Soil Erosion Solutions Case Studies

Soil Erosion Solutions
Helping North Coast landholders

reduce soil erosion
Soil erosion projects completed

in the Northern Rivers, NSW 2007/2008
Funded by Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority
Project locations
Tweed Heads
Murwillumbah
Richmond
Tweed
Kyogle
Lismore
Casino
Tenterfield
Clarence
Maclean
Yamba
1. rock lining of a gully - Green Pigeon | Page 2

2.gully management - Old Bonalbo | Page 3
Mullumbimby
3. stabilising a gully head - Iron Pot Creek | Page 4
4. planting trees to reduce mass movement risk - Coorabell | Page 5
5. tree planting to reduce mass movement risk - Federal | Page 6
6. from a gully to a stable hillside - Federal | Page 7
7. rock reinforcements - Dunoon | Page 8
Ballina
8. safe diversion of water - Brooklet | Page 9
PDFDGDPLDRUFKDUGRRULPSURYHPHQWVMacleans Ridges | Page 10
10. reshaping gullies - Tregeagle | Page 11
11. fencing out cattle - Fernside | Page 12
12. dam spillway repairs - Tabulam | Page 13
13. a dam to stop a gully headcut - Coongbar | Page 14
14. diverting water around a gully - &OHDUHOG_3DJH
15. rehabilitation of a quarry area - Maclean | Page 16
Grafton
Glen Innes
Woolgoolga
16. soil conservation on a blueberry farm - Korora | Page 17
Guyra
Coffs Harbour
Dorrigo
Bellinger
Armidale
Bellingen
Nambucca
Nambucca
Macleay
Walcha
Kempsey
Wauchope
Hastings
Port Macquarie
Soil Erosion Solutions supported work to repair, reduce and

prevent soil erosion on agricultural land in the northern rivers region.
From 2005 to 2008 the Soil
Erosion Solutions (SES) program
was funded by the Northern
Rivers CMA, and run by NSW
DPI in partnership with Landcare
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region.
This program provided funding to
landholders for onground works
to control soil erosion on their
properties.
We asked for expressions of interest
from landholders with soil erosion
problems they wanted to address,
then worked with them to develop
plans for their projects, providing
advice and technical support. The
landholders then carried out their
own projects with the support of
funding from SES.
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on their properties. These were described in a previous booklet,
available on the web at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/
soils/erosion/soil-erosion-solutions.
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(page 9) was attended by 72 people, mostly fellow macadamia
growers who showed a keen interest in improving their farm
infrastructure and introducing practices to reduce soil erosion.
After our third year more landholders have completed erosion

control works with assistance from SES. Funds were targeted towards
responding to a high level of interest received from landholders in
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steep lands in the Byron and Coffs Harbour areas, and gullies in the
Clarence Catchment and Casino region.
As well as this publication which documents our onground works

projects, the Soil Erosion Solutions team has compiled a technical
manual for landholders to provide more detailed information on soil
erosion management and rehabilitation.
In November 2006 we took a group on a bus tour of mass movement

sites in the Upper Richmond around Barkers Vale to examine the
causes and options for dealing with landslips.
In May 2007 we piloted a soil erosion management course,
developed with the North Coast Institute TAFE at Wollongbar.
Taught by horticultural consultant, Alan Coates and soil
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macadamia growers. Morning sessions were held in the classroom
and afternoons were spent looking at real erosion control works
and strategies on farms. The 3 day course was fully enrolled, and
feedback from the growers who attended was very positive.
We encourage landholders interested in developing a soil erosion

project for their property to contact the Northern Rivers Catchment
Management Authority for assistance.
Soil Erosion Solutions was implemented by:
Project Leader
Abigail Jenkins
NSW DPI, Wollongbar
abigail.jenkins@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Egd_ZXiD[XZg
Stephanie Alt
NSW DPI, Wollongbar
stephanie.alt@dpi.nsw.gov.au
1
helping north coast landholders reduce soil erosion | Vol 2 | Soil Erosion Solutions
Green Pigeon
rock lining of a gully
Landholder Vic and Lynette Walters
Map reference 1
Land use Grazing and rainforest plantings
Soil Erosion $1,770 (electric fencing, energiser and
Solutions Grant materials, trees, fertiliser, herbicide, diesel)
Landholders
$4,320 (tractor work, labour, trees, monitoring)
in-kind contribution
The site
Gully erosion of the toe of a large landslip threatened to destabilise
the slip area. The landslip encroached on a natural watercourse, and
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The project
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ddYlZaa#
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vegetation.
Landholders experience
best thing
What was the

