HUNTER Water will safeguard the quality of the region’s drinking water by building a 24-kilometre fence along either side of the Williams River to prevent cattle from entering the water.
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The $1.5 million riparian zone project will be the largest of its type in Australia and will occur on land purchased for Tillegra Dam.
The project will involve the creation of 30-metre exclusion zones on either side of the Williams River using fencing and native trees.
The properties will then be placed on the market for sale with a condition that cattle cannot enter the exclusion zone facing onto the river.
The fencing will prevent cattle from entering the Williams River as well as prevent erosion and filter runoff.
‘‘With Tillegra Dam being ruled out, we have this unique opportunity to forever protect the river and the water flowing through it,’’ Hunter Water catchment scientist Rhys Blackmore said.
‘‘As the organisation moves towards a strategic sale of the properties purchased for the Tillegra Dam, it’s vital Hunter Water acts now while it still owns the land.’’
In addition to preventing wandering cattle from entering the river, the riparian zone will enhance fish stocks and attract more wildlife to the area.
The downstream benefits of protecting the river include improving the quality of the water flowing into Grahamstown Dam.
“This is a project that environmental scientists across the world will be following due to the enormous size of the riverbank being protected,’’ Mr Blackmore said.
Upper Hunter MP and Minister for the Hunter George Souris said the fencing would have no impact on the government’s commitment to disposing of land previously purchased for the Tillegra Dam.
“Hunter Water will continue to place on the market property they were instructed to purchase by the former state government.
“I understand that Hunter Water is currently considering discounting the asking price of the three Tillegra properties on the market and that the number of properties for sale will accelerate later in the year.’’
Dungog mayor Harold Johnston said he was pleased to see Hunter Water investing in a project that would deliver long-term benefits to the area.
“The Williams River is a stunning local asset which already attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, provides recreation to the people of Dungog and is the lifeblood of local farmers,’’ he said.
“This investment in the Williams will strengthen Dungog’s ecotourism and biodiversity, which is undoubtedly the future of our economy and the families who live here.
“I look forward to Hunter Water selling this land, however am glad they have shown the foresight to make a lasting improvement to the Williams River before the land is returned to private ownership,” he said.
