Team work halts creek erosion

Severe erosion threatening to cut paddocks in half and reduce productivity on a farm in North Central Victoria has been halted, thanks to a joint effort from both local landholders and government agencies.

Stuart Mill, a small settlement 25 kilometres from St Arnaud, is one of North Central Catchment Management Authority's degraded waterways targeted for erosion control. It also has the benefit of a very active local Landcare group.

For the past decade, landholders Tony and Glenda Lloyd have been battling increasing erosion along Racecourse Creek, which begins on their property and feeds salt and sediment downstream to the Strathfillan Creek and on to the Avoca River.

"Poor soils, increased runoff from the land being cleared and hard-setting soils meant that the landscape in this area was always prone to severe erosion," said Catchment Management Authority Team Leader-River Health Jon Leevers.

Funding

This erosion and sediment control project was funded by the Australian and State Governments and was undertaken as part of the Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy.

And now, thanks to much teamwork, the Lloyds have not only restored the health of their property, but have protected the landscape as well.

Activities

Several erosion control structures were built. This included placing rocks in the creek bed to halt erosion and undertaking work to 'batter' banks which involved sloping unstable vertical faces backwards and compacting them to ensure stability.

As well as this, the creek line was fenced to control stock then replanted with native trees indigenous to the area, and the nearby slopes were sown with grasses.

Achievements

The Lloyds said the project would be a boost to the environment as well as their farm's productivity.

The Avoca River will benefit from reduced sediment and salinity, leading to better water quality. The replanted areas will encourage biodiversity, creating corridors for native plants and animals to flourish. And last but not least, the landscape will once again look attractive.

More information

• Jon Leevers, Team Leader - River Health, North Central Catchment Management Authority: (03) 5448 7124 or jon.leevers@nccma.vic.gov.au
• North Central Catchment Management Authority website: www.nccma.vic.gov.au

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

DEWHA  | DAFF  | australia.gov.au  | NAP  | NHT 
Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts