Mistletoe Bird
Located alongside the Murray River downstream of Echuca-Moama, the Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest is a wetland of international significance.
It is one of six Living Murray icon sites.
In Victoria, the Forest can be assessed via a number of tracks off either the Gunbower Island Road or the Cohuna-Koondrook Road. Access points include Spences Bridge Road which runs off the Cohuna-Koondrook Road (C625), Island Road via a bridge at Cohuna or via Burkes Bridge, and a bridge in Koondrook.
In NSW, the Perricoota Forest can be accessed on a number of tracks off Perricoota Road.
The Koondrook forest can be accessed from the Barham-Moulamein Road, e.g. via Crooked Creek Road or Barham East Road.
Forest tracks should only be attempted in dry weather when the forest is not in flood. Dust may be a problem if travelling as a convey.
There are commercial camp grounds, hotels and motels in Cohuna, Gunbower and Barham-Koondrook.
The most popular spot for holiday-makers and boaters is the Torrumbarry Weir (Victorian side of river) where there is a camping area, toilets, information centre, kiosk and picnic garden. But access across the weir from one side of the Murray to the other (i.e. between States) is prohibited.
Bush camping is allowed in the forest. campers are asked to remove all rubbish as bins are no longer provided. On the NSW side of the Murray, there is a ban on shooting, trail bikes (in certain areas) and, in summer, wood fires. There are large skips at the main forest entrances on the NSW side of the border. Trail bikes and, apart from days of total fire ban, camp fires are allowed in Victoria. Campers should remember that the NSW border is the top of the river bank on the Victorian side of the river. Therefore, NSW fishing and boating regulations apply (see section on native fish on this site).
A cruise on the Wetlander from near Cobram through is an ideal way to see the forest, especially if it is in flood. Bookings are necessary (03 5453 3000).
Gunbower Creek is ideal for canoeing and a marked canoe trail is promoted by local tourist authorities.
Visitors are urged to obtain good maps before visiting the forest. Information is available from Golden Rivers Tourism Barham (03 5453 3100). The downloadable birding guides listed below contain sketch maps. 1:50,000 topographic maps are useful (1:25,000 maps if you wish to do bushwalking).
If there have been good winter rains, much of the forest may be flooded in Spring and early summer. Autumn may be the best season to visit the forest. It is difficult to find a top camp site along the rivers over Easter when thousands of people flock to the forest.
Raised river levels and flooding sometimes make forest access difficult between May and November. Furthermore, limited access may be possible through summer until March.
Related pages
Bushland Reserves of northern Victoria and southern Riverina NSW
Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota
Forestincluding
Gunbower Island Nature Reserve
Located alongside the Murray River downstream of Torrumbarry, the Gunbower Koondrook Perricoota Forest straddles the Victoria-NSW border and covers about 50,000 hectares. The 'Forest' includes several lakes, wetlands and sand hills. At the Torrumbarry end of the forest, away from the waterways, Black Box and Grey Box are the dominant trees, with Grey Box dominating on slightly higher, less flood-prone land to the north. But Red Gum is the dominant tree around wetlands, along the rivers and over much of the remainder of the forest. In NSW, the eastern half of the forest is called Perricoota Forest. Further west, it is called Koondrook Forest. In Victoria, between the Murray River and Gunbower Creek, the forest is called Gunbower Island Forest. The town of Koondrook is actually in Victoria whilst its twin town Barham (as distinct from Barmah!) is on the NSW side of the Murray River.
Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest
The Living Murray initiative lists this forest as one of six icon sites in the Murray-Darling Basin to be protected for their ecological significance. One icon site (or Significant Environmental Asset) is Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest.The other Living Murray icon sites are
* Barmah-Millewa Forest
* Hattah Lakes
* Chowilla Floodplain, Lindsay and Wallpolla Island
* The Coorong, lower lakes and river mouth, and
* the Murray River channel itself.
Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, JAMBA (Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement) and CAMBA (China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement). It is an important breeding ground for a number of birds, including Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Nankeen Night Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret and Australian White Ibis.
The Forest provides habitat for numerous threatened plant and animal species, including birds, fish and reptiles, and supports colonies of breeding waterbirds during appropriate seasonal conditions.
