Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Landholders roll up to restore Tweed Riverbank
Landholders in the headwaters of the Tweed River are getting behind a project to clean up and restore the riverbanks in this environmentally significant part of northern New South Wales.
"The response has been exceptional," said Amalia Short from Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA). "Thirty eight landholders have voluntarily become involved in this project, which is focusing on developing and putting riverbank rehabilitation plans in place."
The Upper Tweed sub-catchment is important for its ecology and also supplies water to the population downstream.
"Riverbanks along the upper Tweed River and its tributaries are now under pressure from weeds and unmanaged grazing," said Amalia. "Weeds like lantana, camphor laurel, privet and a number of vine weeds are causing a major problem and are threatening native plants."
Funding
The Australian Government has provided $110,000 to the project through the Northern Rivers CMA, and the State Government has also provided support. In addition, Tweed Shire Council has channeled $40,000 into work.
Activities
The project first helps landholders develop riverbank protection plans and then provides technical and practical assistance to put these in place.
"While we look at the sub-catchment as a whole, we assess properties on an individual basis and make recommendations on what is needed to rehabilitate the riverbanks on each one," Amalia said.
By mid 2006 property plans were agreed with 15 landholders, covering 14.6 kilometres of riverbanks. A further 23 plans covering 21.6 kilometres were expected to be agreed by mid-2007. A management agreement will be negotiated with each new participating landholder.
EnviTE - Environmental Training and Employment Inc - and Bushland Restoration Services are undertaking the practical work. As riverbank restoration plans are put in place on some properties, work will continue developing plans on others.
Restoration activities will include weed control, fencing and putting in water troughs to keep stock away from streams and replanting native vegetation.
"In some places we find that once the weeds are controlled, enough native plants remain for natural regeneration," said Maree Thompson from EnviTE. "In others where there's mainly grass on the banks, we need to replant."
Special arrangements have been agreed to make sure the efforts don't disturb the habitat of the endangered Giant Barred Frog.
Achievements
Before hands-on work had even started, the project had already made an impact, with growing appreciation of the importance of riverbank ecosystems and water quality in the Tweed headwaters.
More information
- Amalia Short, Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority: (02) 6672 5608
- Maree Thompson, EnviTE: (02) 6621 9588
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