Wimmera River Demonstration Reach
The purpose of the two separately funded Wimmera River Community Demonstration Reach projects was to restore two adjacent sections of riparian land either side of the Wimmera River in an area known as ‘Big Water’.
An Envirofund Grant of $11,596 was secured for one 500metre section with restricted access, and a Community Water Grant of $29,085 was secured for the other 500m section which was in need of the most work.
During periods of low or no flow and especially in 2005-2009 the area has a large permanent pool of water, which is an important habitat, and is also popular with local fisherman.
This section of the Wimmera River was suffering from overuse, poor water quality and severe degradation due to overgrazing and stock watering.
Planning
This project commenced with successful meetings between the resident Landholder, neighbouring landholders, DSE Crown Lands, Wimmera CMA and other stakeholders including other community groups in a hired hall. We explained the objectives of the projects and what we hoped to achieved. Together we reached agreement on the proposed restoration works, with amenity value in mind for local angling clubs that valued this reach.
The proposed project sites were combined and after meeting with the landholders again what was intended to be the combined project area of 2 x 500m of River, ultimately became 8kms on one side and 4kms on the other. The Site was mapped and the new fence locations were pegged using GPS largely along the boundary of the freehold and crown licensed frontage. However one landholder has contributed substantial private land which has voluntarily been included in the project area.
Delivery
During the implementation phase 12kms of fencing was installed thanks to the Wimmera CMA Drought Employment Program, along with a water reticulation system on both sides of the river in lieu of the foregone stock access to the River.
The site was controlled for pests and weeds and remnant vegetation was identified to assist in determining the correct Ecological Vegetation Communities for restoration.
Seeds were collected in year 1 (2008) and due to seasonal conditions only the fencing was completed along with pest control, the planting was held over until the following season( 2009).
Ground preparation commenced and the original revegetation plans were altered as in the absence of pests, weeds, and domestic stock grazing some natural regeneration had started, however this was well away from the badly degraded riparian bank zones on the longer side.
On the longer 8km side of the river direct seeding was undertaken, along with substantial tube stock planting of over storey tree species. The plantings of tube stock were guarded and positioned to provide clear tracks where vehicles could drive and be parked.
In addition to the original fencing some exclusion plots were fenced. These were planted with plants being retired from a local grassy ground cover seed production project. These plants within the exclusion areas have become an excellent source of seed for rarer species of groundcover.
On the other side of the River, the project area was entirely private land all the way to the river bank this section required fencing and some pest and weed control. Natural regeneration was exceptional with some over storey planting undertaken.
Post delivery
Since the projects establishment phase was completed in 2009 the success rate of the tube stock has been outstanding as has the natural regeneration of native grasses and shrubs, this natural regeneration has impacted on the success of the direct seeding however, but the two have complemented one another and the site has extensive growth of vegetation underway. Ever since the site works commenced ongoing monitoring and pest and weed control has continued. The sites tracks and car parks are now slashed and maintained on an ongoing basis. One down side to the project has been the sensible decision of Local authorities to close the site to vehicle access during fire season.
2010-11 floods
In December 2010 and January 2011 the Floods impacted the project area, with the largest impact on the 8km side. Most vegetation that had established survived although some smaller of the trees that were planted ‘drowned’ as they were submerged for several days. Fencing sustained damage and has since been repaired temporarily by local volunteers and permanently by the Wimmera CMA Flood crews.
The site is currently the subject of an ongoing weed control program as part of the region wide response to flood impacts. There floods were also positive with the revegetation getting a burst of growth.
Thank You
Native Fish Australia (Wimmera) Inc. would like to thanks the many groups that contributed to the Wimmera River Demonstration Reach projects- the staff at the Australian Governments Envirofund & Community Waterway Grants, local Crown Lands Staff, the Wimmera River Improvement Committee, Narri Seeds and Wimmera CMA.
The success of two 500m projects becoming a 12km project would not have been possible with out your support.