As far as this forest is concerned, The Living Murray initiative aims to enhance forest fish and wildlife values, ensure successful breeding of thousands of colonial waterbirds in at least three years in ten, promote healthy vegetation in at least 30% of the area of the forest (including much of the flood-dependant River Red Gum forest) and at least 80% of the wetlands, and increase native fish populations
Because of irrigation, natural river flow patterns differ from those which existed pre-European settlement. Gunbower Creek and the Murray River now flow at higher levels throughout summer, whilst winter-spring floods are usually neither as deep nor as prolonged. The forest is immediately downstream of Torrumbarry Weir.
Environmental water was released into some of the wetlands in May 2008.
Black Swamp, Gunbower Island, June 2008 (K Stockwell)Management of the forest is in the hands of the Murray CMA (NSW) and the North Central CMA (Victoria), each of which has appointed a site manager. The site managers take it in turns to act as chief site manager. They are assisted by a project officer and by a number of advisory committees, one of which is a Co-ordinating Committee. There is a Community Reference Group to advise the Co-ordinating Committee and a committee of indigenous (Koori) persons.
The CRG comprises a representative from each of the two CMAs, five 'community' representatives and a project officer (Anna Flanagan).
In attempt to restore a natural flooding and drying regime to the forest, a number of environmental works and measures have been completed or are planned. A number of regulators have been constructed along Gunbower Creek, the Murray River and other streams in order to keep water out of the wetlands for much of the year.
Under The Living Murray initiative, it is hoped that environmental water is to be released from time to time to help conserve the wetlands and promote breeding by water birds.
It is hoped that permanent (sic) wetlands will contain water for between nine and twelve months each year. Such wetlands occupy a relatively small area of the forest, e.g. Reedy Lagoon, Green Swamp. Reedy Lagoon is regarded as one of the healthiest and best wetlands along the Murray; it contains relatively few weeds.
Semi-permanent wetlands should contain water for between five and ten months at least six years in every 10.
It is hoped that areas of Red Gum with a flood-dependant under-storey can receive water for around four months at least seven years in every 10. The environmental water release of May 2008 is a step in the right direction.
Temporary wetlands should occasionally receive water for between one and nine months.
As environmental water is scarce, only some of the regulators are opened for a few days over Spring to allow certain areas to flood. To enable native fish to move up and down river, fish ladders have been installed at obstacles such as Torrumbarry Weir where traps have been installed to catch the introduced European Carp, a fish which increases river turbidity and competes with native fish. It has been found that carp swim higher in the water than native fish. Most native fish escape being caught by swimming under the trap. Some captured carp are used in the production of garden fertiliser. Some of the regulators have been fitted with screens to prevent the passage of adult carp but which allow access by smaller native fish.
A new regulator on Little Gunbower Creek was completed in 2007 to allow authorities to divert environmental water into Black Swamp and to keep water out at other times. This was one of the first structures to be constructed under 'The Living Murray' programme. The new regulator on Little Gunbower Creek was copened for the first time in May 2008 to allow flooding of wetlands which had been dry for well over a year.
Little Gunbower Creek in flood, June 2008 (K Stockwell)Unfortunately, much of this perennial wetland was not flooded for several years, during which time thousands of saplings were able to survive. Previously, flood waters drowned and killed young saplings. The regulator is closed most of the time, preventing creek water from entering the wetland, allowing the wetland to dry out.
Black Swamp (K Stockwell)Whilst the forest and its wetlands attract lots of tourists and brings money into the region, there's another benefit: the wetlands are habitat for large numbers of ibis which each day travel to surrounding farms, preying on insect pests that feed on crops and pastures. At night, large numbers of bats leave the forest in search of insects, supplementing the work of the ibis.
Gunbower Island
Gulpa Island lies between an anabranch of the Murray River (Gunbower Creek) and the Murray River and occupies an area of 24,600ha. Much of the south-western side has been cleared for farming. There is 17,500ha of State Forest, 10,000 ha of wetland and a 2,100ha nature reserve (most of which is between River Track and the Murray River).One of VEAC's draft recommendations is for part of Gunbower Island to become a national park. Logging will continue to be allowed in much of the forest near Barham-Koondrook.
Gunbower Island supports 8% of Victoria's freshwater meadows. Four of eight wetland vegetation types are represented.
Gunbower Island Road runs alongside Gunbower Creek from Cohuna, where it can be accessed from the main town roundabout, south-east toward Torrumbarry, where it can be accessed from the Murray Valley Highway (B400) via Burkes Bridge. One side of the sealed Island Road is farmland; Gunbower Creek runs roughly parallel on the other side. Several tracks lead from Island Road into the forest.
