Region: Strzeleckis

Legal Number: LEGL/93-91/1

Plantation: Albert

Conservation Priority: High

Key Strzelecki Warm Temperate Rainforest Site

Area within PaperlinX area of supply.

Area within Brown and Dureau Softwoods (Morwell) area of supply.

Plantation size: ~175ha

Located in Yarram Water Supply Protection Area - Groundwater

Strzelecki Ranges Maps Here

100ha of this plantation was very likely to be aerially sprayed with 2,4,5-T between 1969 and 1976. 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.

Perhaps 21 houses lie downstream of this plantation, meaning that potentially 50 people may be using the Albert River for drinking water.

Plantations established in 1983/4 (`~100ha) 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. 100ha would probably have been sprayed with the Atrazine (4 l/ha/Amitrole 7l/ha) mixture. Totals 400 litres Atrazine, 700 litres Amitrole). The highest risk years for drinking water quality would have been between 1976-7 & 1983-5.

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

 

Hancock Site visit:

LEGL 93-91a: November 2001: Native vegetation within Albert River catchment.

This is a small plantation which lies south of the Madalya Road in the Albert River catchment. Mostly dominated by radiata pine established in the late 70's/early eighties. There is a small stand of remnant old growth near the junction of Egans Road and Madalya Road. This is very narrow and hugs the roadside. Some small patches of native vegetation were also visible along tributaries of the Albert River. Some of the slopes in this plantation appear to be quite steep in places and therefore the area is given a medium conservation ranking.

Responsible Authority: Wellington Shire Council

Plantation Catchment: Several tribs Billy Creek/Albert River

 

Catchment Managment Authority: West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority

Albert River - Above Staceys Bridge: A fast flowing stream running through partly cleared hills, rock bottom. Contains brown trout to 350g, abundant, mainly small river blackfish, tupong and grayling.

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.

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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LEGL 93-91b: November 2001:

Native vegetation off Madalya Road.
Albert River Strzeleckis