Over the last two years since 2021 Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council has assisted the Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group with their Araluen Creek Restoration Project 2021-2023. It has been a very big project for Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group and the challenges were ongoing: Covid, nineteen extraordinary rainfall events, landslips causing delays for delivery of materials and all of this managed by a voluntary committee. Yet it is done.

The chunky part of the project was large scale erosion control works along the creek. However, the project also focused on other necessary elements to look after Araluen Creek, such as building community awareness, riparian health and waterwatch monitoring, re-vegetation, weed control and measures to keep stock out of the creek by fencing and providing alternative water sources. In addition, we have looked at small scale erosion control measures that landholders can put in place. In June 2023, Soil Conservation Services completed the last big erosion control works, May 2023 saw another two planting days and the completion of filming for the project video. Meanwhile a website is being created to tell the project story.

To mark the end of the project Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group in partnership with Upper Shoalhaven Landcare are hosting a celebratory afternoon tea to thank everyone who has assisted with the project, all the volunteers, participants and presenters of workshops as well as anyone interested in learning more about the project. The afternoon will also feature the premiere of the project video.

All welcome, please let us know if you can attend. RSVP to uppershoalhaven.chair@gmail.com