Rivers of Carbon is the on-ground program of the Australian River Restoration Centre.

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Overview

Location: Crookwell, NSW (Upper Lachlan catchment)

The Crookwell area contains many tributaries to the Upper Lachlan catchment, providing water for towns, recreation and agriculture. These waterways also provide important habitat for wildlife including platypus, Murray cod and the endangered Macquarie perch. This project was funded by NSW Environmental Trust to undertake practical on-ground works that improve waterway health within productive agricultural landscapes.

Crookwell project area

Activities included:  

  • Fencing waterways to manage stock access  
  • Installing alternative stock water points  
  • Weed control  
  • Small-scale erosion control works  
  • Revegetation
  • Community events and workshops with local groups

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Outcomes

  • Protected and restored 25 hectares of riparian land  
  • Partnered with 5 landholders  
  • 300 hectares of remnant vegetation connected and enhanced
  • 1,500 native plants and 3 kms of direct seeding  
  • 2 erosion control remediation sites  
  • 2 community events held

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Timeline

The Crookwell project ran from August 2022 to July 2025.