Restoring waterways in Capertee Valley & Olinda - NSW

Mulloon staff recently met with landholders, Wiradjuri custodians and Landcare members to brainstorm planned restoration projects in the magnificent waterways of the Capertee Valley and Cudgegong River.

TMI’s Peter Hazell, Laura Fisher and Paris Capell were back in the Capertee Valley on 12 November to meet with landholders, Wiradjuri custodians and Landcare members. It was an opportunity to share the scoping report of the Emu Swamp sub-catchment project, and exchange information about two other land restoration projects in the valley and on the Cudgegong River to the north. All of the projects concern the health of rivers and waterways and speak of the impact of drought, bushfire and floods in recent years. 

There was a strong sense of shared purpose and values: the need to stabilise river banks and hillslopes, create healthy aquatic ecosystems, support regeneration on farmland and adapt to the challenges of a volatile climate. The meeting highlighted how much Wiradjuri leadership is shaping land restoration in the region. Emma Syme, Peter Swain and Crackers (Craig) McConnell spoke of the importance of building skills and incorporating cultural activities in these projects, and saw them as generative, healing journeys for both people and Country. From the Paddock hosted us in a lovely setting – thank-you Terrie, Kerrie and Gabrielle! 

The weekend was also an opportunity to capture Wiradjuri custodial activities in the Valley: nearly a dozen Water Ceremonies have taken place in the last two years at community events, as well as some cultural burns involving Indigenous land managers. Emma Syme showed Laura the white box trees near Emu Swamp where two coolamons were recently cut from the thick bark of the trunk, with the raw part of the tree cured with mud. Coolamons are traditional vessels used by Aboriginal women to carry water, food and to cradle babies. These ones were created for Wiradjuri babies born recently, who nestle between two possum-skin cloaks and can be rocked gently in the coolamon due to its concave shape.  

Pete and Laura also visited the property of Alex and Charlie Bogle, Bimbimbie, where last year’s brush pack workshop occurred, led by Joe Skuse. The brush packs were in great shape, and supporting thriving plant growth on eroded areas which was terrific to see. A visit to Warramba to look at Emu Swamp Creek, with its extraordinary reedy recovery, topped off the visit.  

This stakeholder gathering was supported by the NSW Environmental Trust, through the Mulloon Institute’s Landscape Rehydration Capacity building project.  

Emma Syme and Ray Agnew with the Coolamon carving.

Reeds dominating a recovering Emu Swamp creek at Warramba, July 2022.

Reedy Emu Swamp Creek at Warramba, July 2022