Saving the banks of the Edward River
Saving the banks of the Edward River
Community members rally together to restore the banks of the Edward River using aquatic fringing plants
Community Participation -
LEP_23-030_LLC001
The issue
Years of drought followed by prolonged periods of high river flows, and flooding has resulted in the degradation of vegetation along the banks of the Edward River. The loss of aquatic fringing plants has left the riverbank vulnerable to erosion and lowered the water quality in the river by increasing sedimentation. Poor water quality and the loss of riverbank vegetation has resulted in a reduction of suitable habitat for many native fish species including the Murray Cod and the Eel-tailed Catfish.
Increasing the amount of fringing vegetation along the river can create a buffer that will protect and stabilise the riverbank and increase the habitat available for native fish, bird and animal species. The Group also wanted to increase the knowledge of the local community around this issue and to engage with them on the importance of increasing riverbank habitat.
The solution
Volunteers and Year 10 students from Deniliquin High School rallied together to plant 15 different locally native species along the high and low banks of the Edward River. Some of the plant material was harvested from existing plant stands while others were sourced form a local native nursery.
Harvested plants from the established plant stands were replanted along bare sections of the riverbank. This type of planting has resulted in excellent plant establishment as the root material has the energy and reserves to establish quickly, resulting in strong robust plants able to withstand wave action from passing boats. Around 1000 plants were planted in total.
The Group also hosted a community event to encourage those residents in Deniliquin who own houses and land on the river to come and learn more about the plant species that can be found on the riverbank and how to rehabilitate their section of river.
The impact
The environmental impact on the Edward River from the successful completion of this project will be significant in the years to come. Once the aquatic fringing plants have had the chance to establish on the banks, the erosion of the riverbanks will reduce and the health of the river can improve. With established stands of aquatic fringing plants, more habitat for fish, birds and animals will be available and the riverbanks can begin to rebuild.
After the 2022 flood had receded the group observed how the soil and sediment settled in behind an established stand of Phragmites australis thereby rebuilding the bank instead of entering the river. This highlighted the extraordinary importance of re-establishing dense stands of aquatic fringing plants along riverbanks.
Key facts
- Community members learnt about what the plants they were planting, why they were planting them and the impact that the plantings would have on the local environment in the future.
- Approximately 1000 plants and 3kms of riverbank were planted out.
- The high level of community participation and enthusiasm was instrumental in completing this planting project.