Wardell Quarry Slope Rehabilitation
Wardell, NSW
The challenge
This project, located in Wardell in New South Wales, involved the revegetation of a steep quarry slope with no topsoil and a subsoil mix of clay and broken rock – a difficult but common scenario in land rehabilitation. The aim was to re-establish native tree species and visually integrate the site into the surrounding natural landscape.
With no access to irrigation or a watering program, the project relied solely on natural rainfall for plant establishment. This placed significant pressure on the chosen erosion control and soil-stabilisation methods to perform effectively over the long term.
The solution
To tackle the dual challenge of steep terrain and highly compromised subsoil, the site was treated with a high-performance combination of EnviroMatrix ECM and EnviroBond Storm Guard Polymer:
- EnviroMatrix ECM was applied at a rate of 12 tonnes per hectare, providing a biologically active, fibre-rich growth medium capable of supporting seed germination and root development even in poor subsoil conditions.
- 600 litres of EnviroBond Storm Guard Polymer was included to increase the bind to the soil surface, to prevent erosion and stabilise the ECM layer, especially during high rainfall events.
This approach delivered an integrated erosion control and revegetation solution – enhancing surface protection while giving native seeds the best possible start in a demanding environment.
The results
Over the 2.5 years following application, the site established strong, self-sustaining vegetation solely through natural rainfall. In February 2022 a flood impacted the region, delivering significant rainfall and testing the durability of the system. Despite these extreme conditions, the site experienced zero erosion – a testament to the resilience of the enviromatrix + EnviroBond and vegetation cover.
Erosion control that holds – delivering results through flood, slope and subsoil challenges.