Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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site specific
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Fencing off the Darling River in Tilpa
Part of the 35km stretch of the Darling River that runs along the Davies' property
The fence line has been put up to keep stock away from the river
One of the water troughs on the property supplied by a nearby tank of bore water
Avoiding brown snakes, mustering stock and dealing with the vagaries of outback life are all part of a day's work for Kerrie and Geoff Davies.
But another part of life on the farm is looking after the environment.
The Davies have fenced off river frontage on their 25,000 hectare property 100 kilometres north east of Wilcannia in New South Wales. This has prevented stock accessing the riverbank and has improved the habitat for the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo.
Funding
To help them with this project, the Davies received $15,000 from the Australian Government.
Activities and Achievements
The Davies have now almost completely fenced off their 35 kilometre river frontage.
Western CMA officer, Melinda Fletcher, was full of praise for their significant commitment.
"Fencing off these areas is considered best management practice to preserve, improve and maintain water systems and water quality," Melinda said.
"It gives the landholders control over stock movement, which means they can exclude stock and this improves native vegetation growth, soil health and water quality.
"Fencing the river also allows landholders control of grazing pressure in an area which increases groundcover and decreases top-soil erosion and nutrient runoff into the river."
Kerrie said they wouldn't have undertaken the project had they not received the grant.
"We couldn't have afforded to embark on this project by ourselves," she said. "Somewhere along the line, people have to start looking after this river. Since we started fencing, several of our neighbours have become interested in fencing too."
Kerrie said another bonus was the new watering points. "We have taken water from our bore out back and run it through pipelines for stock," she said.
"We have approximately 20 watering points for stock running over 120 kilometres. So now, the water from the river is only used for the house."
More information
- Melinda Fletcher, Western CMA officer: (02) 6872 2144
- Western CMA website
See also
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