PROJECTS
Title: Stony Big Ben Snowball Salinity
Program: Bushcare
Description: The Gundagai area is devoid of significant mature stands of native vegetation. Due to large scale clearing of deep rooted perennial vegetation over the past 100 years, problems of dryland salinity have become evident in the Stony-Big-Ben-Snowball subcatchment area. Lack of vegetative cover in the upper catchment results in excess water entering the ground water table. Rising ground water has brought salts to the surface, evidenced by the presence of salt scalds, lack of ground cover/ plant stress, and presence of salinity indicator species. Excess run off is also causing serious gully and streambank erosion, which in turn affects the quality of water entering the Stony-Big Ben- Snowball Creek system. The aim of the project is to implement appropriate management strategies to address rising water tables and associated salinity problems at strategic sites in the Stony-Big Ben- Snowball subcatchment. Actions will be aimed at maximising water use through strategic re-establishment of deep rooted perennial vegetation. Revegetation activites will link with other native vegetation corridors planted by the group and will enhance the conservation value of rehabilitation efforts throughout the SBS subcatchment. This project will have a strong educational focus. Firstly it will promote locally specific best management parctices for the reclamation of salt affected land through monitoring and evaluation over the long term. Secondly it will encourage pro-active onground works designed to reduce the risk of saline outbreaks in the Tumut- Adelong- Gundagai region.
Funding: (2001/2002) $29,250
Title: Stony, Big Ben and Snowball Catchment Revegetation
Program: Bushcare
Description: A major proportion of the Gundagai area is devoid of significant areas of native vegetation. The Stony, Big Ben and Snowball subcatchments are prime examples in the area with limited vegetation in the upper catchments, bare hills and ridges, little riverine corridor vegetation, serious soil erosion, dryland salinity and remaining areas of vegetation which tend to be of one age and one species. This project seeks to re-establish local native species into the catchment areas initiating a 10-15 year workplan designed by the landcare group members with input from Greening Australia. The landcare group has also begun seed collection and propagation of local species, which they hope will provide the bulk of resources for this long term project into the future.
Funding: (1999/2000) $50,000; (2000/2001) $41,000;
Total Australian Government Funding $91,000
Title: The Snowball Gully Rehabilitation Project
Program: National Landcare Program
Description: The aim of the project is to reduce rediment load to work courses by stabilising, fencing, & revegetating the 2.5km long Snowball Gully.
Funding: (1998/1999) $20,977
