16-11-2000

Residents and land managers in parts of NSW have taken a front-line role in tackling emerging dryland salinity throughout the region using a combination of management options and new technology emerging from research and development projects.

A number of communities located in the State's Lachlan and Macquarie Catchments have now developed action plans for salinity management which are due to be implemented soon with support from the Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Upper Lachlan River Catchment landholder, Ms Doreen Wheelwright, is optimistic that communities in the region will ensure the strategies are a sound investment.

'Research has now demonstrated that there is no 'silver bullet' that will cure salinity,' she said. 'We need to adopt a whole raft of strategies, such as conservation of native vegetation, agroforestry, revegetation and perennial pastures.

'Many of the actions that address salinity also contribute to management of other natural resources. For example, revegetation and conservation of native vegetation greatly enhance biodiversity. Also, farm productivity can be enhanced by well-managed perennial pastures and by crops which use water efficiently.

'Much of our land that is already salt-affected can be managed with salt-tolerant pastures or salt-tolerant trees.'

Speaking at the National Dryland Salinity Program (NSDP) 'Salinity Stocktake' conference held in Bendigo, Victoria, this week Ms Wheelwright said she was greatly encouraged by the contribution being made by research and development to improve government and community understanding of salinity, and how to best manage it.

'Scientists are improving our knowledge of how groundwater behaves in catchments,' said Ms Wheelwright. 'This is fundamental in understanding how to manage the salinity problem.

'We are now being presented with better information by researchers on how to target our activities for the best possible result. There is some really exciting news emerging from salinity research and development projects.

Ms Wheelwright, also the Community Representative on the National Dryland Salinity Program Operations Committee, said she was greatly encouraged by suggestions to involve landholders with researchers to help ensure research is relevant to the needs of communities.

The 'Salinity Stocktake' conference continues this week in Bendigo. A special seminar on Friday, 17th November 2000 will explore salinity and the law, examining past and present legal frameworks for natural resource management. It will also identify research and development needs to help manage the social and legal implications of dryland salinity relating to both built and natural public and private assets.

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For further information please contact:

Please contact Land & Water Australia
Email: land&wateraustralia@lwa.gov.au
Phone: 02 6263 6000