The Piesse Brook environs in the year 2000 were badly degraded. Watsonia, Bamboo, Blackberry, Pampas Grass and other introduced, devastating weeds had destroyed the natural bushland. The breeding areas of the native animals had been destroyed. The feeding areas of the birds had been destroyed. The Piesse Brook was a mess!
In 2000, a handful of concerned local residents joined together and formed the Friends of Piesse Brook to tackle the problem. With funding obtained from the Swan Catchment Urban Landcare Program, and later the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, and with advice and assistance from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Shire of Kalamunda, the group began working towards their dream.
From a starting point at Hummerston Road and working along Schipp Road through the Kalamunda National Park, several kilometres and many hectares of weeds needed to be removed, section by section. Once the weeds had been controlled in one area, indigenous seedlings had to be planted to restore the natural under-growth. Then an on-going programme of weed control and maintenance was required to ensure the weeds did not return.
Click here to view progress maps .....
At seedling planting time in winter each year, the wider community came together on each Bushland Care Day to help the group plant the seedlings and spread mulch around them. At each Bushland Care Day a bush barbecue kept community spirits high and good will flowing.
Each year the group tackled the next new targeted work section downstream along the brook. By 2006, the group had reached the final primary work section under the pylons; the primary objective having been reached. Maintenance of the area must now continue.
Also by 2006, it had become obvious that to stop the weed seeds from upstream re-infesting the now cleared areas downstream it was necessary to change the groups direction of work and begin working upstream.
The source of the Piesse Brook is in Pickering Brook. From Hummerston Road in Piesse Brook upstream to Pickering Brook, the Piesse Brook flows through private landholders properties. The group had to seek assistance from private landholders for weed control work to be carried out on their properties.
If the weed control is not undertaken on the private properties, then the seeds from the invasive weeds on the private land will continue to flow downstream and re-infest the National Park. The good work of the Friends group would then be un-done.
Private landholders wishing to undertake their own weed control work on their own properties may be eligible for their own funding from the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, or other funding body.
The Friends group held an intitial meeting early in 2006 to inform private landholders of the work the group wanted to undertake. At the meeting the group sought the support of private land holders along Aldersyde Road in the quest to eradicate the evasive weeds from the valley region and received 100% support from the residents present. Work upstream will commence along Aldersyde Road in 2007.
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