Warialda Rivercare Committee [back]

Group History
We have one project only; however we divided it into more manageable stages. We have received several Envirofund Grants since 1999 when work began in earnest.
The clearing of introduced and noxious species and the revegetation of the area to create an aesthetically pleasing, community participative and environmentally acceptable area has been difficult however we feel we are now drawing to the end of the initial commitment with only one stage requiring work this winter and that will complete our first ‘run’ over the entire strip of creekland, both banks.

Group Focus
2006 will be taken up with the completion of clearing, pruning of willows & cottonwoods, removal of fallen branches etc, planting embankments with natives both near the water’s edge as will as in the buffer zone in the final area to be done.
The completion of this 300 metre long strip will mean it is now possible for the first time in 30 years to walk the full length of both sides of the creek, a wonderful community asset.

It is felt that beginning in 2007, we will need to replace &/or improve plantings in several areas and that will require a second run over the creek area, both banks. Multiple droughts and multiple floods have damaged or killed some of the original plants and their numbers need to be supplemented.

To encourage community use of the area which in generations past was a recreational area for picnics, cricket games, parties etc we have already strategically placed seating for walkers and want to include some table and chair settings for picnickers.

Issues relevant to your area
The list of invasive weeds along Reedy Creek was a page long and included the regulars such as Saffron Thistle, Noogoora Burr etc but also some unexpected things such as deadly nightshade and morning glory.

The invasive and exotic woody weeds included Tree of Heaven, African Box Thorn, Willow, Poplars, green cestrum and Privet. All weeds had to be hand cut and painted with poison as no spraying was allowed in such close proximity to the creek.

Bank erosion, water quality and stream bed erosion are all on-going issues. The bed erosion in one section has been eased with the construction of our rock streambed stabilization structure (rock weir). Since the removal of the introduced species and the limited planting of natives near the water’s edge the salinity levels have dramatically reduced from 11ppm to only 7ppm.

A message from the Warialda Rivercare Group
As a group we are very happy with the support given to us by Gwydir Shire Council since amalgamation and the Yallaroi Shire Council prior to that date. Support within the community has been great with both practical and vocal support for the work being undertaken.

It is hoped that the environmental improvements will encourage native wildlife into the area. Warialda has a vast number of beautiful bird species however until we began work they had no food or shelter source along the creek, it is hoped that we have improved this situation.

It is also gratifying to see the large number of people exercising both themselves and their pets, school groups using the area for environmental studies and sports activities, residents and visitors using the area for recreational activities such as backyard cricket, swimming, fishing and for community activities such as the Christmas Carnival 2005 and the Rhythm on the Reedy concert held in March 2006.

Click to download the Posters from the Bush Biodiversity Forum
Bird Habitat near Footbridge
Christmas Carnivals
Educational Opportunities
Hall Street
Hope Street & slab
Market Street & perfomrance area
Plunkett to Holden Streets
R on the R
Tourist Information Car Park
West of Richard Bligh Bridge

Landcare Educational School Caravan
[To view images click thumbnail]

Rivercare Images
[To view images click thumbnail]

	"Taken from the town bridge as the area was inaccessible on foot before Council bulldozed a track for us, facing west"
	"The same area taken from the bridge, once we removed all the tree of heaven, wild peach, weeds, boxthorn, false acacia and privet there was nothing left. Replanted rows of trees on shrubs on both sides of the flat area"
	"Western most end of area, after the rubbish had been racked or piled up but before removal of vegetation etc again nothing was left except bare dirt"
	"Same are while we were planting it out"
	"Eastern end, southern bank, after slashing and clearing but with just the first plantings"
	"Same place but taken now with the natives making good growth despite 3 summers of drought and being underwater in 2 floods"