about this project?
In the torrential rain in January 227mm in one night, 819mm for
the month, the works all held together, and no more washouts.
Watching the rate the trees are growing at is very rewarding.
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The toe of the old slip starting to erode
Soil Erosion Solutions | Vol 2 | helping north coast landholders reduce soil erosion
What was the

aspect of the project?
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spot.
Old Bonalbo
gully management
Landholder Kevin and Leeanne Coonan
Map reference 2
Land use Beef cattle grazing and dairy farming
Soil Erosion
$9,800 (earthworks)
Solutions Grant
Landholders $10,260 (earthworks, labour, fencing
in-kind contribution materials)
West of the Ranges $500 (trees, labour and administration
Landcare Inc. (WORLI) support)
The site
A failing dam within a gully line in remnant bushland had increased
erosion. Access by cattle to the gully had contributed to the erosion
and the failure of the dam.
The project
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id^cXgZVhZlViZghidgV\ZXVeVXîn!VcYhdgZYjXZlViZgdlh
downstream.
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exclude cattle from the watercourse, protecting the works area
and existing remnant bushland.
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to improve soil stability and biodiversity.
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Erosion in the gully
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planned decommission works removed the dam wall safely.
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wildlife in and around the stream.
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best thing
What was the

about this project?
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peace of mind to have an additional supply of water.
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What was the

Getting the contractor to complete the work on time, and timing the
works with favourable weather conditions.
Kevin Coonan inspects the new dam
3
Iron Pot Creek

stabilising a gully head
Landholder BVg\VgZi9j[ZaYVcYEZiZgHiVX`]djhZ
Map reference 3
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the soil.
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halt further erosion.
Land use Grazing

Soil Erosion
$3,900 (earthworks, pipes)
Solutions Grant
Landholders $4,050 (labour tractor, mulch, technical
in-kind contribution consultant)
The site
A deep gully had formed, running from highly erodible land into
Iron Pot Creek. The head of the gully was dangerously undercut. A
constantly wet track and stock access at the gully head encouraged
further erosion and threatened productive cropping paddocks.
The reshaped gully head area
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potential of the water coming through the gully.
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I]ZgZkZ\ZiViZYVgZVhlâa]Zaeida^càdXVakZ\ZiVi^dcXdgg^Ydgh#
best thing
What was the

about this project?
Peter developed a plan that he invented it worked he used
recycled goods, the old septic tank and concrete cores that we had
on the farm. Now the dam (at the pipe inlet) has developed a little
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The project
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6aVg\ZXdcXgZiZeêZlVh^chiVaaZYidYZa^kZglViZg[gdbV
collection sump behind the gully head to a concrete-lined
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What was the

Carting all the cores to line the gully.
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lined with concrete cores to protect the soil from turbulent water
and to roughen the surface, reducing the speed of the water
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Installing the concrete pipe
Flood waters leaving the stilling

basin
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Coorabell
planting trees to reduce
Landholder
Ian and Diane Moore

Manager - Michael Whaley
Map reference 4
Land use Cabinet timber
Soil Erosion $4,725 (soil tests, trees, mulch, grass seed,
Solutions Grant herbicides)
Landholders
$9,320 (labour, mulch, fertiliser)
The site
A series of small landslips worried the owners and manager of this
property. The slips seemed to be the result of saturated soils on the
steep grassed slopes.
The project
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[gdbi]ZhdâegdaZVcY]daYhdâ^ceaVXZlî]i]Z^gYZZeZggddi
systems.
mass movement risk
7KHEHQHWV
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term stability to the slope.
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habitat between existing rainforest
areas.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The site visit was invaluable Abigail, Gerry and Stephanie ~
receiving that level of consulting and planning help for free was
fantastic.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Ragweed took over around trees over the summer it was a huge
job to remove from each tree.
Michael Whaley and some of the planted trees
5
Federal
tree planting to reduce mass movement risk
Landholder Stephen Marshall
Map reference 5
Land use Grazing
Soil Erosion $3,705 (contract fencing, trees, fertiliser,
Solutions Grant mulch and planting)
Landholders $3,705 (contract fencing, trees, fertiliser,
in-kind contribution mulch and planting)
The site
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numerous slip areas, several of which had developed into gullies.
A newly planted tree
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What was the

