Plans for new fences and stock watering troughs along with stabilising plants will add to the works carried out in recent months at the Dungog Common.
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The Common, with holds events like Hunter Mountain Bike Association endurance mountain bike last month, has been a hive of activity with major works to address erosion along Common Road and improve off-road vehicle tracks.
Four large dams have also received much needed attention to fix leaks, clean out sediment and excess vegetation growth and re-build dam walls and spillways.
These works are part of a wider project to improve the quality of land and water at Dungog Common, with the primary goal to reduce sediment running into Common Creek which drains into the Williams River.
The project is a partnership between Hunter Local Land Services and the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve Trust (DCRRT) who manage the Common.
Senior land services officer for Hunter Local Land Services, Lorna Adlem said the work undertaken last month by Soil Conservation Service and Dungog Shire Council made a huge difference to the area.
Further work to assist erosion remediation will continue throughout Spring, by planting sedges such as Lomandras to help stabilize and revegetate some areas.
Native grass seed will also be distributed to re-establish lost groundcover.
Chair of DCRRT, Allen Shrimpton is pleased with the results so far.
“The work achieved so far has been impressive,” he said.
“Visitors will notice the difference with improved access behind Sheltons Bus Depot and the remediated vehicle tracks. The improved dams will stand us in good stead for future grazing opportunities.”
Further activities planned at the Common include installation of new stock watering troughs to supply water to a holding area behind the new cattle yards and to one of the paddocks, and construction of a new fence along the south side of Common Road to limit stock access to Common Creek and to protect off-road vehicle tracks during very wet conditions.