Environment

The campaign will be formally launched tomorrow, when AlburyCity and North East Water will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to guide the way the campaign will be run.

Greater Hume Shire Council, which sources its water from AlburyCity, is supporting the campaign.

Although compulsory water restrictions are not in force, the agencies are appealing to the community to remember that “every drop counts”.

AlburyCity Mayor Kevin Mack has urged residents and business owners to be Water Wise by following simple steps to cut the city’s consumption rate.

Council’s bio-security team used a boat to identify and log the weeds on public and private land along the stretch of river from the weir wall to Splitters Creek.

Priority weeds were mapped, along with information about size and density of infestations. Any notifiable aquatic weeds will be reported to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The data will be used to support a program of containment, eradication and prevention.

Our trees team is planting more than 800 native and deciduous trees outside new homes, as well as replacing trees in older areas that have died or been damaged.

We’re also planting in parklands to create new areas of greenery as well as replacing those trees that have either been removed or are at the end of their lives.

By planting in winter, the trees can be transplanted with minimal stress, meaning they’ll be ready to grow when spring arrives.

A sharp-eyed birdwatcher has given hope to agencies and community groups working to save one of our region’s most at-risk birds.

The birdwatcher recorded two critically endangered regent honeyeaters feeding in flowering gums in Albury.

The city was named overall winner of the NSW awards, recognising the community-wide efforts to lead the way in sustainability and environmental initiatives.

As part of national Clean-up Graffiti Day on Sunday 28 March, the young people used paint and chemicals to remove unsightly tags and other graffiti vandalism.

It was the eighth year in which the Youth Council has been involved in Clean-up Graffiti Day. Members of the public are usually invited to take part but because of COVID-19, the Youth Councillors undertook the work on their own this year.

Removing graffiti is an ongoing and costly process.

Annually it is estimated around 1000 tonnes of plasterboard offcuts from the local building industry are sent to landfill.

The Council is aware of dirty water appearing in some households that is causing concern among residents.

Service Leader Water and Wastewater, Brad Willis, said the issue was being caused by the naturally occurring element manganese, a legacy of bushfire residue from the Lake Hume catchment.

“We know that the water released from the bottom of Hume Dam gates has been very cold, low in oxygen and high in iron and manganese,” he said.

The popular designer, horticulturalist and TV presenter will be the keynote speaker at the annual event, held on 2-3 March at the Albury Botanic Gardens.

“We’re so excited to welcome Jamie Durie to Albury for Gardenesque,” Mayor Kylie King said.

“He is such a well-known and respected figure in the world of horticulture and garden design, and the knowledge and passion he will be able to pass on to local gardeners will be invaluable.”

Jamie has hosted Backyard Blitz, The Block and, more recently, Channel 7’s House Rules.

The Murray River Experience Master Plan was first endorsed in 2007 and has guided improvements and upgrades along the river including Wonga Wetlands, the Wagirra Trail and the Riverside Precinct in central Albury.

The extensive plan contains a wide range of actions designed to help connect the Albury community to the river through its many touchpoints, from the West Albury reserves and central riverside parks to Mungabareena and Lake Hume.