Hi Landcarers

Habitat Action Grants are now open!

The Habitat Action Grants are funded from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which direct revenue generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee towards on-ground actions to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW.

Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for grants of up to $40,000.

Habitat rehabilitation projects which may be funded include: removal or modification of barriers to fish passage; rehabilitation of riparian lands (river banks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh): re-snagging waterways with timber structure; removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replace with native species; and bank stabilisation works.

There was a case study completed – Assessing snags in the Lachlan. Snags are a natural and common feature of the Lachlan River channel around Hillston. However, snags have a chequered history in terms of how we use and value the river. So are snags obstacles to be removed or vital elements of a healthy ecosystem? The answer is both. The challenge is to manage snags for the benefit of all river users.

The Local Land Services and NSW DPI, in consultation with landholders, have prepared the Lower Lachlan Snag Management Plan. The Plan provides guidance for the sustainable management of snags in the Lachlan River between Redbank Corner and Booligal.

The Snag Management Plan is based on detailed assessment of the current state of the Lachlan River’s habitat in 10km reaches of the river. There are now 29 maps showing the location of individual snags or log jams in the 290km of river between Redbank Corner and Booligal.

By comparing the total area of snags to the total reach area we understand more about the suitability of the reach and the sub-reaches as fish habitat.

The Redbank Corner to Booligal reach has a generally amount of woody habitat compared to other lowland rivers in NSW. However, there is some significant variation in the number and density of snags in the sub reaches. Thirteen reaches could sustain some woody habitat management or removal. However, appropriate offsets are needed: for example, the relocation of snags into reaches that have a relatively little woody habitat. This will mean that more of the river is better suited to our native fish.

Find out more here.

For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare