About Landcare

Mission Statement

To inform, support and represent local Landcare Groups and all community members in the protection, management and enhancement of natural resources in the Hughes Creek Catchment.

About Us

The Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative  is an incorporated non-profit group formed to support community Landcare groups and coordinate natural resource management projects.
HCCC acts as administrative and lobby group for local Landcare groups, employs part time Landcare Coordinators,  provides information on natural resource management issues through the Granite News and helps farmers to adopt sustainable farm practices by applying for grants to fund on ground works especially in the area of pest plant and animal control.

Contacts

Janet Hagen (Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative) Ph: (03) 5790 4268

Pauline Roberts (The Granite News editor)  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neil (Weeds & Rabbits) (03) 57904146 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jenny Webb (HCCC President) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Roadside Weed Spraying

Are there any weeds popping up along your roadside?? The HCCC is looking at co-coordinating with local councils to eradicate weeds along the roadsides within our catchment. To report any emerging trouble spots please email Simone This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Inkweed creeping in

It has recently been reported that Inkweed has crept into our catchment and is suspected of causing death to livestock. Inkweed {phytolacca octandra } is a soft woody perennial shrub up to 2m tall. Stems are often red in colour and soft when young and tend to become woody and branch out with age. The leaves are pointed and range from light bright green to a dark green and can have a strong unpleasant odour when crushed. Flowers mature from green to crimson and there are usually clusters of purple/ black berries. Inkweed is usually found in disturbed ground, after burn- offs and along creek beds. Inkweed is regarded as an environ-mental weed in Victoria and although it is noted that livestock do not usually eat the plant, it is known that the plant is poisonous. Removal prior to seed set is ideal, and if dug out manually you will need to dig quite deeply to remove the root. Application of a herbicide such as brush off is also effective and is recommended on any new growth. For more information call Simone on 5790 4146 . Information sheets are available from the Landcare office in the Tablelands Community Centre.

Chilean Needle Grass

An excellent brochure is available on Chilean needle grass, a devastating agricultural weed. An important difference between Chilean needle grass and the spear grass Austrostipa Densiflora, Foxtail (prominent in the Ruffy area this year) is the seed head. If you pull out a group of seeds they look like tiny spears with a point at one end and a long tail or awn at the other end - Chilean needle grass has a corona or crown in the seed head and you may need a hand lens to see this. There are excellent diagrams and detailed information for identification in the brochure on this particularly nasty weed. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.