Go to this year's activities

It all began with the noxious weed Gorse, a ferociously prickly yellow flowered evergreen shrub with the ability to spread rapidly and aggressively, forming impenetrable thickets.

Gorse had infested two catchments in Blackheath - Popes Glen and Braeside, not only replacing much native vegetation along the creeklines, but threatening a number of rare plant species. High volumes and velocities of nutrient-laden urban stormwater were causing an exponential increase in the problem.

Gorse chokes Govetts Leap Brook in the Braeside area 1992

Gorse was first seen in in the National Park in January 1990 by Ranger Cath Ireland on the Blackheath golf course boundary. There were approximately 3ha under 100% cover. Alarm bells rang, and instant action was taken to prevent spread to the Grose Valley, where control would be very difficult. The NPWS, BMCC and volunteers launched a vigorous attack on the gorse, burning, slashing, spraying (and respraying!), cutting and painting.

Gorse enters the Grose

A few gorse seedlings were seen in the valley near the Blue Gum Forest in 1991, but there seemed little cause for concern until 1993, when Wyn Jones found thousands of tiny plants growing on silt plugs near the junction of Govetts Creek with the Grose River. Something had to be done very quickly indeed, before the entire river system, with all its creeks and waterfalls, was infested with gorse. Mapping the extent and severity of the gorse was considered critical, and much more people power than the Parks Service could muster was required, and quickly. Knowing that many Blue Mountains and Sydney bushwalkers have a deep love of the Grose Valley and the Blue Gum Forest, rangers at Blackheath decided to enlist the help of these people: the idea of the Great Grose Gorse Walk was born.

Sydney Morning Herald
Monday August 8, 1994

Cath Ireland began organising at once, and the first Great Walk in 1994 received excellent publicity and many enthusiastic volunteers. Infestations of gorse, and Scotch Broom as well, were mapped. Isolated plants were cut and painted with herbicide by those trained in its use, the others used trowels to remove the roots. Large infestations were mapped and left for spraying. Seeds were placed in plastic bags and brought out; cut plants were left to dry.

The second Great Grose Gorse Walk in 1995 saw 25 people camping at Acacia Flat, mapping, poisoning and removing Gorse and a number of other key weeds along 10km of the Uppper Grose. Gorse was found from one end of the Grose to the other. Backing up this work, volunteer activities were organised on the plateau by BMCC's Eric Mahony, getting the weeds at their source.

By 1996 the Great Grose Gorse Walk had become an institution. Over the years, as the gorse infestations were reduced, the Great Walk broadened its focus to include other weeds, such as Scotch Broom and Montbretia, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Spanish Heath, Blackberry, Small Leaf Privet, Tutsan, Berberis and Japanese Honeysuckle. It became the Great Grose Weed Walk.

Powered by volunteers, backed and organised by NPWS and Blue Mountains Bushcare, 2010 will be the seventeenth Great Grose Weed Walk.

Great Grose Weed Walk

Upper Grose Valley events MARCH 2010

A number of the events listed below are on the regular workdays of Bushcare and Landcare groups, who work to protect the Grose River from weeds and sediment.

These groups particularly welcome visitors to come and assist during the month of the Great Grose Weed Walk.

Friday 5th March Brahma Kumaris Landcare Group 9:30am to 12:30pm
Support the group in treating weeds along Govetts Creek, mainly Broom, Japanese honeysuckle and Montbretia. Lunch provided at 12.30.
Community Coordinator: Sue Morrison 4757 3918

Saturday 6th to Sunday 7th March Acacia Flat
2 day full camping pack walk. weeding and wading along Govetts Creek.
Camp overnight at Acacia Flat. Requires high level of fitness.
NPWS Ranger for the Grose Valley: Vanessa Richardson 4787 3112 vanessarichardson@environment.nsw.gov.au

Saturday 6th March Tree Fern Gully Bushcare 9am to 12 noon
Bush regeneration in reserve alongside Lindeman Road, North Leura.
Community Coordinator: Barbara Harley 4782 4305

Sunday 14th March Remote Katoomba Creek 8.00am to 4pm
A full day walking along Katoomba Creek searching out any broom plants that have been missed in the past or recently germinated. A beautiful area. Requires reasonable level of fitness, as it involves moving around fallen trees/shrubs, off track and a steepish slope to walk out.
BMCC Coordinator: Lyndal Sullivan 4780 5528

Tuesday 16th March Kittyhawk Swamp 9am to 3pm
Swampcare at Wentworth Falls. Lunch provided, bookings essential
BMCC coordinator: Michael Hensen mhensen@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or 4780 5471

Saturday 20th March Water Nymphs Dell Bushcare 2pm to 5pm
An afternoon of weeding to protect a nearby swamp and rainforest. Delicious afternoon tea provided. Wentworth Falls
BMCC Coordinator: Karen Hising 4780 5623

Sunday 21st March Katoomba Creek Bushcare 9.30am to 1pm
Work around the upper reaches of Katoomba Creek in beautiful bushland, and target Broom, Montbretia and Blackberry.
Community Coordinator: Veronica Paul 4782 6042

Sunday 21st March Marmion Swamp Bushcare Group 9.30am to 12.30 pm
Bush regeneration in the upper Yosemite Creek catchment.
BMCC Coordinator: Karen Hising 4780 5623 (Fridays)

Wednesday 21st March RSPCA Mort Street Katoomba 9am to 12 noon
Support the work of the RSPCA by helping manage the natural areas on the property, which contains woodland and swamp leading down to Katoomba Creek. The major weeds to be treated are Broom, Holly and Berberis.
Community Coordinator: Shiela Dye 4782 9994  or BMCC: Lyndal Sullivan 4780 5528

Saturday 27th March Rawson Parade (Leura) Landcare Group 9.30 to 12.30 Bush regeneration along upper Govetts Creek
Community Coordinator: Joy Connor 4784 1819

Saturday 27th March Popes Glen Bushcare, Blackheath 9am to 1pm
Assist the Popes Glen Bushcare group with follow up weed control along the creek line. This group has been very active for a long time. Come along and support their fantastic efforts.
Community Coordinator: Alan Lane 4787 8080.

 

Sunday 28th March Braeside Blitz 9am to 3pm
Removing weeds in a threatened swamp, draining to the Grose River.
NPWS Ranger for the Grose Valley: Vanessa Richardson 4787 3112 vanessarichardson@environment.nsw.gov.au

Sunday 28th March Franki Creek Bushcare, Wentworth Falls 2pm to 5 pm
Bush regeneration in upper catchment of Franki Creek in North Wentworth Falls.
BMCC Contact: Erin Hall 4780 5623 (Fridays)

Sunday 28th March Minne Ha Ha Falls Bushcare 9:30am to 12:30pm
Activity – A morning working along the creek line focusing on Scotch Broom and Montbretia.
Community Coordinator: Ruth Ley 4782 1635

Wednesday 31st March Govetts Leap, Blackheath 9am to 1pm
Weeding with a View Morning Tea
NPWS Ranger for the Grose Valley: Vanessa Richardson 4787 3112 vanessarichardson@environment.nsw.gov.au