Deua Rivercare coordinator Anne Rault and Council’s Landcare coordinator Emma Patyus, with Stephen Hardy from the NSW Environmental Trust. Photo: ESC.
Deua Rivercare has won a further three years of funding from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust, locking away the good work already achieved and enabling them to push further into this special environment.
Deua Rivercare Coordinator Anne Rault and Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Landcare Coordinator Emma Patyus gave a whirlwind tour last week to visiting NSW Environmental Trust representative, Stephen Hardy. Showing off some of the great work Trust funds have empowered the group to achieve over the past six years.
The Deua River Restoration and Rehabilitation Project was first funded in 2012 as a means of tackling serious and extensive infestations of weeds. Volunteers and contractors have worked across a massive 420 hectares, with the project team engaging many landowners on both sides of the Deua River, west of Moruya.
Works have included pig trapping, remediation of erosion, revegetation, weed control, and education events.
Since his last visit to the area in 2013, Mr Hardy couldn’t help but be impressed with the major gains the project has achieved.
“It’s really worthwhile to visit landscapes and communities such as this one and to see firsthand the work that the Environmental Trust is able to fund,” he says.
“It’s a winning recipe. A combination of hard work, dedication, passion, good communication, and local champions has enabled this project to really prove its worth.”
Ms Patyus says the continued funding will bridge gaps and maintain momentum for works on the river.
“The hard-to-tackle infestations are often remote and difficult to access and may require specialist treatment to be effective,” she says.
“Having the ability to employ contractors for these tricky situations with the help of grant funding means that the volunteers can focus their efforts elsewhere. Between us, the Deua River will be looking shipshape by 2021.”
Ms Patyus believes the commitment from volunteers and landholders had been crucial to its success.
“Without this, the original project could never have covered so much ground,” she says.
“We are now riding high on their efforts with the Trust’s continued support.
“Stephen’s recent visit gave us time to reflect on our past successes, reaffirmed the value of this landscape wide approach and allows us to plan for a very bright future.”
To get involved with your local Landcare group check Eurobodalla Shire Council’s website.
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