Black Gum Waterways Program

Summary

Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata) is a threatened Eucalypt that grows in southern NSW and Victoria. This species is a ‘cool climate relict’ (having evolved in cooler, wetter times). Once more widespread across Victoria and NSW, Black Gum is found today in small populations and along creeks and in frost hollows on private agricultural land and public reserves.

In Victoria, Black Gum populations have retracted to the Macedon Ranges along the Five Mile and Slatey Creeks. Sadly, no intact Black Gum habitat remains and no populations are protected in conservation reserves. Most Black Gums are found on farmland or in council, rail or road reserves where they are subject to pressures from urbanisation or agriculture. Over the past 200 years, Black Gum habitat in Victoria has become heavily degraded due to widespread land clearance and the invasion of weeds including Willow (Salix sp.), Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Blackberry (Rubus sp.). This iconic tree is also threatened by climate change, introgressive hybridisation and habitat loss and fragmentation.

Project Strategy

The Threatened Species Conservancy has a vision to restore vitally important Black Gum habitat along the Five Mile and Slatey Creeks in Woodend. We will do this through Stage One and Two of our Black Gum Waterways Program. Benefits of the program will include: increasing the population size and extent of Black Gum; improving in-stream water quality of these two waterbodies; restoring terrestrial and aquatic habitat in the Five Mile and Slatey Creeks and increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the region.

Stage One

The first stage of the program has been completed. Works undertaken to date include:

• the development of a network of enthusiastic landholders who wish to improve the condition of native vegetation in Black Gum habitat on their properties;

• developing the first strategic framework to guide the recovery program;
• establishing a technical advisory team to oversee the development of the strategic framework;

• weed control in Black Gum habitat and the establishment of over 600 Black Gum trees and additional native plants on private land;

• the collection and storage of Black Gum seed from a wide range of populations to maximise genetic diversity for future revegetation projects; and

• raising awareness of Black Gum and the vital ecosystem services that riparian vegetation plays in improving water quality and supporting terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.

Stage Two

Stage One was very well received by the Macedon Ranges community. The Threatened Species Conservancy and our partners have identified a unique opportunity to harness and build on this enthusiasm. Stage Two will involve the implementation of a larger, coordinated program to restore the riparian zones along the Five Mile and Slatey Creeks, Woodend including:

• increasing our landholder extension program on private land;

• large scale weed control in Black Gum habitat with a focus on riparian zones;

• hand pollination trials to improve seed set;
• long-term genetic conservation through ex-situ seed banking and establishing additional climate-resilient populations

• the establishment of new Black Gum populations and supplementation of existing populations through revegetation; and

• additional community engagement and awareness raising.

Partners

This project brings together a strong coalition of partners:

• Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership, species experts and delivery

• Woodend Landcare – On-ground community partnership and co-investment

• Macedon Ranges Shire Council – Local government support and planning

• Traditional Owners (Taungurung Land & Waters Council) – Cultural knowledge and land management

• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) – regulatory support and co-funding

• Community volunteers – Citizen science, revegetation, and stewardship

Conservation Status

Black Gum (Eucalyptus aggregata)

Listed in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act).

Listed as Vulnerable nationally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Estimated Cost of Project: $500,000
Funding Received: $120,000
Duration: 10 years