Volunteers from the Victorian Fly Fishing Association (VFFA), Taggerty Community Progress Group (TCPG), Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the local community braved wintry conditions to plant hundreds of tree and shrub seedlings along the Little River at Taggerty last Sunday (August 6).
Goulburn Broken CMA’s Sue Kosch said it was a fantastic effort in fairly difficult conditions.
“Thanks to everyone, including the 20 VFFA members who headed up from Melbourne, for turning up and helping despite the weather,” Ms Kosch said.
“Fortunately the rain stayed away for most of the time we were planting and setting up the guards around the seedlings but it was still very cold and wet. We all really appreciated the efforts of Taggerty local Richard, Max and Eddy who set up a fire drum and marquees and provided hot soup and a barbecue for lunch.”
Blackwood, prickly currant bush, tea-trees and pomaderris were planted by the volunteers and added to the 400-plus seedlings planted last month at the site by Buxton and Taggerty locals as part of the two-year Little River Reserve weed control and revegetation project.
“This is a good time of the year to plant native plants as it gives them a chance to establish their root system over spring before having to survive the dry and heat of summer,” Ms Kosch said.
“Re-establishing native riparian vegetation, including trees, shrubs, grasses and ground covers, will help improve the health of the river. Over time the trees will grow large enough to provide shade and a natural supply of branches and leaf litter to the stream, which will provide important habitat and food for fish.”
Ms Kosch said this was the second time VFFA members had helped with a planting project.
“We really appreciate their support and look forward to them getting involved in similar activities at this and other locations in the area in the future,” she said.
The event was funded through the Victorian Government’s Angler Riparian Partnership Program.