The project follows consultation undertaken by the North East Catchment Management Authority with the owners of the Blue Duck Inn, Friends of the Mitta Mitta, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Jaithmathang Traditional Owners and the adjoining landholder.
North East CMA project officer Scott McDonald said the willows were being removed during early September to ensure minimal inconvenience to visitors at the Blue Duck Inn site.
Mr McDonald said native species would be planted to reduce erosion and provide habitat for wildlife, including fish, while allowing access to the river.
“The willows have been poisoned prior to their removal to ensure no living fragments flow downstream during the works,” Mr McDonald said.
“Strategic removal of the willows will not impact the grassy verge on the river frontage at the Blue Duck Inn.
“The willow stumps will be poisoned and left in the ground for riverbank stability and the machine operator will use a finishing rack attachment to leave the site tidy.”
Friends of the Mitta Mitta’s president Jeffe Aronson said the river frontage at the Blue Duck Inn was a great place to have a meal or drink on the deck, or simply play in the river.
“Over the years the native trees have been overtaken by invasive willows, which choke out native vegetation along the downstream riverbank,” Mr Aronson said.
“Whilst seeing the stumps and bare riverbank may be confronting to some in the short term, the CMA is committed to revegetating this site with native trees like the beautiful and shady Omeo gum, blackwoods, black sallees and more, while leaving dead willow stumps in place to stabilise the riverbank until the natives have grown."
Mr McDonald said the willow removal works would be completed before spring when the summer grass was emerging. This would ensure the site grew a good layer of grass prior to the summer months.
He said weed control would be carried out during the 12 months following the willow removal to ensure the site didn’t become re-infested with weeds.
12°C