L A N D S C A P E R E M E D I AT I O N
Mt Wickham’s field walk in September last year attracted a lot of inte est.
The Landscape Remediation program is trialling large and
small-scale gully remediation approaches to improve water
quality, and to determine cost-effective solutions that can be
transferred to other projects and catchments.
By the end of the project, work will be complete on three
large-scale demonstration sites showcasing different methods
of treating large‑scale gully erosion. Two sites have already
been established at Mt Wickham and Glen Bowen. Refer to
pages 8-11 for information on the Glen Bowen site.
The project will also have completed multiple small-scale
erosion sites, in partnership with landholders. Technical
experts have been conducting assessments to determine the
most appropriate on-ground solutions.
Landholders intend to use local contractors where possible
and share resources to help reduce costs. The Scottville
cluster, a group of six properties, has successfully completed
erosion control works, refer to pages 14-15 for more details.
Mt Wickham
Piloting innovative ways to tackle gully erosion is a key aspect
of the LDC project. Mt Wickham Station, Bowen River, was
the first la ge-scale rehabilitation site undertaken by LDC.
Described by engineering consultant Dr Glenn Dale
(Verterra) as “an amphitheatre of erosion,” the gully site was
transformed in six months by a combination of reshaping the
landscape and planting a range of pasture species.
Immediately after on-ground works were completed, the
rain poured down and remediation work held up! A total of
745mm of rain fell on the site between November 2018 and
the end of January 2019.
Fast facts
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Gully catchment size, treatment (3.03 ha) and control
(14.14 ha).
Engineering firms erterra and Alluvium contracted to
design remediation solution.
Local contractors and machinery delivered 100% of
on-ground works.
400t of topsoil removed and stockpiled.
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100t of gypsum and 374t of compost were blended with
stockpiled topsoil for final d essing.
538 kg seed planted, including deep-rooted legumes,
canopy species, pasture grasses, legumes and cover
crops.
Delivering an estimated annual reduction of
2,100t of fine sediment