The maintenance of the planting which is going well.
One of the gullies just after fencing and planting
The project
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stock access worsening the erosion.
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i]ZhdâegdaZVcY]daYi]Zhdâ^ceaVXZlî]i]Z^g
deeper root systems.
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stability to the slope.
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farm biodiversity.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The ease of the application process which was facilitated
by DPI staff.
Mulch piles indicate the position of tree plantings
Federal
from a gully to a stable
hillside
Landholder Nick and Perina Oliver

Map reference 6
Land use Grazing and rainforest remnants
Soil Erosion $4,865 (electric fencing, geotech fabric, rocks,
Solutions Grant seed, trees, mulch)
Landholders
$5,760 (tractor work and labour)
The site
A stock track on a steep slope had initiated a gully that had grown
to 160 metres long and up to 2 metres deep. Soil from the gully was
ending up in the nearby creek.
Filling and mulching of the gully
best thing
What was the

about this project?
Stabilising the soil it has worked a dream.
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I]Z\jaanWZ[dgZldg`h
The project
What was the

The timetable was hard our project needed a lot of labour so
getting the work done in time with all the other things in life and on
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of the plan wed committed to for the funding when the best way to
do the work only became clear after wed started. In the end this
was alright but it was more complicated than just doing things on
your own.
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8]ZX`YVbhd[gdX`VcY\ZdiZX][VWg^XlZgZWjâiVi^ciZgkVah
down the gully.
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aaZYlî]gdX`#
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7KHEHQHWV
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vegetation.
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7
Dunoon
rock reinforcements for shady orchard watercourses
Landholder Ian Clapham, Yarralumla Plantations
Map reference 7
Land use Macadamias
Soil Erosion $10,000 (tree removal hire equipment &
Solutions Grant operator for earthworks)
$10,011 (labour, tree removal, tree pruning,
Landholders
grass planting, maintenance, rock works &
grass)
The site
An older macadamia orchard with a nearly closed canopy had been
established with little regard for natural watercourses. As a result there
was extensive sheet erosion with exposed tree roots, and gullies had
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idi]ZdgX]VgYddgbZVcibVX]^cZ"]VgkZhi^c\^ci]dhZVgZVhd[i]Z
orchard was ineffective. A new owner wanted to reduce the dramatic
soil loss and improve machine-harvesting while maintaining existing
production levels.
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reduced.
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up in dams and watercourses.
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the erosion control works.
Low light levels and tree rows cutting across natural drainage lines
The project
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Some trees were removed and others pruned to assist grass
cover to be established over the top of the gravel, permitting
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subsurface and surface drain.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The support from Soil Erosion Solutions to identify the priorities,
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bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Trying to do something effective without disrupting the running of
the orchard at the beginning of harvest.
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were installed to slow the water down and encourage sediment
deposition.
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6hbVaaX]ZX`YVbegdiZXihl]ZgZlViZgXgdhhZhi]ZigZZa^cZ
Brooklet
safe diversion of water
Landholder
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Ian Clapham, Brooklet Farm

Frank Elsworth, Figtree Plantation
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watercourse.
Map reference 8
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Land use Macadamias
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$10,000 (earthworks to construct diversion

Soil Erosion
drain, matting to protect drain and grass
Solutions Grant
seed)
Landholders
$16,746 (removal of windbreak, labour)
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turning room at the end of the rows.
The site
Two neighbouring macadamia orchards had erosion problems from
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orchard. There were especially deep gullies down the tree rows
on Brooklet Farm from the run on water. An old windbreak on the
boundary separating the two orchards had become a weedy rat
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worked together to resolve the drainage problems.
The project
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mulched.
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boundary to divert water to the farm dam and into a nearby
stable watercourse.
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adjoining eroded tree rows.
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of the new drain to give immediate protection.
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areas.
The diversion drain is formed
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best thing
What was the

about this project?
The advice from NSW DPIs Soil Erosion Solutions on how to tackle
the biggest problem at the site. I originally wanted to deal with the
erosion under the trees but it was explained to me that we would be
better dealing with the cause of the problem not the symptom.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

