Greening of Riddell

Working Bees

Sat. Mar 6:   

A variety of jobs were completed, including spreading mulch under the new picnic table near the bottom of McClusky Street.  Last spring's plantings were weeded and they look beautiful – yellow daisies, pink pelargoniums and the pretty but tough little nodding saltbush, Einadia nutans, with its deep green leaves and red berries (all indigenous to the local area, of course).  A dead pine tree was cut down and disposed of and the grass at the top of the park was mowed.  The grass in the creek near the picnic area was so long that we couldn't see where the stepping stones were until the whole area was brushcut.

Water Quality

Not surprisingly, water quality is much better than at this time last year.  Dissolved oxygen is now at 63% saturation, compared with 40% last March.  Salinity is half what it was a year ago and is now in the “Poor” range instead of “Degraded”.  pH is neutral at 6.9.  In February, clay from the new road was washed into the creek by the heavy rains and this showed up in discolouration and cloudiness at the weir, which is the sampling site. However, by March the colour had disappeared and the water was much clearer.

Working Bees  

9:30am  

Come and join us – even an hour or two helps!

Sun. Apr. 11:  

The erosion prevention work on the Western steps was carried out. It was very well thought out and involves a system for diverting runoff (or “rushoff” as it was at New Year) so that it doesn't flow down the steps and wash out the gravel.  We planted 2 flower beds in the lovely fertile soil where 2 willows were removed in 2003.  These beds are opposite the Carre-Riddell picnic area and we've filled them with a variety of eremophilas and native peas, such as Hardenbergia and Indigofera.  They should look a picture when they flower.  This area is the interface between the exotic species of the lake park and the natural vegetation of Wybejong.  All the Scotch thistles along the creek edge at the bottom of the escarpment were dug out.  Fortunately they are not yet flowering.  We also planted olearias (daisy bushes) and cassinias on the north-east hill – these were propagated and donated by a member – and weeded and added a couple more correas to the patch at the top of the gravel path.  A very satisfying morning's work!

Sat May 1:

We will be kept busy with planting grasses near the western steps where we removed bridal creeper last year (unfortunately some of it has returned) and water-loving plants at the base of the cliffs to the west of the quarry steps.

Sun June 6:

Cleanup and burning off.

AGM 2pm Sat June 19 at Riddells Creek Neighbourhood House.

Memberships are due for renewal in May. 

One dampening note:

On March 14, 2009, 12 volunteers worked for 8 hours to construct a circle of timber post and rail bollards including about 10 M of thick grey steel chain.  In pouring rain, we concreted 34 posts into the ground, bolted rails, erected the chain gate access for the CFA and water trucks, and landscaped after the concrete pour.  A grant from the Macedon Ranges Shire paid for the materials, and Greening of Riddell volunteers provided the labour.  The chains have been stolen.  We’d be grateful if they were returned.

Notes and photos for working bee achievements in 2008 and 2009. (From the AGM.)

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From the AGM, 2007-2008 summary with photos.