Region: BENALLA / MANSFIELD Legal Number: LEGL/93-64 Plantation: Blue Range

94-64a March 01: Quarry inside plantation. Hancock are also road builders. Not just a forestry company

Conservation Priority: Low-Medium

Plantation within Australian Newsprint Mill (ANM) Ltd area of supply.

Plantation within Dominance Industries (Alpine MDF Industries) area of supply.

Strathbogies and Central North East Plantation Map here

Plantation within D & R Henderson/Monsbent area of supply.

Plantation within Benalla Timber area of supply.

February 2005: Sunset on the Blue Range. Recent clearfelling in steep slopes in the Spring Creek catchment.

Declared Water Catchment Area: Lake Nillacootie Water Catchment Area.

This plantation was very likely to be aerially sprayed with 2,4,5-T between 1968 and 1977. The Dioxin TCDD may still exist in soil in this plantation. For more historical data on 2,4,5-T click here. For more information concerning the continuing health crisis concerning 2,4,5-T please forward to here.

Herbicides Used by Hancock in Pine Plantations - North East Region Victoria

February 2005: Massive clearfell just off Spring Creek Road, most likely in Lake Nillacootie Catchment.

Water Catchment Area: MURRAY RIVER SUPPLIES WATER TO BARMAH, ECHUCA , KERANG, PIANGIL, SWAN HILL, ROBINVALE, MILDURA

THREATENED FISH NOTES - BROKEN RIVER: Downstream of Nillacootie there is a remnant population of Macquarie Perch. Yellow Belly and Murray Cod are also stocked into the Broken River. Holland and Ryans creek both have populations of Macquarie Perch especially in Holland Creek. In regard to Ryans Creek above Loombah Weir it is the first time that a stocked population of Trout Cod has been found to be spawning.

February 2005: Sunset on the Blue Range. Recent clearfelling in steep slopes in the Spring Creek catchment. Is this practice sustainable? Photo taken from Spring Creek Road.

Responsible Authority: Delatite Shire Council

Plantation Catchment: 3 separate plantation areas.
a) 3-4 tributaries of Samaria Creek/Broken River. These tributaries lie about 3km upstream of Samaria Well Camping Area. One tributary Spring Creek.
b) 1 creek HW Blue Range Creek/Broken River/Lake Nillahcootie. Several tribs entering Spring Creek/Holland Creek. Several tribs Holland Creek. The southernmost part of this plantation lies in the Lake Nillahcootie Proclaimed Water Catchment.
c) Many creeks entering Blue Range Creek/Broken River/Lake Nillahcootie. This entire long thin plantation stretching over 8km’s lies in the Lake Nillahcootie Proclaimed Water Catchment.

Catchment Managment Authority: Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

February 2005: Sunset on the Blue Range. Recent clearfelling in steep slopes in the Spring Creek catchment. After logging and spraying come the sprays. Photo taken from Spring Creek Road.

Hancock Watch Site visit Mar 01: a) Small run-down plantation area which borders Mount Samaria State Park. Plantations south west edge adjoins the State Park. The roading at this site was poor and it was obvious that the area probably hadn't been attended by its owners in a long time. This plantation is in a very isolated area, with a steep windy road (from Benalla side) leading to it. Harvesting of this plantation will probably create more roading issues as the area has poor roads as it is - however it is certainly not worth leaving the area as it is. Priority area for revegetation.

b) Site visit Mar 01: b) Has extensive native vegetation along Spring Creek - Good quality blackwoods etc. On eastern side of the plantation there is quite a massive blackberry problem. The southern area also has a quarry which could be causing erosion problems in Head Waters of Blue Range Creek?

c) Site visit Mar 01: c) Long narrow 8km long plantation running along eastern boundary of Mount Samaria State Park. The slopes appeared to be quite mild. Most of the logging at this site was probably carried out some months ago. Saw some evidence of wildings in native vegetation adjoining plantation on the western side and the area has a blackberry problem as well.

February 2005: Sunset on the Blue Range. Recent clearfelling in steep slopes in the Spring Creek catchment. After logging and spraying come the sprays. Photo taken from Spring Creek Road.

Broken River: Above Lake Nillahcootie: Flows through open grazing land, rock and gravel bed. Very low in summer. Carries abundant redfin average 150g, maximum 900g and occasional brown trout to 2.3kg. Occasional reports of Macquarie Perch being taken just above Lake Nillahcootie.

Broken River: Lake Nillahcootie to Benella: Flows through open grazing country in a series of runs and deep pools, gravel beds. Below Swanpool the river becomes more sluggish with a mud and sand bed. Very badly silted from its junction with the Moonee Creek. Moonee Creek to Benella Creek. Contains brown trout average 220g, maximum 800g, with carp and abundant small redfin 450g further downstream, some golden perch above Swanpool, and some spiny freshwater crayfish. Stocked by the Department with Macquarie Perch but the species has not yet become established.

Lake Nillahcootie, Swanpool: RWC storage on the Broken River, surrounded by open farmland. Constructed in 1968 and supplies water for stock and irrigation purposes. There are extensive shallows at the southern end. Large fluctuations in water level. Carries abundant redfin to 630g and probably larger fish to 2kg in summer, but average size is smaller, goldfish to 600g, some river blackfish to 350g and occasional brown trout from self-supporting population in the Broken River above the storage. Trout stocking discontinued after 1981 because of very limited success. Stocked with Murray Cod in 1981, and regularly with the species since 1987. No evidence available that early stockings of Murray cod fry were successful.

Source: A Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria by BR Tunbridge, PL Rogan, CA Barnham. Department Conservation and Environment. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown St, Heidelberg, 3084. (4th ed - 1991)

March 01: Regenerating blackwoods on Spring Creek. Blackberry problem too.

March 01: Regenerating blackwoods on Spring Creek. Blackberry problem too. Blue Range Plantation.

March 01: Mild slopes on this plantation located on the Blue Range Plantation.

March 01: Pines regenerating into native bush on roadside - Mount Samaria Road.

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