The $2.1 million Kyneton Offsets Project incorporates 14.3 kilometres of environment improvement works along Post Office Creek and the Campaspe River in Kyneton.
Commencing in April 2019, the project works include:
- removal of willow trees, blackberry, hawthorn and other weeds
- revegetating 14.3 kilometres of river frontage with native trees and shrubs
- installing 13.1 kilometres of fencing to keep livestock out of the waterway
- installing off-stream watering systems as an alternative water source for livestock
- supplementary replanting, weed control and revegetation watering
- 21 hectares of river frontage has been revegetated as part of the project, using native trees and shrubs.
Unlike most other vegetation, willows spread their matted roots across the stream bed smothering habitat favoured by platypus. They also drop large amounts of rotting leaves during autumn. These leaves leach chemicals including cyanidins and delphinidins into the water that has a detrimental impact on water quality and therefore waterbugs and native fish.
AQUEST are undertaking river health monitoring annually over a five-year period (2018-2023), targeting periods when the Campaspe River is flowing.
10 sampling sites have been identified in the Campaspe catchment for this study, from Carlsruhe to Redesdale.