Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Protecting the last of the wild rivers
There aren't too many wild places left in the developed world but Mambray Creek in South Australia - starting in Mambray National Park and spilling into the Spencer Gulf - is one of few wild rivers in the state uninterrupted by dams or diversions.
Funding
It is now free from stock thanks to $80,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government, via the Northern and Yorke Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Board.
Of this investment $10,680 has gone to landholder Geoff Axford as incentive funding to protect 60 hectares on his property, which lies north of Port Pirie. Geoff plans to exclude stock from the three kilometres of creek that runs through his property and out to the Spencer Gulf.
Activities
Five kilometres of land has been fenced, two days of boxthorn weed removal carried out and one water point relocated. But the environmental benefits don't stop at Geoff's fenceline. His fencing links to a large coastal reserve of saltbush and dryland tea tree, which connects to coastal mangroves and the river entrance, which in turn flows on to a marine environment of seagrass.
Greening Australia Bushcare Support Officer Anne Brown said the work of Geoff and other landholders was vital for Mambray Creek's health and its distinct open woodland, river red gum stands, mallee and mangroves.
Achievements
“Mambray Creek runs through about seven properties so incentives are being offered to encourage landowners to fence off river zones on their property, remove stock from waterholes and move water points away from the creek,” Anne said.
“Riverbanks have in the past become unstable following summer storms that are common in this region.
“During high flow the streambed gets washed away, water holes silt up and we lose the health of the river. Most of the time it's a dry river except for its major waterholes - habitats for fish breeding - some of which Geoff has fenced off. At least three other landholders have carried out similar worthwhile projects.”
Incentive funding is still available to landholders and it's hoped red gums further upstream will be protected from the drought. The ultimate aim is to spread incentives from the park to the sea.
Thankfully there's not too much paperwork involved in funding applications, and successful landholders can stage the work and be paid as they go.
More information
- Trudie Stanley, Northern and Yorke NRM Board program Manager: (08) 8842 6253
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