Upskilling locals on Gully Erosion
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REGROUP THE GULLY
Soil is a crucial asset for primary production, carbon and water cycles, and biodiversity. In the Mansfield area, soil characteristics combined with climate, vegetation clearing and over-grazing make the land vulnerable to erosion. Poor management can lead to topsoil loss, degraded roads and tracks, and gully formation that threatens infrastructure and land access.
As development increases, many newcomers to the area lack understanding of local soils. While information about soft erosion control is widely available, there's growing need for guidance on hard structure controls. This case study shows how local landholders received expert assistance to protect their soil.
SOLUTION
Up2Us Landcare Alliance partnered with Agriculture Victoria on an incentive-based program to help landholders with erosion issues. 'Soft erosion control techniques like fencing and planting are effective long-term measures, but sometimes aren't enough for our fragile, erosive soils,' explains Tara Linkhorn, Up2Us Landcare Alliance project officer. 'In these cases, we need immediate solutions like hard rock structures.'
The project began with property assessments to determine suitable solutions. Most issues involved active erosion in gully heads, a common regional problem. Agriculture Victoria experts helped develop management plans, and local contractors implemented various hard structure controls including rock chutes, French drains, and pit and pipe systems.
A field day in March showcased these techniques, with Campagnolo Excavation demonstrating gully head erosion control methods to attendees.
IMPACT
The incentive-based program has provided crucial guidance for managing active erosion through hard structures, helping protect soil assets and maintain property access. The field day created an excellent platform for sharing information about hard structure installation. With this new knowledge, landholders are better equipped to make informed decisions about erosion control measures and protect their valuable soil resources.
