9.3.3. Management of native vegetation on a livestock block

Information about managing and grazing native pastures with livestock is available in ‘Managing your pastures’ on page XX.

To bringing back native vegetation and encourage natural regeneration, fence off existing vegetation to exclude stock so they cannot eat young seedlings.
Fencing is necessary to exclude or better manage stock in sensitive vegetation areas, but is generally the greatest cost in managing or establishing vegetation. Costs vary depending on the type of materials used and the type of animal you wish to exclude. Local retailers and fencing contractors can give you an idea of the costs of materials and/or labour per kilometre.
Suitable areas to fence to encourage regeneration could be around clumps of native trees in paddocks, corners of paddocks, rocky or steep areas, ridge lines, erosion-prone areas and creek banks. Natural revegetation may take a while but is inexpensive, hardy and has a more natural appearance than tree-planting projects.

Restrict input use.
Native species are not adapted to a nutrient-rich environment. Applying excessive fertilisers to surrounding pastures can encourage ‘die-back’ and  result in high nutrient runoff into waterways and an increased risk of aquatic weeds, algae and eutrophication.
Encourage many species of trees and understorey plants. Accept that there will be some damage done by leaf-eating insects and resist the urge to spray.
Use stock to lightly graze established areas of native vegetation, to promote greater variety in the understorey.
Be patient. It will take years for disturbed sites to recover their balance.