A pamphlet on forest walks and drives in Gunbower State Forest is available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment. The NSW topographic map, Keely 1:50,000 covers much of the island, which is in Victoria.
If entering the forest on Island Road, it is recommended that you take Mawsons Road/Garner Break to where this track meets Chettle Track. In this vicinity is a huge red gum,one of the largest and oldest in the forest. East of the huge tree is a cormorant rookery. This area is often flooded and inaccessible. The forest drive outlined in the pamphlet is excellent but can only be completed in dry weather, e.g. in autumn. Allow several hours for the drive.
If you enter the forest from Koondrook, a good spot is Clump Bend. Look in the Dwarf Cherry for Gilbert Whistler. Grey-crowned babblers have roosts here.
For those who prefer paddling to driving, there is a marked canoe trail. A brtochure on the canoe trail is available from the DSE office in Cohuna.
There are no formal walking tracks on the island but, in places away from wetlands, the open nature of the forest allows for pleasant bushwalking using a compass and a topographic map.
See notes in the left column re access points.
Red-bellied Black Snake: often seen on Gunbower Island (D Ong)Like The Narrows of the Murray River, Gunbower Creek is a perched stream, slightly higher than the land either side. it is contained by natural levees. There is some concern that the creek may abandon its present course as it is silting up rather quickly.
Frequent flooding enabled a red gum forest and wetlands to be be created. Local rainfall alone cannot support the forest.
Murray River, Gunbower Island (K Stockwell)The main vegetation type is red gum forest (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), especially in the low-lying north-west section. It is part of Australia's second-largest Redgum forest, after the Barmah-Millewa Forest upstream. Red Gum depends upon flooding for regeneration and survival. Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) and Grey Box (E. microcarpa) cover the higher ground in the south-west. Whilst Black Box can withstand a few weeks of flooding every so often, Grey Box prefers even higher ground which either does not flood or which floods occasionally for short periods only. When the floodwaters drain and evaporate, the forest floor is covered by herbs, grasses and sedges. Wildflowers include Paper Daisies (Everlastings). Reeds and rushes grow in swampy areas. Warrego Grass and Wallaby Grass (Danthonia spp) grow on higher ground. Red Azolla sometimes floats on the water. Black Box occupies land that is slightly higher and less prone to lengthy flooding.
Dwarf Native Cherry (Exocarpus strictus) and wattles grow under the Red Gum.
The forestry industry is important, particularly to the nearby twin town of Barham (NSW)-Koondrook (Victoria) where there are furniture factories, a veneer plant and several saw mills. Showrooms in Koondrook are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Arbuthnot Sawmills sometimes offer mill tours.
Clearfelling is not practised. Habitat trees are left in each coup. Logging is not permitted close to waterways.
Much of the island is in a degraded condition (e.g. lots of ugly stumps, loss of middle layer) due to forestry activities. Some parts are in relatively good condition, e.g. Wattle Creek along Wee Wee Rup Road. Reedy Lagoon has been fenced to protect bird habitat.
Bird observers may wish to check out some reasonably good wetland areas along Gunbower Creek (eastern end of Island Road) as well as following the two tours outlined in the Birding Guide to Cohuna area and Gunbower Island.
Camping is permitted in the State Forest and near Torrumbarry Weir. Accommodation is available nearby, e.g. In Cohuna and at the Gunbower Hotel.
If a national park is declared, it is proposed that camp fires, logging and commercial grazing not be allowed. The forest has not been grazed for some time and an area is to be retained outside of the proposed park for logging. Camping, four-wheel driving, fishing, bird-watching, bush-walking etc will be unaffected and no entry fee is proposed.
