These projects are made possible through the hugely successful Tamar Action Grants, managed by NRM North and implemented as part of the Tamar River Health Action Plan.

The establishment of Tamar Action Grants, now in its second year, supports grazing and dairy landholders within the Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers catchment to keep livestock out of waterways through funded activities including: the installation of waterway fencing; provision of alternative water supply; stock crossings; riparian revegetation; and effluent management upgrades on dairy farms.

In just over 12 months, more than 300-kilometres of waterway fencing has been approved for funding. This will exclude more than 10,000 cows, 147,000 sheep and 1500 dairy cows from entering waterways, resulting in a significant reduction in pathogens making their way down to the kanamaluka/Tamar estuary.

Ben Morrison is one landholder on the Nile and South Esk rivers who was very grateful to receive grant funding.

"Funding of this size doesn't always come along, so as a landholder you need to jump on-board these opportunities. The flexibility of the program allows us to construct 7-kilometres of river fencing and install 10 new water troughs over two sites, excluding 13,400 sheep from the river," Mr Morrison said.

NRM North catchment coordinator Jesse Webster said additional environmental benefits will result from restricting such large numbers of stock from our waterways.

NRM North is seeking expressions of interest from landholders in priority three and four, which include the Fingal Valley, Northern Midlands and Meander.

The program runs for another four years, with the next closing date for applications on Friday July 3. For more information contact NRM North on 6333 7777 or visit www.nrmnorth.org.au.