Stoney Creek Gazette

Volume 29 : Issue 9, September 2015
STONEY CREEK GAZETTE
Circulation : 560
St Philip’s needs your help
This year is 150 years since St Philip’s, Bungendore opened its doors.
There is much to reflect on; much to look forward to. The old stone church holds many memories for those
in our community. We are celebrating by holding a
Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th October 10 am – 3 pm,
at St Philip’s in Gibraltar Street.
On Sunday 11th October, Bishop Stuart will join us
at our 9 am service to commemorate the years past
and to share in God’s vision and mission for our future.
We need your help to make the day special.
To celebrate life at St Philip’s through the ages, we will display baptismal and wedding clothing through the
generations; old prayer and hymn books, photos and other memorabilia of past and present reflections of
St Philip’s, and anything else that represents significant events in and around St Philip’s. If you have some
memorabilia, and would be happy to display it for this special occasion please contact the Parish on ph
6238 1251 or office@bungendoreanglican.org.au.
The Family Fun Day will include jumping castle, children’s craft, old fashioned games, a prayer tree,
displays of church memorabilia, tours of the church, morning tea, a BBQ lunch, a big cake and much more.
There will also be a book launch for a book by one of our parishioners
on the history of St Philip’s Bungendore.
For more details follow the updates on our webpage (www.bungendoreanglican.org.au )
and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bungendoreanglican ).
We look forward to meeting you on your journey as you pass our way and join the celebrations.
Carwoola Website:
www.carwoola.org.au
The Stoney Creek Gazette is a publication of the Carwoola Community Association Inc. It is distributed to mail boxes
(where possible) from the Kings Highway turnoff along the Captains Flat Road and in Wanna Wanna, Green Acres,
Clydesdale, Stony Creek, Radcliffe, Molonglo River Park, Widgiewa, Carwoola, Woolcara, and Primrose Valley, with
limited distribution in Hoskinstown and Forbes Creek.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of its editors, the Carwoola Community
Association, or of the Gazette's advertisers.
CARWOOLA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
Home
Ian Johnsson
Lucy Costas
Lynton Bond
Anthea Kerrison
Sandi Johnsson
Hilary Gunn
President
Secretary
Treasurer, Landcare Liaison
Editor, Gazette
Committee Member
Committee Member
198 Radcliffe Circuit
Wanna Wanna Road
237 Radcliffe Circuit
Radcliffe
198 Radcliffe Circuit
225 Radcliffe Circuit
6238 2352
6299 1105
6238 2368
0417 488723
6238 2352
6238 2682
Graham Reynolds
Lybbie Hillman
Committee Member
QCC Area Sub-committee
149 Wanna Wanna Road
6297 1161
Work/Mobile
0428 330272
HOSKINSTOWN REGION COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
Rowan Simpkin
Julienne Kamprad
President
President - Hoskinstown Area Roads Committee
6238 2890
6238 2441
EMERGENCY FIRE NUMBER (24 HOURS, 7 DAYS) REPORT ALL FIRES
000
STONEY CREEK RURAL FIRE BRIGADE (Postal Address: c/- 161 Bowen Street, Carwoola 2620)
FIRE CONTROL
QUEANBEYAN (use this number to notify of planned burn-offs)
Fire Shed
Graham Reynolds
Peter Bavington
Shirley Conn
Lewis Conn
David Hanzl
Alison Teate
Lisa Hanzl
Felix Pantaleo
Gary Anderson
Not usually manned except during training and emergencies
Captain
Deputy Captain, Widgiewa Road
Deputy Captain, Douglas Close
Deputy Captain
Senior Deputy Captain Bowen St.
Treasurer, Captains Flat Rd
Secretary, Bowen Street
Training Officer, Bowen St
President, Bowen Street
STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES
Captains Flat Duty Officer - 24 hours
6238 2996
62382208
6238 2056
6128 0600
6238 2569
0428 330272
0416 060242
0414 382622
0457 537535
0423596583
0428 845 153
0411 899111
0477 324220
0418 493687
6236 6190
132 500
6238 2803
6238 2622
62382996
POLICE
Queanbeyan
6298 0555
PALERANG COUNCIL
10 Majara Street, Bungendore 2621 (PO Box 348)
6238 8111
QUEANBEYAN CITY
COUNCIL
Tim Overall
257 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan 2620 (PO Box 90)
Mayor
tim.overall@qcc.nsw.gov.au
6285 6000
6285 6223
1300 735 025
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE (N.S.W.)
Graeme Clifton
Ann Burgess
Rick Magus
Mary Ann Middleton
Leslea Gruber
Ian McLennan
Wanna Wanna Road
Powell Drive
Hoskinstown
Molonglo River Park
Watson Place
Watson Place
STONEY CREEK COMMUNITY CENTRE Manager & Bookings
6297 4101
6297 5748
6238 2111
6238 2614
0428626839
0407 43 99 15
hall@carwoola.org.au
INJURED NATIVE ANIMALS WILDCARE Queanbeyan
6299 1966
To join the Carwoola Residents’ Email List: (1) Go to the Carwoola website www.carwoola.org.au; (2) scroll down
the bottom right hand side to the Contacts box; (3) Click on the link ozlabs.org/mailman/listinfo/carwoola-residents
and (4) enter your details into the online form.
