June 2026 working bee

What a relief to finally receive yesterday’s rain, with more forecast tomorrow. This moisture will give our young seedlings a much‑needed boost after a long dry spell, and it will also soften the ground—perfect conditions for removing priority weeds at our upcoming working bee.

This will be our final working bee funded through the current Bega Valley Shire Council’s Community and Environmental Grant Program. This support has enabled us to engage our bush‑regeneration contractors—an essential part of BRAWL’s restoration efforts. We simply couldn’t achieve the scale of work we do without them. Our sincere thanks to Paddy, Premjyoti and Jens for their skill, commitment and care.  

This month we’ll be working at Site 3 in the Anabranch channel, one of BRAWL’s earliest restoration areas. Before BRAWL’s erosion‑control works in 2011, this site was undergoing major geomorphic change. Willows were choking the river channel, joy-riders were destabilising sediments with cars, and weed invasion and a loss of native vegetation left the banks exposed. Severe erosion followed, worsened by floodwaters from the Brogo River being funnelled into the Anabranch by dense willow growth.

Each flood event tore large holes in Bridge Street (now Jacksonia Grove), sometimes deep enough for a person to stand in, requiring costly repairs. There was real concern that the main Bega River channel could divert into the Anabranch, threatening downstream farmland, sewerage infrastructure and bringing the river closer to the township.

In 2011, BRAWL undertook major erosion‑control works using rock armouring, erosion matting and extensive native revegetation. These efforts have been highly successful in stabilising the channel and restoring ecological function.

We’ll return to this site at Monday’s working bee to remove invasive weeds and plant lomandras to continue strengthening the riverbank.

When: Monday 1st June, 9.30-12.30pm
What: Priority weed removal (inc privet, madeira vine, turkey rhubarb and wandering trad) and planting lomandras.
Where: Meet as the Anabranch picnic area (follow link to location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/ehPfVbgiunp3X4WK8)
Bring: Drink bottle, Garden gloves, weed bags, weeding tool, rakes and secateurs (some tools will be provided).
Wear: Enclosed sturdy footwear, sun hat and sun-smart clothing.
Morning tea: is at 11am, please bring something to share or to enjoy yourself.