Option 1a. Protect Remnants
Protecting and enhancing existing remnant vegetation is the most important action in arresting the decline in native vegetation in the Murray Mallee. Protecting remnants includes fencing for exclusion of stock/feral animals and the implementation of a feral animal and pest plant control program.
LAP funding for fencing:.............................. up to $1800/km
Weed invasion in remnant vegetation replaces native plants and can lead to land degradation. To maintain the condition of remnant vegetation, it is important to undertake an ongoing pest plant/feral animal management program. For specific environmental weeds which are of greatest threat to remnant vegetation (i.e. Bridal Creeper, Boneseed), immediate control using a targeted, minimal disturbance program is necessary. It is important to seek advice to determine correct identification and management method.
LAP funding for threat abatement is to be determined for each individual application, however works that target Boxthorn, Boneseed, Peppercorns, Acacia saligna, Prickly Pear and fox baiting will be considered favourably.
Option 2a. Local Native Species Block
The aim of this option is to plant vegetation that resembles the vegetation on the site before clearance for linking and buffering remnant scrub. The block would include understorey species such as shrubs and grasses as well as trees. Local provenance seed should be used. Site requirements, seed availability and technical issues may mean that variations have to be made.
LAP funding for Local Native Species Block is to be determined on a case by case basis for more information please contact the LAP.
Option 4. Fodder block
A block planting of deep rooted perennial species for fodder. May include exotic, native or indigenous species. The two main species of fodder shrubs that are planted in the Murray Mallee are saltbush (most commonly old man saltbush) and tagasaste (tree lucerne). Tagasaste prefers deep, sandy well-drained soils and is best suited to >400mm annual rainfall. Saltbush is suited to the rainfall zones below 375mm.
LAP funding for establishment:.................... up to $200/ha
LAP funding for fencing:.............................. up to $1000/km
Option 6. Shelterbelt
A shelterbelt or windbreak refers to trees and shrubs planted in a row (e.g. along a fence line) to protect stock and crops from prevailing winds. A shelterbelt of local native species can work particularly well as it will include understorey shrubs as well as trees (a minimum of 10 local native species is required). This will ensure an even length of vegetation and reduce the possibility of “wind tunnels” caused by gaps between trees. Crop protection in a paddock bordered by a shelterbelt or windbreak is estimated to be 12 to 15 times the height of the windbreak.
LAP funding for establishment:.................... up to $600/ha
LAP funding for fencing:.............................. up to $1000/km
Option 7. Perennial pasture – Lucerne *
In the low rainfall regions (<400mm) of the Murray Darling Basin, the use of deep rooted lucerne has been shown to reduce recharge to the level of natural mallee vegetation (Walker, et al, 1999). Lucerne is also an excellent source of stock fodder.
LAP funding for establishment:.................... up to $50/ha
LAP funding for fencing to land type:.......... up to $1000/km
Option 8. Earthworks *
Note: Can only be undertaken in conjunction with either Option 4, 6 or 7 or alternative approved option.
Dune stabilization can be achieved using a two step process, the first step involves levelling the sandhill and the second step is revegetating the area levelled. The term ‘levelling’ in this program includes the use of earth moving equipment to level sandhills to a point that revegetation planting machinery can traverse the area, not levelling to a completely flat plane.
LAP funding for stabilization:...................... up to $600/ha
LAP funding for fencing:.............................. up to $1000/km (All sites will be inspected prior to project approval)
PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of 120ha of perennial pasture can be funded per farming business