Locals and visitors to the Murray around Echuca and Gunbower are benefiting from improved surrounds, thanks to the Drought Employment Program (DEP) Echuca crew¡¦s hard work.

DEP crew leader, Aiden Sansoi, has really enjoyed the variety of work experienced and sense of achievement the team has achieved.

"With the work we are doing as part of the DEP, the experience has been great for all of us. We¡¦ve been involved in a real variety of projects in different locations, doing a real mix of jobs. We¡¦ve all learnt new skills and been able to get a lot done" Aiden said.

The Echuca DEP crew has been working in various places, in partnership with a number of different organisations.

"Earlier in the year we were working with Parks Victoria along the Murray River near Echuca helping to remove old fencing, cleaning up rubbish and make sure signs were up and visible, and generally just making sure everything is shipshape and right for the public to enjoy the river"  he said.

"In the last few weeks we have been working in the Gunbower State Forest at Cohuna helping with some environmental works. We¡¦re ensuring that floodway fencing is up to scratch and repairing it where needed, as well as surveying bull rushes and some other monitoring. It¡¦s all so interesting".

One of the more unusual projects the Echuca crew have been contributing to is the installation of around 25 bird boxes in the Gunbower Forest.

According to Melanie Tranter, Gunbower Forest project manger at North Central CMA, the bird boxes are a joint effort with local volunteers.

"The local Men in Sheds group have been hard at work to build a variety of bird boxes, as well as a new picnic table set. They have volunteered their time and we provided the funding for materials through the Living Murray program". she said.

"The Echuca DEP crew have been a great resource to get the boxes installed in key sites along Gunbower Creek, as well as around Cohuna, Koondrook and Gunbower townships.".

The boxes provide an important nesting habitat for birds, especially in areas where there are many young trees with fewer natural hollows. Installing the boxes provides protection to native birds in the area and will encourage population growth. Different sized boxes are made to meet the needs of the wide variety of species.

"This project is a great example of linking our resources with community needs. The DEP crew have also installed the table set and we will establish it as a site for regular monitoring of the local bird population. Hopefully, this reporting will be taken up by one of the local bird groups" said Melanie.

"It is a great example of everyone pitching in to get a great outcome for the local community".

DEP Information

The Drought Employment Program (DEP) represents an investment of $2.4 million into the Catchment as part of the Victorian Government¡¦s drought relief efforts. It is managed by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA). Members of the works crews are farmers and people affected by the drought.

DEP crews across the Catchment region have been working hard since January to make a real difference to local communities. In May alone, the crews:
"X sprayed over 517 hectares of weeds including blackberry, gorse, hawthorn, elm suckers, tiger pear and high density wheel cactus
"X protected over 108 hectares of riparian area, remnant and revegetation sites through fencing
"X maintained 484 hectares of terrestrial land through remnant fencing
"X repaired and maintained signage and public facilities, watered trees, removed rubbish, and assisted with other local projects

In recent months, the DEP has also provided funding for over 120 land owners and managers to complete Farm Chemical Use or 1080 Endorsement courses.

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