Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Fencing off Castlereagh river frontage
Ambrose and Lisa Doolan spent several months fencing off six kilometres of Castlereagh River frontage on their 1,643 hectare property between Dubbo and Tamworth in New South Wales.
Their efforts kept out the cattle, halted erosion and helped protect the river.
Funding
They received over $17,000 from the Australian Government for the project and contributed some of their own savings.
Ambrose said he wouldn't have attempted the project without the funding, but it still cost them more in time and money than anticipated.
"We put in about $30,000 of our own funds and around $12,500 in kind," he said "But we're glad we did it. The cattle used to make a bit of a mess destroying the river banks."
Activities
Apart from fencing off the bank to keep out the cattle, Ambrose and Lisa also made sure the cattle had alternative watering places.
"We built 20 troughs and now the cattle have access to water across the whole property," Ambrose said.
"Having water in more paddocks is more reliable. But you have to pay for bore water which costs a couple of thousand dollars a year. And you have to constantly check the troughs, where you didn't have to worry about checking the river when the stock drank from it.
"But the up side is that we can now control what goes into the water. For example, we can put bloat oil in the troughs to prevent the cattle from getting bloat.
"And we can dispense other vitamins and minerals if needed. We couldn't do this if they were drinking out of the river."
Achievements
Following the construction of the fence, Ambrose said his family noticed just how much damage the 1,000 head of cattle had done on the river banks.
"Fencing it off has made a big difference to the banks," he said. "Wild apple trees have started to grow on their own and the banks aren't eroding.
"Over all, I think the costs have more than balanced themselves out. We have made the creek a bit better and the farm more intensive in other places.
"It's worthwhile for the environment and I think we'll make a quid out of it too."
More information
- Ambrose Doolan: (02) 6842 7879
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