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 Officer Joanne Gaudion and Jim Castles work with landowners along the Broken River in the upper Goulburn Broken Catchment to provide advice and support on management of waterway frontages.
Ms Gaudion and Mr Castles along with four other Waterways Officers will be making contact and working closely with residents along the Broken River and its tributaries 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 Gaudion has been working in the area for about 18 months. She is passionate about her work and the beauty of the natural landscape in the area.
“I also enjoy listening to landowners and helping to solve problems they have in terms of managing difficult and sensitive areas of vegetation,” Ms Gaudion said.
“It gives me great satisfaction to assist landowners to protect or return areas to a near natural state, as it was before mass clearing occurred.”
She said that if CMA officers and landholders can work together, the best outcome will be created for long term management of waterways and native vegetation.
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 occurring 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 and a greater landholder awareness of the natural features in their area.
“I would love to see a similar result with the Bringing Back the Broken 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: Joanne Gaudion or Jim Castles on 57 611 611 or visit the website /