The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) will be coordinating with local landholders, community groups and government agencies in implementing a staged willow management project on the Ovens River between Bright and Harrietville over the upcoming months. The works will address the impacts of willows on the quality and flow of water, banks stabilisation and the reduction of habitat for native fauna.

The works are part of a larger program to improve river health and recreational access to our waterways in the Upper Ovens Valley through projects that target the removal of woody weeds including willows and blackberry and the planting of native trees and shrubs.

Craig Hart, CMA Project Officer said “The North East CMA is building on the great work of community groups in the Upper Ovens Valley through funding the continuation of woody weed removal works around the Freeburgh, Smoko and Harrietville areas. Funded through the Victorian State Government’s Victorian Water Programs Investment Framework the work aims to reduce the spread of invasive seeding willows and fragments and other woody weeds from impacting upon the health of the Ovens River and its tributaries. The Ovens River is significant for it’s environmental, geological and social values”.

The project requires a large amount of mechanical control in the areas of Freeburgh, Germantown, Smoko and Harrietville in the upcoming months.
Works are expected to begin in May 2019 and continue through to October 2019.

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