Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Gully restoration in the Great Dividing Range
Tom Appel reckons the best thing about working with catchment authorities is being able to work on the whole project - as opposed to just part of it. Tom recently completed a gully restoration project on his property in Bannister, between Gunning and Crookwell in New South Wales.
Funding
In March 2005 Tom received two lots of funding through the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority's (CMA) incentive program. The initial grant of $10,400 from the Australian Government helped to conserve a 24-hectare block of remnant native plants.
A second grant of $21,500 from the Australian and State Governments went into further work.
Tom contributed financially to both projects, but said he wouldn't have been able to undertake all of the work if he had to fund it himself.
"We couldn't have afforded a job this size without assistance. Initially we were only going to apply for about a third of the amount - but we got advice from the Lachlan CMA and they told us that to do the job properly we'd need to apply for a larger sum. So we did," Tom said.
Activities
Under the first part of the project Tom built 2,000 metres of conventional fencing and planted 400 native trees and shrub tubestock to protect existing plants. Because of the drought, Tom will plant the remaining 600 trees when the weather allows.
Tom also built three gully control structures to prevent sediment getting washed into the creek and affecting the water quality downstream. This was done in conjunction with planting trees on all disturbed areas around the creek bank.
Once again the drought factored in the construction.
"We had really dry conditions - it was like a big dust bowl out here. The ground was very powdery, like bulldust. Then we had a big downpour and things moved around a bit," Tom said.
"But the movement occurred within the gully-control structures, and everything worked out as it was intended to.
"Prior to this, the erosion was taking away farming ground and causing problems with the stock."
Achievements
John Rogers from the Lachlan CMA said the two projects were in line with the CMA's natural resource management goals.
"These projects had major environmental outcomes, with work on adjoining sites achieving both biodiversity and water quality improvement," John said.
More information
- John Rogers, Lachlan CMA: (02) 6852 1264
- Lachlan CMA website: www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au
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