Shoalhaven Riverwatch set for a busy 2019

The group worked at Keith and Yvonne Hazlewood's property at Bamarang, repairing previous sand bagging and constructing additional sand sausage.

“We had 60 volunteers come to the working bees, where we were able to construct 100 metres of sand sausage, repair 80 metres of sandbagging and plant 25 mangroves,” said Shoalhaven Riverwatch project manager Peter Jirgens.

“Holding the working bees on consecutive days reduced our set up time considerably, enabling us to complete a large amount of work and include volunteers who are available on different days.

“Each days activity culminated in the usual relaxing barbecue lunch and social time.”

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Shoalhaven Riverwatch has been concentrating on the Longreach and Bamarang sections of the river for a couple of years now.

“The river banks in this section of river have taken a battering this summer with an unprecedented number of large boats designed to create big wakes, using the river,” Mr Jirgens said.

“The wakes from these large boats have incredible power and damage the soft sandy banks, especially at high tide when they undercut the banks.

“We now seeing established trees, 70 plus years old being undermined and falling into the river like matchsticks.”

He said Riverwatch was in consultation with boat user groups and Roads and Maritime Service to improve awareness among boat users about the damage boats cause when used at high tide.

“We advocate to boat users to check the tides when planning their boating activity and to take a break at high tide.”

If anyone would like to be involved in Shoalhaven Riverwatch, go to its website www.shoalhavenriverwatch.org.au and follow the links or call Peter Jirgens on 0488 460011.