Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Keeping Copperfield River
Michael and Tracy check on a fence line and gate.
Michael maintains the fence erected to protect nearby Copperfield River from cattle.
The Copperfield River before it rains.
Not far from the Cairns to Einasleigh railway line in Queensland's Northern Gulf Region runs the Copperfield River, plus now, a 26 kilometre fence that prevents 900 head of stock from trampling the riverbank.
Landowners Tracy and Michael Furber, who run 2,000 head of cattle on 20,000 hectares, found time in between mustering to complete a three-strand wire fence on one of their paddocks.
Before the Furbers took action, stock grazed the river bank for 12 months of the year, damaging native plants by trampling and soil erosion. Native grass species in particular were grazed before they could seed, reducing the seed bank and chances of future restoration. Weeds such as thorn apple and rubber vine also proliferated, lessening the diversity of native species.
Funding
The six-month project, which received funding from the Australian Government and support from the State Government, not only excludes stock but also encourages native grasses to regrow, particularly during the wet season.
Activities
Tracy said the fencing work was "quite an achievement" because it was completed by just three people - herself, Michael and her retired father.
"Most of the work was done during the winter and we would work 10 days straight from daylight to dark, then another 10 days straight depending on the weather," she said. "The first two stints we did were good, you could go all day, but in summer it was stinking hot."
Four dams were also constructed to provide watering points for the cattle.
Achievements
Since restoring the river frontage the Furbers have simultaneously created a corridor for wildlife. These days Tracy spots a lot more brolgas, "which is a good sign".
"Since we've fenced the river off the difference is unbelievable," Tracy said. "There is high long green grass, and there's never been long grass by the river before. Now it's almost waist high. It stabilises the bank and the roots have taken hold. It's unreal how quickly it's re-established. We expected it would take longer.
"It's definitely worth it. In the short time we've had the fence, the riverbank has just bloomed.
"Keeping cattle off the rivers will definitely help control the weeds and the older farmers say, 'the more flogged your country is the worse you get the weeds'. With that grass being able to get up, the weeds haven't had a chance to see the sun."
More information
- Tracy and Michael Furber, landowners: (07) 4062 5263 or sodacreek@bigpond.com.au
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window