• Head cuts where water was removed became increasingly stable and channels grassed over , while bare catchment areas also grassed over ( head cut 5 below ).
• However , the main gully complex continued to erode in situ , presumably from rain impact but also from side wall expansion and slumping within the many gully channels .
April 2018 April 2021 May 2022 Figure 25 : Grassing up of bare catchment areas ( head cut 5 )
• Ripping and reseeding above the diversion bank was largely unsuccessful . Ripping may have reduced run-off in the first wet season but rip lines quickly sealed over . Germination of broadcast seed only occurred in the rip lines and was generally seca stylo and butterfly pea . Grasses only established in the bare earthworks areas - in the diversion bank channels and on the banks .
• The gully and catchment in the project area , which was repaired through the Landholders Driving Change project did have successful ripping and reseeding . However , the ripping was of high intensity , almost cultivation , which provided an ideal seedbed . Under the infrequent grazing of the project area , the improved pastures persisted at that site .
Figure 26 : Riplines post 1st wet season with seca and butterfly pea established but no grasses
• The small PCDs had limited impact on halting in-gully erosion , although most worked effectively at trapping sediment and establishing vegetation . There would need to be large numbers of them to have any effect . Several of the smaller PCDs were outflanked and outflanking occurred with the rock apron at the main gully outlet .
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