Editorial
Spring is here, and fortunately we are still getting rain. El Nino is building and all indications are it will be a
very nasty hot drought indeed, but the forecast wet winter has been happening, kind-of. Don’t get too used
to it. Stockpile that water.
It’s Monday night as I write this, and after compiling the Gazette and sending it off to the printers, it will be
time to go to the Council website and pay the yearly rates. Hope everyone remembered to pay their rates
by Monday night, as no matter how long it takes the council to get onto our high-quality potholes, I bet
they’re very efficient at following up on unpaid rates.
The Community is standing up and starting to fight for decent internet in this district. The proposed satellite
solution for Carwoola is a disgrace, satellite was meant to be the last resort solution for remote
communities, not satellite regions of Canberra. The first activity is a delegation going to visit our federal MP,
Peter Hendy. I’m sure there’ll be more activities needed before we get this changed.
The Carwoola facebook group is getting good levels of membership and use. It’s for people to
communicate with each other, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
And on the Wamboin/Bywong facebook group, someone posted up a photo of a very fat tiger snake,
sunning itself near their house this week. Debate still rages as to whether it should get respect and caring,
or The Shovel. So better turn your snake radars on, despite these cold nights they are definitely out and
about.
anthea
Advertising in the Gazette
Business:
Full page (maximum size 180x255) $75.00
Half page (maximum size 180x125) $40.00
Third page (maximum size 180x85) $30.00
Quarter page (90x125 or 180x60 ) $20.00
Local part-time business:
Quarter page $15.00
Classifieds (non-business) are free
One-off ads & articles are dependent on space available.
Payment must be received before publication for one-off
advertisements.
Permanent advertisers are invoiced six monthly, in March
and September. There is no discount for advance
payment or multiple advertisements.
Carwoola Community Association and Stoney Creek
Gazette are not registered for GST.
DEADLINE for the October 2015 STONEY CREEK GAZETTE
***5pm, last day of September***
Please send CONTRIBUTIONS, ADVERTISEMENTS, CLASSIFIEDS to the Gazette Editor:
email: gazette@carwoola.org.au (phone 0417 488 723)
All emails get a response confirming they were received.
Receipt by the deadline date does not necessarily guarantee publication in that issue.
Address for payment of accounts remains 237 Radcliffe Circuit, Carwoola NSW 2620
CLEAN WATER
TANK SERVICES
Tanks cleaned with minimal water loss
Crack repairs - flexible reinforced
membrane
Metal covers supplied and fitted
Water treatment - tank & house lines
Filters supplied and fitted
RING JOHN on 0428 489 291
Mobile Pet Care
Are you planning to go away?
Are you concerned about the welfare of your family pets
or farm animals while you're away? Whether you're away
for one night or many, we offer a reliable and caring
service that comes to your home to care for your animals
and do a variety of essential daily tasks.
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Animal feeding & watering
Putting chickens to bed
Watering indoor plants
Watering vegetable garden
Mail collection
Emergency visit to your local vet if required
Email updates on your pet's progress
For more information and rates, call
Carol on 0427 970 613
Before you go away, we come to your home to meet your
animals and get those last minute instructions!
Notes on birds June 2015
I have no idea what is going on out here, but we are having an
astonishing range of less usual species reported. So far in August
2015 I have either seen or had reliable reports of:
 Blue-billed Duck - 2 on a dam beside Captains Flat Rd – a new species for the area;
 Pink-eared Duck - 87 on a swamp;
 White-necked Heron; one beside Plans Rd
 Nankeen Night-Heron 1 on the banks of the Mighty Molonglo
 Banded Lapwings - up to 11, on Hoskinstown Rd
 Superb Parrot - 1 female upper Widgiewa Rd
 Chestnut-rumped Heathwren - up to 3 birds in Cuumbeun
 White-fronted Chat; 1-2 in the Banded Lapwing area on several occasions
 Pink Robin; 1 female in Cuumbeun
Breeding is beginning to happen. It isn’t quite the end of the month as I type,
but have already got reports of 10 species undertaking some form of breeding
activity. A special post has been included on the blog linked below.
Migrants species are returning by the day, although most cuckoos and have yet
to make an appearance. This is all as normal.
A full report will be posted to
http://carwoolabirds.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/august-2015.html (and a link
circulated on the residents email list). Please pass on interesting sightings,
especially breeding activity, to me by email to martinflab@gmail.com.
CAPTAINS FLAT MARKETS
FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH (except January) from 10am to 2pm
Captains Flat Community Hall, Foxlow Street
Trash & Treasure - Plants - Handmade items - honey & jams - homewares
Sausage sizzle and café
No entry fee - $10 for stallholders For further details contact 6236 6094 or 0428 597 227.
NEW TO THE AREA?
The Carwoola Community Association has produced an Information Pack for new residents.
It contains lots of information that will help you to adjust to rural life more readily, and tell you who to ring or
where to go if you have a problem.
