Great things are being achieved in north central Victoria as rural projects across the region receive a boost from the North Central Catchment Management Authority's (CMA) Drought Employment Program (DEP).

The Program is part of the Victorian Government's drought relief efforts, and represents an investment of $2.4 million into the region.

Over 120 people are employed as part of the DEP with crews made up of farmers and others affected by the drought. Employment is flexible with many working full time for the length of the Program, whilst others are part time to fit in with life on the land.

All the work being undertaken supports existing improvement projects across the region and will assist local communities. It is also providing crew members with useful skills.

By the end of last month, DEP works crews across the whole Catchment region had:

• completed over 39km of protective fencing for revegetation, erosion control and waterways
• sprayed 25km of creek bank, 55km of roadside and around 120ha of land for weed control
• watered 4,000 seedlings for existing revegetation projects
• constructed 27 mesh rabbit traps for pest control
• repaired flood damaged fences and cleaned up rubbish

Allison Long, North Central CMA's community and partnerships manager, who is coordinating the DEP efforts, is pleased with the program's progress to date.

"Most of our DEP crews across the region are working with partners to provide the labour to support existing projects that have material resources. We are teaming up with local Landcare groups, Goulburn-Murray Water, Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, and other community groups", said Allison.

"All crew members have been provided with a full induction and training including OH&S, chemical handling certification, machinery training where needed and full personal protection equipment. The formal training they are receiving is essential for the jobs they are doing, but will have ongoing benefits for each crew member down the track".

Each partner in the program has taken the opportunity to have essential work undertaken by the crews. In the southern area of the Catchment, two DEP crews at Castlemaine have been working under the supervision of Brendan Smith from Parks Victoria.

"Our two DEP crews have been tackling weed and pest control works in the local area including around Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maldon and Mt Alexander. What they are doing is critical to the health of the catchment, and we just haven't had the resources and manpower to get these things done in recent times," said Brendan.

"A detailed work plan has been developed for the next few months. It's important to make sure that things like weather and seasonal conditions are taken into account when we look at what needs to be done and when. We want to make sure that the time we have the crews for is used efficiently and achieves the best ongoing outcomes for the local community.

"In the past few months the guys have been working on a variety of tasks including weed control in gorse, hawthorn and cacti problem areas, fencing to protect some endangered flora areas, rabbit and fox control programs, and nursery work on seedlings to be used with revegetation plans."

DEP crews are located throughout the catchment including Daylesford, Castlemaine and Raywood.

In the western area of the Catchment, the Wychitella crew has been working under the supervision of Trevor Barker, Landcare coordinator at the Loddon Shire.

"Our local crew has a big job in front of them, working to clear wheel cactus from Mount Buckrabanyule. The whole area is covered with the weed and it seems like a mammoth task, but the work is essential and will make a huge difference to the local community," said Trevor.

"Control of wheel cactus is quite difficult and labour intensive. They spread so easily from a fallen leaf, which means that they have to be killed from the top down by individually spearing all the top leaves."

"Two years ago a comprehensive weed strategy was developed by the Shire to tackle the problem at a community level. The DEP crews are working on this particular area with the local Landcare and Green Corp groups.

"This is one of the last really large infestations in the area. Until a couple of years ago Mount Kerang, Mount Egbert and the surrounding land was in the same state. The comparison is remarkable and really helps us to see that the effort is worthwhile. It's a great example of what can be achieved in a relatively short period of time when the whole community is involved."DEP crews are located throughout the catchment including Charlton, Wychitella, Donald and St Arnaud.Each partner in the program has taken the opportunity to have essential work undertaken by the crews. In the northern area of the Catchment, two of the DEP crews have been working under the supervision of Dale McGraw, area coordinator for Torrumbarry, at Goulburn-Murray Water."The DEP Kerang and Cohuna crews are completing essential water wheel rehabilitation work on the irrigation channels. We are really appreciating the extra man power. With the drought we have had to cut back our staff numbers, but the work still needs to be done to ensure we can look after our infrastructure and customers," he said.

To date approximately 77 large meter outlets have been inspected, assessed and refurbished by the crews since they started in February. The Cohuna crew has also done some containment fencing.

"Over the coming months we anticipate that there will be a need to move the crews into activities such as noxious weed (boxthorns) removal and fencing. Although there are still a large number of wheels that need to be checked, we would like to provide a little more variety in their schedules", said Dale.

"I can't emphasise enough how pleased we are with the four DEP members - they are working hard in trying conditions. We are still several positions light in terms of permanent numbers here in Torrumbarry. Hopefully we will see a turn around over autumn so that consideration will be given to keeping some of the guys on."

DEP crews are located throughout the catchment including Rochester, Echuca, Cohuna, Kerang and Pyramid Hill.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au