Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Replanting work helps Narrabri farm and environment
Geoff and Alex O'Neill firmly believe when it comes to the environment, prevention is better than the cure. They've embarked on a long-term project to help native plants and wildlife reclaim some of their 2,000-hectare farm.
Funding
In 2005 the Australian Government provided the O'Neills, through the Glen Innes Natural Resource Advisory Committee, with more than $27,000 to help them plant thousands of native trees on 'Llano' near Narrabri.
Activities
The O'Neills were well-prepared with advice and assistance from the Namoi Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
"We started about five years ago with some funding from Greening Australia, and planted about 5,000 trees. Then with the Envirofund assistance we planted another 5,000," Geoff said.
"With this support we'd planned to plant more than 25,000 trees, but because of the drought we've had to cut back. About 20 per cent of the trees in the second lot didn't make it, which is disappointing considering we only lost six per cent in the first lot.
"We decided the risk is too high at the moment. Hopefully this winter we'll be able to start planting again."
But the experience has taught them how crucial the timing of planting is, and how important sub-soil moisture is to the success of such a project.
Once all the trees are planted, Geoff and Alex will build more than 15 kilometres of fencing around them to provide further protection.
Achievements
To maximise the seedlings' chances of survival and to attract native species back to the area, the O'Neills selected mostly eucalypt species, including River Red Gum, Grey Box, Ironbark and Coolibah.
This has already shown to be a good choice.
"The trees have done really well and are looking quite green," Geoff said. "We're seeing kangaroos coming back to the area and a lot more native bird species, from finches right through to predatory birds.
"We've re-planted an area of 16 hectares, which is about half of what we aim to do. On a 2,000-hectare property the impact to production is negligible, but on the other hand, the trees are helping protect crops by breaking up the wind pattern.
"So aside from aesthetic values it's had real environmental and economic benefits."
More information
- Geoff O'Neill: (02) 6793 8397 or oneill@northnet.com.au
- Anne Ferguson, Namoi CMA Media and Public Relations Officer: (02) 6742 9202 or anne.ferguson@cma.nsw.gov.au
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window