Wollombi Valley Landcare

07/10/2026

30/09/2026

W**d of the Month - Narrow-leaf Privet
Narrow or small-leaf privet is a densely branched multi-stemmed evergreen shrub about 3–5 m that has a negative impact on many endangered plants, animals and ecological communities.

The leaves and fruit are poisonous to livestock and humans. It also produces masses of heavily scented white flowers that cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible people

For further information contact your local W**ds Officer via Hunter Regional W**ds or visit NSW W**dWise https://w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/W**ds/PrivetNarrowleaf

28/09/2026

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/bird-flu-has-reached-australia.-heres-how-you-can-help

The H5 bird flu virus is in Australia, raising fears for wildlife, livestock and the nation's biosecurity. Here's what the University of Melbourne experts say, and what you can do to help

22/09/2026

W**d of the month:
Crofton w**d (Ageratina adenophora)
Poisonous to horses, this w**d is loving the wet weather…

While more prevalent on the coast, Crofton w**d may be found in wetter areas of the Wollombi Valley. It likes a moist but well drained site that is frost-free and the plant thrives on disturbed ground, particularly around drainage lines and water courses.
Crofton w**d produces multiple, upright stems that are purplish-red in colour and may be 75cm to 2.5 metres high. Its roots are pale yellow that strangely, smell a little like carrots! Crofton w**d leaves are dark green and triangular. The plant produces clusters of daisy-like white flowers (without petals) in spring and sets black seeds that are spread by wind, water, and contamination via hooves, shoes or machinery.
If you own horses, ensure that you are free of Crofton w**d as it causes respiratory and heart conditions which cannot be treated and may cause death.
Crofton w**d can be dug out manually but make sure you get all the roots. For biological controls, consult the sources below.
Sources: NSW W**dWise https://w**ds.dpi.nsw.gov/W**ds/CroftonW**d and W**dssAUSTRALIA https://w**ds.org.au/profiles/crofton-w**d-catw**d/
Photo credit: iNaturalist

11/09/2026

Don't forget to drop into the Children's Gallery, part of the Wollombi Sculpture Festival at Wollombi Public School over the next 2 weeks. The students from Laguna PS have made a fabulous installation based on their learning about the animals found in and around the Wollombi Brook.
We also have a display of information on what Landholders can do on their properties to provide a healthy environment for the native animals that call our creeks and rivers home. We also have some knitted animals for sale to raise funds to treat wombats with mange.

30/08/2026

Please do the right thing for injured wildlife!

We are again seeing many wild animals hit by cars on roads in our valley. Hopefully we all know to slow down when driving at dawn and dusk. But at this time of year, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats will often graze during daylight hours as well.

Drivers who encounter a motionless animal on the road have a responsibility to stop and make an assessment. It is a good idea to carry rubber gloves in your car.

If the animal is dead, honour it by pulling it completely off the road. Turn the animal over to ascertain whether it is male or female. If it is female, check if her pouch contains a joey. If it does, do not attempt to remove the joey. Contact the volunteers at Hunter Wildlife Rescue on 0418 628 483. Once the animal has been assessed, the animal should be marked with a painted cross to indicate it has been checked.

If the animal is injured, try to ascertain the nature of the injuries and then contact Hunter Wildlife Rescue. Whether the animal is injured, or dead and carrying a live joey, you must provide the precise location of where you have found the animal. If at all possible, it is helpful for you to stay with the animal until a volunteer from Hunter Wildlife Rescue arrives.

If you see a wombat out during the day, it could be sick with mange. If you can take the time to check and notify Hunter Wildlife Rescue, this may save the wombat from inevitable death.

24/08/2026

W**d of the month:
Richardia brasiliensis (White Eye)
A smothering invader that needs to be fought off!
First appearing in the Wollombi Valley less than ten years ago, Richardia has quickly spread from being an unwanted guest to an invasive pest. Like many w**ds, it favours disturbed soil and thrives on tracks, roads and in lawns. But it can quickly spread through bushland and over-grazed pasture, smothering all before it.
Essentially a prostrate plant that spreads out up to 40cm, it quickly outcompetes native ground covers. Leaves are ovate with a blunt point. In warmer months, small white flowers cluster at the tip of each stem. The hairy nutlets produced by the flowers are easily spread by water, birds, tyres, and our feet!
Hailing from South America, Richardia favours warm weather so winter may well be the time to try digging it out. To do so entails digging down to unearth the tap root. Established plants also send down roots from laterals. If any part of a root is left in the ground, the plant will re-grow. One seasoned valley w**der has had some success applying ammonium sulphate granules onto the plant.
Sources: Atlas of Living Australia: www.ala.org.au and YouTube video on www.dlium.com
For a chemical control: Lawn Solutions Australia: www.lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au
Photo credit: Lawn Solutions Australia

24/08/2026

Do you have an infestation of Tradescantia on your property?

If yes, please see this opportunity to get involved in a community-based release program for Wandering Tradescantia with the CSIRO.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=k1XgD6wZmE-tvwN1_OfxYIRC_4b7rqpPpVhu83-9XL5UNzNUQzkyQk9JRkhFUko0V1U0TE85RlIyOS4u&mc_cid=803d66a41e&mc_eid=024b264864&route=shorturl

21/08/2026

Get your free garden guide today!

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Garden Escapees, a fantastic guide to help gardeners better prioritise dealing with w**ds, their biosecurity obligations, and providing practical control advice and plant alternatives - free for Cessnock LGA residents!

The publication is a great example of how education, technology, and partnerships can empower our community to protect local environments through informed gardening choices.

The free book (worth $50) is available in hard copy at Cessnock Council's Administration Building on Vincent Street while stocks last.

Residents can also download the interactive electronic resource - also free - to view on a computer, tablet, or smart phone.

Download from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J1k_oOWbZnnzC_EmFJWuyr1GihI-PsGb/view