Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Protecting the Severn River for future generations
Past grazing on a 5,000 hectare property along the Severn River near Glen Innes had, over the years, caused the riverbanks to wash away. But the property owners are gradually repairing the damage and protecting the site for the future.
"In the past, grazing caused a lot of erosion along the river banks," Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Land Council coordinator Trevor Potter said.
"We haven't run sheep for five years but we do plan to re-introduce grazing in the future. We wanted to help repair some of the damage done and protect the banks from further problems, while providing a habitat for the animals that live there.
"We first needed a management plan to help us work out our priorities."
Funding
In 2002, the Australian Government gave the Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Land Council, through the Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee, more than $14,000 to produce a management plan for the Land Council's property.
Activities
The plan identified areas throughout the property affected by stock or weeds and provided recommendations on the way forward.
"Once we had our priorities and knew where to direct our efforts we were able to start addressing the issues," Trevor said.
"We began by fencing six kilometres of the riverbank, rebuilt banks with about 10 tonnes of rock, sprayed weeds - including honey locust tree and African lovegrass - and planted about 6,000 native trees," he said.
"Because we have a lot of bird species here, including the rare Turquoise Parrot, we made sure we chose trees and shrubs that would provide food and habitat for the wildlife, like Bottlebrush, Ironbark, and Apple Box."
Achievements
The dry weather and cold winters - which can bring temperatures of minus 17 degrees to the area - can badly affect young plants, but Trevor said so far about 70 per cent of seedlings had survived.
"We still have plenty of work ahead of us as this was the first stage of six stages - we've got 28 kilometres of river frontage, and the report recommends work right along the banks," he said. "But every section will provide more habitat for wildlife.
"Improving the health of the river means we can make sure not only that its inhabitants - like fish and platypus - have a home for the future, but that our younger generations can enjoy its beauty."
More information
- Trevor Potter, Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Land Council: (02) 6732 1150 or gilalc@northnet.com.au
- Melissa Freeman, Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee Community Support Officer: (02) 6732 3443 or glenrac@bigpond.net.au
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