Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Removing weeds from the South Esk
Dangerously close to the Midland Highway, the main Launceston/Hobart route in Northern Tasmania, lives a hidden colony of wombats.
Five years ago you couldn't see them for the weeds. Today, the banks of the South Esk River are visible again following a weed blitz by poppy farmer Gwendolyn Adams.
Funding
Gwendolyn used around $54,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government to carry out the work. The funds were delivered through the NRM North regional group.
Activities and achievements
A member of the Perth and Evandale Rural Landcare Group, Gwendolyn has lived on the property 'Leighlands' most of her life and "never knew we had wombats."
"We became involved in the Rivercare program because in some places the banks were so steep and infested with gorse, blackberries, hawthorn and crack willow that we struggled to access the river," Gwendolyn said.
"Some of our paddocks run along the riverbanks so we've completely fenced off our marsh area and two others including one paddock where sheep were jumping down and causing erosion of the riverbank. We're tired old farmers just trying to look after river frontages, but it's been a phenomenal success it's determination."
Gwendolyn is one of 12 property owners in the area tackling weeds and installing stock troughs, planting trees and fencing. When Gwendolyn purchased part of the adjoining property, 124 hectares, it had one tree and paddocks full of thistles, no clean water troughs and no secure paddocks.
"My ambition is to plant 1,000 trees and shrubs in a year and have about 10 per cent of the property under trees," she said. "We have two river frontages and so far we've helped to clear and replant half a kilometre of riverbank on each side and where possible, to limit stock access."
Another side project for Gwendolyn is the Adopt a Farm program, where she has hosted school groups for Landcare related activities over the past 10 years.
"Last year we put in four plantations and we're trying to be practical and have different kinds of work such as direct seeding, putting in tubestock plantations, pine plantations, rivercare plantations and providing shelter," she said.
"We're trying to address the salinity problem and keep this to a minimum. We also seek advice regarding the appropriate species for a particular area and are committed to hand watering for the first two summers, if necessary, to ensure good establishment.
"We'll keep doing what we're doing - it makes a difference."
More information
- James McKee: (03) 6333 7772 or jmckee@nrmnorth.org.au
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window