THE UPPER BIDGEE REACH

Volume 1, Issue 3 July 2011

UPPER MURRUMBIDGEE DEMONSTRATION REACH

Progressing the Upper Bidgee Reach Since its inception in 2008 the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach has generated fresh interest and concern for the wellbeing of the river health and its aquatic inhabitants in particular. Initially established between Scottsdale Bush Heritage conservation property near in NSW and Kambah Pool, it was seen by those involved as providing a strong framework for on-ground action to make improvements and reconnect community to the river, whilst gathering solid evidence through research and monitoring to demonstrate the outcomes. Later extended to cover approximately 100 river kilometers between the township of Bredbo itself and downstream of the Cotter River at Casuarina Sands recreation area in the ACT, it has generated support from a wide range of government and natural resource management organisations to help make this community initiative a reality. Since that time the initiative has raised over $300,000 in federal government grants, and more than this amount again through in-kind support, such as the installation by ACTEW of new river monitoring stations and provision of monitoring data, the management and improvement to the river surrounds by the ACT Government within the Corridor parks and reserves, and community support through river health monitoring and other events. The initiative now has a range of plans focusing on priorities for interventions, opportunities for community involvement, concepts for carp reduction, improving habitat amongst the rivers sand slugs and scientific monitoring. Much of the federal government funding has been dedicated to improving six kilometers of riverbank health in the Valley in NSW, while some $60,000 has been invested in similar activities by the ACT Government across the border. Ongoing ACT Murrumbidgee fish population monitoring has taken place and been expanded upstream to encompass sites in NSW, where throughout large numbers of carp have been detected, and the native fish populations, including the threatened species, hanging on in small numbers throughout. The current Upper Bidgee Reach project manager Luke Johnston, with support from the Native Fish Strategy team and others such as Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch and ACT Conservation Planning and Research colleagues has been out and about talking with members of the community and natural resource managers to let people know what is happening through the initiative and seeking support to progress beyond the establishment phase. The re- sponse from the community at large has been overwhelmingly positive as there is a well recognised need to „do something‟ to help the river and its aquatic inhabitants. Now, with all long-term plans complete, preparations are being made to undertake habitat improvement works in the Tharwa sand slug with the support of the ACT NRM Council and ACTEW. Beyond this, regular meetings are planned by key agency groups and committed community members to drive the initiative forward into the future, and a unique opportunity to explore interesting and often difficult to access parts of the Bidgee has been announced through the „Upper Bidgee Reach Wanders‟ program which will take place over the coming years. Don‟t forget to check the websites or updates on activities such as the walks, potential tree planting days, fish survey demonstrations and river health monitoring opportunities as they become available. We hope to see you out there around the rivers and thank you for your ongoing interest and support for the initiative!

Inside this issue:  A new initiative (ACWa) has been Actions for Clean Water project takes off 2 established to reduce loss of soils and protect water quality in the Upper Riparian revitalisation in the Reach 3 Murrumbidgee  Work is continuing in the Reach to repair Story by key landholder at Bumbalong 4 past and continuing degradation of riverbank and riparian zone health

Cooma Region WaterWatch in the Reach 5  There are many ways in which to get involved in the Demonstration Reach and Fishin’ with electricity! 6 help make the Upper Bidgee a better place! VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 2

ACWa Project Takes Off with Tanya Noakes, Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch

A new initiative has been established to reduce loss of soils and protect water quality in the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment by reducing sediment input through the and ACT regions. Among many impacts on native fish habitat in the Upper Bidgee Reach is the reduction in water quality caused by turbidity and loss of habitat by the deposition of large volumes of bedload sediment that has occurred as a result of large scale catchment erosion. Although presumed to have decreased more than three-fold since widespread clearing of native vegetation occurred, there is at present still a total annual sediment budget in the order of 50,000 cubic metres in the Tharwa sand slug that can be easily observed in the sandy channel bottom between Tharwa Sandwash rec- reation area and Point Hut Crossing. “The planets just have to align,” mused Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch Facilitator, Tanya Noakes, in explaining the development of the Actions for Clean Water (ACWa) project‟s inception and sudden meteoric take off. “Since 2009, WaterWatch, ActewAGL, the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee (UMCCC) and the Council have been aware that there was a problem in the Upper Murrumbidgee with sediment mobilisation during intense summer storms. We‟ve suspected for a while that the drought and concomitant loss of vegetation cover was aggravating the situation, but it was the engagement of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) and the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach manger that pushed the project over the tipping the point from, „talking about it‟ to „doing something about it.‟”

