A fire and flood affected bank on the Tuross River. Photo: Supplied.
The NSW Government will give the Eurobodalla Shire Council $1.1 million over three years to mitigate the impact of bushfires on coastal waterways.
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Coastal and Estuary Grant Program will fund sediment and erosion control measures to protect estuary health, weed control and strategic revegetation on public land, working with private landholders.
A further $427,281 was granted jointly to Bega Valley Shire Council and Shoalhaven City Council for the southeast catchment and waterways bushfire recovery plan.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s environmental services divisional manager Deb Lenson said the grant is very welcome and will allow important work to be carried out.
“Everyone who knows and loves our beautiful waterways will have seen the impact the fires have had,” she said. “As we recover, increased runoff and erosion pose a significant threat.
“This grant will allow us to carry out work that will have wide ranging environmental, social and economic benefits, including the protection of drinking water supply, fisheries and oyster industries, recreation and tourism.”
Ms Lenson said funding will allow the council to collaborate on medium- and long-term plans to guide soil and water management controls and other rehabilitation works.
“We will assess key threats and future risks so we can establish best-practice management options for each of the fire-affected catchments,” she said.
“Priority areas will be those struggling to recover naturally, and where sediment going into waterways can be reduced.
“For instance, Tuross Valley residents have already shown interest in forming a Landcare group to work collectively on high priority Tuross River sites.
“We’ll also be able to increase our water sampling to identify and respond to water quality issues.”
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