Media Releases

Thirty Macquarie Perch will be implanted with acoustic transmitters during a survey of the King Parrot Creek being conducted by researchers from the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) between March 31 and April 11.Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) River Health Officer Sue Kosch said ARI had been undertaking long-term fish monitoring in King Parrot Creek since 2006, as part of the Goulburn Broken CMA’s Threatened Species Program.“The great news is that since we started the surveys in 2006, the numbers of endangered Macquarie Perch captured have doubled from 31 in 2006 to 62 last year,” Ms Kosch said.“However, we’re keen to find out more about fish movement. Last year we were pleased to find there were juvenile Macquarie Perch – which is a good sign they’re breeding – but very few large individuals were found and only two previously tagged fish re-captured.  “We’re unsure whether these larger fish and previously tagged fish are inhabiting other areas of the King Parrot Creek and the population is larger than originally thought, or whether they are moving into the Goulburn River.”Ms Kosch said implanting acoustic transmitters in 30 Macquarie Perch captured in the King Parrot Creek and deploying acoustic receivers to remotely record fish movements along the Creek and the mid-Goulburn around Kerrisdale would help researchers establish the Macquarie Perch population’s mobility.“Understanding how mobile the Macquarie Perch population is and identify potential barriers to fish movement is important for ensuring the long-term future of Macquarie Perch in this area,” Ms Kosch said. “For example, it maybe that if they are using the Goulburn River, it could be an important refuge during drought or low flows.”Ms Kosch reminded anglers that taking Macquarie Perch from the King Parrot Creek was prohibited.

 Wangaratta and district residents are invited to a “Walk and Squawk” on Sunday, March 23 to learn about many local woodland birds and migratory species that can be found at Chesney Vale and the Winton Wetlands at this time of the year.

Images of Kinnairds Wetland captured by a drone – a remote controlled aerial camera - will provide baseline information to measure the wetland's recovery after fire swept through Numurkah and surrounds on February 9.

An autumn fresh (increased flow) along the Goulburn River during late March and early April will water vegetation on the lower river bank and maintain habitat for in-stream plants, bugs and fish.

The public now has until Monday, March 10 to comment on draft Goulburn Broken Regional Waterway Strategy 2013-2021.

Crews employed through the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA’s) Fruit Industry Employment Program (FIEP) are helping Wunghnu and Numurkah landholders affected by fires that swept across the area on February 9th.    The Goulburn Broken CMA received $2 million from the Victorian Government last year to deliver the FIEP for orchardists or orchard workers affected by SPC-Ardmona’s announcement that it will cut its fruit intake.

A survey to check on the health and size of the Macquarie Perch population in the Yea River will be carried out between March 3 and 7.

The State Government has provided funding for an environmental tender: 'Northern EcoConnections'. EOI for environmental works now available! A great opportunity for landowners to receive funding along the Murray River Corridor, Broken and Box-Ironbark region of the catchment. Click here to view the map

A children’s picture book has been produced by the region’s 2013 Fairley Leadership Program cohort to celebrate the unique fauna found along the Goulburn River.

Even the native wildlife has been finding the heat hard to beat as this picture sent to us by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) clearly shows.

Water users are being urged to take care while fishing, swimming and boating as water levels in local rivers, lakes and wetlands start to drop as a result of the recent long spell of hot dry weather.

A rare ecological gem may be going unnoticed on many properties across the Goulburn Broken Catchment.

Efforts to return to more natural wetting and drying regimes in wetlands across the Goulburn Broken Catchment are paying off with migratory birds last seen in the area six years ago spotted at Reedy Swamp recently.

The Victorian Government has released the Water Bill Exposure Draft to give Victorians the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed changes to the state’s water laws. The Water Bill Exposure Draft proposes to bring the Water Act 1989 and Water Industry Act 1994 into a single, streamlined Water Act that reflects contemporary practice in water management and government policy.