Farmers urged to keep stock off channel banks
What causes stock damage?
Stock regularly entering the channel at one point to drink, or where channel/drain banks are continually used as access lanes for moving stock around the farm.
The hooves of stock erode away that part of the bank where they enter the channel.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is asking farmers to ensure their stock are not walking over channel banks, including newly renovated channel banks, as they can destroy all the good work that has been completed.
Stock drinking from channels, instead of troughs, can do significant damage to channel banks. This includes the reduction in soil condition and water quality, and the loss of in-stream habitats.
In more severe cases, where the bank is used for access, many kilometres of bank can be damaged, which will ultimately require need major works to reconstruct.
Who is responsible for ensuring stock don’t damage channels and drains?
The landowner is responsible for ensuring stock do not damage assets owned by GMW.
If GMW has an easement over privately-owned land, it is to ensure unrestricted access to our system. In this case, GMW is not the landowner but can require the landowner to take the necessary steps to ensure that stock do not damage channel and drain banks.
Who pays for the damage?
All initial stock damage repairs will be fixed and funded by GMW and the cost of these repairs will be reflected in customer’s fixed charges.
Any re-occurrence of stock damage or additional damage is to be paid for by the landowner.
What can be done to help reduce stock damage?
By placing stock troughs in paddocks, your stock have a designated place to drink water.
Stock must not drink directly from a channel.
Cattle occupying the waterway can also damage clay or other linings, while animal manure in the channels can cause water quality issues.
Fencing?
You can keep stock off channels and drains by erecting permanent or temporary electric fencing along the channel easement.
If you are planning to construct a permanent fence along a GMW channel or drain easement, contact GMW on 1800 013 357 to seek approval.
How does GMW monitor stock damage?
GMW has an ongoing maintenance program that includes monitoring channels, drains and easements for stock damage. We also rely on customers to advise of any damage across the irrigation districts.
All farmers play a role in maintaining the condition of channels.
Repairing channel banks is costly and impacts every customer’s prices.
If you have any questions, please phone our Customer Experience Team on 1800 013 357.