Wetland Management
Wetlands Management in the Hawkesbury Nepean
Prepared by Trish Chadwick
HNCMA
August 2006
As part of the ongoing focus on improving the health of our catchment, the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA) has commenced the Wetlands Management Program. This Program will provide advice and funding to property owners to assist with the improvement of wetlands across the catchment from Goulburn to Lithgow and Gosford.
Focus on Significant and Local Wetlands
There will be two main areas of focus within the Wetlands Management Program. The first will be on ‘Wetlands of National Importance’ where major wetlands have been recognised and require further funding and work to improve their ecological function. The second will focus on those smaller wetlands that often form part of a floodplain system or take the form of isolated mountain swamps.
New CMA Wetland Project Officer
The CMA’s new Wetland Project officer will be available to visit properties and provide advice on how best to conserve or rehabilitate wetlands. As part of the project, a ‘Wetland Management Report’ will be prepared that includes photographs and maps, and identifies problems that are considered to be relevant to the future management of the wetland. If appropriate, a Project Proposal will be developed in conjunction with the landowner.
CMA to provide funding for a range of works
The CMA will be able to provide some funding for works such as:
- Fencing, to restrict stock access to sensitive areas;
- Alternative stock watering systems, such as pumps, pipes, troughs and dams to remove the impacts of stock obtaining water from wetland areas,
- Bushland regeneration, where existing wetland vegetation requires some professional assistance and restoration; and
- Revegetation, with appropriate provenance native seedlings, where necessary.
Selection of successful applicants
Projects will be prioritised for incentive funding using assessment criteria that rank those with the best likelihood of recovery, with the highest scores. An independent Assessment Panel will provide the final determination on projects that must contain at least one of the components mentioned above. Projects must be finalised within a year to match the available funding. Projects will be funded up to a maximum limit of $20,000.
Examples of projects
An example of the type of project that would be appropriate for funding might be a joint project between three or four properties where a wetland crosses over all the boundaries. In this situation funding may be provided to construct a fence to restrict stock access to the sensitive banks of the wetland. There may then be a requirement to provide piping and cattle troughs so that cattle can drink without entering the wetland. It may be necessary to provide each property with a number of native seedlings so that natural regeneration of the vegetation within the wetland can be accelerated. The property owners’ contributions towards this type of project may include the provision of labour to install the fencing and watering system and to plant the seedlings. There is an undertaking from each property owner to maintain the area for the period of the funding agreement entered into by the HNCMA and the property owner, usually 10 years.
Further assistance and information
The Wetland Management Program will operate across the whole Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. For further information about the Program, contact Erica Mahon at the HNCMA Windsor office on (02) 4577 4243.
Other wetland projects are being delivered in conjunction with local government and organisations such as the Community Environment Network.
Additional info: CMA Incentive Programs
