Photo: Timber pinned in place prior to rock armouring at the Markwood site.

The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is undertaking erosion control works to address waterway instabilities along reaches of the Ovens River and Deep Creek. Currently works are being undertaken between the River Road bridge near Markwood-Tarrawingee Road and the Pioneer bridge near Markwood-Everton Road.

The timber for the works has been donated by the Rural City of Wangaratta following its removal as a result of the intersection redevelopment roadworks at the Cruse Street bridge site and Reith Road in Wangaratta. The timber is installed in combination with rock armouring and the sites will be revegetated to provide long term protection to surrounding public infrastructure. Using rock and timber maximises structural integrity and protection of the bank whilst minimising environmental impacts, and has the added benefit of providing habitat for iconic fish species such as the Murray Cod.

Kelly Behrens, Manager Program Implementation with the North East CMA, said “The North East CMA will create valuable fish habitat using the salvaged trees. It is great when we can collaborate with our stakeholders within the catchment to achieve outcomes that are both economically and environmentally beneficial to everyone involved.”

The works require a large number of truck movements along the Great Alpine Road and the Markwood-Everton Road. There may also be some raised dust, but to address this dust suppression activities will be undertaken while works are underway, minimising the inconvenience to local residents.

These works are funded from the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) program. They are part of a larger program addressing flooding issues in the area and will stabilise bank erosion caused by flooding in 2016.

For further information contact the North East CMA on 1300 216 513.