Mission: mangroves and saltmarsh
Mission: mangroves and saltmarsh
Nambucca Valley Landcare takes aim at the estuary
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LLCI034-085
The issue
Mangroves and saltmarsh are critically important for the health of coastal landscapes in NSW. They provide food, habitat, and act as a buffer to prevent erosion and filter nutrients. Large stretches of Nambucca’s mangroves have been cleared, degraded by stock, or reclaimed for grazing or amenity, presenting not only an ongoing threat to aquatic biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture, but also reducing extent of our fertile alluvial soils through erosion. The costs of restoring mangroves and saltmarsh can be significant, and the process requires technical knowledge, careful planning and the coordination of several stakeholders.
The solution
Nambucca Valley Landcare relied on its extensive community networks and knowledge of the river system to identify a number of potential project sites and supportive landholders, documenting the extent and causes of degradation, and treatment options. Partnering with Nambucca Shire Council and two local landowners, the group lodged a funding application to RMS to meet offset requirements from recent highway development. The proposal would result in ~29000sqm of mangrove restored or improved and 21000sqm of saltmarsh improved.
The impact
The deep community and local environmental knowledge developed by the network over 20 years means when opportunities arise, action can be taken quickly and effectively to improve our environment. Preparing a proposal of this type and scale requires considerable time and effort, and can only be completed by suitably qualified paid staff. At NVL, these staff are funded through the LLCI. While the funding is still under consideration, the project demonstrates how stable funding has allowed the local Landcare network to develop partnerships and comprehensive site plans for a high-quality funding proposal.
Key facts
- Large sections of the Nambucca river have degraded salt marsh and mangroves
- The costs and technical expertise required for treating these areas is often too large for individual landholders
- NVL used extensive local community and environmental knowledge to identify projects, scope and cost solutions for a funding opportunity
- Preparing a proposal of this type and scale requires considerable time and effort by suitably qualified paid staff
- The project highlights how stable funding provided by LLCI has provided the stability to continue leverage resources to improve the Nambucca River system