Local landholders recently came together for the Five Steps to a Healthy Watercourse workshop, gaining practical knowledge and inspiration to improve waterway health while maintaining productive farming enterprises.

A key takeaway from the day was healthy watercourse management is a journey. Participants learned the importance of understanding cause and effect, prioritising actions, and focusing on achievable improvements over time rather than trying to tackle everything at once.

The workshop explored simple practices that can improve both biodiversity and farm productivity. These included:

feeding along contours,
retaining native vegetation in paddocks and along waterways,
reducing chemical use where possible,
encouraging beneficial insects, and
strategically leaving natural debris in the landscape.

Attendees also gained a better understanding of water affecting activities, when permits may be required, and how the process works. The session provided an opportunity to connect with stewardship officers and members of the water team, helping landholders build relationships and confidently seek advice when planning works near waterways.

One of the highlights was hearing from local landholders and hosts Emily and Charlie, who shared their experience fencing off sections of creek on their property. After previously losing cattle in the watercourse, they made changes that have improved both livestock management and creek health. Since fencing the area, they have seen increased native vegetation regeneration, more wildlife activity and improved grazing management outcomes.

Field discussions examined the impacts of erosion, including bank slumping and scouring caused by unrestricted stock access. Participants learned about practical solutions, including revegetation, alignment fencing and structures such as leaky weirs designed to slow water flow and improve landscape function.

The group also visited a neighbouring property where a revegetated creek corridor established more than 20 years ago continues to provide significant environmental benefits, demonstrating the long-term value of stewardship.

Following the workshop, many attendees will receive follow-up property visits from stewardship officers to help develop tailored watercourse management plans and put their new knowledge into action.