Wandiyali Banks to Bush Riparian Linkages Project
NSW Environment Trust Restoration & Rehabilitation 2017-2019, with Molonglo Conservation Group.
The thought is that these tableland mid size waterways were originally 'chains of ponds', with widespread land clearing up until the 1950s resulting in substantial changes to flow and sediment, reducing water availability to the local landscape.
Project Description (2017): “Wandiyali is an outstanding property, which is managed for conservation, and forms the centrepiece of a cluster of four properties, all with exceptional environmental values including the threatened ecological community, Box Gum Woodlands, as well as a number of threatened and vulnerable species… Jerrabomberra Creek, which runs through these properties is in need of rehabilitation with regards to managing threats to biodiversity such as stock access, a minor willow infestation which threatens to worsen if stock are removed and the reinstatement of canopy species to improve the riparian corridor. The Jerrabomberra Creek in this area has very good recovery potential with some minor intervention activities. This project also links in with a number of initiatives that have been (and are being) carried out upstream and downstream by landholders, Landcare, Catchment Groups and Council.”
September 2017 following willow control and riparian plantings.
Project update June 2020: A successfully completed Project including: Exclusion of stock from 3.5km of Jerrabomberra Creek and provision of an alternative water source, removal of woody weeds, riparian restoration plantings.
Following an extremely dry and hot 2019-2020 summer, the riparian plantings are continuing to grow. Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) is a standout with 98% survival, plus good results with Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata), Red-stemmed Wattle (A.rubida), A.parramattensis, Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa angustifolia). River Bottlebrush (Callistemon sieberi), River She-Oak (Casuarina cunninhamiana), and Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolia)
March 2017
June 2020, particularly noticeable is
- control of invasive woody weeds Crack Willow and Poplar (Summer 2016-2017)
- natural regeneration and growth of Red-stemmed Wattle (A.rubida) in foreground, and Wattle and River Bottlebrush along the creek edge
- riparian plantings (Winter 2017)
- expansion of native Cumbungi (Typha sp), an important habitat, water filter, and indigenous food and fibre plant.