South East Local Land Services this week targeted a stretch of Wapengo Lake leased by local aquaculture business Kingfisher Oysters to show locals new low-impact methods in combating moderate erosion.

“This area here has receded three metres in the last two years,” Kingfisher Oysters’ Warwick Anderson said, pointing towards the management area.

Bega’s Local Land Services’ Josh Sproates, Eric Carpenter, George Aldridge and Allan Aldridge worked alongside South East Local Land Services’ Jillian Keating on Tuesday as part of the Wapengo Rehabilitation Project.

“It’s important to prevent these banks from caving in by supporting them, not just for the oyster farm here but the middens all across this lake,” George said as he stood beside the recently eroded bank.

Mr Carpenter explained the new method involves the use of matting, rolled and filled with oyster shells and placing them along the eroded area.

“All the materials used are biodegradable and are expected to prevent further erosion for the next three to five years,” Ms Keating explained.

“The guys have also planted more than 100 mangroves along here as well.

“What we’ve seen is a need to protect sacred sites and protect the water quality and this project marries those ideas together, which is great, plus it’s a good way to use old oysters.”

Mr Anderson said he isn’t concerned by scientists predictions of increased extreme weather events such as flash flooding.

“If the shorelines stay vegetated it really holds together well,” he said.

“It’s just really great to see it being managed by people like Jillian.”