The Green Army removed weeds in bushland near the corner of Baynes Road and Point Leo Road at Red Hill South from November 5 to November 13, 2014.
This Red Hill South project was undertaken in the roadside reserve of approximately 2.25 ha adjoining Baynes Road and Point Leo road at Red Hill South.  This is an important area of remnant vegetation, which has over years become infested with a number of problem invasive weeds.
The co-operative efforts of the Green Army; Conservation Volunteers Australia; Shire of Mornington Peninsula; Habitat Restoration Fund and members of Red Hill South Landcare Group have achieved a remarkable transformation in the finished area.  Approximately 60 percent of the woody weed infestation was cleared from the public reserve between 5th and 13th November 2014. The reserve was barely accessible particularly because of Karamu; Pittosporum and small pine undergrowth.
The Habitat Restoration Fund applied to the Shire for the planning permit and also arranged to have a consultant on site each day for weed identification and removal technique. This assistance was invaluable to the Green Army team.
The 10 Green Army volunteers were undaunted by the task initially confronting them. The Red Hill South committee members assisting each day were impressed with the way in which they stuck to the task of hand weeding smaller plants and cut/paint larger plants.
As the Green Army were not permitted to work within 10 metres of the road boundary the Shire team cleared woody weed and sprayed Watsonia parallel to Baynes Road. The Shire also disposed of all the woody weed brought to the edge of the reserve by the Green Army by providing a mulching team.
The initial feedback from residents bordering the reserve to the RHSLG letterbox drop informing them of the works being undertaken by Green Army has been very supportive.
Removal of the weeds has assisted the Shire in meeting their obligation to remove noxious weeds as well as assisting in conserving biodiversity generally. There has been a massive reduction of fuel loading and significantly increased accessibility in a fire-prone area.
The attached photo depicts a cleared area and an area of woody weed typical of what had to be removed in the background.
A matching combined effort will be required in 2015 to complete the task of finalizing the restoration of this significant bushland reserve and on-going maintenance will be required to maintain control of the expected weed regrowth.