Mt Rogers news September 2020

The eroding track down from the Trig Point towards the east

Previous newsletters reported on February’s efforts when twelve Mt Rogers Landcare Group volunteers had process discussions and began work on allowing the eroded track to and from the Trig Point to repair itself.

The track is straight up and down, and so feet, wheels and the effects of drought, wind and water-flow have worn away the thin soil and exposed rocks and tree roots. To avoid this track becoming a narrow but deepening and dangerous gully the group decided to initiate repair processes via a partnership with the Land Managers at Transport Canberra & City Services (TCCS), the Ginninderra Catchment Group and TCCS’ operational staff based at Dunlop Depot.

Here is an update from the project’s volunteer managers:

Mt Rogers Landcare Group is committed to meeting strong community requests to attempt to rehabilitate the summit track.  Accordingly a plan has been developed and the following measures will soon be implemented via a working bee (timing TBA) as well as some individual and TCCS effort.  This includes:

1. Temporary, physical barriers at the top and bottom of the track,

2. Signage explaining the action and the need for repair,

3. Coir logs across the slope to limit runoff, to limit erosion of soil and silt and to encourage regrowth of grass and other ground cover species.

4. Some planting of natural grasses,

5. Preparation of an alternate route to the summit which traverses across the slope a little further to the north rather than straight up, to limit the potential for erosion. 

 We’re close to having during-the-week dates for installing the coir logs, planting out grasses and covering the track and its sides. Branches will be used encourage seeds in the soil to germinate undisturbed and to prevent kangaroos eating any new plants.

Please let me know if you can spare a couple of hours to be part of the rostered working team for this project. No previous Landcare experience or attendance at our working bees is needed….enthusiasm for contributing muscle-power to Mt Rogers is probably the most needed attribute!!

 

And here’s the signage that will accompany the Summit Track EROSION works:

    

ATTENTION MT ROGERS COMMUNITY

 

·    THIS AREA IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

·    TRACK REHABILITATION AND EROSION MITIGATION IS IN PROGRESS

·    PLEASE USE ALTERNATE ROUTES TO ALLOW NATURAL REGROWTH

·    YOUR COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED

THANK YOU

Mt Rogers Landcare

Explanatory note:

A combination of drought and increased use by people during COVID-19 has resulted in increased erosion of this already badly degraded track. In response to strong community concerns to protect this site, erosion mitigation measures and seeding of native grass will be undertaken.  For these measures to succeed, we have temporarily closed the area for community use. Please use the main vehicle tracks or alternate routes and avoid steep direct pathways straight up and down the hill – kindly “zig zag” or “contour” the slope to prevent erosion gullies developing.  This project is a joint initiative of your local Landcare Group and the ACT Government.

 

For more information please call
Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

 

Please note that it is an offence to interfere with ACT Government approved works and property.