Concern from residents and the community regarding deterioration of heavily visited sites on the Upper Clyde River prompted the formation of the Clyde River Forest Eco-tourism Committee.
Following up press coverage of the Dept. of Tourism's Forest Ecotourism Program, Healthy Cities Shoalhaven took the initiative to submit an application with the help of the Clyde catchment residents and users of the Upper Clyde, State Forests (Batemans Bay) National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ulladulla) and the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Community action for the Clyde had already surfaced following a public notice on 23 December 1992 stating that an application for a licence has been received from S.C.C. for a pumping plant on the Clyde River to augment the supply of water to Woodstock Creek for town water supply purposes to the towns of Milton and Ulladulla and supply of water to intervening landholders. As a result the "Leave the Clyde River Alone " movement was formed with unanimous opposition to pumping from the river. A record number of objections were received by Water Resources and by October 1993 the Clyde was removed as an option for water supply.
The Clyde River Ecotourism Committee completed their submission in August 1994 requesting $26,105. The successful application involved:
installation of vehicle barriers to allow regeneration of riparian vegetation
sign stands with educational and interpretive visitor information
a brochure describing the unique quality of the river, indigenous history and the importance of riparian vegetation and suggestions for minimal impact behaviour.
a one day ecotourism seminar at Yadboro.
regular patrolling of heavily visited areas at Yadboro, Long Gully and Blue Gum Flat. The vehicle and uniforms were supplied by State Forests.
The project was able to expand considerably thanks to the ever helpful Mark Watt and State Forests.
Along the way the committee also successfully obtained further funding from:
1. The Forestry Mini Grants Programme which contributed $300 to produce signs for Yadboro and Long Gully about litter and off road use of vehicles. State Forests subsequently reproduced these signs for installation throughout the Batemans Bay Forest District.
2. Total Catchment Management Small Scale Project Funding contributed $230 for purchase of aerial photographs of the Clyde riverine corridor (non-tidal) and its major tributaries.
3. Dept of Water Resources Rivercare Incentive Scheme contributed $15,000 and employed local consultants Southern Eco-Surveys to prepare a plan of management for the non-tidal section of the River.
Axel Tennie of the Dept. of Land and Water Conservation launched this document at Yadboro on October 24, 1997. Hosted by Healthy Cities Shoalhaven, the gala wilderness event provided an opportunity for the 94 people attending to meet and share their connections with this benchmark waterway.
Nell Mooney and Vicki Carriage from the Ulladulla Aboriginal Land Council welcomed everyone to the land and short speeches followed from Penny Lumb of Healthy Cities, David Cunning for National Parks, Mark Watt for State Forests, Richard Green and Bruce Edwards on behalf of land holders and Chris Kowal representing the Lower South Coast TCM.
Diana Turk performed an original composition titled Bhundoo, Jenny Tyquin and Peter Fricke performed From Little Things Big Things Grow and both were accompanied by Oolin Ngarabul on dij.
What began as a plan for the riverine corridor developed into a catchment management plan for the upper Clyde. This has resulted in a value for money outcome to which the Dept. of LAWC has responded by offering extra funds to print more copies.
Dimitri Young of Southern Eco-Surveys, who wrote the plan with John Tapsell described the extensive consultation undertaken in developing strategies listed in the document. The detailed research brings together for the first time all the written material available about the Clyde River.
Axel Tennie presented the committee with their RiverCare 2000 Accreditation certificates for the work that has been done in protecting the natural value of Bhundoo: Clyde River.
The success of the committee has emerged through the goodwill which exists between the members. This project, with all its outcomes, remains as an example of how community action linked with agency co-operation can achieve a shared vision.
For further information phone Penny Lumb, Healthy Cities Shoalhaven 02 4455 5366.