This project will create a trial in Lake Wellington using temporary wave protection structures and planting of indigenous salt-tolerant plant species to protect the shoreline from erosion.
The trial techniques will align with design work that has been completed to address shoreline erosion issues in the Gippsland Lakes.
Salinisation and wave action has caused the loss of large Phragmites reedbeds within Lake Wellington, resulting in nutrient input through shoreline erosion. This contributes to water quality risks within the Gippsland Lakes and the continual loss of submerged vegetation within Lake Wellington.
Protecting the shoreline and establishing vegetation will provide long term stability to the site resulting in a reduction of nutrients and sediment entering Lake Wellington. The works will also enhance the native vegetation condition and habitat values for fauna. Monitoring of the trial area will be undertaken to provide evidence of outcomes.
The project was undertaken on private land with some sites currently protected under a covenant with Trust for Nature.
The CMA worked with Wellington Shire Council and Australian Landscape Trust on the north shore of Lake Wellington to tackle shoreline erosion.
The team trialled three different structures at the Trust’s Strathfieldsaye property to determine which is most effective in buffering wave action to protect native reeds and allow them to reestablish. These are:
The property includes Trust for Nature covenants and Greening Australia has also planted Phragmites australia (Common Reed) on the newly protected shoreline.
Reducing wave action and reestablishing the fringing vegetation that once dominated the Lake Wellington shoreline has enormous potential to decrease erosion, improve water quality and provide a blueprint for innovative shoreline protection in thus unique and challenging environment.