Reference maps: Keely 1:50,000 (Central Mapping Authority of New South Wales); Region 20 CFA Rural Directory maps 217, 218, 192, 193
Perricoota-Koondrook Forest
The Red Gum forest on the NSW side of the Murray, downstream of Echuca and opposite Gunbower Island, is called Perricoota Forest in the south-east near Moama and Koondrook Forest further downstream near Barham - Koondrook. Part of Australia's second largest Red Gum forest, it is one of six sites of ecological significance under the Living Murray initiative.The forest has been logged over many decades. Box trees are found on the higher areas. Access is from Perricoota Road. It is possible to enter the forest near Womboota (turn left off perricoota road at the Perricoota Woolshed and follow signs to the forest) and drive alongside the river all the way to the outskirts of Barham and return via Lower Thule Road, Perricoota Road or via Koondrook and the Murray Valley Highway (Vic). This forest is inaccessible to vehicles after rain or during flood times. Apart from foresters, most who visit are water-skiers, anglers or boaters, many of whom launch their craft at Torrumbarry. There are some delightful bush camping sites with beaches alongside the Murray River (no facilities). The best time to visit is usually between December and April. Fires are not permitted for most of the year.
Accommodation is available in Echuca-Moama and Barham-Koondrook.
The Gunbower and Koondrook-Perricoota Forests have a combined area of about 50,000 hectares. The Koondrook and Perricoota Forests are included in the NSW Central Murray State Forests Ramsar site. It is an important breeding area for colonial waterbirds and is visited by migratory birds listed under international treaties with Japan (JAMBA) and China (CAMBA). Interim objectives and outcomes for actions under the First Step of the Living Murray initiative is to maintain and restore a mosaic of healthy floodplain communities, ensuring 80% of permanent and semi-permanent wetlands remains in healthy condition, 30% of River Red Gum forest remains in healthy condition, that successful breeding of thousands of colonial waterbirds occurs in at least three years in ten and that there are healthy populations of resident native fish in wetlands
One of the most attractive parts of this forest is in the vicinity of Kate Malone Bend, where there is a varied under-storey and where fields of everlastings carpet the forest floor following good rains or floods. At times, everlastings carpet the forest floor from here for many kilometres westwards toward Koondrook. This area is ideal for bushwalking and there are secluded camping sites alongside the Murray. Some riverside camp sites have beaches. East of Kate Malone Bend is an area of regenerating Box, with lots of stumps and regrowth from stumps, which lacks a middle storey or under-storey and which may lack aesthetic appeal. Black Box grows on land which floods only occasionally for a short time whereas Grey Box prefers higher and drier land. There are small areas where Yellow Box is dominant and native Callitris Pine is the dominant tree on some sand hills.
There are several wetland areas, most of which have been deprived of water over recent years. It is hoped to release environmental water to flood these areas from time to time, thereby promoting the breeding of waterbirds. Regulators are being upgraded and additional regulators are to be constructed.
32,000 megalitres has been set aside for wetlands on the NSW side of the Murray River. There is a wetlands working group which helps determine the wetlands to which the environmental water is to be directed. Private wetlands may be entitled to some of this water. Unfortunately, unlike the case with Barmah-Millewa, it seems that this water allocation cannot be held over from year to year. Nor can it be lent to irrigators to be paid back later.
Red Gums is important to the timber industry of the nearby town of Barham-Koondrook. Better quality timber is used in the production of fine Red Gum furniture and veneer. Poor quality timber and residues are used for firewood. About 200 make a living directly or indirectly from the industry, a substantial proportion of the population of Barham-Koondrook.
Under natural conditions, there would be fewer and larger Red Gum trees in the forest (the weakest saplings died as they failed to compete with stronger ones). As a result of man's interference, trees grow more closely together. Therefore, thinning is needed if good timber trees are to develop. Thinning allows crowns to grow wider and a taller, stronger tree is likely. Regional foresters have decided to thin sections of this forest, something which can only be funded whilst firewood prices are favourable. Forestry NSW claims that:
- dead trees are left alone except in a few instances where they appear to be very dangerous;
- in logging coupes, two habitat trees are identified per hectare and protected;
- in logging coupes, two replacement habitat trees are identified per hectare and left to develop hollows;
- in logging coupes, a few trees vigorous are selected and set aside for future logging;
- smaller and less vigorous red gums are logged; residues will henceforth be taken for "green firewood" and not left on the forest floor;
- stumps are being cut as close to the ground as possible;
- no logging is to occur within 60 metres of water courses or on sandhills;
- box and native pine are no longer being logged at all;
- areas with a rich middle storey are left unlogged or logged in such a way as to protect the middle storey as well as possible (this may involve leaving part of the area unlogged).
