Milton Rocks: Restoring connectivity between escarpment and sea (2015-2018) This project has been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust - Restoration and Rehabilitation grant program. Milton Rocks will strengthen previously projects delivered by the Small Farms Network focusing on improved biodiversity and sustainable land management across the Croobyar Road catchment. Check out past project links for more details. The Catchment: Croobyar Road is a major catchment of two regionally significant estuary systems (SE Catchment Action Plan 2023), Narrawallee Inlet and Burrill Lake. Both estuary systems include extensive SEPP 14 wetlands, salt & fresh water lagoons, mangrove and sea grass communities which are greatly affected by upstream agricultural activities. Impacts include sediment and nutrient loading leading to moderate to high levels of chlorophyll and turbidity (Estuary Health Cards 2011) from unrestricted livestock access (beef, dairy) and pressure on riparian buffer zones along the main tributaries of Croobyar and Stoney Creeks. In the riparian zone, unbroken vegetation corridors established along creeks and rivers are important for many reasons, such as to provide bed and bank stability, protect water quality, maintain aquatic and terrestrial fauna habitat and movement, maintain the viability of riparian vegetation communities, protect floodplain processes, and manage edge effects at the riparian–agricultural–urban interface. This project will address these issues by engaging landholders in protecting and revegetating their riparian zones across the Croobyar Road catchment.
The project objectives are: 1. To protect 3km of riparian stream length within the Narrawallee Inlet and Burrill Lake catchment by installing 3.5km of fencing and to revegetate 3 hectares within these protected corridors by establishing 5,000 locally grown tube stock from community supported nurseries 2. To engage local landholders in monitoring fauna on their properties and to increase community awareness and appreciation of the importance of healthy, vegetated riparian corridors, their role in improving water quality and the diversity of fauna species which live within their local catchments.
Project Outcomes (June 2018): The Milton Rocks project wrapped up in June 2018, however maintenance work will continue to ensure the project outcomes are maintained (due to ongoing dry weather). Milton Rocks achieved the following project outcomes: * 4km of riparian stream length and 14.5ha of land within the Narrawallee Inlet and Burrill Lake catchment have been protected. * 7,100 native tubestock, sourced from three local nurseries have been planted across 4 farm sites * Willdife monitoring across a number of farms has occurred with support provided to `Who's living on my land' workshops and the newly created Atlas of Budawang Coast. * Project case studies for each site, Leaneys Creek (outcomes) and a short video have been produced and can be viewed under the Project Sites tab.
Acknowledgement The Milton Rocks project would like to acknowledge the wonderful support and hard work of: * Julie Holstegge (Project Officer and Milkwood Farm Nursery) * Participating landholders * Milton Rural Landcare Nursery * Lloyd Ryder (Work Placement Student)
More Information Contact the Small Farms Coordinator, Andrew Britton on Phone: 02 4464 6008 or Email: [email protected]