Mulloon Rehydration Initiative - update

Log and sill structure ‘PM1’ at Palerang

As well as the scientific monitoring work being done for the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative, work has continued on Controlled Activity Applications for the northern end of the catchment. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of logs following bushfires earlier this year we’re still looking forward to finalising creek interventions on the ‘Duralla’ property at Mulloon Creek Natural Farms. Thankfully we’ve recently heard that forests are being re-opened and have placed an order for more logs. As it turns out we haven’t actually been delayed that much as the creek has been flowing at a level that would have prevented in-stream works anyway.

The flowing creek has also given us an opportunity to study more recent works completed at Palerang and at the southern end of Duralla. All of these structures have settled in very well, vegetation growth has been very good and the whole system is functioning just as designed. The slowing of the creek flow is having a positive affect and at peak flows substantial parts of the floodplain have been rehydrated. Each intervention gets us another step closer towards fixing the whole catchment.

Structure PM1 seen from the opposite bank

During May, we also completed our annual report to the Federal Government for the National Landcare Program funding and submitted our workplan for the next year. This was a milestone and a real team effort led by Luke Peel. Covid-19 has certainly had an impact on what we achieved compared to what we had planned to achieve, as did the bushfires. With both increasingly behind us we will be able to make up ground quite quickly. Early feedback from the government has been very positive.

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative is jointly funded through the Mulloon Institute and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and is supported by various affiliates.