“The Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Evidence of erosion in the Monaro, behind Bredbo village (top) and on the main Murrumbidgee channel in the Reach has certainly focused attention on Bumbalong Valley (bottom). A new the need to improve the river health for native fish of the river in southern NSW Photos: Luke Johnston initiative is and the ACT and helped renew the established to understanding that has a strong vested interest in the health and stability reduce loss of of the Monaro,” said Noakes.

soils and “The ACWa project has pulled together funds to employ a contractor from Sinclair Knight Merz to protect water draw together all the data about hydrology, bank stability, and geology that might affect sediment mobilisation in the upper catchment and map out known as well as potential erosion hot spots. quality in the “We don‟t want a document that‟s just going to sit on a shelf,” said Noakes. Upper “We want to use the information to generate a prospectus of work required for each site. This will be something we can take to potential funding partners and quickly bring them up to speed on Murrumbidgee where things are, and what needs to happen next. Initiatives such as the Upper Bidgee Demonstration Reach have been invaluable, as they are both a foci of community interest and repositories of knowledge concerning sediment movement and mitigation activities.”

“MCMA had a lot easier time investing in this region as there is already substantial community engagement and sup- port for habitat improvement projects. The UMDR has been instrumental in building those community networks in the upper Monaro.” Erosion and waterway sedimentation has been an issue for more than a century and this is a major undertaking, but it is so important to make headway and through initiatives such as ACWa and the UMDR, through time, hopefully we can „turn the tide‟ on the decline of our fauna and flora dependant on this valuable ecosystem. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 3

Riparian revitalisation around the traps

Beyond the directly funded Upper Bidgee Reach riparian improvement works, we are lucky enough to have quite a lot of other effort going into improving the health of the riverine environment by committed members of the community and government programs and initiatives. Herein is an update on two such activities, the first by the ACT Government who have been investing in revitalisation of the Murrumbidgee River Corridor‟s native vegetation throughout the Upper Bidgee Reach, and the second here by the active and successful and District Landcare Group upstream in . Thanks to both Brian and Tony for the stories.

A Million Trees for the ACT, by Brian Summers - ACT Parks and Conservation Service

The ACT Government‟s Million Trees project commenced in 2008 as a result of the ACT‟s eighteen year Climate Change Strategy “Weathering the Change”. A component of the project aims to revegetate previously cleared areas along the ACT Murrumbidgee River Corridor (MRC), an approximately 70 kilometre stretch of the Murrumbidgee River between The Angle near Williamsdale and Parkview west of Belconnen. It is hoped that through this work the quality of water in the Murrumbidgee River will be maintained and improved by replacing previously impacted vegetation communities. Many of these have suffered from past land clearing practises and more recently the large 2003 bushfire that swept right through the ACT Murrumbidgee River Corridor.

In relation to the MRC component, 300,000 trees are to be planted at 30,000 per year. To manage this project, I was appointed as the MRC Million Trees Project Officer, based out of the ACT Parks & Conservation Service depot at Casuarina Sands. Large scale planting commenced from Angle Crossing heading north along the MRC. Targeted areas have been previously cleared gullies and flowlines, riparian zones and hillsides and hilltops. In particular, the stretch of river from Angle Crossing to Point Hut Crossing has been tar- geted with riverine tree species such as manna gum, Eucalyptus. viminalis. Although the large scale planting have been undertaken using contractors, smaller areas have been planted with the valued assistance of groups such as Outward Bound, Parkcare Groups, Conservation Volunteers Australia & Members of CRFA assisting with tree and shrub the Capital Region Fishing Alliance (CRFA). plantings near the Murrumbidgee & Gudgenby Rivers confluence, Tharwa as part of the Million Trees project. More information about the ACT Climate Change Strategy can be found Photo: Luke Johnston at: www.environment.act.gov.au/climate_change/weathering_the_change