If you would like a copy, please phone Christine or Lynton Bond on 6238 2368
AAA WATER CARRYING
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This space
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STAINLESS STEEL WATER TANK
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0428 626 838
Or
62973648
PO Box 7236, Karabar, 2620
aaa.water@icloud.com
Ridge View
Personalised
Riding Tuition
Walga Park
Wendy Christiansen
EA NCAS Level 1 (General) Coach, BM (Equine Business)
84 Walga Close Carwoola NSW
Ph: (02) 6238 2334 M: 0401 067 592
christiansen@tpg.com.au
ABN: 76832210183
http://www.facebook.com/WalgaPark
Horse Riding lessons – Dressage and Show-jumping
Private and Group lessons on your horse
Beginner and experienced riders ages 6 and up
Nervous riders and family groups welcome
Cross country lessons also available
Arena Hire and Round-yard Hire
Outdoor 20m x 60m Dressage Arena – sand surface
Outdoor 40m x 50m Show-jumping arena - grass surface
20m Round-yard – sand surface
Arenas fully fenced for rider safety
Long term rates for local riders
Bookings essential
ABN:71143725750
The Dressage, Hacking/Showing and
Side-saddle riding specialists

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Providing riding programs specifically
tailored to meet your needs
Individual lessons conducted on weekends
and evenings during daylight savings.
Get instructions from a fully qualified EA
NCAS Level 1 Instructor.
Lessons conducted in a fully fenced outdoor
dressage sand arena for your personal safety.
All ages and standards are welcome.
Ample parking is available for your float or
truck.
The only riding facility in the whole of
Australia to offer side-saddle lessons with a
UK qualified “A” level instructor and judge.
Available to conduct clinics.
Riding lessons at reasonable rates.
Free Horse manure available all year round.
Contact Ridge View PRT on
6238 2281 or 0417 068 985
and book your lesson NOW!
Vale Boyd Roberts
Many Carwoola locals were saddened by the recent passing
of Boyd Roberts, a long-time resident of the area since 1956.
Boyd was a respected member of the Carwoola community,
well known for his local knowledge and neighbourly
generosity.
He was a true country gentleman, honest and hardworking,
calm and patient, and a reliable neighbour who was always
willing to help out.
Many of his close neighbours and friends will remember him
for his good humour, sense of fun, telling a great story and
timing of the punchline.
Boyd’s parents came from pioneer families in the far south of
NSW. Boyd was the second youngest of six children and spent
his early childhood growing up on the family property in the
Bombala district. The Roberts family moved to Canberra in
1939, when Boyd was 9. His parents purchased extensive land
covering the Dickson area. The Roberts’ home was on
Northbourne Avenue, which is now the site of the James
Court building in Civic.
In 1955, Boyd’s father bought the property ‘Widgiewa’ at
Whiskers Creek, and in 1956 Boyd transferred from the
Victorian Police Force to the ACT Police to help manage the property. He retired from the ACT police in 1959 to work
on the property full-time with his father. The family home was built where Boyd and wife Barbara raised their two
children, Daryl and Wendy, and it was here that Boyd stayed until his passing in May 2015.
From 1967 to the early 90s Boyd also share-purchased a property with his brother-in-law called the Briars, on the
Briars-Sharrow road. They produced fat lambs and wool. During this period he also helped manage his
father-in-law’s property, Deep Creek, which is in the Bungendore area.
Boyd was a dedicated community man. One of the first things he and his wife did when they moved to Widgiewa
was to organise the first school bus run to Captains Flat. They were also actively involved for many years in a number
of the district’s farming organisations, helping local farmers lobby local and state government for improvement.
When the community centre was built by the local community members in the late 80s, Boyd was on hand as the
general foreman. At the official opening of the hall on Australia Day 1989, Boyd spoke about settling in the early days
in the Carwoola area and the many changes that he saw over the decades that followed.
But Boyd’s lasting legacy to the Carwoola community was his commitment to the local bush fire brigades. When
Boyd came to Widgiewa in the 50s he straight away became involved in the fire-fighting.
He was a Founding Member, Life Member, Captain, Deputy Captain and the holder of other positions. Until the
construction of the fire shed in 1989, which Boyd was heavily involved in, he always kept a fire truck on his place at
Widgiewa and attended to many fires in the area, sometimes single-handedly.
Boyd knew his way around the brigade area like no other. He knew the terrain, the tracks, where the gate keys were
hidden and what the fire was likely to do next. In times of danger, he was calm under pressure and would get
everyone home safely.
The Stoney Creek Rural Fire Brigade honoured Boyd’s contribution with uniformed members at his funeral service,
alongside the Australian Federal Police.
It is the end of an era, there are no more old timers like Boyd in our community. And although Boyd is no longer with
us, the memories remain of a great bloke who did so much for his community and neighbours.
Boyd’s family would like to thank the Carwoola community for their support and kindness.
A special thank you to his long-time neighbours and good friends who organised the shearing and sale of wool while
Boyd was ill.
Quality,
value and
creative
designs
for every
occasion
Jan Logan
6292 2462  6291 1074 ph/fax
6238 2371 a/h
Carwoola Community Association News
Trivia Night Treat - thanks to all participants!
