Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Improving the health of the Goan Waterhole
Residents of the small 1,000 strong town of Trangie were concerned about the health of the Goan Waterhole, an intermittent waterway stretching for several kilometres on the edge of town.
And in 1996, the Trangie Landcare Group worked with the Narromine Shire Council and local school, to study the damage done to the waterhole and found that travelling stock were largely responsible.
Stock were excluded from the waterhole, but there were still problems.
Funding
In 2003, Macquarie 2100, a landcare and community organisation which evolved from the Macquarie Valley Landcare Group, received over $15,000 from the Australian Government to care for the waterhole.
Activities
"Although the fenced off area of the waterhole had recovered following stock exclusion, there was still a lack of plant substructure and native grasses," said Macquarie 2100 Public Officer Claire Jenkins. "There were noxious and exotic plants in the rangeland and the waterway."
The group undertook fauna and flora studies and developed a plant list of suitable natives. They also decided that trash traps were needed to stop rubbish washing into the waterway from the town's storm water drains.
Landcare workers, teachers, children and locals worked together to improve the health of the Goan. Local teachers saw the educational benefits of using the waterhole as mini-wetlands for teaching purposes.
Achievements
"We received 500 plants; trash traps were built and installed, the walking track was extended and we got some signage," Claire said.
The drought however had a devastating impact on planting.
"We held off planting until there was a substantial fall of rain, and with the hope that the season had changed, planted the trees, with the aid of the school children," she said.
"We knew we were taking a risk planting them as it had been very dry - we had only had seven inches of rain.
"Unfortunately the rain didn't come again, and in spite of several hand waterings, October 2006 saw 100 per cent mortality."
However the group is undaunted and the plan is to redo the ground preparation and replant in a better year, whether it be 2007, or 2010.
More information
- Claire Jenkins, Macquarie 2100 Public Officer: (02) 6889 3133
- Macquarie 2100 website: www.macquarie2100.org.au/
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window