Media Releases

Markwood/Ovens investigation findings to be released

Findings from a recent technical investigation into the condition and management of a section of the Ovens River will be presented at a community forum in Milawa on Tuesday, 19 November.

The forum will be held at Milawa Hall – 181 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa between 2pm and 4pm.

In order to plan for the future care and management of the river, North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) engaged a consulting firm to investigate the condition and behaviour of the Ovens River from the Whorouly Creek – Ovens River confluence to the Hodgsons Creek – Ovens River confluence at Tarrawingee.

Carbon Neutral Wine and Grapes

Thursday 5 December 2024
Oxley Hall

Register here

This Wine Australia workshop has been developed in collaboration with Winemakers of Rutherglen to support growers and wine businesses in NE Victoria to take the first critical steps down the carbon emissions reduction path.

Presentations and resources will also align with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) membership and credentialling (for those of you interested in this option), by demystifying carbon farming and explaining the opportunities and risks it can present in a typical grape-growing and wine-making business.

This one-day PILOT interactive workshop will draw on subject matter experts, local case studies, examples within the wine growing sector and the experience of participants.

The workshop is designed for anyone in a decision-making / management role working in a winegrape growing or wine-making business, who knows that joining the ‘carbon conversation’ is important to the future success of their business but is feeling confused or overwhelmed by the whole topic and how it applies to them.

Speakers:

• Julian Marchant - ESG Program Manager, Wine Australia
• Alex Sas, Viticulturist and senior R & D Program Manager, Wine Australia

All About Electric Vehicles

30 November - 10am to 12pm
Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre
Hosted by Kiewa Catchment Landcare Network

Get your tickets here

Want to know about electric vehicles? Thinking about making the switch to an EV but are not sure? Come along and learn all about the pros and cons of EV’s with Russell Klose. Have all your questions answered and take a look at an electric farm motorbike as well as inside and under the bonnet of some electric cars.

 Russell Klose has been involved in the auto industry for years, importing cars and car parts from Japan since the 90's. He has a keen interest in looking after the planet for the long term, and believes EVs are a step towards looking after our future whilst still giving people reliable, comfortable (and fun) transport.

This information morning will help you understand:

• Types of EVs
• Pros and cons
• Charging- how, where, infrastructure & apps
• EV's vs hybrids
• Batteries- sizes, longevity, range
• Repairs
• Costs
• Environmental benefits

So come along and ask Russell and burning questions you want answered!

• Morning tea will be provided

• Physical Fitness level required: EASY (sitting/standing for 1 and a half hours)

Using goats to manage your weeds

Wednesday 27 November - 9am to 3pm
Osbornes Flat Hall, Osbornes Flat
Cost $38.50 
Hosted by Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups

Book your place now

Are you interested in finding out how goats can be used to manage and maintain your weeds, including blackberry?

Please join Three Flats Landcare to find out more how these animals can be used as an effective tool for vegetation management with guest presenter Colin Arnold.

Colin has more than 40 years’ experience as a horticulturalist and for the past 20 years has focused on vegetation management with goats for the control of weeds, the reduction of fuel load and the restoration of ecosystems without the use of conventional practices such as heavy machinery and herbicides. Colin's business, GrazeAway, has an extensive client list including, Metro Trains, Melbourne Water, Parks Vic and numerous Melbourne Councils.

AT THIS WORKSHOP COLIN WILL COVER: 

• How goats can be used to manage and kill many weeds including Blackberry
• Benefits of using goats for vegetation management 
• The importance of maintenance with goats after weeds have been controlled
• What goats eat, what they don’t eat, and the problems associated with that
• The importance of soil health and how weeds change soil
• Fencing for goats
• Why young and small goats play a significant role in habitat restoration
• Fuel load and how we can better manage this, and how goats can assist with managing wetlands and waterways.

The hall-based session will be followed up by a field visit hosted by the Hendriks family who are using goats for land management. 

On this tour participants will experience a practical demonstration of how goats are being used as an environmentally friendly, chemical-free solution for blackberry control.

Colin will demonstrate how targeted goat grazing works as a sustainable weed management tool, with opportunities to discuss practical implementation, fencing systems, and the positive outcomes of integrating goats into natural land management strategies, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas.

Morning tea will be provided, please bring your own lunch
For further information or queries contact Rob Szabo, 0402 353 586 / robert@kclg.org.au

Reptiles Close Up

Saturday 23 November - 10am to noon
Staghorn Flat
Hosted by Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups

Book tickets here

Find out more with ecologist and herpetologist Dr Damian Michael about the essential role reptiles play in our ecosystems and the need to improve our understanding of these often undervalued creatures. This is free event, with morning tea provided.

Damian has been working in threatened woodland ecosystems for the past 15 years and is passionate about wildlife conservation and science communication.

Damian has a particularly strong interest in the conservation of reptiles in human-modified landscapes. He wrote Reptiles of the New South Wales Murray Catchment, a field guide developed to increase the awareness of reptiles in farming landscapes.

This is a free event.