Native vegetation along the upper Rous River will be better connected through a new project started recently.
Tweed Shire Council’s Biodiversity Project Officer Michael Corke said the project would restore the ecology of 30 hectares of Crown and private land straddling four kilometres of the Upper Rous River in Numinbah, northwest of Murwillumbah.
“The project, assisted by a $25,000 grant from the NSW Environmental Trust, will capitalise on ecological restoration work already done by several landholders who recognise the area’s high ecological status.
“Overall, seven landholders are involved.”
Mr Corke said the funds would be used to plant additional native vegetation along the bank, remove weeds, monitor the site and report on progress.
Council secured the grant as a member of the Border Rangers Alliance. In late 2012, the NSW Environmental Trust called for applications from members of the alliance, for on-ground conservation connectivity projects in the Border Ranges region.
Mr Corke said the upper Rous River had very high biodiversity, including species listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
“However, environmental weeds such as Madeira vine and lantana pose a serious threat to biodiversity because they displace native species and degrade wildlife habitat.
“In riparian areas, displacement of native vegetation by weeds may also lead to increased erosion, in-channel sedimentation and decreased water quality.
“The project, which is scheduled for completion in October, will help mitigate this key threat to biodiversity and will greatly enhance the integrity and connectivity of riparian vegetation.”
He said participating landholders would provide ongoing monitoring of the site and follow-up planting and weed control to achieve the project’s goals.
Council will support participating landholders through its Biodiversity Grant Program.
