Investing to protect wetlands and native vegetation

In April, Landcare Australia commenced its $345,000 investment in the project to protect wetlands and native vegetation in New South Wales’ Karuah Catchment. This project is being implemented in partnership with the Karuah Borland Landcare Program to help the Midcoast Council, Hunter Local Land Services, Karuah and Great Lakes Landcare, as well as private property owners.

Current and past land management practices including agriculture, oyster farming, lifestyle and tourism have put the Karuah Catchment under stress. One of the biggest environmental issues in the Karuah Catchment is run-off pollution from agricultural land – including poultry production and grazing.

Native vegetation and off stream wetlands provide habitat for animals, including threatened species and shelter for livestock, as well as a crucial buffer and a filter to capture pollutants before they reach the river and impact downstream.

Research shows that one river section, known as “The Branch” is a major source of degraded water quality within the Karuah, and this catchment-wide project is a big part of the solution. Landholders, communities and catchment managers are all working together to restore ecosystem health and improve water quality for all.

Landcare Australia is directly supporting on-ground works across rural properties, fencing-off and protecting nearly 270 hectares of environmentally sensitive wetlands, and a further 47 hectares of streamside vegetation.

Project activities already underway will directly help improve water quality and biodiversity habitat throughout the catchment, support more productive, resilient and sustainable farms, and build knowledge for the wider community, such as tree changers and hobby farmers.