More general knowledge questions than absolute trivia and eight very competitive teams ensured another
close competition at the annual Carwoola Trivia Night on 22nd August at the Stoney Creek Community Hall.
The “XX’s” surged to take first prize only after the scores from the all-night questions were tallied, pipping
the fiery “Bright Sparks” at the final count and knocking “Knock Knox” back into third place.
Our Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer, John Gunn, ensured the evening activities were maintained at
an entertaining pace, and skilfully encouraged bidders to open their wallets to support the community at
each of the auctions.
The night raised around $1,450 for the community association, due in large part to the generosity of local
businesses who donated goods or services for raffle prizes and live auctions, and to the enthusiasm and
generosity of those who attended.
Thanks go to John and our Quizmaster, Hilary Gunn, to the CCA Committee (plus Christine), and to all of
our sponsors for their generous donations: Rural Hire, RFG Mower Services, Flowers from Chisholm, AAA
Water Carrying, Clint Dixon Electrics, Clean Water Tank Services, yoursilver.com.au, Hands On Equine,
The Wicked Cackle Nursery, Bungendore, Tim Booth of Guy’s Cross Olive Oil fame, Joy Williams from
Wanna Wanna Rd, Queanbeyan Vet Hospital, Yass Rd and Quarry Hill Wines from Murrumbateman.
Update on plans to refurbish community hall verandah
In recent months the Gazette has carried several articles about the possibility of converting the Stoney
Creek Community Hall and Rural Fire Station into a Neighbourhood Safer Place for residents in case of a
severe bushfire in Carwoola.
Before the commitment of significant funds to upgrade the building to RFS requirements, the wooden northfacing verandah needs to be upgraded to a more fire resistant structure. The CCA Committee has recently
submitted an application to the NSW Community Building Partnerships Grant scheme for a cash grant of
$10,700 for materials to renovate the verandah, with $2,000 to be allocated from community funds.
If we are successful, the committee will be calling for volunteers to join some working bees to tidy the
surrounding garden vegetation and carry out the refurbishment. A decision will be known by January 2016.
Update on NBN roll-out and possible future public meeting
A meeting is arranged for the first week of September for a number of residents to discuss our concerns
with our local MP Peter Hendy at his Queanbeyan office. I will report the outcome in next month’s Gazette.
Ian Johnsson
CCA President
STONEY CREEK COMMUNITY HALL HIRING FEES
Community Groups: $22 Fund raising functions: $120 Private hiring: $120 + $250 bond
Private hiring (hirers from outside the local area) (per day or part thereof) $275 + $1000 bond
Heating (between 1 Apr and 31 Oct): $6/hr or $55/day
Cleaning fee (if hall is not cleaned): $49/hr
To hire the hall, please email hall@carwoola.org.au
Greg McAllister
ACTQ SEPTIC SERVICES Pty Ltd
ACN 065 804 999
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SEPTIC TANK CLEANING
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Our No1 business is
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Phone: 6299 2808
A/H: 6238 2272
Mobile: 0429 109 341
Fax: 6299 2908
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Service of all Brands of Ride-ons, Mowers, Chainsaws & Small Engines
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HIRE Dingo Mini Diggers
77 Uriarra Road Queanbeyan Ph:6297 2439
OPEN: MON - FRI - 8AM - 5.30PM SAT - 9AM - 1PM
Councillor’s Corner
Electronic Housing Code (Update) — Well, I fully intended to continue our discussion on the use of the
Electronic Housing Code (EHC) this month, but as fate would have it, I hit a bit of a snag that I haven’t yet
been able to overcome! Suffice it to say that the EHC isn’t quite ready just yet... But I’ll come back to this
subject as soon as the current problem is sorted.
In the mean time, I thought I might take a step back and take a broader look at the Development
Application (DA) process.
A DA is a request for permission to carry out a certain development. Development can be:
•
the subdivision of land;
•
the demolition of a building or work;
•
the erection of a new dwelling;
•
the change of use of a building;
•
the construction of a shed; or
•
the carrying out of a range of other building works.
The assessment of a Development Application determines whether or not a development is appropriate for
a given location. An indication of whether or not any particular development might be appropriate on a
particular lot is provided in a 149 Certificate as discussed in last month’s Councillors Corner.
In general, the assessment of a DA is a multi-step process that is outlined in several information sheets
available from the Palerang Council website (www.palerang.nsw.gov.au, and search for “Development
Application”).
From the outset, it is good to know that council planning staff are available to assist in all stages of the DA
process. In particular, they are available to discuss proposed developments prior to the lodging of a formal
DA. These pre-DA meetings are provided free of charge and residents are encouraged to take advantage
of this service to help ensure that all necessary information is provided with an application and that
subsequent processing proceeds without unnecessary delay.
The most common cause for delays in DA processing is incomplete information. To assist in this task,
Council provides individual checklists (available from the Council website—see previous reference) for the
varying types of development. As one might expect, the more complex a development, the more
information will likely be required, and processing fees vary accordingly.
