Media Releases

Significant sightings of duckweed (floating azolla) have occurred on the Lower Broken Creek in recent weeks.

The Upper Goulburn Landcare Award for Excellence was presented to Roger Cook of Kinglake Landcare group during a presentation dinner at Trawool Resort last Friday.

The Hubert Miller Perpetual Trophy was presented to Lesley Dalziel of Seymour during a presentation dinner at Trawool Resort last Friday.

A seminar to assist landholders identify the right land management grants for their needs will be held at Trawool on 19th August.

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is conducting an Environmental Flow Determination for Seven Creeks and its tributaries.

Registrations for the Goulburn Broken Regional Landcare Forum, July 7th& 8th, will close on June 30th.

Meetings to report on recent Crown Water Frontage assessments were well attended in Howqua, Jamieson and Woods Point, where local landholders participated in the reporting process and discussion on river health.

Meetings to report on recent Crown Water Frontage assessments were well attended in Howqua, Jamieson and Woods Point, where local landholders participated in the reporting process and discussion on river health.

Nominations are currently being sought for two high profile awards in the Upper Goulburn catchment.

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), as part of the ‘Bringing Back the Broken River’ project, has launched a new and innovative website dedicated to the Broken River in North-East Victoria.

The Landcare movement has been described as crucial to successful environmental results in the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management.

Goulburn Broken CMA has commissioned a study into the condition of public land along the Goulburn and Broken Rivers within urban areas of Shepparton.   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.   Assessments will be carried out on the Goulburn River from Daldy Road to the confluence with Seven Creeks and on the Broken River from the confluence of the Goulburn River to Doyles Road.   Goulburn Broken CMA River Health Manager, 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.  The assessment will also identify the key threats to the condition of these important public land parcels.   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 strip of vegetation along the Goulburn and Broken Rivers provides valuable habitat for many native species such as sugar and squirrel gliders. It is 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 Scott Morath at the GB CMA on 58 222288.   Release ends   For more information telephone Wayne Tennant on 58 222288.

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