Shoalhaven Riverwatch honoured for innovative sand sausage design

The judges recognised the sand sausage at the NSW Landcare conference in Albury as an innovative technique for stabilising riverbanks and improving fish habitat, with the end result a healthier aquatic environment.

The sand sausage is a long sandbag, up to 50m long, that can be installed on the sand and mud flats in the inter-tidal zone.

It breaks up the erosive power on waves and allows sediment to build up around it.

Read more: Shoalhaven River banks at Bomaderry stabilised thanks to Shoalhaven Riverwatch and Green Army

Mangroves, river oaks and wetland grasses can get established in this protected environment.

Shoalhaven Riverwatch has designed and developed the sand sausage over the past two years, and installed sand sausages at multiple sites along the Shoalhaven River, as well as a consulting project on the Minnamurra River.

Shoalhaven Landcare chairperson Greg Thompson collected the award on Riverwatch’s behalf and congratulated president Peter Hanson and the group for its determination and innovation when handing over the award.