Author Archives: fobif

So: what’s that grey discolouration in the water of Forest Creek at the Wheeler Street bridge, after rain last week? Answer: It’s pollution runoff come down the gutter from somewhere in the town. We won’t speculate as to exactly what … Continue reading →

Speaking of tradition: we occasionally hear complaints that conservation reserves ‘lock up’ public land, and deprive people of their traditional rights, including the right to drive anywhere they like. The fact that millions of Australians visit our reserves each year … Continue reading →

Readers of the Castlmaine Mail sports section on June 5 will be aware that there are plans afoot to create a mountain bike network of ‘about 50 kilometres’ in the Walmer State Forest. This forest is already networked by informal … Continue reading →

Anyone tried to look for useful info on the Parks Victoria website? Anyone had a go at finding the Castlemaine Diggings NHP management plan, for example? Forget it. Parks website does carry a number of management plans, but not for … Continue reading →

That persistent gold…is it gorse? Is it oxalis? Is it Cootamundra Wattle? Is it a pain? Yes to all four! Let’s forget about Oxalis and Cootamundra, and focus on gorse  (Ulex europaeus). Introduced to Australia as a hedge plant in … Continue reading →