Riparian Restoration in Buxton

On Sunday 30^th June 2024, the newly formed Buxton Landcare group embarked on its first Big Impact Event. Six volunteers came together to increase their knowledge and skills through a Riparian Weed ID Workshop and Working Bee.

The workshop was funded through a partnership between the Great Eastern Ranges and Amazon Web Services to restore catchment and community resilience in the Wollondilly Shire. The project aims to improve water yield and quality, boost biodiversity and enhance the resilience of local communities to the impacts of climate change.

Investing in Community to Care for the Environment

“Our mission for Buxton Landcare’s first Big Impact Event? To remove an infestation of Arum Lily from the creek line behind the Buxton Community Hall,” said Vanessa Gimellaro from Greater Sydney Landcare which is leading the project in the region.

“But before we began, Bridgette Doherty from Toolijooa Environmental Restoration taught us about the weeds we might find when working in riparian zones in the Wollondilly area.”

Weeds choke up the waterways impeding flow, increasing flooding and erosion, reducing water quality and lowering oxygen levels in the water impacting fish and other aquatic species. 

“Attendees learned how to identify weeds, as well as chemical control and safety around waterways, and specific treatment methods necessary to successfully control some of the most aggressive weeds. We were also put on high alert for some very nasty weeds present in neighbouring council areas, such as Water Hyacinth and Peruvian Primrose.”

“The skies cleared momentarily, and Bridgette and our band of enthusiastic volunteers made their way down to the creek line. We were greeted by a robust infestation of Arum Lily. Not only was it in full bloom, but also producing seed heads.”

“While some volunteers removed the flowers and seed heads, others dug up the rhizomes (fleshy roots). This is another way this plant can spread, vegetatively by fragments of rhizome. We bagged and removed the vast majority of the rhizomes, but for those we couldn’t, we painted with poison.”

“By the end of our session, we were covered in mud but very satisfied to have removed 12 bags of Arum Lily. We have vowed to return in better weather to remove the few we left.”

“Thank you my wonderful mud buddies, and see you at the next event.”

Through this event the volunteers cumulatively donated 18 hours of their time (and about $840 worth of volunteer labour) to improving their riparian restoration knowledge and restoring this site.

Get Involved Today

Are you in or around the Wollondilly Shire? You can be a part of the Restoring Catchment & Community Resilience project.

Come along to an info session about Buxton Landcare, and get involved in upcoming conservation events in the Wollondilly area.

To discuss opportunities to get involved in the project, contact Vanessa – vanessa.gimellaro@greatersydneylandcare.org