Murray River/Berrigan management actions

Aerial view by Guy Roth
Photo: Guy Roth		 Possum in a nest by Phil Spark
Photo: Phil Spark		 People planting trees by Milly Hobson
Photo: Milly Hobson

General management action

Routine control of terrestrial and aquatic weeds, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Routine control of feral animals, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Targeted revegetation works to increase native vegetation cover over the long term, focussing efforts adjacent to existing remnant vegetation, within threatened ecological communities, within identified regional corridors, and adjacent to rivers, streams and wetlands.

Prevent livestock from having permanent access to rivers, streams and wetlands, and where possible excluding grazing altogether to allow the condition of river banks and wetlands to recover.

 

Priority management actions for this region

  • Avoid the use of large fishing nets in rivers and creeks, and remove any dis-used nets that may ensnare or obstruct fish and other species such as Duck-billed Platypus and White-bellied Sea Eagle.
  • Consider the establishment of non-fishing zones along reaches of major rivers in your region such as the Edward River, Niemur River and Wakool River, to provide sanctuary zones for species such as Macquarie Perch, Murray Cod and Trout Cod.
  • Consider any new water efficiency measure that could leave more water in the river for aquatic species.
  • Prevent livestock from entering sensitive wetlands and waterways as they can degrade river banks and trample and destroy aquatic habitat with implications for species including Sloane’s Froglet and Southern Bell Frog. This action may require the establishment of alternative watering points.
  • Protect and restore wetlands to provide secure habitat for aquatic species such as Black Swan, Freckled Duck, Glossy Ibis, Little Curlew, Pacific Golden Plover, Sloane’s Froglet, Southern Bell Frog and Southern Pygmy Perch and Mueller Daisy.
  • Protect and recover riverine vegetation to provide effective habitat and refugia for species including Duck-billed Platypus, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-fronted Dotterel, Royal Spoonbill, Regent Parrot, Swift Parrot, Scarlet Robin, Eel- tailed Catfish, Flathead Galaxias, Macquarie Perch, Southern Pygmy Perch and Common Yabby.
  • Retain and/or augment in-stream woody habitat (large logs), as these provide important habitat for aquatic species such as Australian Pelican, Royal Spoonbill, Macquarie Perch, Murray Cod, Murray Hardhead and Common Yabby.
  • Protect and monitor known nesting sites of raptor species such as Black-breasted Buzzard, Square-tailed Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Little Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Southern Boobook.
  • Work with the community to control carp as this exotic fish will impact native species such as Southern Bell Frog, Eel- tailed Catfish, Flathead Galaxias, Macquarie Perch, Southern Pygmy Perch and Hanley’s River Snail.
  • Work with the community to control aquatic weeds as these will impact native species such as Black-tailed Godwit, Black Swan, Glossy Ibis, Long-toed Stint, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruff and Sloane’s Froglet.
  • Work with the community to control feral pigs which can cause considerable damage to wetland systems and sensitive flora including Mossgiel Daisy and Austrostipa wakoolica.

 

For more information about the key management actions listed above click here