We had trouble getting a suitable contractor to do the work at the
time we wanted, so the works started 6 months late at the beginning
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lî]]ZVkngV^c!hdbZVgZVhcZZYZYm^c\je#
Grass growing through the erosion matting
9
Macleans Ridges
macadamia orchard ddg^begdkZbZcih
Landholder Brad Connelly
Map reference 9
Land use Macadamias, nursery
Soil Erosion +!*,%hdâegda^c\!hdâXVgi^c\!\gVhhhZZY!
Solutions Grant fertiliser)
Landholders $7,766 (labour, supply of equipment,
in-kind contribution smothergrass)
The site
This mature macadamia orchard had limited light reaching the
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trees with exposed roots. Soil was also being scoured out of orchard
watercourses that had become shaded and lost grass cover.
The project
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light through for grassed waterways.
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i]ZdgX]VgYddg#
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shallow spoon drains.
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Hbdi]Zg\gVhheaj\hlZgZeaVciZYViZVX]igZZ#
BâaZihZZYlVhhdlcdkZgVaaY^hijgWZYhdâVgZVh#
Hedging of one side of the trees
best thing
What was the

about this project?
Knowing the topsoil is going to remain where it is and improving
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health of plantation hopefully leading to sustainable production.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

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]daYi]ZkZgnaddhZhdâhdîY^YcdilVh]VlVnlî]i]Zghiadid[
rain.
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7KHEHQHWV
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had been scouring out along the tree lines.
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with less damage.
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;ZlZgZmedhZYgddih]VhbVYZ]VgkZhi^c\ZVh^Zg#
The millet cover crop provided good short term protection
10
Tregeagle
reshaping gullies and return to pasture
Landholder Keith Doherty
Map reference 10
Land use Grazing and future cabinet timbers
Soil Erosion $5,940 (hire of earthmoving equipment,
Solutions Grant purchase seed and mulch)
Landholders
$5,940 (labour, tractor work)
The site
The landholder had already done some work to reduce soil erosion
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remediation.
Hay bales slow down water on a steep slope
The project
8ViiaZlZgZiZbedgVgânZmXajYZY[gdbi]ZgZ]VWâîVi^dchîZh#
HdbZ\ViZhVcYhZXi^dchd[[ZcXZhlZgZgZbdkZYidVaadl
access for machinery.
:gdYZYhZXi^dchlZgZgZh]VeZY!a^cZYlî]gdX`VcYXdkZgZYlî]
topsoil.
DcZkZgnhiZZehadeZlVhiZggVXZYidhadlYdlclViZgdl#
HadeZhlZgZYZiVâZYidVaadlhaVh]^c\[dgbV^ciZcVcXZ#
9^hijgWZYhdâlVh[Zgiâ^hZY!hZZYZYlî]\gVhhZhVcYbjaX]ZY#
HigVlWVaZhlZgZeaVXZYVXgdhhhadeZhidb^c^b^hZhdâVcYhZZY
loss.
7KHEHQHWV
BdgZegdYjXi^kZeVhijgZhi]ViVgZZVh^ZgidbV^ciV^c#
best thing
What was the

about this project?
With our heavy rain in January 2008 it was very satisfying to stand
above what was previously the worst section of erosion gully and
lViX]i]ZXdch^YZgVWaZdld[lViZgigVkZaa^c\dcided[i]Z\gdjcY
over new grass, rather than churning through the gully, tearing away
VihdâVcYgdX`!VcYYZedhî^c\îVaadci]ZViaVcYVcY^ci]ZXgZZ`
below.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

I]ZbdhiY^[Xjaii]^c\VWdjii]Zegd_ZXilVhi]Zh]ZZgi^bZVcY
effort involved in manually cleaning up the surface rock following
earthmoving equipment activities, and securing 800 straw bales on
steep slopes to keep soil in its place and allow the newly planted
grass seed to take.
AZhhhZY^bZci^c7d\\n8gZZ`#
One of the sites for rehabilitation
Reshaping in progress
11
Fernside
fencing out cattle
Landholder Tony and Kim Curtis
Map reference 11
7KHEHQHWV
:gdY^c\VgZVhVgZcdl\gVhh^c\dkZg#
AZhhhdâ^hZcY^c\je^ci]ZYVb#
Land use Grazing

