Source: Community Action Grant

This project has been extremely successful in maintaining weed suppression in the plantings along Dumaresq Creek, at the sites from Holmes Avenue to St Peters Preschool. The growth achieved in these plantings has far surpassed all expectations, such as some plants which were established in Spring 2009, now reaching in excess of 3m in height.

This project has allowed for best optimum growth of plants, with little or no competition from weeds. Contractors have been able to conduct slashing, spraying and hand weeding at a scale far beyond volunteer capacity. This has resulted in a survival rate of approximately 85% of plants. Some growth is greater than any other growth rates for cold country creek plantings.

Key members of the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group conducted regular inspections of the plantings to determine which sites needed attention and how they should be tackled. This prioritised sites for the contractors and prevented weed growth from getting out of hand. The system developed through this regular inspecting has established a working document which can be used into the future, to monitor, prioritise and structure maintenance to achieve maximum growth of plants.

At least 5 volunteer working bees were also conducted with assistance from this project. This allowed for greater community participation, particularly as maintenance working bees are not viewed as enticing as planting days for volunteers. This project has significantly raised the AURG’s profile in the community, because of the visibility and success of plantings.

In part, the success of this maintenance funding has raised the profile and value of maintenance funding, resulting in further support from Armidale Dumaresq Council for future maintenance programs.