Projects 2008-2009

Sustainable Communities

This investment will create opportunities for participation in NRM by linking community members with NRM projects. Avon Catchment Council (ACC) will provide NRM knowledge, skills and support to the community, including; local community organisations, agricultural production groups, local government, catchment groups, remaining LCDCs and a diverse range of local community of interest groups. Part of sustainable communities is Noongar (Indigenous) engagement and traditional knowledge in Natural Resource Management (NRM). ACC investment aims to increase indigenous engagement and participation in NRM. It will focus on an exchange of knowledge about Aboriginal sites and cultural assets; increasing indigenous capacity to develop and implement management actions for priority NRM traditional sites; on ground environmental management of indigenous land; and developing practical opportunities for Indigenous people to benefit from NRM investments.

Sustainable Agriculture

This investment will achieve improvements in ecological condition and productivity of valley floor soils threatened by secondary salinity; increase farmer understanding of the value of ecosystem services as a component of productive farming systems, and; demonstrate how appropriate soil pH provides multiple environmental and economic benefits. Working with farmers and the CRC for Future Farm Industries, salt tolerant shrubs, trees and perennial pastures will be used to adapt to and contain the impacts of salinity on priority valley floor areas. Working closely with local farmer group networks, the promotion, exploration and trialing of sustainable farming practices is expected to lead to increased maintenance of soil health. In partnership with industry groups, ACC will assist the integration of tree crops into farming systems to enable land managers to improve management of soil erosion and prevent waterlogging and poor soil structure from occurring on priority land. The sustainable agriculture team will also seek to work with land managers to increase adoption of recommended land management practices in areas with low surface /sub-surface pH.

Water

This investment is directed at managing the water quality in the Avon River and tributaries and improving the ecological function of the system. Implementation of River Recovery Plans will include re-vegetation and fencing to control sedimentation. Priority Pools on the Avon will have existing management plans implemented; this involves dredging to return hydraulic capacity, installation of riffles and restoration of riparian vegetation. The natural pools on the Avon provide the only summer refuge for aquatic fauna when this ephemeral river ceases to flow over summer. Foreshore assessments of the Eastern Wheatbelt waterways will also be completed.

Biodiversity

This investment will identify and implement urgent recovery actions to conserve priority species, communities and ecosystems in the Avon River Basin. It aims to fill major gaps in knowledge on vegetation communities and condition and use a strategic prioritisation process to enable on ground action to target areas which can make the strongest contribution to conservation. Community participation in biodiversity conservation is considered crucial and support will be provided to build community knowledge and skills. Working at a landscape scale, ACC will implement on ground recovery actions to maintain and enhance the richness, distribution, abundance and condition of high value biodiversity within areas in Wongan Hills, Westonia and the Dale. Issues to be addressed include protecting priority remnants from threats of salinity and competing land uses and pest control activities.