Overall Funding
Since 1994 Landcare has implemented 278 projects in the Tarcutta Valley and worked hard to attract and manage over $1 million of funding and sponsorship.
Funding for projects has been sourced from a variety of Government Departments and private organisations. These include:
* Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority
* Wagga Wagga City Council
* Department of Land and Water Conservation
* Murray Darling Basin Commission
* National Heritage Trust
* Australia Post
* Toshiba
* National Landcare Program
* National Parks and Wildlife Service
* Federal Government Envirofund
In 2004, a joint project with Australia Post and Toshiba provided funding to help the Tarcutta Landcare community reduce salinity, enhance native vegetation and create habitat for endangered native fauna in the local landscape.
Outcomes included:
* Planting 14,000 native trees and shrubs
* The protection of over 25 hectares of revegetated and remnant vegetation
* The construction of over 13 kilometres of fencing
* Erosion control and strategic earthworks
* Three roadside watertable monitoring bores and interpretive signage
* The expected prevention of up to 120 tonnes of salt entering the Murrumbidgee River
In 2003 this project was awarded the State Landcare Award for a Rivercare project. Funded by the National Heritage Trust the project aimed at reducing sediment and nutrients in the Tarcutta Creek catchment. Landholders were offered incentives to change their land management practices to stabilise creek banks and improve riparian vegetation.
Outcomes included: * Over 100 kilometres of waterways protected from stock
* 127km of fencing constructed
* The provision of off creek water supply
* Strategic willow control
* Education and awareness raising
* Planting of approximately 98,000 native trees and shrubs
In 2003, the Federal Government Envirofund provided a grant to establish 30 hectares of various native hardwood species. Three properties were planted out with the aims of:
* Assessing the viability of hardwood farm forestry in the soil and rainfall conditions of the Tarcutta catchment
* Achieving best site establishment with minimal costs
* Improving site preparation techniques
* Monitoring species growth and performance
Outcomes of the project after 3 years identified:
* Complete site preparation and weed control are essential for optimal tree establishment, survival and growth
* Certain species display greater suitability to the Tarcutta catchment
* Excellent survival and growth rates can be achieved throughout the catchment
In 2002, the Federal Government Envirofund provided a grant to improve urban drainage in both villages and address salinity damage to infrastructure and buildings. A partnership between the Village Development Groups, Wagga Wagga City Council, the Murrumbidgee CMA and Landcare resulted in further funding and tremendous support from the community.
Outcomes included:
· Drainage surveys and the installation of several piezometers
· The connection of house stormwater to the street, bypassing rubble pits
· A reduction of instream salt loads reaching Tarcutta Creek
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