Love flows for waterways

After a tough trifecta of drought, bushfires and flood, our waterways will get some extra love with an ambitious Eurobodalla Shire Council plan approved for more than $1 million in government funding.

The NSW Government will give Council $1,105,000 over three years to mitigate the impact of bushfires on coastal waterways.

The NSW Department Planning Industry and Environment, Coastal and Estuary grant will allow Council to roll out sediment and erosion control measures at priority sites to protect estuary health.

Weed control and strategic revegetation measures will also be put in place, working on public land and with private landholders.

Council's environmental services manager Deb Lenson said the grant was very welcome and would allow important work to be carried out.

“Everyone who knows and loves our beautiful waterways will have seen the impact the fires have had,” Ms Lenson 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.”

As well as the $1,105,000 grant, Council was jointly awarded $427,281 with Bega Valley and Shoalhaven councils for the south east catchment and waterways bushfire recovery plan, which incorporates the three regions.

Ms Lenson said that funding would allow 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.”