CMA Incentive Program
Fish Friendly Farms 'Demonstration Farm'
EXPRESSION of INTEREST for FUNDING
NSW Department of Primary Industries, in partnership with the NSW Farmers Association, NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers and the Murray Darling Basin Commission and with funding from the Environmental Trust, are inviting landholders in coastal and inland catchments of NSW to express their interest in making their property a Fish Friendly ‘Demonstration Farm’.
Fish Friendly Farms is a NSW DPI program developed to engage and assist landholders in recognising the benefits of healthy aquatic habitat and provides advice on sustainable management options to enhance riverine health, improve native fish numbers and increase farm productivity.
A ‘demonstration farm’ is one where a variety of on-ground river rehabilitation techniques or management practices have been implemented to benefit property management, riverine ecosystem health and water quality. The techniques/practices are subsequently exhibited or showcased to the wider community. To be eligible to become a fish friendly demonstration farm, the property owner must allow a minimum of two field days to be held at the property over the course of the project, at a time which is convenient for the landholder.
Expressions of Interest for funding are requested for the implementation of fish friendly management of a river, creek and/or wetland on a property where on-ground works include but are not limited to:
- River bank rehabilitation (revegetation, fencing, weed control, erosion prevention)
- Fish passage restoration (removal barriers e.g. road crossings or weirs, remediation of barriers e.g. new crossings, tidal floodgates, fishways)
- In-stream habitat improvement (re-snagging, bed and bank stabilisation)
- Wetland management (reintroduced flows, wet pasture management)
- Livestock management around waterways (fencing, off-stream watering points)
In addition, Expressions of Interest may be received by proactive farm owners/managers who have already implemented a range of natural resource management techniques, undertaken river rehabilitation and/or adopted
fish friendly management practices. The committee are interested in hearing from those farmers who are enthusiastic about gaining external recognition for their valuable contribution to the health of aquatic environments in NSW. Financial support will be available for successful applicants to host a field day(s) on their property and showcase the benefits they have gained to the wider community.
Successful applicants will also receive an exclusive, specially designed Fish Friendly Farm sign to attach to their farm gate, enabling wider recognition of their significant efforts to enhance the aquatic habitat in NSW.
This Expression of Interest provides an opportunity for landholders/farm managers to express their interest in their property becoming a demonstration farm. All applications should be submitted by the 13th June, 2008.
Fish Friendly Farm Expression of Interest — DUE 13th June 2008
Fish Friendly Farm Application form
