All smiles on the Deua

The NSW Government’s Environmental Trust has been so impressed with the achievements of Deua Rivercare, three years of further funding has been provided to the group.

Deua Rivercare coordinator Anne Rault and Eurobodalla Council’s Landcare coordinator Emma Patyus gave a whirlwind tour last week to visiting NSW Environmental Trust representative, Stephen Hardy, to show off some of the great work Trust funds have enabled the group to achieve over the past six years.

The Deua River restoration and rehabilitation project was funded back in 2012 as a means to tackle 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.

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 had 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 said.

“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 said the continued funding would 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 said.

“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 said 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 said.

“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.”

Visit our Landcare page for more information.