Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Stripping the willows near Holbrook
A willow-lined creek bank may look inviting, but it's just an illusion. This greenery comes from a tree now recognised as among the worst river bank and wetland weeds in temperate Australia.
Willows spread their roots into creek and river beds, slowing down water flow and reducing aeration. They shade out native plants and reduce habitat available for native animals. And they use an enormous amount of water.
Just past Holbrook in southern New South Wales, 'Woomargama Station' is undertaking a major exercise to remove basket willows from all its waterways.
Funding
The project has been supported with more than $42, 000 from the Australian Government.
Activities
"Willows can cause massive alterations to stream courses and realign them as a result of blockages, increased flooding and erosion caused by the trees," 'Woomargama Station' Manager Chris Mirams said.
"It can be a really slow process and it takes a while to realise the impact of what's happening, as you see the creek being displaced and being pushed onto the flat.
"But the real issue is the lack of oxygen and loss of water quality, damaging aquatic native plants and animals. This is caused by the microbial breakdown of decaying roots and the dump of autumn leaves on the water.
"We'd been chipping away at the problem on 'Woomargama' over the past five years, but you could hardly see where we'd been.
"We'd never really thought we could attack it all at once until we received the funding opportunity. With this, added to our commitment which covers at least half the cost of the work, we've been able to make a real difference."
As a first step, trees have been drilled and poison inserted along eight kilometres of waterways on the property. This was followed by felling the trees and hiring heavy machinery to lift the timber out of the creek bed and stack it in preparation for burning. Stumps are left to rot, with the creek bed left largely undisturbed.
"Getting rid of the willows is part of a total sustainable management plan for the creek banks that will involve fencing off the waterways and replanting natives," Chris said. "In time strategic grazing will be introduced to help in the on-going pest and weed control."
Local Landcare groups and the Murray Catchment Management Authority - who've been supportive of the Woomargama willow eradication - are likely to be involved in future plans for restoring the property's waterways.
More information
- Chris Mirams, 'Woomargama Station' Manager: woostat@bigpond.com
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