About 20 to 25 years after being logged, the area will be inspected again and further thinning (e.g. of regrowth from stumps) may be carried out. An aim is to have more very large red gums in the forest. Most trees of an area are often of similar age; the smaller trees may not be younger but less vigorous, the ones which would die out over time as a result of natural selection. A plan of irrigating much of Koondrook Forest by way of a yet-to-be-constructed channel is possible.
Some claim that overlogging is still occurring and that some of the above 'rules' are being breached.
Another aim of the managers is to use cattle to help control weeds whilst, at the same time, promoting local grasses and herbs. This means removing stock when native grasses are about to flower but introducing stock to areas of weeds at certain times of the year. On the NSW side of the Murray, stocking rates are considerably lower now and more discretion has been given to the regional forester.
The Big Bonum Sandhill has been fenced to exclude cattle, vehicles (including trail bikes) and pest animals. Direct seeding has been undertaken in an attempt to create a vegetation community typical of pre-European days. Special emphasis was given to locally endangered plant species which once grew on sandhills. However, there is presently no evidence of shrubs in the fenced area.
There is some concern at the growth of the semi-parasitic Dwarf Cherry in places, especially alongside the Murray, but this is an aesthetically pleasing shrub which is very important shrub to birds, providing both protection and food.
There are smaller State Forest reserves (Guttram Vic and Campbells Island NSW) just downstream of Barham-Koondrook (see below).
A chief site manager has been appointed to oversee the management of this environmentally significant asset. There is a site manager for the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest (who takes it in turns with the site manager for Gunbower Island to be chief site manager). The site mangers are assisted by a cross-border Coordinating Committee, a cross-border Citizens Reference Group (Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota CRG) and traditional (indigenous) landholders. As far as the NSW section of the forest is concerned, they work in conjunction with the Murray Catchment Management Authority and Forestry NSW.
Reference maps: Keely 1:50,000 (Central Mapping Authority of New South Wales); Region 20 CFA Rural Directory maps 217, 218, 192, 193.
Campbells Island State Forest
Campbells Island SF lies north-west of Barham, the western end of Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest. The wetland is called Guttrum Forest on the Victorian side of the Murray. See CFA (Vic) Region 20 Rural Directory Map 192 grid reference 360 590.
Guttrum State Forest
Guttrum is a red gum wetland in Victoria north-west of Barham. Access via Miller Road (which runs off Murrabit Road). The wetland is called Campbell Island SF in NSW. CFA Region 20 Rural Directory Map 192 350 380.
Red Gum Swamp Wildlife Reserve
Red Gum Swamp Wildlife Reserve is a 148 hectare wetland containing saltbush, lignum and dead river red gums located south-west of Koondrook.
Cattle
Cattle licences permit cattle to be grazed for a period of six months in certain areas. The forest is then rested for a period of six months.The VEAC report discusses the impact of cattle on the forest.
The forest on the NSW side of the Murray is divided into sections. Over winter, cattle may be allowed in areas where introduced grasses can be targeted. Cattle grazing may be allowed on higher sections of the forest, where they are unlikely to damage boggy wetlands, during summer. There are also exclosures in which cattle are not normally permitted. Some of these areas are wetlands. As flood waters recede, cattle can cause cause soil and vegetation damage (pugging) in wetlands. Sometimes, some cattle may be used in these for a short period to help control weeds. Forest administrators follow the guidelines set out in a document titled Riverina Grazing Strategy, copies of which can be obtained through Forestry NSW (a division of the NSW Department of Primary Industries).
Some of the exclosures are areas which have been fenced to protect certain plants (e.g. Banksia) or animals (e.g. Gilbert Whistler). As is the case with cattle, logging and vehicles are not normally permitted in exclosures.
In Victoria, cattle are removed from the forest in autumn. 'The Barmah Muster' attracts many tourists.
Some argue that the cattle reduce the "fuel" on the forest floor and lessen the danger of fires. But cattle cause damage. Major damage occurs on sand ridges where cattle not only prevent the regeneration of banksias, hop bushes and wattles but may destroy the nesting tunnels of Rainbow Bee-eaters. They also cause problems in reed bed swamps, pugging the soil, reducing the vegetation cover and eating the palatable reeds which protect river banks. They leave less-palatable species such as Giant Rush (Juncus ingens) which is taking over some areas.
