Reconstructing Western Sydney Grassy Woodland Understorey at Hoxton Park, Sydney, NSW

By Christopher Brogan

Purpose of the project. Endeavour Energy sought to restore a small highly disturbed Cumberland Plain Woodland bushland remnant at the West Liverpool Zone Substation at Hoxton Park, to offset 12 native trees removed to facilitate construction works at their electricity substation.

Condition of the site. The Cumberland Plain Woodland remnant was very small (approx.0 3.ha) and contained relatively healthy examples of four native trees (Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra, Grey Box E. moluccana , Forest Red Gum E. tereticornis and some Paperbark Melaleuca decora). However, the native shrub and ground layer was generally absent and the soil surface was highly compacted with a low organic matter content. This was due to historic clearing for agriculture, recent clearing for the installation of electrical infrastructure and the fact that a layer of coarse fill material and asphalt had been deposited over the topsoil in some areas (probably for car parking).

Goals. As we found fragments of 3 grasses and 6 forbs remaining on site, our goals were to protect and enhance all remaining plants by ecologically sensitive weed control and planting of missing species from the Cumberland Plain Woodland community.

We had 24 months to achieve the revegetation, with performance criteria being: a survival rate of >80%; a reduction in the percentage cover weed to < 5%; and, an increase in percentage cover of the herbaceous layer to 67% – 100%.

Fig 1. Weed control included cut stump poisoning of woody weeds and high volume herbicide spraying of invasive perennial grasses. (Photo C Brogan)

Around 260 cubic metres of recycled wood waste was used to mulch to a depth of 100mm over 2,600 square metres.(Photo C.Brogan)

What we did. We identified two zones on site: Zone 1 – with capacity for assisted regeneration; and Zone 2 – without capacity for assisted regeneration. Zone 1 was treated using standard bush regeneration techniques – i.e. removal of weed to facilitate natural regeneration. Zone 2 treatments included: weed control, mulching with recycled wood waste (2,600m² x 100mm deep); planting with 9,100 native tubestock (3-4 plants /1m²) raised from Western Sydney seed; and watering throughout the first month.

After some assisted natural regeneration and planting 9,100 native tubestock (raised from Western Sydney seed) a strong cover of native understorey was reinstated. (Photo. C Brogan)

Same part of the site taken before and after treatment. (C Brogan)

What advice can we offer?

• Always check your project site to identify any fragments of native species which may be present and protect them during weed control works, particularly when spraying herbicide.
• Use good quality tubestock of the appropriate provenance and budget for a seed collection program if the project timetable allows.
• Never underestimate the need to water tubestock during hot months and allocate sufficient resources to watering.

Contact: Christopher Brogan, Earth Repair and Restoration Pty Ltd, PO Box 232 Panania NSW 2213. Tel: +61 (0)2 9774 3200 Email: chris@earthrepair.com.au; Web: www.earthrepair.com.au

Acknowledgement. This is summarised from a talk first presented to the symposium ‘Rebuilding Ecosystems: What are the Principles?’ Teachers’ Federation Conference Centre, November 13th, 2014, Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR).