Goals: Erosion Mitigation, Increase Biodiversity, Soil improvement.

Create Ecology worked with a private landholder on the Monaro Plains to address a significant erosion gully requiring stabilisation and ecological repair. Key challenges at the site included ongoing topsoil loss, accelerating erosion, soil compaction, limited biodiversity, and declining tree health, including Eucalyptus dieback.

Project Approach

A landscape restoration framework was applied to rehabilitate the degraded area, with a focus on improving water retention, stabilising soils, and restoring ecological function.

Works included strategic placement and planting of native vegetation selected for slope stability, soil improvement, and habitat value. Planting was supported by natural erosion-control techniques such as contouring and surface stabilisation, designed to slow water movement, reduce runoff velocity, and encourage infiltration.

Improving water retention was a critical component of the project. By reshaping flow paths and enhancing soil structure, the site was better able to capture and retain rainfall, supporting healthier plant establishment and reducing further erosion. These measures also contribute to improved downstream water quality by reducing sediment loss.

To support biodiversity recovery, a diverse range of locally appropriate native species was introduced to provide habitat, improve landscape connectivity, and strengthen long-term ecosystem resilience.

Outcomes and Ongoing Management

Initial plantings were undertaken prior to the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires. Due to limited water availability on the property at the time, water reserves were prioritised for potential firefighting—early plantings did not receive optimal establishment support.

As a result, future staged plantings and follow-up works have been planned, building on lessons learned and allowing the site to continue its recovery under improved conditions.