South coast farmers showcase ways to revitalise river health

Two south coast farming families will showcase the innovative way they manage their stock movement near waterways to improve river health and fish habitat at a field day visiting both their properties on October 28.

Dairy farmers Vin and Teresa Taylor of Penuca at Jellat Jellat and beef farmers Terry and Jill Bunn of Wangalee at Wapengo are inviting other farmers, landcarers and interested locals to see how they are improving farm management while also enhancing their natural resources.

"The Taylors and Bunns have carried out extensive works on their farms including fencing and introducing off-stream water troughs and laneway and stream crossing upgrades to manage their stock movement near watercourses," said Fish Friendly Farms coordinator Charlotte Jenkins, a conservation manager with Industry & Investment NSW.

"They have also revegetated river banks with native trees and shrubs, stabilised sections of banks and introduced woody structure including fish hotels to improve instream habitat," she said.

Ms Jenkins said sensitive parts of the landscape such as rivers, creeks and wetlands need to be kept healthy so the habitat for native fish is sustained.

"More than 90 per cent of waterways in NSW run through privately owned land, so it is vital that farmers like the Taylors and Bunns are aware of the simple steps they can take to improve fish habitat," she said.

"Nothing we have done to enhance fish habitat will have a negative impact on the production of our farm," said farmer Vin Taylor.

"In fact, it is only helping the productive management of the farm."

Penuca and Wangalee are two of eight farms across the State which have received funding under the Industry & Investment NSW-managed project Fish Friendly Farms - Demonstration Farms.

Funding was made possible through the NSW Environmental Trust and Australian Governments Caring for our Country program, allowing these properties to become more sustainable and enhance habitat for local biodiversity including fish.

Both projects also received funding and assistance from the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

Penuca also received funding from the Bega Environmental Management System project, a Bega Cheese and Southern Rivers CMA partnership.

Ms Jenkins said having two demonstration farms in the local area provides a fantastic opportunity for other land managers to see a diverse range of works to improve river health and water quality.

The field day will start at Penuca from 8.45am to 10am and continue at Wangalee from 10.30am to 12:30pm.

Morning tea will be provided at Wangalee. Penuca is located off the Tathra-Bega Road, on eastern end of Jellat Jellat flat, 10 km east of Bega on the right.

Wangalee is located off the Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Wapengo, 25 km south of Bermagui, property entrance at Wapengo Creek bridge.

For further details, RSVP or directions contact Helen Davies on 0427 068 990 or Ms Jenkins on 0429 300 486.

Photos available from charlotte.jenkins@industry.nsw.gov.au

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