The Southern Highlands Landcare Network has finished a critical phase in the restoration of the Wingecarribee River, its vegetation and riverbanks.
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The group has received support from Wingecarribee Shire Council, local volunteers, Greening Australia, the Oatley Fauna and Flora Conservation Society, the Oatley Rotary Club, and the Fish Habitat Action Grant.
The project's aim is to address environmental issues such as bank collapse, sedimentation and turbidity, which have been due to limited vegetation and invasive species.
For this stage, there was a focus on the removal of invasive weed species between the Berrima and Moss Vale weirs and revegetation efforts at three new sites along the river.
"We are thrilled to have completed the planting phase on another extensive riverfront property," SHLN project leader Ian Royds said.
"The support from our dedicated volunteers, the Oatley Rotary Club through their Adopt a Tree Project, and the Fish Habitat Action Grant has been invaluable in restoring the riparian habitat along the Wingecarribee River."
As part of the Adopt a Tree project, 500 trees were donated.
Council's bushland field team actively work along the river on public land, and recently planted Eucalyptus macarthurri and aggregata to complement the weed management done with this project.
"Council is supportive of revegetation and restoration efforts along the Wingecarribee River," council said when the Southern Highland News reached out for a comment.
"The river flows through the heart of the Southern Highlands and provides vital habitat for our native species, including platypus."
The SHLN has also been engaged with local landholders during the project.
Measures locals have taken included the fencing of livestock to safeguard riverbanks, and ongoing maintenance tasks such as removing invasive species.
"Efforts by Council and the community alike are an important step to improving the health of this waterway, and highlight the collaborative efforts required to restore and extend Wingecarribee River's riparian corridor," the council comment said.
Anyone who is interested in helping can contact SHLN secretary Heather Kemp on Heather Kemp by emailing heather.kemp@bigpond.com, or calling 0400 914 899.
