Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Restoring Moree reserves
After years of abuse the future looked bleak for two reserves near Moree - they were weed infested, badly damaged by livestock and trail bike riding and used as unofficial rubbish tips.
That's until the Moree Rural Lands Protection Board stepped in.
Board Manager, Lindy Goodman, said the noxious weeds African boxthorn and green cestrum had taken over the Four and Seven Mile Reserves along the Mehi River.
"In some areas the weeds were impassable, and people were using the area as a rubbish dump because it was hidden from view," Lindy said.
"There was everything there from washing machines and cars to old mattresses, household rubbish and garden waste, which washed into the river during floods."
Trail bike riders also used the dunes on Seven Mile Reserve as a playground, and Lindy said this created enormous soil erosion, while livestock accessing the area only made matters worse.
Funding
The Australian Government gave the Moree Rural Lands Protection Board more than $29,000 to help protect the reserves and the river, and enable native plants to reclaim the area.
Activities
"We began by building fences to keep the stock and the trail bike riders out and prevent further damage," Lindy said.
"But we had some difficulties, and people who must have thought it was public land didn't like being locked out. As soon as the fence went up vandals would come and tear it down. There was a lot of animosity."
Eventually the Board erected 550 metres of fencing along the western side of Four Mile Reserve and 1.5 kilometres on Seven Mile Reserve.
"We also spent a lot of time spraying the weeds and clearing rubbish on the site, as well as mulching to prepare the soil for native plants," Lindy said. "We then planted trees to establish a 600 metre wildlife corridor from the river to native vegetation patches."
Achievements
As well as keeping stock and motorbikes out, the Board has almost completely eradicated African boxthorn and green cestrum from the sites.
"This'll hopefully deter people from dumping rubbish there, and by clearing the rubbish we also hope to keep vermin away and protect areas down river from weed infestations," Lindy said. "The fencing has already proven successful, with native plants starting to return."
The Board hopes to see natural regeneration of the area and - with limited resources remaining after spending $91,000 on the project - will keep maintaining the site to help its recovery.
More information
- Lindy Goodman, Moree Rural Lands Protection Board Manager: (02) 6752 8012 or lindy.goodman@rlpb.org.au
- Karen Schubert, Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority Community Support Officer: (02) 6757 2554 or karen.schubert@cma.nsw.gov.au
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