News & Events

Cash injection to aid river health 2005-3-2

Murray cod and golden perch look set for a healthier, happier existence after the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, together with the community and partnership agencies, received $940 000 in Victorian Government funding to improve the health of the Broken River.

Speaking yesterday near the fork of the Broken and Goulburn Rivers, Environment Parliamentary Secretary Elaine Carbines said the funding would be used to implement large-scale river restoration along the length of the Broken River during the next three to five years.

"Rivers are the lifeblood of Victoria," Ms Carbines said.

"They provide vital water for our homes, towns, farms and businesses."

She said improving the health of Victoria's rivers to secure water for the state's future was a key objective.

Authority chairman Stephen Mills said he was pleased to receive funding on behalf of the community.

"This investment is particularly significant," Mr Mills said.

"It will support a comprehensive range of river health works in the Broken Valley including works on channel form, water quality, riparian (river bank and floodplain) vegetation and in-stream habitat and improved environmental flow."

Other key areas of focus include:

- decreasing turbidity;

- minimising stock along river frontage by increasing fences;

- bank stabilisation;

- removal of exotic plants;

- improved native fish habitat and migration; and,

- restoring Winton wetlands as a natural asset for the local community.

The authority will be supported in its implementation work by GoulburnMurray Water and Goulburn Valley Water - a move Ms Carbines strongly supported.

"It's no one person's responsibility," she said.

"It's everyone's responsibility to protect it. That's why it is so good to see these organisations involved."

Landowners, landcare groups and councils in Shepparton and Benalla are also along the corridor of agencies which will be involved in the restoration.

Mr Mills said he was looking forward to working with many public groups.

"In partnership with the local community, we are in a position to implement some of Australia's first fully integrated river health activities by complementing Victoria's water recovery work in the region," he said.

"Hopefully we can get it right."

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