It is that time of year again. After a long wait for the rains to arrive, we can finally start on our revegetation projects across the catchment. 

It is so exciting to see the landscape come to life after so long without rain. Our landholders, farmers, community and volunteers across the Peel Harvey Catchment are getting ready to get their hands dirty and start planting.

Weed control and site preparation is well under way ready for seedlings that have been funded through Healthy Estuaries WA and the Bindjareb Djilba Protection Plan programs. Many of our farmers have already completed stock exclusion fencing through the program and are now ready to begin planting. Revegetating waterways on farms along with excluding stock, has the benefits of improving water quality in our catchment as well as increased farm productivity, improved stock health and better management of grazing land.  Not only does this important work have benefits for farmers, but it also has huge benefits for our environment too.

The PHCC can provide direct funding for revegetation of farm waterways as well as support to help our farmers to plan and undertake the works.

Riparian corridors, or farm waterways are one of the most diverse habitat types. They influence water quality, flood prevention, and wildlife habitat that link aquatic and terrestrial environments.  Areas of land adjacent to waterways have a high level of biodiversity, that is, a wider range of living organisms than surrounding areas.  They act as a refuge for plants and animals in times of stress such as during a fire or prolonged drought.  Now more than ever it is important to think about how we can best address a changing climate and prolonged periods of extreme weather for our wildlife, farm management and our catchment.  In Australia and regionally, there is a growing awareness of the need for careful use and management of wetlands. The management of riparian lands to maintain land-based ecosystems and to conserve biodiversity must incorporate the protection and restoration of riparian vegetation.

Landholders and farmers in our catchment are recognising the importance of their waterways as well as improving their farm management practises.

How does it work?

To begin with, a PHCC Officer will visit the farm property to do a site assessment, discuss ideas and develop a plan with the landholder. Every property is different so PHCC will work with the landholder to develop a plan specific to their property and waterway and will provide support throughout the process.

What are the Landholders Responsible for? 

Site preparation, weed control and maintaining the site after fencing (watering and weeding) and planting is the responsibility of the farmer, these are “ïn-kind” contributions that contribute to eligibility for the funding.

PHCC will assist with plant species selection and can purchase and deliver the seedlings to the property so that there is not out of pocket costs for the landholder.

Who is eligible?

The funding is available to farmers wanting to fence and/or revegetate on their property. To be eligible landholders must have privately owned property within the project area with drains or waterways the ultimately flow to the Peel-Harvey Estuary and run livestock.

Additional Co-contributions

Local Government and Water Corporation are keen to help farmers increase biodiversity and improve water quality too and are offering additional subsidies to eligible landholders.  Speak to a PHCC officer to find out more.

Express your interest by completing this short survey .

You can find out more by contacting PHCC’s Healthy Estuaries Officer Bec MacKenzie at Waterways@peel-harvey.org.au or phoning 6369 8800.

This project is a part of Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government program that aims to improve the health of our South West estuaries.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present