| Corangamite Soil Health Strategy 2006-2012 |
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| Community Information Night |
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Community Information Night for Farmers in the Murdeduke Area: An Information Forum for farmers in the Murdeduke area will be on Wednesday 15th October, 7.30pm at Barunah Park Hall - corner of Shelford-Cressy Road and Wingeel Road, Barunah Park (VicRoads reference 92 F2) Topics:
[Download Flyer] |
| Risk Assessments |
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Risk Assessments The Risk Assessment process is used by DPI staff to evaluate the level of risk of soil degradation sites (e.g. erosion and salinity). The results from this process also helps guide the level of co-investment from government grants to help pay for remediation work. Degradation sites that more significantly impact priority public assets are eligible for higher levels of funding for these remedial projects.
troy.clarkson@dpi.vic.gov.au or on (03) 5226 4604. |
| Soils and Salinity Plan |
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Project Plan for the Corangamite Soils and Salinity Program 2008/09 This project seeks funding to protect priority assets in the Corangamite region from established and emerging threats of salinity and soil erosion through the establishment of indigenous and non-indigenous vegetation, earthworks and whole farm plans (EBMP) for erosion and salinity mitigation and management. The salinity threat in the Corangamite CMA Region consists of increases in saline land, deterioration in saline and freshwater wetland ecology and changes in water quality in waterways and water storages. Soil erosion in the Corangamite CMA is causing significant sedimentation to waterways deteriorating water quality. Impacts from sedimentation include deterioration in saline and freshwater wetland ecology wetland condition or as changes in water quality in waterways and water storages due to sedimentation and nutrification..
troy.clarkson@dpi.vic.gov.au or on (03) 5226 4604. |
| Acid Sulfate Soils in the Corangamite CMA Region |
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Acid Sulfate Soils in the Corangamite CMA Region Acid Sulfate Soils are a potential threat in the Corangamite CMA region, but it has not been until recent years that the community has recognised this threat and are now taking action to reduce its risk to priority assets. The current fear from the community is that development pressures and climate change may increase the likelihood of potential acid sulfate soils being disturbed. This may cause sulfuric acid to form and leach into the environment causing impacts to natural ecosystems and built infrastructure. Under the implementation of the Corangamite Soil Health Strategy a number of actions have been implemented to further understand the distribution of acid sulfate soils in the landscape and to raise the profile in the community so that they have the capacity to appropriately identify and manage the risk. Research and development projects have mapped acid sulfate soil areas in the region. Reports on these studies can be located in the Output / Research and Development section of this web-site. Training manuals have also been developed on acid sulfate soils and training course delivered to key asset managers including state and local governments, water authorities, infrastructure managers and landholders located in acid sulfate soil prone areas. A funding application have recently been submitted to federal government investors requesting investment to continue the acid sulfate soils work in the Corangamite region. If the funding application is successful, the project will investigate acid sulfate soil hot spot areas along the coast. Work will include improving the acid sulfate soils maps, carrying out risk assessment and working with the community to development management plans to prevent the risk. . For further information on acid sulfate soils in the Corangamite CMA region, please contact: Troy Clarkson, DPI troy.clarkson@dpi.vic.gov.au or on (03) 5226 4604. |
| Heytesbury Project |
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Heytesbury Project Heytesbury Project information will be available soon. For further information on the Heytesbury Project please contact: Andrew Standish, DPI andrew.standish@dpi.vic.gov.au or on 0428 545 900. |
| Moorabool Gorge Recovery Program |
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Moorabool Gorge Recovery Program Victoria’s Moorabool River is a proclaimed water supply catchment and provides drinking water to Ballarat, Geelong and several smaller towns in between. The quality of water in the river has been declining over the past ten years due to increasing salinity, sedimentation and nutrification. Much of this decline can be attributed the land management practises within the catchment. For example land that is bared due to overgrazing and drought is much more prone to erosion from wind and water and often ends up in waterways. The Moorabool Gorge Recovery Program was set up in 2001 to provide technical advice and incentives for works promoting positive water quality outcomes. The project was initiated by the landcare community and has been fully supported by the Moorabool Shire, Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and The Department of Primary Industries. This multi-agency partnership is unique in the region and has become an example of how diverse organisations can work together for shared outcomes. Many lessons have been learned over the past seven years. These range from practical tips for successful revegetation to effective ways of working with individuals and groups. There have been resounding successes and some failures as well. The main achievements of the project include protecting 461 hectares of remnant vegetation, enhancing over 48 kilometres of waterways and revegetating 662 hectares with over half a million seedlings. An evaluation of the past seven years of the project is currently underway. This will help to clarify what the project has achieved. It will also assist in determining if the project has met the expectations of the people who have invested in it. As there are plans to continue the program, the evaluation will also help to refocus the project and make recommendations for improvement.. For further information please contact: Ralph Cotter, DPI ralph.cotter@dpi.vic.gov.au or on (03) 5226 4833. |
| Soil Health Engagement Pilot |
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Corangamite region improves soil health The Sustainable Landscapes Corangamite Team are working with landholders to address soil health issues. The team have addressed erosion issues through a Community Engagement Pilot and Incentive Program. Landholders in the Moorabool River catchment have identified erosion as one of their biggest environmental threats. Soil Health Officer Shari McConachy contacted landholders to establish the level of priority and the extent of the threat to their property. Some landholders considered soil erosion a priority ahead of weeds and rabbits and are proactive in attempting to remediate active erosion sites. Long-time landholder Lance Wray has completed extensive earthworks on a large erosion gully on his property with the assistance of the Soils and Salinity Incentive Program. The large-scale earthworks battered the seven-metre gully and helped establish vegetation on the 14-hectare site. Lance feels it is important to improve the property's value and environmental sustainability for the next generation. For further information about the Community Engagement Pilot, please contact: Shari McConaghy, DPI shari.mcconachy@dpi.vic.gov.au or on 5557 5807. |
| Field Days and Training Courses |
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Field days Field days focusing on soil health and Best Management Practices are run by Department of Primary Industries across the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority region. Experts and farmers discuss management options which allow sustainable management of their soils. Machinery demonstrations are often held at larger field days where contractors and companies showcase their new innovations. An open soil pit is used to show the soil profile and discuss possible issues that may be restricting plant root growth at depth. Field days are also a great chance for farmers to catch up in a relaxed social atmosphere. For further information on field days please contact: Shari McConaghy, DPI shari.mcconachy@dpi.vic.gov.au or on 0437 751 352. Whole Farm Planning Courses Accredited Whole Farm Planning Courses cover a range of topics including soil health are run by the Department of Primary Industries. The soils aspect covers soil management, soil testing and understanding the results, soil properties and how to manage your soils accordingly to maintain sustainability and maximise profit. Other topics covered include trees for shelter, pasture, water, weeds and pest animal management. These courses run for 4 days over 4 weeks and include farm visit to accompany each theory session. DPI has the capacity to develop training courses on soil health to suit the needs of the community. For further information on the Whole Farm Plan Course or other training courses on soil health please contact: Shari McConaghy, DPI shari.mcconachy@dpi.vic.gov.au or on 0437 751 352. |
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Page Updated: September 2008 |