A recent tour of the Loddon River organised by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), to showcase best practice land management activities on waterways, has been hailed a success.

North Central CMA's Riverine Officer, Angela Gladman said the organisation was very pleased with the attendance and positive feedback received from those that who took the bus tour last Tuesday 6 December.

"Despite the hot weather conditions, we had twenty community members join the tour, including farmers from the Loddon River in the Serpentine - Yando area and other interested people from as far away as Dunolly and Wycheproof," said Angela.

"We had representatives from Goulburn-Murray Water, the Department of Primary Industries and the North Central CMA join us so they could hear the challenges and successes of managing river frontages first hand from those who live and farm in the area".

The tour took in a visit to an old in-stream structure known as the 12 Mile Creek regulator at Yando, located on an anabranch of the Loddon River.

"This site visit set the scene for the day, because it prompted constructive group discussions regarding future management considerations, which helps provide the North Central CMA with a better understanding of local opinions and possible options to pursue in the future," said Angela.

The tour also visited a property, where the North Central CMA had provided funding to for river fencing, off-stream watering and revegetation to highlight the benefits of reducing stock access to the riparian vegetation along the river. 

"This demonstration site shows how careful management of stock grazing along the riparian zone, even after river fencing has been erected, can still result in grasses, planted shrubs and River Red Gums growing healthily and providing excellent habitat for fauna, "said Angela.

"In addition, these works also help filter the dirt and leaves from directly entering the river, which can lead to water quality problems".

Angela explained, "Grazing should be delayed when native grasses are visibly flowering or seeding. When native plants are coming up naturally and where revegetation is less than one metre tall or there has recent rainfall, the area can become quite muddy and susceptible to damage with uncontrolled stock grazing".

"Limiting stock access to riparian land provides a win-win for both the health of the river, the health of the livestock and the productivity of the landholder,' said Angela.

A picnic lunch was enjoyed on the banks of the river, upstream of Loddon Weir near Serpentine on a property owned by Garry Addlem's family.

Angela added, "Having someone like Garry address the tour and talk about his involvement and experience with the North Central CMA to fence and revegetate his own river frontage, and how those changes have been a benefit for him and the river, was a great insight for everyone".

"Every farmer is interested in the environment, as well as making sure we're doing the right thing by the land we use. If you screw it up, then it affects your business," said Garry. 

"The changes we have been able to put in place with the type of funding and support the CMA has provided has meant we are seeing the quality of the water in the river improve. We no longer have sheep standing in the water and stirring up the river and banks just to get a drink".

For further information about incentives available to protect and improve the health of our region's waterways, contact the North Central CMA on 5448 7124.

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