Landholders save waterways in upper Campaspe

Landholders have helped repair and protect the waterways of the upper Campaspe catchment, thanks to financial incentives and technical assistance through the Upper Campaspe River Health Project.

Incentives were made available for fencing and for developing stock watering spots away from the river, as well as for re-planting and erosion control.

The project focused on priority areas of river-side land on the Campaspe River, Pipers Creek, Wild Duck Creek, Meadow Valley Creek, McIvor Creek and their tributaries. It aimed to reduce erosion, pests and algal growth while also improving water quality, stock management and fish habitat.

Funding

The Australian and State Governments provided $319,000 for the project.

Activities

"We erected fences as buffers along areas of river frontage which allowed vegetation to grow, thus filtering nutrients and protecting the river from sediment," said Jon Leevers, Team Leader - River Health with the North Central Catchment Management Authority. The fencing also protected the river banks from the impact of cattle and sheep.

Specific areas were targeted for re-planting to fill in the gaps in the native vegetation that had been reduced by large-scale clearing and grazing pressures. This vegetation stabilised stream banks and was important for biodiversity, providing habitat for birds and animals.

"There are lots of good reasons why we should manage stream banks and waterways," said Jon. "By doing this we provide healthy habitats for fish and other aquatic animals, maintain the health and diversity of plants and animals and protect the quality of our water resources for urban and rural use."

Achievements

The project stabilised seven kilometres of gullies and stream, put up 43 kilometres of fencing, planted 18,000 indigenous plants, installed nine off-stream watering systems and conducted two community field days.

"We've also raised awareness of river health issues generally, amongst the community and landholders," said Jon.

More information

• Mr 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

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