Whoa boy project to include Darryl Hill video lessons

• August – October
• BBB catchment
• Contact: Brendan Smith (brendan.smith@nqdrytropics.com.au)

Never before has a whoa boy project rolled out across the BBB catchment. Every landholder in the catchment is invited to be involved.  Hurry to  be a part of it contact Brendan Smith – 0417 408 587.
LDC is hosting landcare specialist and plant operator Darryl Hill to deliver erosion control grader training to the project’s pool of plant contractors and landholders from the first week of September before delivering the project from September through to November.
A goal of LDC is to provide information that would not otherwise be available, so that land managers can make well-informed decisions.  Individuals and farm businesses need information and tools to support effective adaptation decisions.
That is why we are working with Darryl Hill to produce an informative video about using whoa-boys for erosion control.  It will provide a practical step by step guide on how to identify where to place whoa boys, how to construct whoa boys and maintenance tips.
We are also collating Darryl’s theoretical and practical handouts into an easy to read reference. These resources will be developed over the coming months and will be made available to all BBB graziers.
Whoa boys are a simple method for controlling erosion on unsealed roads, tracks and fire lines.
They are strategically placed to catch water and divert it off the road reducing flow concentration and erosion risk.
Darryl Hill’s training will expose plant contractors and landholders to practical, alternative approaches to prevent water erosion on station roads, tracks, firebreaks and fence lines.
It will also provide participants with:

• a better understanding of the cause of water erosion problems on station tracks and fence lines;
• an overview of traditional versus alternative ways of dealing with water erosion problems;
• basic surveying principles;
• on-ground experience in basic surveying skills and the use of a dumpy level; and
• a demonstration of grader techniques for erosion control.

The whoa boy project fits in with the LDC’s project aims to tackle erosion and improve land management, productivity and water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.