Certain developments will need to be advertised and/or notified in accordance with Council policies. While
Council is the consent authority for most DAs, some require that Council seek comment from certain State
Government Agencies—Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for traffic matters, Rural Fire Service (RFS)
for bushfire conditions or the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) for flora, fauna or heritage
considerations.
Council is obliged to consider all planning matters that have been raised within any submission that may be
made before making a decision regarding a DA. There’s not much you can do about State Agency
requirements, but it’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your neighbours. Potential problems can often
be resolved early and easily if anyone likely to be impacted is aware of your project up front.
You can now track the progress of your DA on-line (see above reference to the Palerang Council website).
Remember that having obtained development approval, you must then apply for a Construction or
Subdivision Certificate and appoint a Principal Certifying Authority before commencing any work. These are
both mandatory precursors to the issue of an Occupation Certificate on completion of the works.
The Palerang Blog—New or related entries in my councillor website Blog (http://peteharrison.id.au/blog)
include:
Electronic Housing Code (Jul 2015), Section 149 Planning Certificates (Jun 2015), Change of Use (Mar
2015), Building Approvals (Dec 2013), Development Approvals (May 2013)
Council’s General Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month (excluding January), commencing
at 5.00 pm. Members of the public are welcome. The meeting location varies—check Council’s website
(http://palerang.nsw.gov.au) for details. Meeting Business Papers are also available on Council’s website
on the Friday preceding the meeting.
Cr Pete Harrison
Ph. 6238 3640 Mob. 0427 711 028
Email: Pete.Harrison@palerang.nsw.gov.au Website: www.peteharrison.id.au
From the Mayor of Queanbeyan: Tim Overall
Customer Service Survey
Queanbeyan City Council has received an extremely positive and pleasing endorsement from the
community. Earlier this year, Council commissioned a community satisfaction survey, as it has done a
number of times in past years. The survey provides Council with useful information for its business of
providing the best possible service to all residents and in making far-reaching decisions about the
Queanbeyan Local Government Area.
The survey company IRIS, called 602 residents, who were kind enough spend 25 minutes of their time
answering the survey questions. Overall the survey found nearly 70 per cent of residents were satisfied
with Council’s performance. The top three ranking Council services were sewerage services, water supply
and household waste collection, which all scored highly out of a mark of 5.
Our IRIS benchmark index score was 69 and compared favourably to the average of comparable councils
of 66. It was heartening to see 9 out of 10 people surveyed found Queanbeyan to be a good place to raise
children.
Importantly the top three improvement and development priorities for the community clearly stood out as 1)
roads and traffic; 2) CBD and Monaro Street and shopping precinct; 3) movie theatre development.
This survey provides Council with very valuable information and will help us plan for the future, especially
the development of the Delivery Program following the local government elections in September next year.
There are always areas for improvement and in Queanbeyan some of these issues are related to the rapid
growth of the area and Council will be looking at its performance in relation to Development Applications in
detail in the near future.
What it does show however is that Council is on the right path with many of its projects and services. The
full Community Satisfaction Survey report is available on Council’s website at www.qcc.nsw.gov.au
Litter bug reporting app
You may have notice an escalation of litter once again across the region. Our shared city and landscape
and the environment deserve a lot better. Litter shows we care little for ourselves and our environment; for
the animals, their habitat and for our beautiful country. It is also a terrible look not only for our own residents
but also for visitors from interstate and overseas. They may choose to never visit this region again based
on how unsightly the rubbish is and what messages it sends about this area. It is therefore an economic
issue as well as an environmental issue.
Over the past few weeks I have also noticed good people in the area stopped along the roads picking up
after other people. I thank these people. We all must take responsibility as there is only so much Council’s
litter officers and Good Samaritans can achieve. I’m extremely pleased that in response to this issue, which
is not isolated to the Queanbeyan Local Government Area, the EPA has launched an information line on
which members of the public can report incidents of littering. There’s an app for the information line that can
be easily downloaded and you can find it at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/litter/from-vehicle.htm
The information line is getting many calls already and has issued many fines. Let’s all work together to stop
this disappointing behaviour.
More solar for Council
I’m pleased to announce Queanbeyan City Council will reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by 153
tonnes and save $19,000 per year in power costs following the installation of 340 solar panels on more
Council buildings.
The solar panels have been installed on the RB Smith Community Centre; Bicentennial Hall and The Q,
and take the total number of solar panels on Council-owned buildings to about 550 after 200 plus panels
were installed on the Queanbeyan Library roof in early 2014.
Increasing Council’s generation of electricity from renewable energy sources is just one of the actions
Council is undertaking to reduce its carbon emissions and complements energy efficiency upgrades that
are also being implemented across Council facilities.
The solar panels are expected to produce up to 140,000kWh of electricity annually, with about 130,000kWh
used on site which represents about 30% offset of energy consumption over the three buildings. Council
expects that the payback period for the solar panels will be between 5-8 years.
Community members will soon be able to view real-time data on the solar panels energy production via a
display a council building and by logging on to www.sunnyportal.com.
THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN SEPTEMBER

By late September it should be safe to cut back plants that have been damaged by frost. Although
many spring-flowering shrubs are showing colour at present, do not plant out frost-tender species
before frosts are over.

