The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), with the help of local landholders, is targeting one of Australia's Weeds of National Significance - the willow, in our local waterway.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), with the help of local landholders, is targeting one of Australia's Weeds of National Significance - the willow, in our local waterway.
The Goulburn Broken CMA River Health program has received Federal Government funding through the "Caring for Our Country" program to undertake the control of willows in our waterways. The willow tree species is one of the 20 listed Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) and the funding is being used to target willows on the lower Broken Creek in the coming months.
This will not only help improve the health of the Broken Creek itself but reduce the risk of further spread of the species to the Barmah National Park and Murray River. The Goulburn Broken CMA would like to thank landholders and the broader community for their assistance and support in conducting the control activities.
Preventing the potential spread of willows into Barmah, a Ramsar listed site, will assist in protecting its ecological character, which is a priority of the Federally funded "Caring for Our Country" program.
Willows cause issues including: increased erosion and flooding; reduced quality and flow of water; reduced availability of water; reduced habitat for animals; obstruct stream channels and access to them; and threaten streamside infrastructure. For further information see www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/willows/
The Broken Creek is listed as a high priority waterway under the Goulburn Broken Regional River Health Strategy. The presence of willow tree species along the creek not only threatens the health of the waterway but also the values held by the broader community of the Broken Creek.
For more information on the Willow removal program please contact:
Mark Turner, River Health Implementation Manager on 5820 1100.