Gully remediation at Spring Creek

Spring Creek owner Wayne Smith demonstrating the flow of water directed by diversion banks through the newly constructed rock chute.

Gully erosion causes significant amounts of sediment to enter Cape York waterways. Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM) is partnering with landholders across the Normanby catchment to tackle gully erosion, thanks to funding from the Australian Government, delivered through the Reef Trust Phase IV program.

Wayne Smith is one landholder who has been actively involved in the program. He owns and manages Spring Creek—a 3000 hectare pastoral holding 20 kilometres from Lakeland. Cape York NRM is working with Wayne to remediate areas on his property affected by gully erosion by fencing them off to exclude cattle and restoring ground cover to stop erosion. Wayne said he was very pleased to have the opportunity to improve the condition of his land and was motivated by the cost and time savings by partnering with Cape York NRM, as well as the environmental improvements these works would bring.

“I also want to look after my land, as all farmers do. I want to look after the rivers and creeks. I want to be able to drive around my place and be proud of how it looks instead of seeing all this erosion. That pride of place is a big motivation for me.”

For more information, please read this case study.