Funding from the Australian Government has allowed the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC) to invest more than $1.2 million on-ground to protect and restore the Mid West rivers and wetlands systems.
The four-year project worked with more than 55 local land managers to protect more than 3,200 hectares of remnant native riparian vegetation.
“Even though rivers and wetlands occupy a small proportion of our region, they commonly support a higher diversity of plants and animals than the surrounding landscape,” NACC Biodiversity Program Coordinator Dr Jessica Stingemore said.
On-ground works ranged from revegetation, invasive species control and river bank stabilisation, to implementing alternative watering points for stock, stock river crossings and fencing.
Dr Stingemore said interest from local farmers, Aboriginal groups and local government agencies wanting to get involved in the project was overwhelming.
“We have a further 1,300 hectares of remnant native riparian vegetation being protected in the upcoming year, but project funding is now fully committed,” she said.
Land managers involved reported increased sightings of native fauna, natural regeneration of local flora and enhanced farm productivity as a result of the project.
Dr Stingemore said NACC will continue to support the local community in protecting and restoring the region’s distinctive biodiversity into the future.
More information on projects can be found on the NACC website www.nacc.com.au
The Rivers and Wetlands project is supported by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council through funding from the Australian Government.
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexia Parenzee (e) alexia.parenzee@nacc.com.au (p) (08) 9938 0124. High resolution photos are available upon request.
