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Jemalong Irrigation |
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Irrigation With A Plan |
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Jemalong Land and Water Management Plan Vegetation Strategy |
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The major aim of this strategy is to manage groundwater by the increased use of perennial vegetation. While the primary effect of planned use of vegetation will be to reduce accessions to the watertable, thereby alleviating the associated economic and environmental problems, it will also assist in lowering the watertable where it is leading to salinity and waterlogging and remediating degraded land. While this strategy is designed to maximise groundwater use it will also enhance the diversity of native flora and fauna within the district. The strategy will promote linking areas of remnant vegetation through new plantings or the protection of existing stands of vegetation to further enhance this diversity. The emphasis of the Vegetation Strategy is now the enhancement and protection of remnant vegetation with new plantings playing a smaller role in the re-vegetation of the district. Because of this the Guidelines for Funding of vegetation works have been split into three categories, those being:
The Guidelines for Funding for each of these categories can be found later in this document. Current Situation Several vegetation mapping and assessment surveys have been conducted in the region encompassing the LWMP area. Cunningham (1998) survey covered the original Plan area and downstream land, approximately 160,000 ha. The study found that approximately 35,000 ha of native tree and shrub cover remains. This represented 21.5% of the old study area. However, in JID only approximately 9,000 ha of vegetation remains, about 10% of the area. The new plantings of the past few years were not considered in the survey. Existing remnant vegetation is generally in poor health with mature trees predominating. Severe tree decline and death has occurred along the lower reaches of Bogandillon Creek. Red Gums in other sections of the Creek are suffering from dieback. However, the greatest depletion of vegetation is in the understorey. Very few shrubs remain to indicate the original diversity. Vegetation types were generalised into six broad categories based on the dominant tree species present: - River Red Gum Forests, - Black Box/Floodplain Mosaic Woodlands, - Lignum Shrublands, - Box Woodlands, - Buloke/Belah Woodlands, - Dwyer’s Red Gum/Cypress Pine Woodlands, Early explorer’s description of the District revealed that the area was a mosaic of open plains and timbered country in which the plains were generally linked by gaps in the timber cover. Recommendations Cunningham (1998) recommended that all properties have a minimum of 10% tree cover, and a minimum of 5% of vegetation on all properties to be fenced off and stock managed to enhance natural regeneration. However, following negotiations, funding for this strategy was severely cut. The emphasis of this strategy has now changed from using new plantings and a 10% vegetation target, to protecting and/or maintaining a smaller area of remnant vegetation at a much reduced cost. No further recommendations were forthcoming from the Government through Negotiations. Any recommendations found within the Vegetation Strategy or the associated Guidelines for Funding of the vegetation options have come from the JLWMP Implementation Committee. Priorities for management of remnant stands shall be set considering both the impact on the shallow groundwater table and biodiversity/habitat values. Thus areas that will be given the highest priority would include:
Guidelines for Funding The Government have agreed to contribute $1,200,000 towards this option with the provision that 70% of the funding is spent on fencing remnant vegetation. The Guidelines for Funding (see below), outline the incentive available to landholders for each of the three options under the Vegetation Strategy. |
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