Soil Erosion $5,051 (fencing materials, troughs, hire of
Solutions Grant equipment and trees)
Landholders
$5,050 (labour and water trough)
The site
An intermittent watercourse, containing a series of dams, runs through
i]^h\gVo^c\egdeZgin#8ViiaZigV[XlVhZgdY^c\i]ZWVc`h#
The project
I]ZYVbVcYh^YZhd[i]Z\jaanlZgZ[ZcXZYidZmXajYZhidX`#
IgZZhVcYh]gjWhlZgZeaVciZY^ci]Z[ZcXZYVgZV#
CZligZZhVcYh]gjWhlZgZlViZgZYVcYbV^ciV^cZYjciâ
established.
The fenced off watercourse
12
I]ZcZlaneaVciZYigZZhVcYh]gjWhlâaegdk^YZh]ZaiZg[dghidX`
and improved wildlife habitat.
I]ZbdgZhiVWaZZck^gdcbZcilâa^begdkZi]ZfjVaînd[i]Z
lViZgdl^c\^cidi]ZYdlchigZVblViZgXdjghZ#
best thing
What was the

about this project?
KZgn]Veenlî]i]ZdjiXdbZ0i]ZgZhcdZgdh^dcVcY`ZZe^c\i]Z
cattle out is great. SES allowed us to do the whole project in one
go, we couldnt afford to do it all ourselves and the job is done
properly.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

To meet the deadline for the funding we had to plant the trees at a
non-optimal time very dry and we were unable to supply enough
water to keep them alive. Keeping the maintenance up is a bit time
consuming.
Tabulam
dam spillway repairs
Landholder Suzanne Hopfner and Harry Wolf
Map reference 12
Land use Land managed for conservation use only
Soil Erosion $5,000 (earthworks, seeds/mulch, hessian,
Solutions Grant stakes, gabion baskets, geotextile fabric)
Landholders
$6,240 (labour)
Landcare $660 (administration)
The site
This former grazing property had two severely eroded catch drains
leading to a dam with a badly eroded spillway and back batter. The
aVcY]daYZglVciZYidmi]ZZgdh^dclî]dji\Zii^c\g^Yd[i]ZYVb#
6aaY^hijgWZYVgZVh
were mulched and
seeded with native
grasses to promote
rapid revegetation.
7KHEHQHWV
6Xi^kZZgdh^dc]Vh
stabilised, reducing
sediment into the
creek downslope.
The eroding spillway
>ccdkVi^kZiZX]c^fjZhjhZYidhiVWâ^hZi]ZheâalVn]VkZVaadlZY
the dam to be retained for water storage.
I]ZZhiVWa^h]bZcid[cVi^kZ\gVhhZhdci]ZhîZ]Vh^cXgZVhZYîh
conservation value.
The project
I]ZaVg\ZgXViX]YgV^clVhaaZY^c#
HbVaaX]ZX`higjXijgZhXdchigjXiZY[gdb]Zhh^VchZXjgZYlî]
wooden stakes were placed across the smaller diversion drain to
hadlYdlci]ZlViZgdlVcYigVehdbZd[i]ZhZY^bZci#
I]ZZgdYZYWViiZgdci]ZjehadeZh^YZd[i]ZYVblVhgZh]VeZY#
I]ZheâalVn\jaanlVhgZVa^\cZYVcYgZ^c[dgXZYlî]VYgde
higjXijgZbVYZd[\VW^dcWVh`Zihi]ViY^gZXihlViZgdldkZgV
central area onto a Reno mattress (rock held in place with wire)
below which protects the soil and prevents a scour pool from
forming below the new waterfall.
<ZdiZmiâZ[VWg^XlVhjhZYidegdiZXii]ZlViZga^cZl]ZgZîlâa
]VkZidXVggn]^\]kZadXîndlh#
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The availability of advice and support by community natural
gZhdjgXZ hjeedgi d[XZg! 6ccZ <^WWh VcY CHL 9E> hdâh VYk^hdgn
d[XZg6W^\Vâ?Zc`^chViVaahiV\Zhd[i]Zegd_ZXi\gZVian]ZaeZYi]Z
implementation. The gabion structure coped with 500mm of rain
from November 2007 till January 2008.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Sourcing an appropriate earthmoving contractor and meeting the
deadlines despite the weather.
The gabion drop structure that stabilises the dam spillway
13
Coongbar
a dam to stop
a gully headcut
Landholder Joshua Quinn and Kylie Brady

