Shackle Road Self Guided Drive - Stop 7 - SA

Stop 7 - Bull Creek
Bull Creek has its catchment entirely within the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, and joins with the Breakneck River system. This vast area of undisturbed wetland provides ideal habitat for many species of birds such as rails (Rallus spp.) and crakes (Porzana spp.). These birds are seldom seen due to their secretive habits within this dense, swampy vegetation.
Cinnamon fungus has been identified in this area. Please help reduce its spread by not walking off roads or designated walking tracks.
Phytophthora cinnamomi, known as cinnamon fungus, is a water mould, fungus-like organism. It is carried in soil and water and causes disease and death to a wide variety of native plant species. Phytophthora cinnamomi attacks the roots and stems of susceptible plants and causes them to rot. The plants are no longer able to take up sufficient water and nutrients and die.
This disease spreads quickly through movement of water in the soil and slowly from plant to plant by root contact. People have dramatically increased its spread by moving soil, gravel and plants from infested areas to uninfested areas. It can be transferred long distances in soil stuck to the underbodies and
wheels of vehicles and earthmoving equipment. Bushwalkers can spread it
with mud sticking to their boots, tent pegs and toilet trowels.
You can help reduce the spread of Phytophthora by staying on formed roads and designated walking tracks and by using foot hygeine cleaning stations where provided.
Roads through sensitive areas such as this pose a threat to the pristine quality of these wetlands. Silt from the road can wash into the creek adversely affecting the vegetation.
Roadsides also provide ideal conditions for weed introductions and these may easily be brought in by earthmoving equipment during maintenance operations such as grading.