In places, cattle damage the river banks. There is a growing realisation that cattle should be excluded from such areas and, in places, fencing has been erected to protect sensitive areas, e.g. on sandy areas along Picnic Point Road, along Millewa (Aratula) Road, along Tea Tree Road and along Langmans Road in Gulpa Island. Since the Reed Beds and Moira Lake have been fenced off, there has been a significant improvement in vegetation cover and diversity, with some uncommon plants becoming more common.
The number of cattle which can be grazed under lease has been reduced significantly over recent years and more power has been given to land managers. By early 2008, because of drought, all cattle had been taken out of the forest.
Cattle alongside the Murray River (K Stockwell)
Supporters of cattle grazing staging a protest (N Roberts)Some argue that a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken, comparing the benefits from grazing (income from license fees, weed control, etc) with the costs (increase in non-palatable grasses, reduction in incidence of palatable species, reduction in the diversity of vegetation, pugging, administrative costs, damage to river banks, spread of weeds, etc).
Forestry
Forestry directly and indirectly employs hundreds of people, especially in the Barmah-Koondrook area. Value-adding is becoming increasingly important and magnificent furniture is being made from red gum. An expensive laminating plant has been installed at Barham. Red Gum veneer can be used for flooring and wall panels as well as for table tops and in furniture construction. Fine quality red gum furniture is sold in Koondrook and in Echuca.A Forest Forum is held in Barham-Koondrook each year. Visitors are able to view examples of fine furniture and tour some of the mills.
Although it is claimed that logging is becoming increasingly conservative, the extent of logging seems to have been cranked up a few notches over recent years.
Old trees unsuitable for forestry are no longer being ring barked: in fact, habitat trees are retained in forestry coups. Foresters claim that only a small percentage of the forest is logged each year (there is a 20-year cycle) and only a fraction of the trees (as low as 20%) in each coupe are logged.
Some claim that over-logging is still occurring. The possibility that the Victorian Government is to order hundreds of thousands of wooden railway sleepers has outraged some environmentalists who claim that the use of longer-lasting concrete railway sleepers would have less impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Red Gum is susceptible to fire, relying on flooding for regeneration.
Most of the timber extracted from the forest is used for firewood or garden chips. Much of the firewood and chips are produced from forest residues, from thinning operations and from trees damaged by fire. Some are critical of the amount of firewood taken from the forest. Most of the firewood goes to Melbourne and provincial cities. Some argue that, because smoke contaminates the atmosphere and adds to greenhouse gases, wood fires should no longer be permitted. Smoke from wood fires causes some distress in the neighbourhood, especially to those with respiratory problems. Gas fires cause less greenhouse pollution and are unlikely to diminish the air quality of neighbours.
In order to collect or cut wood from the forest, a permit is necessary. Two chaps were recently fined around $3,600 for cutting firewood without a permit. The law is rigorously enforced, rangers and police patrolling the forest and manning entrance points at times.
In view of the low annual average rainfall of this area, Red Gum requires periodic flooding. Much of the forest has not received sufficient water over recent years. In parts of the forest, the trees are stressed and therefore subject to insect attack, placing their future value as timber trees at risk. It is in the interest of foresters that all areas of the forest receive 'floodwaters' from time to time.
Indigenous occupants
Indigenous people inhabited the area for thousands of years. Collectively, local tribes form Yorta Yorta Nations.Some cultural or sacred sites have been fenced off, e.g. areas with middens (piles of shells marking camping sites).
Some trees bear evidence that a bark bowl (coolamon), bark shield or bark canoe has been cut from them. Such trees are referred to as Coolamon Trees.
Indigenous persons are involved in the administration of the forest.
Potential threats to Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest
Potential threats include:
- inappropriate water management (quality, frequency, season, duration)
- inappropriate timber harvesting (e.g. clear-felling, removal of habitat trees, unsustainable logging)
- inappropriate grazing management (erosion of banks, changed vegetation mix, loss of soil-vegetation cover, weeds)
- fires (flooding reduces the fire danger; Red Gum is intolerant of fire)
- weeds (e.g. Arrowhead, thistles)
- feral animals (e.g. rabbits, brumbies, pigs)
- barriers to fish movement
- barriers to water movement
More information
Here are some sources of more information about the forest:
Gunbower Koondrook
Northern Victoria & Southern Riverina Conservation and Environment Site
Section 1: Conservation News Section 5: Photo Gallery Section 2: Bushwalking Section 6: Bushland Reserves Section 3: Birding Section 7: Animals Section 4: Local Plants Section 8: Conservation Links