New Kyabram wetland to boost environment

Six hundred metres of the old G-MW channel has been retained by Peppertree Dairy, allowing water pumped from the reuse system of the farm to be fed into the channel to create the wetland.Native species will be planted along and inside the channel to form a corridor of vegetation.Connections project director Frank Fisseler said the project would create creating significant environmental benefits.

“This meets our objectives to remove the channel from the Goulburn-Murray Water network as well as being a win for the environment and we look forward to seeing Peppertree Dairy bring this new wetland area to life,” Mr Fisseler said.“The project is committed to working with landowners to create positive outcomes. Working within the reconfiguration process ensured we were able to deliver the best outcomes for both parties.”Peppertree Dairy manager Daryl Bassett said the company was pleased the Connections project was happy to work with them, to help create something of great benefit to the environment.“Peppertree Dairy is committed to positive environmental outcomes,” Mr Bassett said.

“We are keen to retain remnant and native vegetation on our property and creating this wetland fits in perfectly with that.“It also complements the environmental outcomes as part of our agreement with Tatura Milk, whom we supply our product to.”

Works carried out along the irrigation system that connect Peppertree Dairy included channel decommissioning and the removal of culverts and road crossings.The $2 billion Connections project is an irrigation modernisation project funded by the federal and Victorian governments.