Willow war waged in rugged country by Tony Robinson - Chair, Michelago and District Landcare Group

The Michelago and District Landcare Group was successful in gaining a Community Action Grant to remove invasive willows (predominantly Salix fragilis) from a 4 km section of the Murrumbidgee River near Michelago. Community Action Grants are part of the Australian Government‟s Caring for our Country initiative. The Landcare Group engaged a contractor to poison the willows using glyphosate either through stem injection or foliar spray. Given the remote and steep nature of the terrain it was not practicable to remove stems and the poisoned willows have been left in situ. As an adjunct to the poisoning, the Group is planting tube stock of Eucalyptus viminalis (manna or ribbon gum) and Callistemon sieberi (river bottle brush) in areas that are accessible and where there is a paucity of woody vegetation.

The project has exceeded its goal of 4 km within the funding available and has been granted an extension to continue willow removal to expend the remaining funds. When completed, the project will have removed invasive willows from both banks of a stretch of the Murrumbidgee River from the Baroona Road area to Michelago Creek in NSW. This complements willow removal from Michelago, Ryries and Margarets Revegetation being undertaken in steep Creeks and an earlier project administered by the Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare gorge country by Michelago & District Committee with funds from the NSW Environmental Trust to removal another Landcare Group volunteers. invasive willow, Salix nigra (black willow). The latter project encompassed the Upper Photo courtesy of Tony Robinson Murrumbidgee from Tantangara Dam to the ACT border. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 4

Utterings and Mutterings from the Upper Bidgee Reach by Helen Shimitras, ‘Bumbalong’ property

Over the past few years we encountered several false starts and bureaucratic stumbling blocks that prevented us from progressing the removal of problem willows and other noxious vegetation along the riparian zone of our property. So when approached to be part of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach (UMDR) project we grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Greening Australia were contracted by the UMDR to undertake the riparian improvements, who to their credit have an administratively simple contract for landowners, in contrast to the complex alternative contract offered by the other contracted project partner to our neighbour who was also keen to be part of the project. The restrictive conditions contained in that contract resulted in other landowners not being part of the project, leaving much work to do upstream of our property where willows still abound. Our neighbours were very disappointed at not being part of the UMDR but were too reluctant to enter into contract where restrictions would be placed on their property. Contractors with large specialist machines cut our willows low to the ground, leaving stump and root structure in place, and then painted the stumps with herbicide appropriate for use near waterways. The willows were stacked in piles with the condition that we burned the piles once they had dried out and time and climate conditions permitted. The contractors came and went and conducted follow up spraying some months later. The positive benefit, as we see it, from implement- ing this method is that there are no dead willows left standing on the riparian zone that could be carried off downstream. It also improves the aesthetic view for landowners who otherwise would be left with a riverbank littered with dead willows. We were also required to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses. Greening Australia provided the plants and we were fortunate enough to have their staff help with a couple of days labour. Jason and I spent a couple of days planting and then the rains came. Consequently we have had great success with most of the plantings although a flood event early in the year did remove some plants closer to the river. Collateral damage I think this is called!!! We have started burning our large willow piles which could be a little smaller. The very nature of the removal process means there is quite a bit of dirt in the piles and some are placed a little too close to a remnant stand of Eucalyptus viminalis on our property. This means we now need to spend some time moving these piles to a safer place for burning. Unfortunately we did experience a grass fire when one of the burns (which had been out for days) reignited and set the dense, dry lovegrass alight. This is a lesson learnt for us and we have shared our experiences with the local bush fire brigade and the wider community. A valuable benefit of a demonstration reach is that other activities can be linked into works like ours, which is occurring down here at Bumbalong. A research project is being undertaken by the ALS Water Sciences Group on behalf of ACTEW Corporation to evaluate catchment best practice management techniques to improve river water quality. The work is being undertaken to support the selection of on-ground works required for the management of the ACT drinking water catchments. A number of tools are being evaluated – riparian re-vegetation; fencing of buffer zones; water of stock away from waters; contours, swales and barriers. These experiments are continuing on our property. As I also undertake WaterWatch monitoring it is pleasing to note that the quality of the water is consistently good with very low turbidity. Now, only to improve the whole river environment and clean up the river bottom to encourage the return of native fish species and eradicate those ubiquitous carp!! So where to from here? I would really like to see funding appropriated to remove the willows upstream, particularly as the landowners were super keen (and still are) to contribute to improving the health of the Murrumbidgee River along the boundaries of their properties. To this end, it would be beneficial if partner agencies could work together to develop a consistent and equitable contract that eliminates red tape and administrative complexity. The UMDR Coordinator Luke Johnston‟s dedication and passion for the successful outcome of this particular Demonstration Reach is what motivates us to continue with activities to ensure a successful outcome. We are thrilled with the outcomes for our stretch of the river, but as we all only too aware, there is much more work to be done and the momentum needs to continue. In a recollection of life at Bumbalong in the 1920s, the memory of a former Bumbalong resident went like this: ‘When I think of Bumbalong, I think of the river. Most of the time the Murrumbidgee River was beautiful; clear running water, white sand, clean gravel, pebbles and fish…’ I would like to think that this vision of clear running water and fish (no carp back then) could be recreated. I was unaware until recently that, since the construction of the Tantangara Dam in 1960 that 99% of the rivers headwaters are diverted away from the river system. It is no wonder therefore that such a dramatic decline has occurred in the environmental health of the river – not only the water quality and quantity, but also the condition of the riparian zone. The build up of noxious vegetation, the muddy sedimentation layers replacing the „white sand‟ on the river bed, the development of mid stream sand banks providing another foothold for introduced exotic vegetation and the flourishing of exotic fish species like carp can only be attributed to the decline of the river‟s natural environmental flow. Can this be reversed? I would like to think so. With the financial support of government bodies and statutory organisations that benefit from the river, it is time we repaid the river for what it provides us. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 Page 5

