Region: Strzeleckis

Legal Number: LEGL/93-95/1

Plantation: Jack

Conservation Priority: Medium

Responsible Authority: Wellington Shire Council

Plantation Catchment: 2 tribs Stony Creek/Jack River/Albert River

Catchment Managment Authority: West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

Small portion of plantations near Tooloonook in South Gippsland. Comprising ~50ha of pine plantations, established mainly in 1983/4.

Stony Creek Catchment showing extent of plantations within LEGL93-95. Plantations established in 1983/4 (`~50ha) were most likely established with a concoction of Amitrole (Weedagol T.L. Plus) and (Gesaprim 500) Atrazine may have been sprayed. In 2002 scientists in the United States found that Atrazine at levels as low of 0.1part per billion altered hormones in frogs. Since then Atrazine has been found to have the same effect across a range of animals. 50ha would probably have been sprayed with the Atrazine (4 l/ha/Amitrole 7l/ha) mixture. Totals 200 litres Atrazine, 350 litres Amitrole). Houses are located only 200 metres from plantations. Are any reliant on drinking water from Stony Creek? For a more extensive map of spraying regimes in the Jack River catchment see here.

Herbicides Used by Grand Ridge Plantations - Strzelecki Ranges and Gippsland Victoria

Herbicide Label Rate max as kg/ha Used to control Euc/Rad Notes Application
Clopyralid 2.55 Woody Weeds Radiata and Eucalypts Highly Toxic/Potential Ground water Contaminant aerial or ground
Glufosinate Ammonium 1 Woody Weeds Radiata   aerial or ground
Glyphosate 3.6 Herbaceous and woody weeds, noxious weeds Radiata, Eucalpts and Custodial    
Haloxyfop-methyl 0.13 Annual and Pernneial Grasses Eucalypts Carcinogen aerial or ground
Hexazinone 4 Woody Weeds Radiata Ground Water Contaminant Aerial, ground, spot
Metsulfuron-Methyl 0.06 Woody Weeds, Noxious Weeds Radiata, Eucalyptus and Custodial Potential Ground Water Contaminant Aerial, ground or spot
Sulfometuron Methyl 0.6 Annual and Perennial Grasses and broadleaf weeds Eucalyptus Potential Ground Water Contaminant Aerial or Ground

Strzelecki Ranges Maps Here

Hancock Watch Site visit Nov 01: This is actually two separate small pine areas which lie south of LEGL93-93 and west of LEGL93-89. Both areas are 1984 and 1985 established plantations and both cover very small areas.

Albert River - Below Staceys Bridge: Flows through open country, mud and sand bottom. Highly modified by agriculture, water is often turbid with wide variations in flow and water level. Where the habitat is suitable, trout will be found but, like the Agnes River, these areas are relatively inaccessible. Eels abundant and a few brown trout from 200 to 600g, occasional small river blackfish. Estuarine section often has estuary perch.

Jack River, Yarram: A tributary stream of the Albert River, fast flowing and running through partly cleared hills, rock bottom. Contains brown trout to 520g, average 160g, abundant mainly small river blackfish, tupong, both species of eels and grayling.

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)

HOME