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Trials to control the spread of Phalaris throughout areas of Lake Mokoan in preparation for its return to a natural wetland have commenced.
Lake Mokoan Project Director, David Jeffery, said a 40-hectare controlled burn was successfully undertaken in late May 2006. The burn was coordinated by Goulburn-Murray Water with the assistance of the Country Fire Authority, Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. "The management of pest plants, in particular Phalaris, is an important issue and the trials will allow us to monitor the success of a number of different management regimes leading up to rehabilitation of the wetland system in 2009," Mr Jeffery said. "It is extremely important to impede the spread of Phalaris into areas identified for the wetland as it is likely to have an impact on native revegetation as the lake recedes."
A combination of controlled burning and grazing will be undertaken within a number of different study areas to monitor the weed's rate of spread. "Thanks to the combined expertise of the fire services, the burn effectively reduced the amount of Phalaris in the area prior to the reintroduction of grazing." A number of key weeds of concern were recently identified in an ecological study undertaken by Ecology Australia as part of the Lake Mokoan Future Land Use Strategy. "The establishment of effective, ongoing weed management plans for the control of these weeds, including Phalaris, will be considered as part of the wetland rehabilitation plan," Mr Jeffery said. "Goulburn-Murray Water will continue to seek specialist advice for immediate actions to bring the further spread of Phalaris under control." |
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Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) is a winter growing perennial grass. Native to the mediterranean region and a favoured pasture species for sheep and cattle. Phalaris is quite hardy, tolerating moderate levels of salinity, waterlogging and the most drought tolerant pasture grass. A weed is a plant growing where it is not a native species. Phalaris, while a useful pasture species, is considered an environmental weed in natural areas as it can colonise large areas and out-compete native plant species. |
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The decommissioning of Lake Mokoan has raised concerns regarding the flooding of the Broken River system.
Currently, Lake Mokoan can play only a minor role in reducing floods on the Broken River in Benalla. The return of Mokoan to a natural wetland system will not have a significant impact on flooding regimes. The potential for change in minor flood levels as a result of the Mokoan - Return to Wetland Project has been investigated by the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, the responsible authority for floodplain management in the Broken River Basin. Findings are now being presented to the community for comment. Flow Regime Fact Sheet – Mokoan – return to wetland flooding impacts.
The variation in river flow, including the minor flooding that may result from returning the natural wetland system is the key in maintaining river and floodplain health and is recognised as an important environmental benefit.
Rehabilitation of the wetlands will have no impact on levels during major flood events. |
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