Uncategorised
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg spp)
- Details
Declared a noxious weed.
A native of Europe. Blackberry is an erect scrambling perennial shrub with long arching thorny canes which grow up to 2-3 metres (6ft-10ft) in height and are deciduous on Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine. The many white flowers are followed by berries which are green, turning red then black as they ripen in February and March.
The berries which contain the seeds are spread by birds all over the Mountain and quickly form new plants in ideal conditions. The canes will also grow by suckering, so a large dense prickly bush will soon form.
A combined effort by landowners and the Council is now needed annually to control Blackberry on some private land where it is a big problem, causing continual reinfestation of the reserves and roadsides.
Control
- Dig out small plants.
- Spray fruiting plants November to January, non-fruiting plants up to March.
- Cut crown and poison: For mature plants with a woody crown (root ball) – the cut crown method is very effective. It involves removing soil from the base of the plant where it's coming from the ground and cutting through the crown at the widest point to create maximum surface area to apply herbicide.
- Scrap and Paint: For all other plants - seedlings, juvenile and mature without accessible root crown, scrape and paint canes. Paint every stem for 300mm (8in- 12in) of its length
Herbicides
- Spray - Tree and Blackberry killer
- Paint - Tree and Blackberry killer or Glyphosphate (Roundup)
Please note special care must be taken when using herbicides and especially Glyphosate. The MWPA accepts no responsibility for the use or application of any chemicals. Always check the labels and Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals and use only as directed. For more details on herbicides refer to the additional information sources below.
Useful Sources of Information:
Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima)
- Details
Flowering from November on The Mounts is Iris foetidissima also known as “Stinking Iris” or “Roast Beef Plant” after its rather unpleasant fragrance when cut or bruised.
It is a clump-forming evergreen herb to 100 cm, with tough rhizomes immediately below the soil surface.
The flowers are 5–7 cm in diameter and are dull purplish-grey tinged with yellow. More common in Australia is the yellow flowered variant that is often naturalised. You will find both varieties flowering in Mt Wilson currently.
At maturity each seed capsule splits into three, each with two rows of round orange seeds of 5 mm diameter, these can persist for several months.
Despite the Royal Horticultural Society giving Iris foetidissima their prestigious Award of Garden Merit. The plant is clearly becoming a problem in Mt Wilson, most notably in and around Church Lane. Each plant grows rapidly and seeds readily and is dispersed by birds. Mature stands will easily smother a garden bed and become extremely difficult to remove.
There are three options to manage this plant:
- If you wish to retain any plants, systematically remove any seed capsules before the seeds emerge.
- To remove the plants, the most effective way is to mattock out the rhizomes (juvenile plants can usually be removed by hand.
- Iris foetidissima will respond to Glyphosate (RoundupTM) but the leaves will need to be soaked and secondary spraying may be required.
Kashmir
- Details
"Kashmir", formally known as "Koojanup Park", is now open for visitors on weekends during Spring and Autumn.
Woodfired pizzas and drinks are also for sale at the trailer at the entrance to the garden.
Located at 10 Church Lane, the garden is approximately 25 acres and growing. For more information see: https://www.kashmirmountwilson.com.au/
Mrs Rodgers commissioned Paul Sorensen to design and do the works on the property which included terracing and basalt stonework.
Maples, cherry's, elms and oaks can be found along with Tulip and birch trees, rhododendrons and camellias. There are a number of conifers and Cypress, including a large Sequoia sempervirens.
Since purchase almost 5 years ago , the current owners have worked at restoring the garden which had become overgrown and required maintenance to the stonework.
Along with restoring and maintaining the garden, current work has included adding basalt stone walls and several sets of sandstone stairs in order to aid in the flow of the garden. The design has always intended to carry the Sorensen style throughout.
You'll find new plantings of several types of
hydrangea and peonies along with hundreds of bulbs planted each year for Spring.
The garden will be ready to open fully in Spring 2024. Currently, the terraces are open to visit free of charge.
You will find the owners son, Chad, making woodfired pizzas from his trailer on the top terrace. There are plenty of places to sit and eat and enjoy the wonderful view.
Hope to see you there!
Current Bushfire Status
- Details
Update about the Gospers Mountain Fire to the north of us, posted Wednesday, 11 December.
Gospers Mountain Bushfire Update - Plan to begin backburning today.
The Gospers Mountain bushfire seen yesterday from Smiths Hill was about 6 kms from Mount Irvine
The Fire
While we have a good weather window MWMIRFS Brigade will commence back burning into the area below Mount Irvine today to take advantage of the better conditions for creating a safety burnt area around Mt Irvine. This will involve lighting the bush from the fire trails around Mount Irvine then Mount Wilson to remove the fuel between the villages and the Gospers Mountain fire thereby protecting property in the villages. The back burn is a lower intensity burn usually lit at night and going downhill so as to reduce the impact on the surrounding bush while removing the fuel and protecting the area from the bushfire coming into the villages on a bad day.
On Tuesday the fire was holding on Bungleboori Creek (see yesterday’s Update map), north of Mt Wilson / Mt Irvine, but quite active on the Newnes Plateau. The back burn started at Mountain Lagoon has progressed as far as Bilpin. After a very hot day yesterday we are entering a good weather window until about Friday.
Access to the Mounts
A road block at Mt Wilson Road and the Bells Line of Road will restrict access to all vehicles other than residents and emergency services. Expect this to be in place for a couple of weeks.
Letters of authority were distributed last night to all residents providing access to named people on the presentation of the letter and ID like a local rates’ notice or a driver’s licence. If you need an authority for anyone else (other than Mount Wilson or Mount Irvine residents) please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating: first name, family name and email address. A personalised authority letter will be sent to the nominated person.
The trigger point for fire plans
The start of backburning is the trigger point for people to carry out their fire plans. If you plan to leave, today is the time to relocate. Leave, stay or come to the Mounts this is also the time to contact your Street Coordinator and tell them what you will be doing. A fire warning message may be sent to all mobile phones in the area when fire reaches a preset zone around both villages . Do not be alarmed by this, just follow the prompts and check with your street coordinator if the situation or conditions may have changed.
Once backburning starts we will see an increase of smoke in the area. From today expect increased movement of trucks, activity around both community halls and fire stations and road closures in areas as the backburn progress from Mount Irvine to Mount Wilson and on along Mt Wilson Road to Bells Line of Road.
Please slow down on the local roads, if possible pull over and let tucks pass. Do not enter the fire trails or the burn area as there will be many hazards, machinery operating, steep trails, falling trees and hot ash beds.
Anyone who would like to assist with Catering or Station work please contact the Brigade Station Officer on 4756 2168.
Peter Raines
Senior Deputy Captain
Mt Wilson-Mt Irvine RF Brigade
Map of Fires in NSW with the current status of each fire, Fires Near Me.
The map can be zoomed to show fires in our area.
Historical Walk
- Details
Mt Wilson Historic Village Walk - Mobile App
The Mt Wilson Historic Village Walk mobile app is available for you to download from both the Apple and Google Play app stores.
There is no better way to enjoy the splendour of Mt Wilson than to take this GPS-based audio-visual tour of Mt Wilson as you are guided you through the fascinating and often entertaining history of Mt Wilson village, introducing you to the unique cast of characters who played an important role in the village’s formative years from the late 1800s through to WWII.
- GPS-enabled, guiding you from stop-to-stop
- 22 individual historical sites of interest
- 15 audio-recorded narratives
- Historical photographs from the Society’s archives included throughout
Reasonably priced at $3.99, net proceeds go directly to the Historical Society, helping to support the subscription costs associated with keeping the app going.
Download Now:
