Media Releases

Goulburn Broken CMA has commissioned a study into the condition of public land along the Howqua and Jamieson Rivers within upper Goulburn catchment.   The study will include vegetation quality assessments; a study of the condition of the rivers; and the assessment of threats such as weeds and litter.   It will also assess the effectiveness of current management practices including Crown Water Frontage licensing arrangements.   Goulburn Broken CMA Manager River Health, Wayne Tennant, said the study would lead to a report that may recommend changes to current management practices and licensing arrangements to achieve sustainable use and the protection of conservation, recreation and cultural values.   Mr Tennant said any recommendations to protect and improve the river and riverbank would be in line with objectives of the Draft Goulburn Broken Native Vegetation Management Strategy and Goulburn Broken Regional River Health Strategy.       Studies have shown Crown Land Frontage is frequently under pressure and in need of greater protection for environmental, economic and social reasons.  The strips of vegetation along the Howqua and Jamieson Rivers provide valuable habitat for many native species. They are also heavily used for recreational purposes including fishing.   A number of agencies are responsible for the management of Crown Water Frontages including Parks Victoria, Forests and Crown Land Management. Often sections of frontage are licensed to landowners or are managed by a committee of management.   Goulburn Broken CMA will work closely with these groups to bring about any changes.   The final report is expected in early June. For more information telephone Tom O’Dwyer at the GB CMA on 57972001.   Release ends - For more information telephone Wayne Tennant on 58 222288.

Chairman of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Stephen Mills, was delighted to receive a major funding boost on behalf of the region’s communities to protect the health of river corridors.  The project forms part of a $2.7m State-wide investment in a major push to restore river corridors State-wide as part of the Government’s long term plan to improve the health of Victorian rivers and streams.    Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Ms Elaine Carbines made the announcement today while visiting the region as part of a tour of the Goulburn Broken Catchment.    Ms Carbines said “River corridors are important public assets, providing habitat for terrestrial flora and fauna, food source for fish and other aquatic life.  Their condition has a significant impact on water quality and health of the river and the restoration of river corridors are vital.  Government has targeted to significantly improve the environmental condition of 4800 km of river corridors by 2011”.    The funding will be directed towards significant on-ground works on some of the region’s highest priority rivers.  The  funds are being directed towards the Jamieson River , Howqua River , the Upper Goulburn River (upstream of Eildon) and King Parrot Creek.    Ms Carbines noted that many landowners enter into land management agreements with CMAs to employ good land management practices such as fencing, tree planting and stock control to improve the condition of river frontages adjoining their properties and cooperate to maintain the frontages against weed infestation.   “We need to capitalise on this level of community support,” she said “and we have provided an additional $2.7M Statewide to CMAs on top of the annual investment by CMAs for increased restoration of our corridors, in partnership with landholders.  The funds provided will go directly into on-ground works and planning activities”.    “Rivers are the lifeblood of Victoria ,” Ms Carbines said. “They provide vital water for our homes, towns, farms and businesses; their overall significance for the economy, environment and and recreational use is immense.  Improving the health of our rivers to secure water for Victoria ’s future is one of the key objectives of the Government’s White Paper on Water, Our Water Our Future.”   END    For further information contact: Wayne Tennant Manager - Riverine Strategies, Adaptive Research River Health and Water Quality Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority 

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), together with the community and partnership agencies, are the major beneficiaries  of a recent $940,000 State Government funding initiative.     Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Elaine Carbines today announced the funding to implement large scale river restoration as part of the Government’s long term commitment to improve the health of Victorian rivers and streams.      The announcement was made by Ms Carbines as she inspected riparian (river bank and floodplain) projects along the length of the Broken River – the focus of river health works complementing the Government’s water recovery works program.     “Rivers are the lifeblood of Victoria ,” Ms Carbines said. “They provide vital water for our homes, towns, farms and businesses.  Improving the health of our rivers in order to secure water for Victoria ’s future is one of the key objectives of the Government’s Our Water Our Future action plan.”       “This region has developed an integrated program of activities aimed at improving the health of the Broken and lower Goulburn Rivers. This is being achieved through increased and more natural flows, improved native fish habitat and migration in the Broken River and restoring Winton wetlands as a natural asset for the local community.”     GBCMA Chairman Stephen Mills was  pleased  to receive the 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.”      “In partnership with the local community, we are in the position to implement some of Australia ’s first fully-integrated river health activities by complementing Victoria ’s water recovery work in the region.”   End   For further information contact:   Wayne Tennant Manager - Riverine Strategies, Adaptive Research River Health and Water Quality Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

