50 Acacia pycnantha
50 Acacia paradoxa
50 Acacia acinacea
50 Bursaria spinosa
50 Dodonaea viscosa
2013 400 Phragmites australis
100 Calystegia sepium
100 Eucalyptus camaldulensis
50 Acacia salicina
50 Acacia pycnantha
50 Acacia paradoxa
50 Acacia acinacea
50 Bursaria spinosa
50 Dodonaea viscosa
2014 400 Phragmites australis
100 Calystegia sepium
2015
Page 14 of 16

Weed Control Plan
The following table suggests a possible weed control plan. It may be adjusted each year
and through the year due to seasonal factors and work already undertaken. It is expected
that there will be a cascade of weed species as the group works through its action
schedule and weed control plan.
Weed(common name) Control Season Method
Grasses
Bearded oats Late winter to early spring Slash with whipper snipper
Brome Late winter to summer Slash with whipper snipper
Kikuyu Summer Wipe with herbicide, hand pull
Perennial Veldt Grass Late winter to summer Slash with whipper snipper
Phalaris Late winter to summer Slash with whipper snipper
Rice millet Late winter to summer Grub
Bulb
Soursob Winter Wipe with herbicide
Thread Iris Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Broadleaf
Sonchus Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Plantain Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Thistle Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Scabiosa Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Salvation Jane Late winter to early summer Wipe with herbicide
Mallow Late winter to early spring Slash with whipper snipper
Tree and Shrub
Olive Winter Hand pull seedlings
Ash Winter Hand pull seedlings
Page 15 of 16

Attach the following documents-
• Using Photopoints
• Control of woody weeds handout
• Control of small hand pullable weeds handout
• Control of weeds with underground reproductive structures handout
• Control of vines and scramblers handout
Page 16 of 16