Region: Portland

Legal Number: LEGL/93-12

Plantation: Kentbruck


93-12a Jan 01: A well maintained buffer zone off WPO6K Track. The first buffer of indigenous vegetation in the Kentbruck plantations for about 13 km from the western edge.

Conservation Priority: Medium

Plantation within S.E.A.S Sapfor (Auspine) area of supply.
Plantation within AKD Softwoods area of supply.

Plantation located in Glenelg Water Supply Protection Area

Plantation maps of region here

May 04: Prolific regeneration of native and weed species has occurred in this plantation post logging. This photo shows Kangaroo Apple (Solanium) and Coast Wattle (Acacia longifolia). If these plantations outcompete the planted pine, aerial application of herbicides such as Hexazinone may soon eventuate. Hexazinone can pollute groundwater especially if it is used on sandy soils.

Aerial View of Kentbruck Plantations looking east adjoining Lower Glenelg National Park. Photo dates from approximately 2001.

This plantation was very likely to be aerially sprayed with 2,4,5-T between 1968 and 1977. The Dioxin TCDD may still exist in soil in this plantation. For more historical data on 2,4,5-T click here. For more information concerning the continuing health crisis concerning 2,4,5-T please forward to here.

Herbicides Used by Hancock in Pine Plantations South Western Victoria

Herbicide
Label Rate max as kg/ha
Used to control
Notes
Application
2.55
Woody Weeds
Highly Toxic/Potential Ground water Contaminant
air or ground
3.6
Herbaceous and woody weeds, noxious weeds
4
Woody Weeds
Ground Water Contaminant
Aerial, ground, spot
0.06
Woody Weeds, Noxious Weeds
Potential Ground Water Contaminant
Aerial, ground or spot
3
Woody and Noxious Weeds
Ground, spot, basal bark



THREATENED FISH NOTES - GLENELG RIVER: Yarra Pygmy Perch and Ewens Pygmy Perch found in the Glenelg system. Both species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act in Victoria and threatened.

Responsible Authority: Glenelg Shire Council

Plantation Catchment: Flat country with possible waterholes

Catchment Managment Authority: Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority

May 04: Prolific regeneration of Acacia longifolia (Coast Wattle) has occurred in this plantation post logging. Aerial application of Hexazinone may eventuate at this location to kill this and other 'pine competitors'.

Hancock Watch Site visit Jan 01: Large pine plantation. Came across buffer zones on small unnamed creek about 2km north of the Portland-Nelson Road. These buffers were along WPO6K Track. The area surrounding the creek had recently been cut of pine, but great care had been shown by the contractors in leaving all remnant vegetation where it stands with some meticulous care being shown on some native trees. If this was the standard of logging on all other Hancock lands throughout the state Hancock would not have as many problems. - Although it should be pointed out that the area of native vegetation to plantation is extremely small.
Site visit Feb 01: Entered plantation from west. Clearing of pine occurring- difficult to get a good look. Drove across to track that borders Lower Glenelg National Park. Drove south until we came acorss a gully stretching inside the plantation. The gully was quite steep and had some native species along its edges but also pine in very close proximity. It appeared that the gully stretched across the plantation in an east west direction.


93-12b Jan 01: Recently cleared plantation. Good buffer zone in the background, but is it adequate and where are the other wildlife corridors through the Kentbruck plantations?

93-12c Jan 01: Boundary of Kentbruck Plantation on the far eastern edge bordering the Lower Glenelg National Park.

93-12d Jan 01: Gully at southern end of plantation. Limited buffer zone with indigenous species remaining.


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"Groundwater: "In south-western Victoria the Otway Basin stretches from the South Australian border almost to the west of Geelong. It contains older sediments of Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary age, up to 2000 m in thickness. These include four sand aquifers and two limestone aquifers. The sand aquifers of the Wangerrip Group are confined over most of the Basin and their recharge zones are located on the margins of the Otway Range in the east and the Merino Tablelands in the West. The groundwater moves towards the coast, increasing in salinity along its floorpath . . ." p268 State of the Environment Report 1988 Victoria's Inland Waters. Office of the Commissioner for the Environment.

"Shallow aquifers in the Glenelg River Basin occur in four main geologic units . . . The third unit is a Newer Volcanic aquifer which lies along much of the Basin's southern boundary, particularly in the east. This fractured rock aquifer is composed of basalt, scoria and tuff. The fourth unit is composed of dune sand and beach deposits extending from the south-west corner of the Basin up to the western boundary and along the northern boundary. It is known as the Bridgewater formation.

A deep aquifer system exists in the south-west of the Basin and extends to the top of the western boundary and half-way across the southern boundary. This sand aquifer, which is significant as a water source, occurs within the Wangerrip Group.

Generally, groundwater quality in the Basin decreases towards the north where it is saline. A large reserve of fresh water is held in the north-east corner of the catchment and in the south-west the water is of marginal quality . . ." p295 Water Victoria A Resource Handbook - Department of Water Resources Victoria 1989.

 

Victree S.E.A.S Sapfor Glenelg River Ewens Pygmy Perch Auspine Yarra Pygmy Perch Portland Medium