Connected catchments
Integrated Catchment Management is a cornerstone of work undertaken by Catchment Management Authorities. In a nutshell, it recognises that water, land, biodiversity, coasts and marine environments are parts of connected systems.
Based on strong partnerships and collaboration, projects support innovative approaches to how
we support resilient regions and healthy communities together.
Investment
Victorian Government
East Gippsland – Bridge to Bridge
This partner project focuses on increasing stewardship along the lower Mitchell River, incorporating Traditional Owner values in public spaces, improving habitat for various species, integrating wetland restoration efforts and empowering the community.
2022-23 Highlights:
- Bairnsdale Urban Landcare Group recognised at Australia Day and National Tree Day Award.
- Upgrades to assets including walking trails and fishing platforms.
- Gippsland Grammar junior campus students undertaking weeding and then planting 1,000 native plants along the Mitchell River adjacent to their school.
- Wetland improvements by Eastwood Landcare Group included large numbers of wetland species being planted by a younger demographic, sharing knowledge with specialists and community members.
Goulburn Broken – Seed funding for success
The development and renewal of the Goulburn Broken Regional
Catchment Strategy 2021–27 generated many new ideas on ways to improve catchment health, prepare for and minimise the impact of climate change and work better together.
Goulburn Broken CMA provided $30,000 seed funding to six collaborative projects.
2022-23 Highlights:
- Reintroduction and establishment of viable and resilient populations of the Growling Grass Frog in the Goulburn Broken Catchment through captive breeding at Winton Wetlands.
- Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network building an online, interactive dashboard of environmental data to enable better access and understanding of current trends and changes in the Strathbogie Ranges due to climate change.
Image 1: Monitoring water quality in the Strathbogie Ranges along the Seven Creeks, Image 2: discussing decline in tree health after hottest summer on record in 2017
North East – Lower Kiewa Catchment Stewardship Plan
This project involves representation from 11 organisations including community, volunteer groups, Landcare, local councils, agriculture industry and government agencies.
Following an expression of interest process to support farmers to steward the agricultural landscape, six new landholder projects were developed to support 4.2 kilometres of fencing and 15.9 hectares of both revegetation and woody weed control.
Despite extended rainfall and flooding in 2022:
- 1.6 kilometres of fencing was constructed.
- 6.3 hectares of weed control and revegetation was completed.
- 100 plants were planted and guarded at a tree planting day at Upper Gundowring with North East CMA with Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation and the property owner to stabilise significant gully erosion along the creekline running through the property.
Images: Planting was undertaken in August as part of Lower
Kiewa Catchment Stewardship project. Images North East CMA.
Wimmera – Horsham Weir Pool Activation
In partnership with Horsham Rural City Council, DEECA and private landholders, Wimmera CMA continued to implement this project to increase public access along the Wimmera River while protecting its cultural and environmental values.
2022-23 highlights:
- Construction of two pedestrian/cycling bridges across the Wimmera River and its tributary.
- Linking of 3.4 kilometres of newly opened walking tracks to create a 10 kilometre loop along the river banks.
The project across both public and private land saw a range of land management options used to achieve the common outcome of improved public access including:
- The conversion of grazing licenses to riparian management licenses with public access tracks outlined in the licence.
- Committees of management established around infrastructure to manage specific areas.
- Councils leasing private land from landholders to allow public access.
Image: Two new river crossings established to create environmentally friendly access.
