Google Earth image early 2005: Brisbane plantation lies in close proximity to Annya State Forest and Hotspur State Forest. Also lies in close proximity to Crawford River. Most likely established on ex pasture site.

The Nationally Threatened Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Ecological Community may occur in this plantation or in close proximity.

Plantation located on Victorian Volcanic Plain Bioregion.

More Information:

http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/pubs/grasslands-victoria.pdf

Plantation located in Portland Groundwater Management Area

Plantation located in Condah (Ground) Water Supply Protection Area

A portion of this plantation area, along the Crawford River is probably a known recharge area for the Dilwyn confined aquifer. The Dilwyn Aquifer provides drinking water to Portland, Dartmoor and Heywood. The rest of the plantation is likely to overlay the Port Campbell Limestone Aquifer which provides irrigation water to the Heywood region.

Plantation maps of region here

Plantation within S.E.A.S Sapfor (Auspine) area of supply.
Plantation within AKD Softwoods area of supply.

Herbicides Used by Hancock in Pine Plantations South Western Victoria

Herbicide	Label Rate max as kg/ha	Used to control	Notes	Application
Clopyralid	2.55	Woody Weeds	Highly Toxic/Potential Ground water Contaminant	air or ground
Glyphosate	3.6	Herbaceous and woody weeds, noxious weeds
Hexazinone	4	Woody Weeds	Ground Water Contaminant	Aerial, ground, spot
Metsulfuron-Methyl	0.06	Woody Weeds, Noxious Weeds	Potential Ground Water Contaminant	Aerial, ground or spot
Triclopyr	3	Woody and Noxious Weeds		Ground, spot, basal bark

Responsible Authority: Glenelg Shire Council

THREATENED FISH NOTES - GLENAULIN CREEK/CRAWFORD RIVER: Only known habitat for FFG listed Ewens Pygmy Perch in Victoria. Yarra Pygmy Perch and Dwarf Galaxias also found in the Crawford River.

Ewens Pygmy Perch

Plantation Catchment: SW corner joins Annya State Forest. Main plantation divides Hotspur State Forest from Annya State Forest. Southern edge is creek which feeds into Crawford River. Northern edge has 2 creeks feeding into Crawford River. Several kilometres of the plantation lies in close proximity to the Crawford River.

Catchment Managment Authority: Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.

Hancock Watch Site visit Jan 01: Extensive pine plantation on relatively flat land. Appears to be located at least 30m from banks of the Crawford River. Although did not assess western edge of plantation.

Crawford River: Flows through forest and grazing land, mud bottom. Redfin, river blackfish, eels and abundant spiny freshwater crayfish, and tench. Currently no stocking with any species as stream tribuataries contain variegated pigmy perch, which is a species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as requiring protection.

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)

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"Groundwater: "In south-western Victoria the Otway Basin stretches from the South Australian border almost to the west of Geelong. It contains older sediments of Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary age, up to 2000 m in thickness. These include four sand aquifers and two limestone aquifers. The sand aquifers of the Wangerrip Group are confined over most of the Basin and their recharge zones are located on the margins of the Otway Range in the east and the Merino Tablelands in the West. The groundwater moves towards the coast, increasing in salinity along its floorpath . . ." p268 State of the Environment Report 1988 Victoria's Inland Waters. Office of the Commissioner for the Environment.

"Shallow aquifers in the Glenelg River Basin occur in four main geologic units . . . The third unit is a Newer Volcanic aquifer which lies along much of the Basin's southern boundary, particularly in the east. This fractured rock aquifer is composed of basalt, scoria and tuff. The fourth unit is composed of dune sand and beach deposits extending from the south-west corner of the Basin up to the western boundary and along the northern boundary. It is known as the Bridgewater formation.

A deep aquifer system exists in the south-west of the Basin and extends to the top of the western boundary and half-way across the southern boundary. This sand aquifer, which is significant as a water source, occurs within the Wangerrip Group.

Generally, groundwater quality in the Basin decreases towards the north where it is saline. A large reserve of fresh water is held in the north-east corner of the catchment and in the south-west the water is of marginal quality . . ." p295 Water Victoria A Resource Handbook - Department of Water Resources Victoria 1989.