More than 30 students and staff, Su King from Platypus Pals, and Coogee Reed and Tim Olsen from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service assisted South East Local Land Services to plant 800 native trees, shrubs and grasses along a 600 metre stretch of the Delegate River. 

Species planted included eucalypts, acacias, grevilleas, callistemon, poa grasses and lomandra.

South East Local Land Services Project Officer, Melanie Dyne, said the planting follows extensive willow control works along this section of the river undertaken in 2013, as part of the Bombala-Delegate catchment Water for Rivers willow control project.

“Follow-up revegetation at strategic sites such as this is important following broad-scale willow removal as it improves the riparian condition along the waterway,” Melanie said.

“A fence was also erected along the river at the site to manage stock access, and a trough was installed as an alternative stock watering point. 

“This, in combination with planting native trees, shrubs and grasses at the site, will assist in erosion and sediment control, improve water quality for drinking and promote habitat for birds, reptiles, fish, platypus, frogs and macro-invertebrates.

“Delegate Public school has been following the river restoration at the police paddock site since the start of the project. 

“The revegetation will be a community asset for the township. 

“It has been achieved through the goodwill of all stakeholders, including NSW Crown Lands Division, Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, Snowy River Interstate Landcare and the local community,” Melanie said.

The revegetation work was funded through the Australian government’s Weaving the Web Biodiversity Fund.

For further information about the Delegate police paddock revegetation, Water for Rivers or Weaving the Web Biodiversity Fund projects please contact Melanie Dyne or Leon Miners at South East Local Land Services on 6452 1455.