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Farmers to plant more trees in the Avon River Basin

Friday, 3rd April 2009

Nearly half a million more trees will be planted in the Avon River Basin thanks to an incentive program from the Avon Catchment Council.

East Pingelly farmer Sam Mcnamara is one of 27 farmers who have been successful in receiving the funding to help cut the cost of tree planting.

About $180,000 has been allocated through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country Program.

“This is very exciting for us because it will help us to fight salinity and wind erosion on our farm,” Sam McNamara said.

“We can also use some of the seedlings for farm forestry, so that in 20 years time they can help contribute to our superannuation fund.”

A total of 445,500 oil mallee, sandalwood hosts, brushwood, swamp sheoak and timber species will be made available.

The seedlings were awarded to farmers to reduce wind and water erosion, water logging and salinity on agricultural land.

The process was extremely competitive with farmers ranked according to the benefit the seedlings would have in addressing these issues.
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The seedlings will be available in June and July and farmers will be contacted by a farm forestry officer to coordinate seedling delivery.

AVONGRO promoted the incentives program and the Forest Products Commission conducted site assessments to make sure areas were suitable for the seedlings requested by farmers.

More information: Rochelle Pyle, ACC program coordinator, 08 9690 2250