Municipality
Meander Valley
Funding Status
Awaiting Support
Achievement Plans
This project will fence the dam, excluding it from livestock, and undertake significant weed management to control the gorse, blackberry and periwinkle. There is a strong community of large trees in the dam’s vicinity, and we expect that through livestock exclusion and weed management, natural revegetation should be possible. The weed management will also ensure that seeds are not washed into the dam and spillway and throughout the creek system.
Methods
This area was impenetrable due to the weed density, with access posing a significant challenge for weed management. We have recently crash grazed this area, which has made accessing the dam area possible. We aim to capitalise on this progress by working with a spray contractor over the Spring and Summer to spray the blackberry, gorse and periwinkle. Once this initial weed management has been completed, we will fence the perimeter of the two dams to exclude them from livestock. We anticipate an ongoing, multi-year weed management plan will be required, which the land managers will undertake to ensure native regeneration can occur.
Natural Values
This dam enhancement project aims to support a dam which flows into Leith’s Creek. Currently, the dam is accessible to stock and has a significant weed infestation, primarily of gorse, blackberry and periwinkle. At present, the seeds of these invasive weeds flow into Leith's creek and the Meander River, threatening areas of natural value. The density of the weed infestation also means that natural regeneration of the surrounding native trees and shrubs is limited.
Outcomes
By undertaking this weed management and fencing, we anticipate that:1. We will reduce the spread of invasive weeds through the Meander River system2. We will enable space and opportunities for native regeneration 3. We will see ongoing water quality improvements through the exclusion of stock from the dam area
Amount
$10k - $20k
