Hunter Central Coast Region

Join us and help make a difference this April. The environmental weed Scotch Broom is widely distributed throughout sub-alpine communities and is impacting on the structure, floristics and ecology of the area. Broom removal works are helping to protect Endangered Ecological Communities and Threatened Species Habitat in the Barrington Tops Region.

Works will be based around Black Swamp with the objective of rehabilitating habitat for a large number of rare and threatened species via the removal of Scotch Broom, halting the eastward spread of the weed. Activities will start and finish from Little Murray where free camping is provided. Participants will provide their own 4WD transport to Little Murray campsite, which is open to the public. Participants will carpool to the work site at Black Swamp via 4WD trails that are usually closed to the public.

Responsibilities

• Cutting mature broom plants and emerging seedlings in the project area without the use of herbicide.

Skills and attributes

Getting there 

• From Gloucester Take Thunderbolts Way; this road becomes Scone Road and Barrington Tops Forest Road.
• Turn left into Barrington trail at Barrington trail picnic area located on the left after passing Devils Hole.
• Follow Barrington trail for around 5km to Little Murray campground.

From Scone

• Take the Hunter Road from Scone
• Turn right on to Moonan Brook Road, the turn left on Barrington Tops Forest Road. Please note Barrington Tops Forest Road has a 2.5tonne limit.
• Turn into Barrington trail, which is on the right 1km past Polblue.
• Follow Barrington trail for around 5km to Little Murray campground.

 Little Murray Campground

• Click here to read about Little Murray Campground.
• The campground has been booked for event participants and camping is free. You are welcome to come up the night before and to stay the night after the activity to help manage fatigue and to give you more time to enjoy the Barrington Tops National Park.
• Little Murray is a basic campsite with a pit/drop toilet, woodfire pits and picnic tables. The site is designed for ‘camp beside your vehicle’ and is suitable for off-road capable camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes. Please bring plenty of drinking water, food and supplies for your stay as well as your own camping equipment.

Dress code

• Long sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Jumpers and jackets
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Closed shoes (ankle high lace up boots preferred).
• torches or spotlights

Gear list

• Drinking water, food, sunscreen and other gear.
• NPWS will supply tools and safety equipment for broom control works. If you want to bring your own personal safety equipment such as helmets, fluorescent shirts or vests, gaiters and sun protection you are welcome. 

Work Health & Safety

NPWS Health and Safety Policy is at the core of our workplace safety culture and operations, extending through to volunteer services.

Click Job Safety Analysis scotch broom control and ensure you read this document carefully prior to commencing volunteering. Please check with your Volunteer Supervisor if you have any questions or comments.  

Volunteers are required to

• Ensure all potential hazards, accidents and incidents are identified and notified to your Volunteer Supervisor.
• Take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of yourself and others while volunteering. 
• Report all injuries, accidents or near messes to your Volunteer Supervisor.  
• Attend required training in safe working practices and procedures 
• Use and care for any equipment provided for health and safety purposes 

Additional information

Weather

• It is important to be prepared for wet and cold weather for this activity, as the weather can change quite rapidly on Barrington Tops. Please ensure you have good wet and cold weather gear for this activity.
• As part of the risk assessment process, we will discuss weather implications and how we will manage this.
• Your safety and comfort are important to us and if weather conditions deteriorate, we will cancel either the work session, the day or the activity.
• This is a sub - alpine environment with the potential for snow.
• If you wish to cancel due to predicted weather conditions, we respect that and ask that you inform us. Barrington Tops can become quite cold. 
• Ensure you have adequate warm and weather proof camping, clothing and bedding.

Phone coverage

• There is very limited Telstra phone coverage at Barrington Tops.
• Normally you will only get reception at lookouts and at a couple of other spots around the plateau.
• Other telco providers may not get any reception.

Activity Timetable

Day 1  

• 0730am: organise car-pooling/transport of tools
• 0800am: depart Little Murray Campground
• 9.30am: brief on site
• 10:00 -11:00am: first session
• 11:00 -11:15am: morning tea (provided by NPWS), bring your own mug
• 11:15am-12.30pm: second session
• 12.30-1;30pm: lunch & opportunity to discuss the park(bring your own food and chair)
• 1.30 - 3.00pm: third session
• 3pm: depart Black swamp.

Day 2

• 0730am: depart Little Murray Campground
• 07:30 -9.00am: travel to Black Swamp via Barrington Trail/Edwards Swamp Track/Big Hole Trail
• 09:00am: brief onsite (short) 
• 9:15am- 10:45am: first session
• 10:45 - 11:00am: morning tea
• 11:00 - 12noon: second session
• 12-1pm: lunch (bring your own food and chair)
• 1:00 -14:30pm: third session (or travel back early depending upon the groups wants and needs) 
• 14:30pm: depart Black Swamp 
• 14:30 - 16:00pm:  travel back to Little Murray via Big Hole Trail/Careys Peak Trail/ Barrington Trail. (a bit earlier to allow anyone who wants to leave that night to pack up).

Contact details 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact your Volunteer Supervisor:

Peter Beard

Email peter.beard@dcceew.nsw.gov.au

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 

Cancellation 

As the number of volunteers able to participate on any given day is capped at 30 people, please ensure that you complete your application process fully. Once you have signed up to attend you can easily remove yourself by logging into you volunteer profile. This will free up a place that others can sign up for. 

Supported by

This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.