WaterWatch in the UMDR- Cooma Region Profile With Antia Brademann - Cooma Region WaterWatch Coordinator

Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch is part of a national community water quality monitoring program that brings people together from all parts of the community to raise awareness, undertake education, monitor, restore and protect waterways. It involves local community catchment groups, Landcare, school groups, local residents and landowners to regularly monitor the water quality of local creeks, wetlands, lake, rivers and stormwater drains. Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch extends throughout the upper Murrumbidgee Catchment with coordinators historically based in the Molonglo, Ginninderra and Southern ACT Catchment Groups.Thanks to a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers and the support of regional partners such the ACT government, ActewAGL and Monaro High School (where the Cooma Region WaterWatch Coordinator Antia Brademann is based), Cooma Region WaterWatch program has now been operating for nearly a year. Cooma Region WaterWatch is a great supporter of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach Data collected (UMDR) and undertake community based monitoring activities within and beyond the project area. Cooma Region WaterWatch volunteers monitor physical and chemical water quality once a month in the by WaterWatch Upper Bidgee Reach south of the ACT border at the confluence, Bumbalong, Michelago is used to and at Scottsdale Bush Heritage property just north of Bredbo. compile The newest group of WaterWatchers in the demonstration reach is the senior class at Michelago Public School, who have taken up WaterWatch as a result of the Schools River Forum, held in April and catchment attended by small schools around the UMDR. At the forum the importance of healthy rivers for water, health indicator fish and other aquatic life was explored and the Michelago school students will apply this by further investigating the health and biodiversity in the Michelago Creek, which flows into the Demonstration reports for Reach near the school. areas such as The data that is collected by the WaterWatchers is compiled on a regional data base, maintained by the Upper Upper Murrumbidgee WaterWatch, of which Cooma WaterWatch is a part. The data is used to compile six monthly catchment health indicator reports which rate the health of waterways in designated sub- Bidgee Reach catchment areas (such as the Demonstration Reach). With the availability of long term data, this can indicate change over time. When asked about the role and importance of Cooma WaterWatch, coordinator Antia Brademann said “The change that we are looking for may be positive, for example resulting from erosion control works and riparian restoration that are occurring in our catchments, such as at Scottsdale and Bumbalong. Or it can be negative, and we have had instances where WaterWatchers have also been involved in diagnosing potential problems on the river and spearheading community solutions to address them, which means issues can be addressed in locally appropriate ways before our rivers degrade further. This is a benefit for everyone. But most of all, I think it is the opportunity to just be out, observe our aquatic wildlife and enjoy our fantastic rivers that is also one of the reasons why people get involved. It‟s pretty rewarding.” she continued. There is always plenty of scope to be involved, whether it is helping at a