As the weather gets warmer and plants come into active growth, it is important to keep gardens well
mulched. Organic mulches improve the fertility and texture of the soil, prevent moisture loss through
evaporation and suppress weeds. Put mulches on after watering.

Areas to be planted to lawn should be well prepared. Go over several times with rotary hoe.
Established lawns that have become compacted will respond to aeration and feeding. Top dress
holes with sandy soil and water thoroughly.

Indoor plants and outdoor tub plants can be repotted into fresh potting mix, or large containers
topped up with fresh, and then feed with soluble or slow release fertiliser.

Check new growth on roses. If not going in the right direction, cut back to a suitably placed lower
bud. Watch out for aphis on new growth, remove by hand or spray with water. If infestation is
heavy, use soapy water, garlic spray or trigger pack insecticide.

Apply potash lightly and liquid fertiliser fortnightly to spring flowering bulbs. As bulbs finish flowering,
feed with soluble fertiliser before foliage dies down as this helps the formation of flower buds for next
season. Do not lift bulbs or cut back until the foliage has died.

Shrubs that flowered during winter need a trim to promote new growth and keep bushes dense.
Early spring-flowering shrubs (eg flowering cherry, weigela, viburnum, prunus, japonica) should be
pruned immediately after bloom. Shrubs flowering later in spring or summer on new shoots (eg
oleander, fuchsia) should be pruned now before new growth begins. Cane-stemmed shrubs such as
Abelia, Deutzia, Kolkwitzia and Spiraea can be thinned out, removing exhausted canes almost to the
ground.

Dahlia tubers and gladioli can be planted from now until Christmas.

In the vegie patch clear out all weeds, then dig in lots of compost and/or manure. Sow vegetable
seeds such as beetroot, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes,
shallots, spinach/silverbeet. Frost tender vegetables such as tomatoes, pumpkin, zucchini,
cucumber, capsicum and sweet corn can be sown in punnets and kept in a sheltered position for
planting out in October. Leave root crops and beans until October.

Fertilise all plants and pot-plants, taking note of Burke’s Backyard Guide to Fertilisers:
Make sure to water plants before applying any fertiliser, and then water it in well afterwards. That’s
why fertilising in the rain is such a good idea!
Manure: Composted, pelletised chicken poo (eg Dynamic Lifter) is a balanced food that’s OK for all
plants, including natives. Fresh manures need to be rotted down (ie composted) before adding them
to gardens, but they are excellent fertilisers.
Compost: Recycled vegies, fruit peelings, lawn clippings and other garden scraps can be turned
into the best natural, gentle fertiliser you can find. Dig compost into the soil before planting, use it as
a mulch, and add it to your potting mix.
Controlled release: Products such as Osmocote slowly release little bits of fertiliser when growing
conditions are right (ie warm and moist). They are good for all areas of the garden, very effective
with potted plants and with gardeners who forget to fertilise.
Liquid feeds: You can give your fast growing plants (such as annuals and vegies) the instant feed
they need.
Special diets: Native plants need specialised foods low in phosphorus and they also don’t like too
much food. Many other plants will do better with a food formulated for them, such as citrus, orchids,
roses and lawns.
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CARWOOLA LANDCARE GROUP
Pindone and Rabbits
In the past, concern has been expressed here in Carwoola about appropriate use of Pindone
and the likelihood of birds of prey being poisoned by eating rabbit carcases. A study
recently released by the CSIRO has revealed that not only is residual Pindone concentrated in the liver of dead
rabbits but also in the fatty tissue. The implication of these observations is to “ … suggest that secondary poisoning
hazard to some non-target predators and scavengers is high.”
It is critical that Pindone users observe the instructions on the label when using products such as Rabbait Pindone
Oats. The Rabbait label indicates amongst other things, “… 6. Collect all carcases for up to 12 days after the last
poison feed.” Furthermore:
“WHERE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EXPOSURE TO NON-TARGET ANIMALS, MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN TO
REDUCE THIS RISK, OR BAIT SHOULD NOT BE LAID. (If uncertain, users should seek advice regarding risk reduction
measures from the Department of Agriculture/Primary Industries, Parks and Wildlife Services, Rural Protection
Board or similar authority in their respective State/Territory.)”
It is a requirement of the NSW Pesticide Control (Pindone Products) Order 2010 that people applying Pindone baits
be AQF 3 accredited or have successfully undertaken the 1080/Pindone user training course. This is to ensure that
Pindone users are aware of obligations when using Pindone. Pindone users should now consider if the information
provided by the CSIRO study warrants reconsideration of the use of Pindone to control rabbits.
Details of the study are available at www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144/paper/WR15019.htm
Glyphosate and Weeds
In late July, further concerns were raised about human exposure to the common herbicide glyphosate (the active
ingredient in Zero and RoundUp), following an International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assessment which
has classified glyphosate in a group of chemicals that is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’.
In their response to the publication of this report, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
stated:
“Based on current risk assessment the label instructions on all glyphosate products—when followed—provides
adequate protection for users. People should follow the use and safety instructions on all chemical product labels as
these are designed to reduce human exposure to the chemical product.”
See www.apvma.gov.au/node/13891 for the full APVMA response.
To keep informed about Landcare happening locally, there is a Landcare Group email list for discussion and
notification of Landcare events. To join the list, send an email to landcare-request@carwoola.org.au with the
subject “subscribe” (without the quotes).
The Molonglo Catchment Group website is a great source of information for what’s happening in our catchment and
what funding is available - see www.molonglocatchment.org.au.
Don’t forget to tune in to Radio Landcare from 8-9am Sunday mornings on QBN-FM 96.7 and on 2XX Community
Radio FM 98.3 from 9-10am Tuesdays.
LYNTON BOND, Secretary
AUGUST 2015 WEATHER WATCH
(RAINFALL AVERAGED OVER LAST 32 YEARS)
MONTHLY RAINFALL
63.3mm falling over 6 days
AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL
54.0mm
YEAR TO DATE RAINFALL FOR 2015
489.1mm
(TEMPERATURE IN BRACKETS APPLIES TO THE LAST 23 YEARS)
MAXIMUM DAYTIME TEMPERATURE
20.2°
(24.0°)
MINIMUM OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURE
-5.4°
(-10.0°)
AVERAGE DAYTIME TEMPERATURE
14.5°
(13.7°)
0.8°
(-0.8°)
AVERAGE OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURE
LOCAL PLANTS IN FLOWER
Ros Cornish, Widgiewa Road
The following list is what could be flowering this month.
Check out www.flickr.com/photos/carwoolaplants/ to see
photos and descriptions of many of these.
WHITE/CREAM FLOWERS
Acacia genistifolia, Acacia ulicifolia, Brachyloma daphnoides,
Clematis leptophylla, Cryptandra amara, C. propinqua,
Leucopogon attenuatus, Leucopogon fletcheri ssp.
brevisepalus, Melichrus urceolatus, Pomaderris eriocephala,
Wurmbea dioica
YELLOW/ORANGE FLOWERS
Acacia buxifolia, A. dawsonii, A. dealbata, Acacia rubida,
Daviesia genistifolia, Dillwynia sieberi
BLUE/PURPLE/MAUVE FLOWERS
Cyanicula caerulea, Hardenbergia violacea, Hovea
heterophylla, Indigofera australis, Stypandra glauca, Viola
betonicifolia
RED/PINK FLOWERS
Grevillea lanigera, Lissanthe strigosa
GREEN OR INCONSPICUOUS FLOWERS
Clematis leptophylla, Luzula densiflora
FLAME TIPS
www.stoneycreek-rfs.org.au
September 2015
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Only one call out for August, this time to a car fire in Primrose Valley. What was really great to see
was that some of the locals had hitched up their ‘slip-on’ units, or fire fighting trailers, and had the fire
pretty much under control by the time we arrived. Great work from the neighbours!
There are just a few weeks to go before the official NSW bush fire season starts again for our region.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s most recent climate forecast, issued on 18 August indicate that the 2015
El Niño has continued to strengthen over the last fortnight. El Niño is usually associated with belowaverage winter–spring rainfall over eastern Australia (yes, I know we have had quite a bit of rain over
Eastern Australia of late…) and above-average daytime temperatures over the southern half of the
country. The most we can say is that summer looks like being a bit drier and warmer than average.
The official start of the fire season for Palerang and the Lake George Zone has not been brought
forward, and we expect it to be the period from 1 October 2015 to 31 March 2016.
From 1 October, fire permits will be required for pile burn and other types of uncontained fires. Until
that time you are still able to burn without a permit although please remember the rules. You must:


Notify your neighbours in writing 24 hours in advance
Notify the Fire Control Centre on 6128 0600 (not later than midday on Friday for a weekend
burn – this is to allow time for the weekly burn list to be produced and sent around to Brigade
Captains)
 Have sufficient water immediately available to control the fire if it gets out of hand
 Remain in attendance at the fire to supervise
 Ensure the fire is not too close to other major fuel sources (such as fences, tall grass or trees)
You don’t want to annoy your neighbours with an escaped burn that skips through the fence.
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL TRIPLE ZERO (000)
PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE | BUSH FIRE INFORMATION LINE | 1800 679 737
GRAHAM REYNOLDS
Captain, Stoney Creek Rural Fire Brigade
The Weed Patch
Diary of a dedicated non-poisoning weeder: Rose-Marie Johnson
Now that some of the numerous little weeds like Storksbills and Shepherd’s Purse are starting to flower, I’m
giving top priority to hoeing as many as possible before they do, so I can simply leave them on the ground to
improve the soil where the groundcover is sparse, rather than taking extra time to take them away for solarizing.
Some of the flowering ones already have seed, which is not as obvious as the flowers, so to be on the safe side I
take all the flowering ones. An unfortunate effect of the regular rainfall and moist soil conditions is that the soil
tends to stay in a clump on the roots of hoed weeds and is kept moist enough for long enough that some of
them to survive to flower and, if it continues to rain frequently, they may even go to seed. So this Spring it’s a
good idea to occasionally check those hoed weeds and take away any that flower.
