The Mulloon Institute has been awarded a $3.8 million grant to continue and expand the Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project, collecting vital scientific data on the hydrology and outcomes of the project.
The Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project involves 20 landholders across 23,000 hectares in New South Wales. Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the project offers the unique opportunity for scientific research with control of a whole catchment.
“This kind of research and data doesn’t come along every day and it’s worth investing in,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Vision, practical research and action is exactly what Australian agriculture needs to thrive.
“Landscape repair and rehydration through slowing the flow of water can help boost crops and build drought resilience in the future.
“This project will also provide workshops and education for farmers coming to see the site. The data collected will be available to farmers and the public.
“Already this pilot program has re-established the connection between Mulloon Creek and its floodplain by constructing over 90 ‘living’ streambeds and fencing over 40km of creek from stock.
“This has raised the level of the stream, stabilised the flow and allow the creek-floodplain system to regenerate naturally.”
The Australian Government continues to support investment in the environment through the $1.1 billion ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Landcare Program, which is key to supporting farmers during times of drought.
Earlier this week, Minister Littleproud announced $30 million for a pilot to incentivise farmers who increase biodiversity and absorb carbon on their land, and $4 million to create an internationally recognised biodiversity accreditation scheme to allow farmers to receive a premium on their product for good biodiversity management.
Fast facts
- The Mulloon Institute, in partnership with 20 Mulloon Creek landholders, established the Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project, which covers 23,000 ha and will address landscape function and resilience at the catchment scale.
- The Institute’s ‘rehydrate Australia’ project will build on and scale up these successes within the Mulloon Creek catchment, including:
- Comprehensive planning and scientific evaluation of hydrology, flora and fauna, and production improvements, including financial, social and community outcomes.
- Workshops and education motivated by the landholders and supported through on farm training.
- Data and results derived products including a farm decision support system and models will be available to landholders and shared with broader community.
- Demonstrating to landholders the value of established systems such as the NRM Hub for satellite based vegetation assessment and property planning.
