Region: Strzeleckis

Legal Number: LEGL/93-81

Plantation: Turtons

Conservation Priority: Medium

Area within PaperlinX are of supply.

Area within Planthard Hardwoods (Drouin West Sawmills) area of supply.

Strzelecki Ranges Maps Here

Plantation/Native forest located ~13km north east of Dumbalk

Plantation/native forest takes in large portion of Frankin River catchment and Turtons Creek.

Hancock Site Visit November 2001:

Plantation consists of two main areas of pine planted on the western side of Turtons Creek and pine and hardwood planted on the eastern side of Turtons Creek. Most of the plantation on the western side of Turtons Creek appears to be on mild to steep slopes with two areas of native vegetation within the plantation. One of these areas was observed from Turtons Creek Road and appeared to consist mainly of 20-30 year old regenerating ash. Further along this road it was apparent that pine and hardwood plantations had been established very close to Turtons Creek - in some cases only a couple of metres from the creek. Some of these plantations appeared to be established on ex-farmland and have a low conservation significance. At the turn off of Central Road we headed east through recently established plantations.

Declared Water Catchment Area: ENTIRE PLANTATION LIES WITHIN TARWIN RIVER (MEENIYAN) WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENT. PROCLAIMED 24/4/90.

THREATENED FISH NOTES - TARWIN RIVER: Consistent records of Australian Grayling.

Responsible Authority: South Gippsland Shire Council

Plantation Catchment: 2 tribs Turtons Creek/Tarwin River East Branch/Tarwin River Several tribs Branch/Tarwin River.

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 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

 

November 2001: Young Ash plantation in very close proximity to Turtons Creek.

November 2001: Tributary of Turtons Creek.

 

Catchment Managment Authority: West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

Turtons Creek, Foster: Flows through cleared hilly country in a series of runs and pools, rock and gravel bed. Self sustaining for trout. Contains mostly brown trout average 150g, eels, and river blackfish. Subject to a blackfish closure.

Tarwin River, Tarwin: East Branch upstream from Mirboo: Flows through cleared hilly country as a series of runs and pools, rock and gravel bed. Turtons Creek section of the system is self sustaining for trout.

Tarwin River, Tarwin - Mirboo to junction with West Branch: Relatively slow flowing with some deep holes, mud and sand bottom. Access restricted by private property. Considered marginal for trout and need for supplemental stocking is assessed annually. Contains brown trout average 100g, some 400g but occasional larger fish, river blackfish, eels and tupong.

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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Tarwin River Australian Grayling Strzeleckis