All year round Landcare volunteers and community-led groups are working to protect and enhance the health of the Gippsland Lakes and this Landcare Week they say thank you.
Through the Gippsland Lakes Coordination Committee’s Community Grants, East Gippsland Landcare Network along with Nicholson River and Romawi Landcare groups are delivering four projects for the Lakes that are innovative, collaborative and, best of all, great for the Gippsland Lakes environment.
For the past year Romawi Landcare group has been delivering two projects to fortify Forge Creek, which runs directly into the Gippsland Lakes, and to protect the waterway’s native Pygmy Perch – a threatened fish species.
“Our fish survey grant has been a great success,” group secretary Trish Fox said.
“Over 20 Landcarers turned out for the first fish survey. Consultants set up traps the night before to reveal plenty of native fish and eels and the good news was that the introduced Mosquito fish had not reached the head of the creek. On the downside we recorded European carp for the first time.
“In total six native fish species were recorded including Flinders pygmy perch, Common galaxias, Dwarf flathead gudgeon, Flathead gudgeon, Southern shortfin eel and Tupong. Previous surveys had recorded only two native fish species.”
One factor that has helped this increase in native fish are works to improve river habitat such as planting by Landcare volunteers.
“Our final activity associated with this grant will be the release (under permit) of 120 Southern Pygmy Perch to boost the population in the creek, Trish said.”
PROTECTING WETLANDS ON THE NICHOLSON RIVER
Nicholson River Landcare Group is another inspiring example of Landcarers working to improve waterways and unite community. Their latest project includes revegetation on a wetland area adjoining the Nicholson River funded through the community grants program.
“Contractors have done a very good job with weed control including blackberries, and spiny rush which is a big problem throughout that gully,” said group secretary Marion Dawson, who has been with the group for more than two decades.
“Sandbags that are used to contain water in the wetland area and prevent residue run-off to the river are working well and succulent vegetation has grown notably also assisting with control of water flow.
“Birdlife has increased on the wetland recently and we are preparing for contractors to plant 200 suitable vegetation species including six types of shade trees, understory and groundcovers.”
In another community gesture, a picnic table was donated by Nicholson Primary School and placed by the river with permission from DEECA for locals to use. Several Nicholson River Landcare members collected from School, sanded it back, and repainted it green.
The group is also planning an event celebrating the importance of wetlands inviting other Landcare Groups and general community.
RESTORING MULLET BAY
Flowing directly into Jones Bay between the Nicholson and Tambo rivers lies Mullet Bay. East Gippsland Landcare Network is protecting this important waterway through fencing, weed control and revegetation activities on adjoining properties. Works will enhance the wetland’s biodiversity and reduce impacts of pest plants and grazing stock. A field day will also inform and raise awareness in the community.
The project will continue to reduce nutrient and sediment loads to the Gippsland Lakes and improve water quality of rivers flowing into the Lakes. It will also maintain and improve wildlife corridors.
These community grants form part of a $248 million investment over four years (2020-24) by the Victorian Government to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria. Of this, $7.5 million is dedicated to the health of Gippsland Lakes and for the delivery of on-ground works, monitoring and community engagement.
