Chris and Janice Pendlebury own and operate a mixed cropping and grazing property at Katamatite in the north of the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Chris and Janice’s property backs onto the recently proclaimed Broken – Boosey State Park.
They were contacted during 2003 and offered an incentive to fence the Creek to restrict stock access and to allow the remnant vegetation to naturally regenerate and to improve water quality.
Waterways Protection grants in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
The Pendleburys had relied on the Broken and Boosey Creeks for water for their stock so this issue also had to be addressed. The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority provided 75% of the total cost of installing stock troughs in paddocks adjacent to the creek to limit damage caused by stock drinking from the creek.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority also provided 65% of the total cost of installing more than 2,600 metres of fencing on the Pendleburys property. The fencing now provides a “buffer zone” of more than 20 metres between paddock and creek and has allowed native vegetation to naturally regenerate, improving the quality of habitat for fauna in this section of the Creek.
There has been a remarkable change to the creek frontage since the fencing was installed. Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) and River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) trees are now regenerating and there has been a huge increase in ground cover vegetation. This vegetation will act as a filter, reducing the amount of nutrients reaching the waterway.
For more information on Waterways Protection Grants contact the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority on (03) 5822 2288.
