Victorian Regional Catchment Strategy
In recognition of the inter-connectedness between people and nature, for the past 25 years Victoria’s 10 Catchment Management Authorities have each led development of a Regional Catchment Strategy for their region.
The strategies are required by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. They bring government, organisations and communities together and guide their collective efforts to protect and improve the health of the land, water and biodiversity resources that are vital for vibrant, prosperous and sustainable communities and environments.
Climate Ready Natural Resource Management Planning in Victoria
The NRM Climate website provides regional natural resource management planning for climate change information developed by each of the ten Catchment Management Authorities across Victoria.
Information includes regional climate change projections, potential impacts of climate change on natural resources, priority areas for climate change adaptation, carbon sequestration and management opportunities.
Carbon Farming Outreach Program
CEO Lead: David Brennan (Wimmera CMA)
Funded by: Funded by the Australia Government, Vic Catchments (via CMAs), in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and Landcare Victoria
Overview: The Carbon Farming Outreach Program has delivered training programs that ensure that farmers and land managers across Victoria have access to free and trusted information and resources on carbon farming, including:
- What is carbon farming?
- Carbon farming benefits and risks
- Sources of on-farm emissions and options to reduce emissions and store carbon
- Calculating emissions and carbon storage for your property
- Planning, reporting and monitoring carbon farming activities
- Understanding carbon credit markets and opportunities from carbon credits.
June 2026: The CFOP has now been completed with final reports being prepared.
In partnership with Agriculture Victoria and Landcare Victoria the project delivered 129 events with 6,468 participants exceeding our target of 2,700. This included 3,533 attendees at events on the day and 2,935 views or listens to podcasts and webinars developed as part of the program.
Attendees reported 25% increase in their knowledge with an average satisfaction rate of 8.71/10 from events.
Feedback on the program from project partners and investors has been positive with our project being one of the few nationally that were able to achieve/exceed their targets.
Fire Management Project
CEO Lead: Bec Hemming (East Gippsland CMA)
Funded by: Vic Catchments
Overview: Vic Catchments is exploring risks and impacts of large-scale high intensity fires to Victorian water and catchments, community and biodiversity. We are exploring CMAs role in community collaborative approaches to support DEECA in its function. We are also looking at how plans such as Regional Waterway Strategies can play a role in identifying assets at risk from fire and the actions required to mitigate these threats. Bec and our consultant have developed a draft directions statement which has been shared with CMAs and stakeholders.
June 2026: Vic Catchments has produced a roles and responsibilities paper related to fire management and is now working with DEECA, Forest Fire Management (FFM) and the Office of Bushfire Risk Management on the updated fire briefing workshop to be held in the second half of 2026.
The purpose of these meetings is to collaboratively define objectives and outcomes, fostering shared ownership as the work progresse
Water Cycle Adaptation Project
CEO Lead: Adam Bester (Glenelg Hopkins CMA)
Funded by: DEECA – $1.5million
Overview: Support the implementation of CMA-led on-ground, practical projects that both responds to current CMA adaptation priorities and progresses water cycle adaptation outcomes for Victoria. Current CMA adaptation priorities have been established through the statewide gap analysis, and current water cycle adaptation outcomes are identified in the 2022-2026 Victorian Water Cycle Adaptation Action Plan. This project will invest $1.15M for CMAs to implement water cycle adaptation projects.
June 2026: CMAs Adapt
CMAs Adapt is a conference event specifically to support CMAs in adapting to climate change. It will be held in Melbourne on 15-16 September 2026 and is fully subsidised for all CMA staff. Registrations are now open and CMA staff from a range of program areas are encouraged to register.
Adaptation Pathways Training Workshops
All 10 CMA adaptation pathway workshops have now been held. Key participants from each CMA will soon be invited to a final sense making session in June to reflect on the process and how we can take it forward.
The five priority projects led by CMAs are progressing well.
Natural Capital Approach Project
CEO lead: Brad Drust (North Central CMA) / Carl Walters (Goulburn Broken CMA)
Funded by: DEECA Water and Catchments and DEECA Biodiversity
Overview: Vic Catchments are leading a project to explore future roles and opportunities for Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) in natural capital, natural capital accounting, and nature markets. Consultants have been engaged to assist with delivery of the project.
June 2026: Vic Catchments completed the project to explore future roles and opportunities for Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) in natural capital, natural capital accounting, and nature markets. The project identified that the role of natural capital approaches is evolving rapidly, and CMAs are uniquely positioned to work together and advance the use of these approaches.
The report and summary document is final and has been circulated to CMAs to support sharing internally and with key partners/stakeholders.
The CMAs are commencing implementation to
- Increase coordination across CMAs through the appointment of a CMA Natural Capital Coordinator
- Develop a value proposition for natural capital in Victoria that articulates the Vic Catchments position and describes the benefits that can be gained from progressing an approach
- Identify and deliver opportunities to strengthen CMA staff capability and equip staff to confidently engage with natural capital concepts, tools, and framework
National Soils Monitoring Program
CEO lead: David Brennan (Wimmera CMA)
Funded by: Australian Government
Vic Catchments has partnered with CSIRO for CMAs to carry out the field component of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) National Soil Monitoring Program (The Project). This includes soil sampling, soil characterisation, collection of site information, land use land management practices and Landholder engagement. The purpose of the Project is to monitor agreed national soil health indicators and to use the data to help understand soil condition and trend. The data will support stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions to improve soil health at a range of scales. This will also empower farmers to prioritise their soil health and strengthen their soil knowledge and capability, increasing stewardship of their land and providing the tools to restore, improve and maintain soil health. CMAs will sample 406 sites across Victoria as part of a national sampling program across 3000 sites.
June 2026: Delivery of the NSMP program is continuing with all CMA’s and Melbourne water undertaking sampling across the state. This is being supported by Agriculture Victoria who are delivering the Bulk Density component of the project.
Feedback from CSIRO is that the sampling is being undertaken to a high standard and the quality of the samples being delivered to the laboratories for testing is high with all of the relevant data.
