Riparian areas provide the link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and, therefore, are referred to as ‘keystone’ ecosystems (Gregory et al. 1991). Despite this, these areas remain generally in poor condition across agricultural landscapes (Rutherfurd et al. 2000). Key management activities to rehabilitate these areas include the re-establishment of buffer zones and the restriction of livestock access. The size of these buffer zones has been debated, but will depend on the objectives, which are usually multiple (e.g wildlife habitat, bank stability, ensuring water quality). A draft ‘Guidelines for Management of Wetlands On-farm’ is currently being reviewed to be finalised towards the end of 2008 (S. Davis pers. comm.). This document reports eight state-wide case studies to illustrate management options for wetlands and will therefore provide valuable examples of management options for the areas of interest to the B&PWG

The Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation program – ‘Fish Friendly Farms’ - provides seven management activities to enhance fish habitats on farm. These are:

• Retain large woody debris (snags) in your streams
• Grow native vegetation on stream banks
• Install fish friendly crossings
• Control or treat agricultural run-off
• Provide water for stock off-stream
• Control the opening of floodgates
• Protect wetlands

A major component of these activities is riverbank rehabilitation measures that may include fencing around waterways, revegetation (for stabilisation, provision of continual woody debris source) and weed control (Fish Friendly Farms 2008). In addition, fish passage restoration activities (e.g. removal of barriers such as road crossings or weirs to allow the migration of fish up and down stream, provision of shelter for fish by retaining fallen logs) are considered to be beneficial. Management of run-off carrying chemicals and nutrients to waterways and modification of floodgates are also important management activities in intensive cropping enterprises.