Media Releases

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.

Ninety people have participated in the first round of workshops looking at the future of irrigation in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.

National Salt Week activities started with a Salty Sports Day held at Longwood on Monday.

A Community workshop will be held in Broadford on Thursday May 13th to discuss salinity and water quality.