From barren to beautiful thanks to a farm fence
A fencing grant from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) and partners has helped transform a local beef farm into a tranquil landscape filled with birds and wildlife – all while protecting its prize asset – the cows.
In 2017, Brent and Amy Richardson were staring at an empty landscape on their 116 acre property in Ryanston, where they run Blue Gum Beef.
“It was barren – barely any trees or wildlife,” said Amy.
With no fencing or vegetation along the one and a half kilometre stretch of Archies Creek that runs through their farm, cattle were getting into the creek and causing problems.
“They were trampling on the banks and causing erosion, which was a hazard for calves who’d roll down the steep banks and get stuck,” explained Brent. “I was always having to check the creek for stranded calves and often they’d be rejected by their mother, so we’d then have to hand rear them. It was extra work.”
Thanks to a tip from his stock agent, Brent successfully applied for a farm fencing grant on offer by the CMA and partners at the time. The grant covered the cost of material for three kilometres of fencing, which he installed in sections over the next two years. Bass Coast Landcare Network chipped in to help spray the weeds before rolling up their sleeves to assist in planting a total of 10,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses along the creek bank.
Today, the riparian zone along the creek is unrecognisable, with tall trees and a thick, lush understory teeming with birds and wildlife.
“We initially wanted fences along the creek to keep the cattle out, but it’s been so much better than that,” said Brent. “The vegetation has flourished, wildlife has returned and the entire area is more tranquil. It’s lifted the whole property.”
Amy agrees: “So much goodness has come of this work. You can hear the birds now – we never had that before. We’ve seen echidnas, wombats, possums – even eagles. The whole process was great, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to re-establish ecosystems on their property.”
The CMA is pleased to continue supporting farmers with the costs of fencing to protect biodiversity through our Climate Smart Farmers project. More information about this initiative will be available soon.
Muck and money – making the most of manure
Farmers are set to make the most of manure thanks to new funding for local dairy farmers.
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and GippsDairy are inviting expressions of interest from dairy farmers in the Macalister Irrigation Area (MIA) to join a project aimed at boosting the benefits of effluent on farm and ultimately reducing effluent entering the Gippsland Lakes.
Up to 15 dairy farmers will have the opportunity to work with a qualified agronomist to develop a Nutrient and Effluent Management Plan and introduce innovations to better utilise effluent nutrients to improve production, save money and protect the environment.
“By maximising the use of effluent across the farm, farmers can improve soil health by having to apply less synthetic fertiliser, saving money and emissions,” said Anthony Goode – Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator for West Gippsland CMA.
“We know dairy effluent is a highly valuable source of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous. Farmers who effectively keep these nutrients on farm are not only improving their soils and pasture for cattle, they’re also protecting local waterways which ultimately flow into the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar listed wetlands,” explained Anthony.
The project aims to help farmers increase the area of effluent distribution on their farms by providing customised advice and practical support to upgrade infrastructure and improve effluent management practices.
Each Nutrient and Effluent Management Plan developed will clearly identify key recommendations that will improve effluent management decisions. The plans will use soil test data to advise on future nutrient application rates across the farm and how best to achieve this.
Participating farmers will receive funding to support the cost of implementing the recommended actions from the plan, such as upgrades to mains pipelines or effluent ponds.
“We’ve been partnering with farmers for over 25 years to drive sustainable agriculture practices in the region and this project is another great example of working together for the benefit of farming and the overall health of the catchment,” concluded Anthony.
How to apply
Expressions of interest opened at 9am Sunday 1 June and closed at 5pm Monday 16 June 2025.
Grants will be allocated to 15 eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have any questions, please email dairy@wgcma.vic.gov.au
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
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Page updated 16 June 2025