Map reference 13
Land use Grazing
$8,500 (fencing contractor and materials,
Soil Erosion
dVi[dgZVgi]bdk^c\ZfjêbZci![jZa!eaVhi^X
Solutions Grant
dam liner, gypsum, seed and fertiliser)
Landholders $9,250 (excavator and bulldozer work,
in-kind contribution labour)
The site
The landholders of this remote grazing property with dispersive
subsoils were concerned about several active gullies. One of the worst
gully heads had already cut its way over a kilometre up a broad valley,
cutting a gully over 5m deep and often over 25m wide. We wanted to
stop the advance of the headcut into productive pastures.
Spreading seed and fertiliser
7KHEHQHWV
I]Z\jaan]ZVY]VhhideeZYegd\gZhh^c\!egdiZXi^c\jehadeZ
farmland.
>ccdkVi^kZiZX]c^fjZhjhZYidegdiZXii]ZZbWVc`bZci[gdb
tunnelling allow the dam to be used for water storage.
;ZcX^c\d[[i]Zdla^cZlâaVaadl^cXgZVhZYkZ\ZiVi^dcid
establish on the gully walls downstream of the dam, and reduce
soil loss.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The dam gives us extra water for dry times and has helped prevent
the erosion from getting worse.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Finding enough dry weather to place the dam in the gully.
Add`^c\Ydlci]Z\jaan
The project
6YVblVhYZh^\cZYidgZYjXZi]Zg^h`d[ijccZaZgdh^dcVcY
YZa^kZgbdhilViZgdlidi]Z\jaanddgk^VeêZ#
1. Grass and topsoil were taken off the dam site and stockpiled.
2. The base of the dam wall was keyed in to an excavated trench.
3. Soil for the dam wall was mixed with gypsum to reduce
dispersion.
4. The dam wall was built in 200mm stages and track rolled.
*#6aVg\Zig^XàZeêZlVhhZi^cidi]ZYVblVaaidiV`Zdlhjeid
\gZViZgi]VcV&^c&%nZVgddYZkZci#
6. A 3mm black plastic lining to prevent tunnelling was laid on the
inside face of the dam wall, then covered with 1 m of soil and
track rolled.
,#IdehdâlVhgZhegZVYdkZgi]Zc^h]ZYlVaa!i]Zc[Zgiâ^hZYVcY
seeded with perennial grasses and a cover crop of oats.
I]ZeêZdjiaZi^ci]ZWVhZd[i]Z\jaanlVhVgbdjgZYlî]gdX`#
I]ZYVbhîZVcYbjX]d[i]ZYdlchigZVb\jaana^cZlZgZ
fenced off.
14
I]Zc^h]ZYYVb
Clearfield
diverting water around a gully
6hbVaagdX`lZ^glVhXdchigjXiZY^ci]ZXgZZìdY^hhêViZi]Z
ZcZg\nd[i]ZlViZgdlY^hX]Vg\^c\[gdbi]ZY^kZgh^dcWVc`#
I]^haZV`nlZ^gWVX`hjelViZgYjg^c\]^\]dlhidXgZViZV
temporary pond, slowing the water and reducing its erosive
power before it travels downstream.
Landholder Bruce King

Map reference 14
Land use Grazing
Soil Erosion
$2,200 (earthmoving, wire, seed & fertiliser)
Solutions Grant
Landholders
$2,500 (labour, supply rocks, supply tractor)
I]Z\jaan]ZVYVcYlVaahlZgZgZh]VeZYVcY\gVhhZY#
I]ZY^kZgh^dcWVc`!gZh]VeZY\jaanVcYeVgid[i]ZYdlchigZVb
watercourse were fenced off to exclude cattle.
The site
I]Z\jaanWZ[dgZldg`h
7KHEHQHWV
An active gully head
had developed in a
transitional area where
a broad depression
XVgg^ZY ddY dkZgdl
from a wetland into a
YZcZYXgZZà^cZ#I]Z
open country and very
gentle slope of the site
allowed the creation
d[VegZ[ZggZYdla^cZ
around the gully area.
The project
6WdkZi]Z\jaan]ZVYVWVXèjh]Y^kZgh^dcWVc`lVh
constructed. This ensured the diverted water ran along
undisturbed ground and dense vegetation. The diverted water
runs around the gully area and is directed back into the natural
creekline further downstream.
I]ZWVXèjh]WVc`lVhVadlXdhilVnidhide[jgi]Zg\jaan
erosion.
I]ZVbdjcid[hZY^bZcieVhh^c\^cidi]ZXgZZ`]VhWZZc
greatly reduced.
6fjVi^X]VWîVi^ci]ZXgZZ`]Vh^begdkZY#
CVi^kZkZ\ZiVi^dc^hgZ"ZhiVWa^h]^c\îhZa[^ci]Z[ZcXZYXgZZ`
area.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
Weve stopped the progress of the erosion.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Trying to co-ordinate the earth works and the weather to complete
the works in the time frame (and the paperwork).
I]ZY^kZgh^dcWVc`hZZc[gdbjehadeZ
15
Maclean
rehabilitation of a quarry area
Landholder Michael Hodgson
Map reference 15
Land use Conservation
Soil Erosion
$8,250 (trees, shrubs, grass seed, fertiliser)
Solutions Grant
Landholders $10,460 (bank construction, sediment dam
in-kind contribution construction, deep ripping, labour)
Ripping and reshaping the surface
Constructing the diversion drain

