Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Looking after the Dorrigo Plateau
Rugged wilderness, free flowing creeks and rivers, native forests and productive agricultural land present challenging demands for Dorrigo Plateau land managers.
"It's critical that all these areas be managed sustainably for the long term," said Peter Menzies of Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
The Dorrigo Integrated Land and Water Project is striving to achieve this. The project targets river health and land management planning, developing community awareness and involvement, and is supporting a variety of practical activities.
Funding
Through the Northern Rivers CMA, the Australian Government provided more than $550,000 to the project over four years, starting in 2003/04. Clarence Valley Council's North Coast Water is another major project partner, with support also provided by Bellingen Shire Council and the local Landcare network. The State Government has also provided support.
Activities
The project has funded activities like fencing, weed control, replanting, stock crossings, dairy laneways, off-stream watering points, soil conservation earthworks, field days and skills and training workshops.
"We're supporting landholders in the Dorrigo who adopt best management practices," said Project Officer Phil Parbery.
"To protect the health of the rivers, we're encouraging people to conserve and enhance riverbanks including replanting species like Tea Tree, Melaleucas, Banksias, River Oaks, Callistemons and Lomandras.
"One of our major emphases is reducing the extent of weeds such as privet and honeysuckle vine on riverbanks.
"We're keen to try new approaches and have been using an excavator mounted mulching machine for densely infested areas.
"Organic weed control options might include using goats, or thermal weed control using a flame thrower, but these are yet to be tried as part of the project."
Achievements
Around 70 landowners have been involved so far, with some undertaking three to four projects on their land. Twenty four kilometres of fencing have been erected, 12,000 native seedlings planted, 1,600 metres of concrete dairy laneways constructed, 130 hectares of cultivation protected by contour banks, 86 troughs installed and 130 hectares of grazing land managed under 'best practice'.
"One of the project's main achievements is community and landholder involvement," said Phil.
"Through a community reference group, people give the CMA feedback on how the project is going and what direction it should be taking.
"There's a changing attitude among landholders with greater emphasis on looking after natural resources."
More information
- Peter Menzies, Northern Rivers CMA: (02) 6642 0612
- Phil Parbery, Project Officer: (02) 6657 1624
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