For Geoff Everist, the numbers all add up.    Since moving onto his 250 hectare grazing and cropping property in Arcadia a decade ago, CMA Waterway Grants haven’t just made sense environmentally - they’ve literally made cents financially.    When Geoff heard about the grants through his local Landcare group in 2000 he made an application through the Goulburn Broken CMA (GBCMA). After receiving approval, Geoff and the GBCMA then took the first of many steps that has helped him restore fencing and vegetation along what was a partially eroded and bare anabranch of the Seven Creeks.    “Firstly, we planted trees that linked into a native bush area, so birds could fly through the plantation into this area.” Then, in 2001, Geoff established off-creek water troughs and fenced off the anabranch to help keep stock out and manage revegetation of the bank. With the replenishment of the native grasses and trees, Geoff now manages his grazing in the fenced-off area to control weeds but ensures no damage to the trees.   The hardest part, according to Geoff, was locking away land for the works. But, he maintains, after looking at how much money he could save on fencing, the concept became a lot more attractive. The CMA provides grants for fencing, off-stream watering and revegetation adjacent to priority rivers and streams. The grants increase in value the further from the stream the landholder is prepared to fence (a minimum of 10 meters), but, generally, the grants exceed 50% of the fencing costs and can go up to a maximum of 75%.   Further to cost savings on fencing, Geoff believes the recent CMA works have increased the value of his property. This belief is supported by local property valuer and consultant David McKenzie from the Hann McKenzie Group. “Generally, fenced-off water frontage is not as valuable as land with direct access to water – that’s what people love. However, there is no question that if the frontage is degraded, then fencing and remediation works would certainly be of significant benefit.”    For more information  about Goulburn Broken CMA Waterway Grants phone 5822 2288 or visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au.    Release ends

Thanks to the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA), Ford Creek has been subject to more cosmetic surgery than a Hollywood celebrity in recent years. Unlike the plastic alternative, this surgery isn’t just about  keeping up appearances – it will lead to long term improvements in water quality and biodiversity.

  When Ron Robinson moved onto his Wunghnu property in 1980, he faced a remarkably different Nine Mile Creek to the one he enjoys today. Most native vegetation on the banks had been cleared, his stock had access to the creek for watering, and the property was rarely frequented by native animals.

  The future management of the Goulburn River between Shepparton and Murchison will be discussed at a public meeting.   The meeting has been convened by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority to outline the results of a study by Earth Tech investigating issues such as erosion, stock damage, weed invasion, fish passage, water quality and litter along the stretch of river.   The results have been collated in a Waterway Health Activity Plan that will be outlined at the meeting.   Project Manager, Sue Botting, of Goulburn Broken CMA said the meeting would give community members the chance to comment on recommendations in the Plan before they were finalised.   She said the recommendations would form the basis for investment and works for this stretch of the Goulburn by the Goulburn Broken CMA and its partners.   Sue Botting urged community members to take the chance to have input into future management of the heritage river. She said community support was important as most of the river frontage along the river between Shepparton and Murchison was managed by private landowners.   The Goulburn Broken CMA has received funding from the Victorian Government to undertaken the activity plan.   The public meeting will be held on Wednesday February 16, at 7pm, at the Murchison Community Hall. For more information telephone Sue Botting at the Goulburn Broken CMA on (03) 58 222288.   Release ends

The Goulburn Broken CMA is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community groups and organisations for natural resource management projects in the Goulburn Broken Catchment for 2005/06.

A community meeting will be held to present the findings of a study into the environmental, social and economic impacts of proposed changes to Gowangardie Weir.

The dumping of rubbish including dead livestock near Euroa has raised the ire of Strathbogie Shire Councillor and Goulburn Broken CMA Board member Mick Williams.

The enthusiasm of participants has seen extra meetings planned as part of the project looing into the future of irrigation in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.

Landholders in the Benalla and surrounding areas will have an opportunity to discuss land management issues at a free Community Forum in Benalla next month.

A Community Forum to focus on local weeds management issues will be held at the Molesworth Hotel on June 16th.