above the site
7KHEHQHWV
6kZgnYZ\gVYZYhîZ]VhWZZcaVg\ZanhiVWâ^hZY
6cn[jgi]ZgZgdY^c\hdâ^hWZ^c\XVj\]i^ci]ZhZY^bZciYVb#
I]ZZhiVWa^h]bZcid[cVi^kZigZZhVcYh]gjWhdci]ZhîZ]Vh
increased its conservation value.
best thing
What was the

about this project?
The project has done a fantastic job of stopping erosion and
redirecting water to non-eroding routes. The soil at the quarry site
now supports pasture.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

Someone stole steel posts and sediment fencing from the project
site. We were disappointed initially that pasture establishment was
patchy. We did a soil test that told us we needed different fertilisers
so applied and pasture is establishing better.
I]ZhadeZWZ[dgZldg`h
The site
Large quantities of soil had been removed from this hillside property
to construct a levee bank for the Clarence
River. The area where the soil had been
taken from was left barren and the slope had
eroded badly.
The project
9^kZgh^dcYgV^chlZgZXdchigjXiZYVWdkZ
the eroded slopes to divert water around
the vulnerable area..
I]ZZgdYZYhadeZhlZgZYZZegêeZYVcY
the surface reshaped.
IgZZhVcYh]gjWhlZgZeaVciZYViV
density of 800 plants per hectare.
;Zgiâ^hZgVcYeVhijgZhZZYlZgZhegZVY
over the rehabilitated area.
6hZY^bZciYVblVhXdchigjXiZYWZadl
the site to catch sediment before it
entered the river.
The rehabilitated site
16
Korora
soil conservation on a blueberry farm
Landholder Sohan Atwal
Map reference 16
Land use Bananas and blueberries
$9,300 (gabion rock, gravel, cracker dust,
Soil Erosion
pipes, excavator hire, geofabric sandbags,
Solutions Grant
grass seed)
Landholders
$9,300 (labour, tractor work)
The site
Part of this steep coastal farm was being converted from bananas
to blueberries. The new mounds for blueberry rows ran downslope,
so there was a risk of erosion down the interrows. An intermittent
lViZgXdjghZlî]hjWhjg[VXZdlgjchi]gdj\]i]ZXZcigZd[i]Z[Vgb#
I]^hbVYZigV[Xijgc^c\VgZVhWd\\n[dgVadid[i]ZnZVg!VcYi]Z
disturbed ground prone to further erosion.
The project
6hdâXdchZgkVi^dceaVc[dgi]ZWajZWZggnVgZVlVhegZeVgZYlî]
the NSW Soil Conservation Service.
6\gVkZaWVc`lVhXdchigjXiZYidhidelViZg[gdbi]ZgdVY
running down an orchard track.
Adc\WajZWZggngdlhlZgZWgd`Zcjelî]XgdhhWVc`hid^ciZgXZei
run off water and deliver it safely to managed watercourses.
I]ZXZcigVaYgV^cV\Za^cZlVh^begdkZYlî]hjWhjg[VXZYgV^cV\Z#
I]ZXVeVXînd[i]ZZm^hi^c\hZY^bZciWVh^clVh^cXgZVhZY!VcY
scour areas protected with rock.
9^hijgWZYhdâlVh[Zgiâ^hZY!hZZYZYlî]\gVhhZhVcYbjaX]ZY#
HbVaaZgdh^dced^cihVii]ZZY\Zd[WajZWZggnbdjcYhlZgZ
egdiZXiZYlî]\ZdiZmiâZhVcYWV\hidY^gZXilViZgdlh^cidi]Z
grassed interrows.
HjWhjg[VXZYgV^cV\Z^begdkZhi]ZXZcigVadla^cZ
I]ZcZlhZY^bZciWVh^clî]gdX`ndjiaZi
7KHEHQHWV
I]ZdgX]VgY]VhWZXdbZVbdYZa[dgWZhiegVXi^XZ^chdâVcYlViZg
management.
7Vc`hVcY\gdjcYXdkZgbZVcaZhhhdâ^hZgdY^c\[gdbi]ZdgX]VgY#
I]Z^begdkZYhZY^bZciedcYbZVchbdgZhZY^bZci^hWZ^c\
trapped on the farm.
AZhhhZY^bZciVcYcjig^ZcihVgZWZ^c\XVgg^ZY^cidVXdVhiVahigZVb#
I]ZhjWhjg[VXZYgV^cV\Z]VhhiVWâ^hZY^bedgiVciijgc^c\VgZVh!
making orchard operations easier.
I]ZXgdhhWVc`hidWgZV`jeadc\hadeZh]VkZVahd^begdkZY
lViZg^c\Z[X^ZcXn#
best thing
What was the

