West Hume Erosion Project
EROSION INTERVENTION AND WATERWAY PROTECTION IN THE WEST HUME AREA
Sedimentation due to gully and streambank erosion is a major factor in waterway health decline and the loss of critical aquatic refuges in waterways in the Murray region.
PROJECT AREA
PROJECT STAGES AND TIMELINE
The program will run for two and a half years and comprises two stages:
Stage 1 (April - June 2023)
Call for Expressions of Interest to participate in the project. ‘First in first served’ approach; the first 15 enquiries will be selected to participate in the project and will receive a property visit, technical assessment of erosion sites and an erosion management plan tailored for their property.
Stage 2 (July 2023 - May 2025)
Five (5) project participants from Stage 1 will be selected through a competitive prioritisation process via an assessment panel to receive funding for on-ground works to address gully erosion. Works may include earthworks, fencing and revegetation. Properties must be located within the West Hume Landcare footprint (map above), and landowners must be a Local Land Services ratepayer (property size 10 ha or more).
Project participants will be selected in Stage 1 through a ‘first in first served’ approach. Incentive funding will be allocated in Stage 2 through a competitive application process assessed against criteria outlined in the guidelines.
The application process and anticipated timeframes are detailed in the table below:
| Project Stage | Anticipated Timing |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 - EOI opens | Wednesday, 5 April 2023 |
| Stage 1 - Property visit and technical assessment | TBC |
| Stage 1 - Erosion management plans distributed | TBC |
| Stage 2 - Notification of project participants eligible for funding | TBC |
| Stage 2 - Deadline to sign agreements outlining works to be funded, in-kind contributions, maintenance, and monitoring | 20 September 2023 |
| Stage 2 - Deadline for completion of on-ground works | 31 May 2024 |
| Stage 2 - Deadline for completion of project site monitoring (including photo points) | 31 May 2025 |
WHAT CAN YOU RECEIVE FUNDING FOR (STAGE 2)?
The table below details the eligible activities and the level of funding that applies under Stage 2 of this program. The total combined amount of funding available for all project participants is $89,405 (ex GST). The amount of funding received by individual project participants will depend on the extent and nature of the recommended on-ground works.
| Eligible activities | Funding available |
|---|---|
| Fencing | Fencing materials for the construction of fences at a rate of $5 per m |
| Revegetation | Plants (including trees, shrubs and grasses) and consumables associated with planting (including stakes and guards), and direct seeding (including seed and seeding costs) of species that are indigenous to the locality of the project site. 100% of the cost of materials and seeding costs, including planting costs, where done by a contractor. |
| Major gully erosion works | Earthworks, including gully control structures, diversion banks, gully shaping, contours and flumes depending on the nature and severity of gully erosion at each site. A maximum of three (3) gully erosion works sites across all properties will be funded through this project. |
Please refer to the project guidelines for more details on project and applicant eligibility, conditions of funding, project standards and evaluation criteria.
HOW TO APPLY & FIND OUT MORE?
If you are experiencing issues with gully erosion on your property and you are located within the project area (map above), you are invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the West Hume Erosion Project.
Complete an Expression of interest form here or contact Rob Cook (details below) at West Hume Landcare.
- Rob Cook, Project Officer, West Hume Landcare, 0427 873 604, or
- Chris Allen, Land Services Officer, Murray LLS, 0407 790 115.
