Hovells Creek Landcare Group Hosts Free Erosion-Control Field Morning

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If you have erosion issues on your land, big or small, then the Hovells Creek Landcare Group field morning on Saturday 15th November was where you needed to be.

The event saw land owners see and hear about some of HCLG-funded erosion control works on three nearby farms in the Reids Flat district (between Cowra and Boorowa). The morning was designed for farmers and landholders who are looking for effective ways to combat soil erosion including scouring and large gully formation on their lands. This day demonstrated some practical solutions and provided an opportunity to talk to construction experts and landholders.

HCLG Chair, Gordon Refshauge, said “this project addresses an important regional issue which impacts not just threatened species, river health and water quality but also productivity within the catchment”. “The Hovells Creek catchment includes steep, hilly country,” he explained.

“We experience significant erosion problems when heavy rainfall events follow extended dries where minimal vegetation can be maintained. This results in soil washing into the Lachlan river which causes river-bed sediment problems downstream. So, there is a whole of catchment impact.”

The morning started at 8.30am just south of the Reids Flat Rd turnoff where a large water retention basin with a trickle pipe was attended to, as well as a catered morning tea.

The second and third properties, just off Reids Flat Rd, iincluded another water retention basin followed by a very different approach with leaky weirs on a floodplain. the day finished with a catered lunch on the banks of a creek.

The field day celebrated the finish of stage 2 of a program of earthworks at fourteen sites on nine properties proudly funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and supported by funding from South East Local Land Services to seed, fence and plant the works areas.

It was an excellent opportunity to meet fellow farmers, share experiences, and build a community focused on sustainable agriculture and land management.

To learn more about HCLG contact Robin Aitken, Local Landcare Co-ordinator for Hovells Creek at lsohclg@outlook.com or on 0419 753 801.