04/04/2026
Last week the Australis Biological team tackled a difficult invasive tree problem on the Glenaulin Creek in SW Victoria. The site is not far from Dartmoor. The creek is habitat to the endangered Glenelg freshwater mussel (Hyridella glenelgensis). Sadly, the Glenaulin Creek is severely invaded by Sycamore Maple and heavy leaf fall in Autumn causes oxygen depletion to the detriment of mussel populations.
Restoration of the riparian corridor starts with removal of Sycamore Maple using methods that are sensitive to water quality and aquatic invertebrate health. Once removed, native vegetation is allowed to recover and will be assisted by planned revegetation.
The difficulty is the scale of the invasion. Around 2.5 kms of water way are impacted by Sycamore Maple with very dense populations ranging from carpets of seedlings to an overstorey of large mature trees.
Our mission is to remove Sycamore Maple as efficiently as possible over the length of the waterway. If unchecked, the infestation is destined to disperse into the iconic Glenelg River. We have used basal bark methodology, frilling and foliar application of target specific herbicides.
This project is funded by the Glenelg Hopkin CMA and supported by DEECA.
