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                                    Projects         

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The UOVLG projects are in alignment with our Environment Plan that is available on this website. The plan identifies 6 Focal Areas based on their biodiversity value and risks.

 

Long-Term Vision

• By 2040 the health and resilience of the upper Ovens River will be improved.

• The river system will be more resilient to high flow events and provide a consistent native vegetation corridor that will be connected and diverse.

• Instream habitat structures will have increased to provide areas of habitat for the river’s important aquatic and terrestrial fauna species.

• Woody weed infestations will have significantly reduced, increasing the accessibility for many users.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Streamside vegetation structure improved along the river

• Improved stream channel resilience to protect existing

• infrastructure and past investment

• Opportunities for recreation improved, with more access points along the waterway leading to greater visitor numbers and increased local expenditure

• Water quality maintained to support potable water supply

• Improvement in aquatic biota

PHASED APPROACH

 The Flagship Project involves four phases of long-term river management. This approach to river restoration includes the creation of a long-term vision (out to 2040) with a timetable and costing of river works and recovery. There will be many years of coordinated actions to achieve the long-term objectives. The four phases are:

• Planning and target setting

• Taking action

• Recovery and growth

• Target achieved 

 

                                     Current: Site Specific Projects :​

 

 

 

Confluence of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers.

 

 

The main UOLVG project is currently at the confluence of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers.

 

The area around the confluence of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers is an important area for biodiversity. It provides one of the few opportunities for ecological connectivity across the Upper Ovens Valley through linking Mt Buffalo National Park to the Ovens River Reserve and State Forest to the north. The area has been in poor condition due to past gravel extraction, unregulated vehicle access and rampant weeds, including large woody weeds such as Poplars, Elms, Willows and Blackberries.

The Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group has carried out extensive woody weed control on both sides of the river, in partnership with NECMA and DELWP. This has been followed up with the planting of over 5000 plants over the last 2 years.

Ongoing maintenance is required and some of the earlier plantings in shorter guards are now being replaced with tall guards due to browsing by Deer and Wallabies.

These sites can be accessed from Telford’s Lane off the Great Alpine Road or off the Mt Buffalo Road, 700 metres form the Porepunkah roundabout.

Part of the project is to provide sustainable public access to the river, improving the amenity for locals and visitors alike.

 

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Deer Control Trials: German Creek

 

The UOVLG has also carried out trials near German Creek to look at the most effective way of reducing browsing mainly by deer, but also wallabies and kangaroos. Plantings have been carried out using various methods including solid fencing. The options have been costed out to compare with effectiveness.  This project requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germantown Streamside Reserve -  

Supporting the Friends of Germantown Streamside Reserve in revegetation,

weed action, track restoration & signage, funding and events.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Water Watch - UOVLG has been and an active participant in NECMA's Waterwatch Program for several years. Volunteers receive training from NECMA to undertake regular testing of our waterways such as the Ovens River and Morse's Creek. Tests are taken for pH, phosphorus, temperature, turbidity, salinity and dissolved oxygen. The results are entered and stored in the NECMA Waterwatch database, and contribute to the overall picture of waterways heath for the North East of the state. This is a great opportunity for Landcare members to become actively involved in the group and make a worthwhile contribution to the betterment of the environment.

 

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Partners:

The other significant land managers in this area are Parks Victoria, Dept of Environment & Primary Industry, and the Alpine Shire Council.  Hancock Victoria Plantations (HVP), a private company, manages the extensive pine plantations.

A district wide approach engaging with all of these land managers ensures a consistent and coordinated approach to issues.