Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) are a public asset managed by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services for the benefit of the whole community.
Image- Mulching an extensive infestation of Mimosa Bush on Yetman Station travelling stock reserve.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services has completed a three year project: ‘Protecting Biodiversity on TSRs in the Northern Tablelands’ with funding from the NSW Governments’ Environmental Trust. The project assessed vegetation on 40 TSRs near Inverell, Guyra and Glen Innes across a total of 1280 hectares to identify groundcover species and eradicate invasive weeds.
Local contractors sprayed out weeds such as African Lovegrass, Coolatai, Pyracantha, Hawthorn and Mimosa. The sites were monitored each year to see whether there was a change in desirable native pasture species composition in response to weed management.
“The outcomes of the project will enable Northern Tablelands Local Land Services to maintain and improve the productivity of these valuable assets with long-lasting benefits for landholders and community members well into the future” said Helen Ward, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services TSRs Project Officer.
The project has reduced weed spread to neighbouring properties, improved the productivity value of TSRs and has helped guide Local Land Services in making TSR management decisions.
TSRs have long been a valuable resource for farmers when times get tough.
“We recognise there are favourable native pasture species that can be encouraged as they prevail in dry conditions. With the information and data from the project we can manage these areas better to promote the regeneration of the native pasture species” said Helen.
The containment of weeds will encourage the return of native grasses and protection of significant vegetation communities, such as New England Peppermint and Box Gum Grassy Woodlands.
The long, linear nature of TSRs means that their remnant vegetation forms the backbone of a network of corridors allowing wildlife to move through the landscape, particularly in times of crisis such as drought, fire, and flood.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services continuously works to maintain and improve TSRs for production, social, cultural and environmental outcomes.
For more information on the Project, contact Helen Ward on 02 6720 8326.
