The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is running an incentive program for wetland and remnant protection on private land in the northern plains of the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Incentives are available for fencing and alternative watering points, including dams and troughs, where stock had previously used the protected area as a source of water.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is running an incentive program for wetland and remnant protection on private land in the northern plains of the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Incentives are available for fencing and alternative watering points, including dams and troughs, where stock had previously used the protected area as a source of water.
Funded through the Victorian Government, the Northern Plains Wetland and Remnant Vegetation Protection Project aims to build the capacity of landholders to deliver on ground actions to protect, enhance and restore priority areas of remnant vegetation and wetland habitat across the northern plains of the Goulburn Broken Catchment.
Project Manager, Jim Castles, explains "The project uses a no obligation, free site visit and one-on-one extension process to identify suitable properties for five or ten year conservation or management contracts, or Trust for Nature Conservation Covenants with private landholders."
Higher incentive rates will be awarded to those offering the best conservation value for money as assessed through a criteria matrix.
Mr Castles explains, "Higher rates for fencing and alternative water points will be offered to landholders who protect larger wetlands or areas of remnant native vegetation. Endangered vegetation types will also attract higher levels of funding and the natural condition of the area will also be taken into account."
Landholders working towards healthier remnant and wetland systems, including improved habitat for threatened fauna and flora species also attract a higher level of funding.
Landholders who place a Trust for Nature Covenant on the protected area may also be eligible for an incentive from Trust for Nature, which is based on the area protected under the covenant.
The full cost of standard stock-proof fencing and alternative water points will be covered for wetlands and patches of high quality remnant native vegetation greater than 10 hectares in size, and for those sites where the landowner agrees to a Trust for Nature covenant.
"This is a win –win situation for all, as this project provides the financial and technical assistance to landholders wishing to protect the remnant vegetation and wetlands on their land for the future" says Mr Castles
For more information on the Northern Plains Wetland and Remnant Vegetation Protection Project, or to organise a free no-obligation site visit please contact Jim Castles at Goulburn Broken CMA Shepparton on 5820 1100.
Photo: Doctors Swamp photo by Carla Miles