Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Vegetation Officers are spreading the word on how landholders can tap into grants to improve river health and improve their properties at the same time.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Vegetation Officers are spreading the word on how landholders can tap into grants to improve river health and improve their properties at the same time.
Landholders willing to undertake protection or enhancement works along waterways could be eligible for funding from the GBCMA. Works subsidised by the CMA include:
- Fencing - to manage stock access to the waterway to improve water quality and reduce bank erosion.
- Stock watering – where fencing restricts stock from the waterway, stock troughs or dams can be installed in paddocks adjacent to waterway.
- Revegetation activities – planting/direct seeding of indigenous species to improve the stream environment.
Additional subsidies available for irrigated properties include:
- Fencing and revegetation;
- Building or enlarging drainage re-use systems;
- Automatic flood irrigation systems; and
- Whole farm plans for horticulture and broadacre properties.
Waterways Officers Peta Mazur and Jim Castles works with landowners throughout the Shepparton Irrigation Region to provide advice and support on management of waterway frontages.
Ms Mazur and Mr Castles along with four other Waterways Officers will be making contact and working closely with residents along the Broken River in the coming weeks.
The Broken River is a priority waterway in the Goulburn Broken Catchment because of its high environmental, economic and social value.
Ms Mazur grew-up on a dairy farm and studied botany and freshwater ecology at university. She is passionate about the tranquillity of the Goulburn and Broken Rivers
“And how they are important in an environmental and social way. They have also brought so much wealth to the area.”
“I enjoy working with landowners and the grants are one way I can do this. Landholders have a wealth of knowledge. They help me to understand their stretch of the river and show me how their property is special.”
“We can both learn a lot from each other. My role is to assist landholders to protect their waterways. Hopefully they can also see the benefits for their property.’’
Mr Castles has been working for the GBCMA Waterways and Biodiversity Programs for three years and is providing landholders with information on grants designed for irrigated properties.
“It is great to see the changes that have occurred in our landscape due to on ground works. There are some excellent examples of this around the Benalla area,” Mr Castles said.
“The Regent Honeyeater Project at Lurg and the Heartlands Project in the Goomalibee area have resulted in massive landscape change for the greater good.
“I would love to see similar results with the waterway grants project.
“If we can offer landholders financial assistance and advice to increase productivity and efficiency while protecting or enhancing the natural features on their property we all benefit.”
Grants are also available to landholders living on the Goulburn River. The aim of the project is to improve the overall health of the Broken and Goulburn Rivers now and for future generations.
For more information on how to apply for a grant, contact the GBCMA: Peta Mazur 5820 1100 or Jim Castles 57 611 611 or visit the website /