about this project?
6X]^ZkZY ZkZgni]^c\ lVciZY# I]Z lViZg YdZh cdi dl Ydlc i]Z
gully anymore so the erosion has stopped, the drainage is improved
so the tractor no longer gets bogged.
bdhiY^[Xjai
What was the

The steepness of the slope meant none of the trucks were able to
get up it so the materials had to be doublehandled from the truck to a bucket on the
tractor making the job slower.
<gVhhZYXgdhhWVc`h^ciZgXZeilViZggjcc^c\Ydlc
the blueberry rows
17

erode v.tr & intr. wear away, destroy or be destroyed gradually [based on Latin rodere to gnaw]
Soil erosion solutions for
the whole farm
soil
1) Keep
covered with
soil
2) Keep
disturbance
living plants
or mulches 90% ground
cover as
shown.
to a
minimum.
3) Re-vegetate
as soon as
water
4) Divert
around
possible
after
disturbance.
erosion-prone
areas.
6) Trap
sediment
5) Maintain
permanent
before it
leaves the
farm.
ground cover
on temporary
watercourses.
7) Monitor
erosion and

Abigail Jenkins
Project Leader
t 02 6626 1357
e abigail.jenkins@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Stephanie Alt
Egd_ZXiD[XZg
t 02 6626 1294
e stephanie.alt@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries

Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute
1243 Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar NSW 2477
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils/erosion
take action
before it
becomes a
problem.
evoke design 03 6331 4950

Soil Erosion Solutions Case Studies

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Soil Erosion Solutions Case Studies

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Soil Erosion Solutions

Helping North Coast landholders

Soil erosion projects completed

1. rock lining of a gully - Green Pigeon | Page 2

16. soil conservation on a blueberry farm - Korora | Page 17

Soil Erosion Solutions supported work to repair, reduce and

After our third year more landholders have completed erosion

As well as this publication which documents our onground works

In November 2006 we took a group on a bus tour of mass movement

We encourage landholders interested in developing a soil erosion

What was the

The toe of the old slip starting to erode

What was the

Erosion in the gully

What was the

What was the

Kevin Coonan inspects the new dam

Iron Pot Creek

Land use Grazing

What was the

What was the

Installing the concrete pipe

Flood waters leaving the stilling

Ian and Diane Moore

mass movement risk

What was the

What was the

Michael Whaley and some of the planted trees

A newly planted tree

What was the

One of the gullies just after fencing and planting

What was the

Mulch piles indicate the position of tree plantings

Landholder Nick and Perina Oliver

Filling and mulching of the gully

What was the

What was the

What was the

What was the

Ian Clapham, Brooklet Farm

Land use Macadamias

$10,000 (earthworks to construct diversion

The diversion drain is formed

What was the

What was the

Grass growing through the erosion matting

Hedging of one side of the trees

What was the

What was the

What was the

What was the

One of the sites for rehabilitation

Land use Grazing

The fenced off watercourse

What was the

What was the

The eroding spillway

What was the

What was the

The gabion drop structure that stabilises the dam spillway

Landholder Joshua Quinn and Kylie Brady

Spreading seed and fertiliser

What was the

What was the