Boomer Creek Vineyard in Little Swanport hosts Catchment Connect project

A half-day crash course at Boomer Creek Vineyard in Little Swanport gave East Coast farmers firsthand insight into how farm dam improvements can support water security, stock health, productivity, and biodiversity.

The field day was part of the Catchment Connect project, a five-year initiative run by Landcare Tasmania in conjunction with NRM South and funded by the Australian government’s Future Drought Fund to support fencing and revegetation around farm dams.

The project also includes community workshops, field days, catchment planningactivities, and spatial mapping opportunities.

Boomer Creek Vineyard landholder Astrid Walters presented at the field day alongside members of the Australian National University’s Sustainable Farms program, Salmon Tasmania, veterinary consultant Bruce Jackson, local farmers, and other experts.

“We fenced and planted native trees around our dam, which has created betterhabitat and brought in more aquatic birdlife,” Ms Walters said.

“We’ve also planted a shelterbelt that has helped address erosion and created a more productive and sheltered area for the property.”

Landcare Tasmania CEO Peter Stronach said that in a historically drier area like the east coast, farmers making the most of the water they had was important.

“Enhancing farm dams through fencing, revegetation and improved water management can help protect water quality, reduce evaporation and support more resilient farms and catchments,” Mr Stronach said.

“Catchment Connect also gives landholders access to funding and practical support for Landcare activities around farm dams and waterways.”

NRM South Senior Land Project Officer Janneke Scheers said it had been great working with farmers to fence and revegetate their dams in ways that work for them.

“Fencing and planting can be quite expensive, and this funding has made this work possible.

“One of the farmers has been really excited about improving habitat for birds around his dam, along with now being able to divide his paddocks for better grazing management.

“It's great to know that this work will have multiple benefits.”

“Our goal is to demonstrate practical, scalable solutions for healthy landscapes that benefit both the environment and farm productivity.”