working bee for one day a year, or as a regular WaterWatcher. More Antia Brademann checking a sample for volunteers are definitely always welcome to help contribute to making sure macroinvertebrates with Cooma Region school the health of our waterways in and around the upper Murrumbidgee children at the junction of the Bredbo and Demonstration reach is monitored. For example, Cooma WaterWatch is Murrumbidgee Rivers - the start of the Upper currently seeking a volunteer, or group, who may want to undertake Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach. monitoring on the Scottsdale sites where you can meet and work with dedicated conservation farmers and volunteers undertaking a range of Photo Courtesy Antia Brademann activities on the property. If you would like to become involved in WaterWatch, please contact your local WaterWatch Coordinator in the ACT or Cooma region. More information and the contact details or the various coordinators can be by visiting www.act.waterwatch.org.au .

And of course don’t forget to check out the Upper Bidgee Reach online for a wealth of background about the ini- tiative, and all upcoming events as they are announced!

Upper Bidgee Reach online!

www.upperbidgeereach.org.au A healthier, more resilient & sustainable river reach and corridor that is appreciated and enjoyed by all communities of the national capital region

Fishin’ with electricity in the Upper Bidgee Reach

A group of around 30 people, ranging from local landholders, water managers ACTEW, recreational fishing community and students from as far as Goulburn recently attended a fish monitoring demonstration in the Upper Bidgee Reach at Tharwa Sands recreation area. The group were provided a background to the aims of the Upper Bidgee Reach to improve native fish habitat in the river by Luke Johnston (Upper Bidgee Reach coordinator), and information about how, why and where monitoring takes place through the project are. Matthew Beitzel and Mark Jekabsons from the ACT Government Conservation, Planning and Research section provided a detailed explanation of how electricity is used to sample fish in the region. The unwieldy looking contraption known as an electrofishing boat (pictured right) is used to pass an electric current through the water that „stuns‟ fish where they rest, regardless of if they are hiding under logs or in relatively deep holes and the like. This allows fish to be „actively‟ caught, in comparison to standard netting techniques which are considered „passive‟, meaning that fish need to be moving and encounter the nets to be caught. Matt and Mark then demonstrated the electrofishing opera- tion and turned up both redfin perch and carp (introduces and generally unwanted species) as well as the native golden perch as a reward for those who stayed a little longer to see the end of the demonstration. Mathew Beitzel and Mark Jekabsons demonstrat- ing the electrofishing boat on the banks of the Bidgee near Tharwa, ACT. It is anticipated that similar demonstrations will be held on the Bidgee and Canberra Urban lakes next survey season. Photo: Luke Johnston

The Upper Bidgee Reach is a collaborative initiative having received support from 13 partners and a range of community organisations and individuals throughout its establishment. Funding has been received through the Caring For Our Country (CFOC) scheme, as well as the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Native Fish Strategy.

Coordination has been provided by the Project Manager Luke Johnston from within the ACT Government Environ- ment and Sustainable Development Directorate (formerly Dept of Territory & Municipal Services).

A big thanks to all who have supported the Upper Bidgee Reach to date and we look forward to continuing to work UPPER MURRUMBIDGEE with the local community to help bring back the fish in the DEMONSTRATION REACH headwaters of the Murrumbidgee River catchment.

C/o Conservation, Planning & Research

ACT Environment &Sustainable Development Directorate GPO Box 158 Phone: 02-6205 3168 Fax: 02-6207 2122 Visit us online! E-mail: [email protected] www.upperbidgeereach.org.au Alt: [email protected]