Whether it’s enjoying a few tranquil minutes over a lunch break or an early morning stroll along the newly built lagoon walkway, the restored lagoons and their native wildlife rejuvenate us.
Resident egrets, herons, kingfishers, turtles, fish and native water rats can all be seen going about their lives within the lagoons in the town centre, while numerous Reed-warblers and frogs can be heard calling on summer evenings.
The vision, energy and expertise behind the lagoon restoration comes from the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoon Landcare Group.
This collaboration of individuals and organisations are committed to restoring our local environment for us all to enjoy.
Not content with the five lagoons already restored, the group has recently undertaken revegetating the banks of the Edward River.
With wetland vegetation rapidly expanding throughout the restored lagoons the group is transplanting suitable, native species to the Edward River along the bank to improve the habitat as well as reduce the severe bank erosion.
A small group of Year 10 students from Deniliquin High School — an important partner of the group — has worked tirelessly throughout the first school term this year transplanting to both banks downstream from the Kolety (National) Bridge to McLean Beach.
The project builds on revegetation work initially done in the 1980s. The students have mapped the species and sections planted and will monitor the results over the coming five years.
‘‘The students learn about wetland ecology from our experts as they’re working,’’ said Deniliquin Kolety Lagoon Landcare Group chair Ian Fisher.
‘‘Restoring the vegetation along the river bank is critical to the long-term health of the river.
‘‘The reeds, rushes and sedges along the banks provide vital habitat for aquatic insects, fish, birds and mammals. The vegetation is where life on the river starts and without it the system loses productivity.’’
Dr John Conallin who, together with Mr Fisher and few others, started restoring the lagoons eight years ago said it is important to have local students involved.
‘‘They are the future of our community, and with the knowledge and skills they’ve gained on this project they will always have an understanding of how important healthy wetlands and rivers are to our local landscape,’’ Dr Conallin said.
‘‘They are learning to manage and take ownership of their own natural resources. Bringing fishing rods helps with their enthusiasm.
‘‘As with previous years, the students will be working one morning a week on the lagoons and associated projects.
‘‘Activities include learning about the functionality of wetland and river ecological systems, water quality, lagoon restoration, development and maintenance.’’
The Edward River Revegetation Project is funded through Catchment Action NSW funding.
The Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group partners include the Edward-Wakool Angling Association, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Deniliquin High School, Edward River Council and the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia.