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Water-spreading banks the way to go in Cobar
Imagine pulling out woody weeds for 30 years. Kevin Mitchell doesn't have to imagine it - he's done it!
Kevin lives on a 10,000 hectare property 50 kilometres east of Cobar in New South Wales and is a long-time advocate for developing water-spreading banks to reduce water run-off on farming properties. He has been using these since 1979.
Funding
For their latest water-spreading project, the Mitchells received $34,000 from the Australian Government through the Western Catchment Management Authority to which they added matching in-kind and financial contributions.
Activities and Achievements
Kevin plans to remove woody weeds over 250 hectares and construct 30 kilometres of water-spreading banks to prevent water erosion.
The concept is a simple one: the ground - that currently has very low carrying capacity - is cleared of weeds. Water is then collected off the ridges and diverted onto the flats. Benefits include good water infiltration and ground cover which, ultimately, improves the environment.
"We are seeing the return of endangered species like Major Mitchell Cockatoos, Superb Parrots and a variety of birdlife because there's a food chain here now," Kevin said.
Water-spreading banks are currently experiencing a comeback. Kevin held a field day, attended by more than 100 people, to promote their benefits.
"When you're the first one to start something - a lot like the people who invented cars - you make a lot of mistakes. But along the way you create interest and slowly people begin to catch on," Kevin said.
"That's what's happening now.
"Creating ground cover with water-spreading banks isn't expensive. The initial clearing costs $250 per hectare. That's all up; from go, to native pasture.
"After that you don't have to touch it. I only spend a couple of dollars a year on woody paddocks now." Kevin said that once the carrying capacity of the ground was improved, it sustained itself.
The woody weed controlled, water-spreading areas are now open, fertile and productive. The groundcover helps control soil erosion and provides varied habitats with environmental benefits. On top of that, the commercial productivity has increased over ten-fold from just one sheep to 10-15 hectares to one sheep to 0.5-1 hectares.
More information
- Chris Higgins, Western CMA NRM Facilitator: (02) 6836 1575
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