Eurobodalla’s ‘Big Five’ estuaries; Clyde, Tomaga, Moruya, Tuross/Coila and Wallaga are much healthier thanks to Eurobodalla Council’s Estuary Management Program.
Jointly funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage, the program works to protect and enhance vegetation next to major waterways with a focus on endangered estuarine habitats.
Controlling environmental weeds, replanting degraded areas, removing illegally-dumped rubbish and consolidating vehicle access have not only bolstered these habitats but also had the added benefit of helping to maintain high water quality.
Council’s Natural Resource Supervisor Heidi Thomson said the estuary program had made major inroads into controlling threats to Eurobodalla estuaries.
She said there were a range of ways the community could get involved.
“We have such beautiful waterways and enjoying them can be done in an environmentally sensitive manner without too much change to human habits,” she said.
“Simple things like taking rubbish home with you after a picnic or reducing the vehicle disturbance created by driving onto riverbanks can make such a huge difference.
“You can also start in your own backyard by removing exotic garden plants that can encroach into estuarine areas and threaten biodiversity. We term these plants ‘environmental weeds’ and they include such things as honeysuckle and morning glory, which grow vigorously and can outcompete native plants.”
Other ways include joining a local Landcare group, helping out on planting days or getting involved in Clean Up Australia Day.
“These approaches, together with the specialised on-ground works of qualified bush regenerators and Landcare groups, will continue to reduce the impacts of urbanisation on Eurobodalla’s high quality estuarine ecosystems,” Ms Thomson said.
The Eurobodalla Estuary Management Program comprises five plans of management for each of the five estuaries. For more information visit Council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov.au or contact Natural Resource Supervisor Heidi Thomson on 4474 1329 or email Heidi.thomson@esc.nsw.gov.au
Above: Eurobodalla’s estuaries are healthier thanks to weed control and other management programs run by Council’s environment team.
