List below are Dignams Creek’ current and past project
eDNA Testing
Dignams Creek Landcare is fortunate to be chosen as one of four groups in the Bega valley to qualified for eDNA (environmental DNA) testing. The samples were taken from one of the creeks tributaries on a property approximately half way down Dignams Creek Road on 12 October. The eDNA analysis is able to examine what organisms have been present in the place of testing including fish, frogs, birds and even platypus as well as a host of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans and molluscs. The results will be released at the end of November which we will be excited to share. Click here for further information about this ground breaking research tool.
Storz Fittings for Water Tanks
Our community is nestled between two National Parks.This makes it so special, but also makes us vulnerable to the threat of bushfire.
The Storz Project is an initiative of the community group to further support any firefighting efforts. The aim is to use money from our fund raising activities to purchase Storz couplings for installation on appropriate water tanks. Storz couplings are the preferred method by which RFS trucks are able to access water from tanks.
Homesteads which have water storage tanks (or a part volume of a tank), in excess of 10,000 L, that residents are willing to reserve for firefighting and are easily accessible will be eligible for a Storz coupling and the fittings for installation.
A number of water storage points scattered through our community with accompanying signage along Dignams Creek Road will give the RFS quick and easy access to a crucial supply of water.
Details of how this will be implemented still to be finalised.
Koala Habitat
In 2024 Dignams Creek qualified for a landcare grant to help maintain the environment for Koalas. Private contractor Jens Birchell has worked tirelessly for the past 2 years to rid the creek of Tobacco Bush that has the potential to destroy bio diversity in Riparian areas.
This project is highly significant for the resilience of the creek with Jens works is supported by the Dignams Creek Community Group. The project is still ongoing, however, it will ultimately need community support to ensure the Tobacco Bush does not return. Click here for more information on Tobacco Bush
Wombat Team
A growing group of Dignams Creek residents are teaming up with the Wombat Protection Society of Australia to support local wombats affected by mange. Through training and accreditation, volunteers are becoming qualified to safely and legally treat wombats in the wild, using proven methods that help animals recover fully over time.
Local helpers are already active, working together to monitor wombat health, apply treatments, and respond quickly to sightings. The project is coordinated with support from experienced practitioners, with more volunteers warmly welcomed. By building a network of trained carers, our community is playing a direct role in improving the welfare of wombats and reducing the spread of mange across the area.
Fruit Fly Traps
Fruit flies are known to be a highly destructive horticultural pest. We have lots of avid fruit and vegetable growers and are keen to protect our crops. Dignams Creek Community Group is offering reimbursements on fruit fly traps to all Dignams Creek residents with the aim to reduce fruit fly numbers in the creek. The traps from Cobargo Coop can be refilled and used for many years. For more information on fruit fly, see https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/fruit-flies-australia.
Feral Concerns
Dignams Creek is home to many amazing Australian native animals, however, we also have some unwanted fauna that can jeopardise the balance of our biodiversity. A small group of residents have started monitoring and looking at ways to reduce the numbers of feral animals.
We are also encouraging residents to use cat bibs to minimise the impact of domestic cats. More information can be found on YouTube.
Nesting Boxes
This project commenced in 2021 with the help of a small Bega Valley Community Grant and additional funds from a Bower Bird small grant. These grants helped us purchase equipment such as cameras, ladders and supplies such as thick ply to make nest boxes.
Our focus was on providing nesting opportunities for larger species of native arboreal mammals and birds (e.g. greater gliders and glossy black cockatoos) that were vulnerable in our area due to habitat loss after the Black Summer fires. After some research and talking to other groups, we crafted and made our own designs for artificial nesting hollows. We even made a gigantic one fit for a powerful owl!
While this is no longer an active project, we have learned a great deal, including how we could have improved our designs and approaches. We fostered close friendships amongst our group, and built significantly on our regard for what else can be done for our native fauna and flora in our area: this was instrumental in instigating our reformed Dignams Creek Landcare group.
