A MAJOR project to restore the Campaspe River is being undertaken by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
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Caring for Campaspe is using funding from the Victorian government’s Securing Priority Waterways program to ensure the ongoing health of the entire Campaspe River, from its headwaters near Ashbourne to the Murray River at Echuca.
CMA Caring for Campaspe project manager Angela Gladman said the four-year large-scale river restoration project will involve weed control and fencing, as well as restricting stock access and controlling the spread of willows.
Landowners with property adjoining the river will be offered incentives to participate in the scheme.
“Basically we are providing the fence and labour with no cost, plus revegetation around the river,” Ms Gladman said.
“The only thing is that it’s theirs to maintain for the next 10 years.”
Ms Gladman said the CMA would also offer off-stream watering to deter farmers from allowing their stock to drink at the river’s banks.
She said threatened species of flora and fauna, such as the Murray cod, golden perch and swift parrot, would benefit from the project.
“It’s about improving the health of the river and vegetation,” she said.
“We want to take it back to a more native and natural environment and make it a better habitat for fish and birds.”
Ms Gladman said the first step would be to create a community reference group, with their first meeting to be held in February.
The group will then look to engage with community members and landowners.
For more information on joining the Caring for the Campaspe River Project Reference Group, visit www.nccma.vic.gov.au
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