Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Protecting a creek system
Throughout the drought Neil Cadzow has been fencing the creeks on his 20,000 hectare property in South West Queensland to stop his cattle and goats trampling the banks.
So far he's worked on three connected creeks on his 'Alice Downs' property - Nebraska, Hamburg and Angellala Creeks.
Funding
Neil has received a total of just over $58,000 from the Australian Government for three projects, the first of which started in 2002 on Nebraska Creek.
The funding included a grant of nearly $25,000 for protecting Hamburg Creek. Funding for the latest project for Hamburg and Angellala Creeks came through South West NRM Ltd's Futurescapes program. The Queensland Government has also provided support.
Activities
"I have done all the work on my own, or with the help of contract labour," said Neil. "This means it can take a long time to complete.
"I fenced nine kilometres on Nebraska Creek, and the grass is beginning to come back.
"The project on Hamburg Creek was the second stage of the overall plan to fence off the creeks and reposition the watering points for stock. We're aiming to stop the erosion that the stock was causing and to allow the creek system to regenerate naturally, as grasses and other native plants grow back.
"Trees like River Gum, River Paperbark, Ironbark and Brigalow were in fair condition on Hamburg Creek and we want to promote the growth of native grasses like Kangaroo, Windmill, Speargrass and Bluegrass. This will help build up a native wildlife corridor along the creek system."
The last project involved 15 kilometres of fencing, including completing the Hamburg Creek effort and beginning fencing on Angellala Creek.
Cattle are still occasionally allowed into some parts of the creeks, but Neil said that he was now able to control when and how. "Before, they just lived along the creeks and wouldn't walk off," he said. "That's no longer the case."
Achievements
"With the drought you have to wait longer for results," said Neil.
"It's evident that we've slowed down the deterioration of the creek banks. The cattle pads where the stock used to lie have been reduced and native grass cover is beginning to come back. But it's likely to be a decade before major changes are clearly visible."
More information
- Neil Cadzow, property owner: (07) 4654 8245
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