There were still so many Blackberries that I haven’t ringbarked all of them yet and probably won’t have the
time to do them now. If they start to flower before I get to ringbark their roots, I’ll suppress them for another
year by cutting them down to the ground and mulching over them with newspaper and cardboard held down by
rocks, a much quicker process. In the past I have managed to kill some Blackberries by doing this and
repeatedly pulling out any regrowth that later creeps out.
We now have only the occasional scattered Paterson’s Curse, even where we used to have tens or perhaps
hundreds of thousands, so it only takes a few moments to chip them whenever I see any. Similarly there is very
little Serrated Tussock these days, so instead of doing it in batches which I collected to make swales where
groundcover was poor, I also do any remaining plants when I see them. It’s wise to chip your Serrated Tussock
before it flowers in Spring because it produces such a prolific amount of seed and it’s a nuisance to bag up for
solarisation because it’s so bulky and slow to break down. Thankfully we also we seem to have the Fleabane
well under control, despite the hundreds of thousands we had a few years ago. This shows how persistence
really can win out even with enormous infestations, giving hope that eventually other enormous infestations will
be under control, by keeping at it.
There’s more Chickweed than ever before, especially where the rabbits have been active. Hopefully, deterring
the rabbits will reduce future infestations. A book on pest management said urine will deter rabbits, but I prefer
filling their burrows, using a running hose to push the dirt in as far as possible (fire hose works best). Apart
from being invasive Chickweed is harmless, so has lower priority than the injurious Storksbills and toxic
Capeweed. Actually, Chickweed is another one of those edible weeds that can be added to salads. Shepherd’s
Purse is similarly harmless and invasive, but I’ve managed to reduce it enough that it doesn’t take much time
and may as well keep it that way. However, if possible it is much better to control the Chickweed when it’s
small because it creeps and takes root at the nodes, forming dense patches, and the hoed bits can re-root from
the nodes if left on the ground. Chickweed can also be killed by dusting with ammonium sulphate while it’s still
moist with morning dew, or covering it with clear plastic to solarize it in situ. In a lawn, maintaining dense
groundcover and deep infrequent watering helps to reduce Chickweed infestations. Since I can’t spare the time
from more important weeds to deal with the amount there is, I’m putting the chooks onto it, hoping that
putting our mobile chook run over them will suppress the patches in the house yard. So the chooks don’t
damage the grass too much, it’s best to move them every few hours. Chickweed goes to seed about five weeks
after germinating, so any control measures need to be done fairly promptly.
Barley Grass is best done promptly, before any hot dry weather, because then its seeds spring away as soon as
it’s disturbed when you’re trying to remove it. It’s highly invasive and its seeds are injurious to stock (and very
unpleasant in socks). The trouble is, it’s inconspicuous amongst the other grasses until its seeds form.
Dandelions also go to seed quickly, so in early Spring it’s good to check regularly the areas where they tend to
grow, for example wetlands. Onion Weed also needs to be checked for regularly, because its flowers don’t last
long and its grass-like leaves are quite inconspicuous. It’s best to pull out flowering Horehound promptly,
before the seeds form, because they are a great nuisance the way they cling to clothes.
Other invasive weeds worth controlling at this time of year include Small-flowered and Red-flowered
Mallows, Mustard Weed, Saffron Thistle, Scarlet Pimpernel, Goatsbeard, Salsify, Creeping Speedwell,
Sandspurry, Field Cress, Blue Fieldmadder and Sticky Weed (which is supposed to make a healthy tonic if
crushed and steeped in vodka for six weeks, see http://www.statesman.com/news/lifestyles/homegarden/sticky-weed-useful-but-annoying/nRrN4/).
Hope you are able to persist with your weeds sufficiently to get them well under control.
REAL ESTATE SALES AND RENTALS
FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS
MELINDA McCALLUM is your local salesperson




Melinda has more than 20 years experience selling rural real estate
Melinda is Rural Manager of Hodgkinson Real Estate, specialising in sales and Property Management
Obligation-free appraisals
Available 7 days a week to assist you at your convenience
Phone 0429 122 700 or 6293 1033 B/H
Park Watch
To advise any illegal activity in a Nature reserve…
 Provide information on the location (which reserve/road/trail)
 Date, time and type of activity
 Description of people involved (number/age/appearance)
 Description of vehicle (make/colour/numberplate)
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service 6229 7166
TAYLOR MADE PUMPS
YOUR PUMPS NOT PUMPING?
PUMP REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES OF PUMPS
 New Pumps Supplied and Installed
 Home Pressure Systems
 Bore and Irrigation Pumps
 Bore, pump and power packages
 Water Bore Drilling Rig in local area - on site surveys
 Fire Fighting Pumps - Sales and Repairs
 Windmill Service, Repairs and New Sales
 Water Softener Repairs and Water Quality Analysis
 Premium Quality Water Softener Salt at Rural Prices
Don't run out of water - call a Local Bloke
for mobile Sales & Repairs
Mark Taylor ALL HOURS
0428 486 460 (Mob)
6238 2357 (Home)
6238 2351 (Fax)
Police Assistance Line 131 444