Protecting the Gippsland Lakes from west to east
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) is proud to have delivered five projects for the Love Our Lakes program across the Gippsland Lakes ranging from protecting and enhancing wetlands to creating homes for fish in the Lower Avon River.
“West Gippsland’s catchment includes the western end of the Gippsland Lakes – notably Lake Wellington and the rivers that feed into it. We are delighted to play our part in delivering positive works for the health of the Lakes through the Love Our Lakes program with partners and community,” said Martin Fuller, CEO of West Gippsland CMA.
“Each of the projects will build on research and grow resilience and capacity for the Gippsland Lakes system through creating cleaner rivers and fish habitat, giving wildlife and wetlands room to move, trialling solutions for shoreline erosion and monitoring floodplain birds and vegetation.”
Dirty Rivers
This project targeted some of the ‘dirtiest’ river reaches within Lake Wellington catchment that contribute the most sediment to the Gippsland Lakes and transformed them by securing landholder agreements then fencing, removing weeds and replanting the river reaches.
Along Rainbow Creek, the team protected over 50 metre wide buffers on either side of the river, with four kilometres of fencing and 7.1 hectares of weed control and revegetation of the site. With cattle and willows removed, plants can recover, bank erosion is reduced, natural filtration is increased and significantly less sediment is transported into the beautiful Lakes.
Room to Move
Five freshwater wetlands were restored across the latest Love Our Lakes program – each unique and most located on private land. The team worked towards a vision of restoring freshwater refuges along the rivers that run into the Lakes to provide refuge for wildlife and plants such as the majestic river red gums.
At a private property near Sale the CMA identified an open marsh style site as a priority because it is bordered on three sides by Sale Common and Flooding Creek. The team removed the weeds and put 6,000 indigenous plants into the site ranging from water plants to trees and ground covers.
Lower Latrobe Wetlands Flora & Fauna Surveys
In partnership with BirdLife Australia, the CMA monitored wetland bids around Sale Common and surveyed plants on the Lower Latrobe Floodplain that flows into Lake Wellington. Plant surveys found nine rare species, with such beauties as Water Parsnip (Berula erecta) Eastern Water Ribbons (Cycnogeton microtuberosum), Feather-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus amplus) and the vulnerable River Swamp Wallaby Grass (Amphibromus fluitans). This shows the importance of working with landholders to protect and enhance the Lakes’ floodplains and results will inform future management of the areas.
The bird surveys counted 3,612 birds from 82 species with Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) being the most abundant. At Dowd Morass, Royal Spoonbills (Platalea regia) were recorded breeding and roosting along with Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) and Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris).
Lake Wellington fringing vegetation re-establishment trials
In an exciting and innovative trial project, the CMA worked with Australian Landscape Trust on the north shore of Lake Wellington to tackle shoreline erosion.
The team trialled three different structures at the Trust’s Strathfieldsaye property to determine which is most effective in buffering wave action to protect native reeds and allow them to re-establish.
These are:
- Pile fields
- Scattered woody debris
- Offshore reef.
The property includes areas of Trust for Nature covenants and Greening Australia has also planted Phragmites australis (Common Reed) on the newly protected shoreline.
Reducing wave action and reestablishing the fringing vegetation that once dominated the Lake Wellington shoreline has enormous potential to decrease erosion, improve water quality and provide a blueprint for innovative shoreline protection in this unique and challenging environment.
Creating better homes for fish in Lower Avon River
This project helps to understand resident fish populations, create more habitat for them to thrive and improve facilities for fishers and river users.
To be able to measure success, the CMA undertook fish surveys using various methods including electro fishing. They recorded Estuary Perch, Australian Bass, Bully Mullet and Flathead Gudgeon.
A second fish survey was conducted after the instream structural habitat was installed which showed the fish using their new habitat for feeding and shelter.
These projects are part of a $248 million investment by the Victorian Government to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria. Of this, $7.5 million was provided to improve the health of Gippsland Lakes over three years (2021-2024), through support to the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee and for the delivery of on-ground works and community engagement.
Merry Catchment Christmas from the CMA
As West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) wraps up another year of caring for the catchment, we would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and thank you for your support in 2024.
Each day, our team is hard at work partnering with Traditional Owners, Landcare, landholders, government and community to improve West Gippsland’s catchment from the mountains to the sea. The Authority’s newly published Annual Report and Achievements Brochure summarise the work of the CMA and the benefits for catchment health.
“In 2024, we were extremely proud to deliver environmental initiatives funded by the Victorian
and Australian governments and acknowledge the support of Traditional Owners, partners and community,” said West Gippsland CMA CEO, Martin Fuller.
“All of our projects focus on catchment health and include restoring rivers and wetlands, managing estuaries, delivering water allocations for the environment and working with landholders on sustainable agricultural solutions.”
“Partnerships are at the heart of the work a CMA does and range from Landcare, community groups and government agencies. Supporting self-determination for Traditional Owners is also a key focus.”
In 2023-24, West Gippsland CMA delivered many projects to benefit waterways including:
- Planting 104,050 trees over 152 hectares
- Delivering 34,476 megalitres of water for the environment
- Protecting 106 hectares of remnant vegetation
- Treating 993 hectares of weeds
- Securing 96 management agreements to work together with landholders to repair and restore waterways.
The team also completed a program of flood recovery works stemming from the major impacts of the June 2021 flooding and storm event delivering:
- 19 waterway structures
- 7.5 kilkometres of fencing
- 6 hectares of vegetation
- 17 earthworks
- 30 management agreements.
“This was a year when many major projects wrapped up and new ones beginning. Two highlights were commencing the Toward Zero Extinctions: Protect the Eastern Hooded Plover project and the delivery of a fresh round of Corner Inlet Connections where we focussed on protecting shorebirds and other values of the internationally renowned Ramsar wetland.”
A key function for the CMA is supplying statutory services and advice and we processed 904 planning permit referrals and requests for flood advice along with providing support and assistance to ensure appropriate permitting and planning is undertaken to protect waterways and floodplains in the region.
“As we look back on 2024 and forward to working together to address the challenges and opportunities of 2025, we sincerely thank everyone for their ongoing support to be able to achieve benefits for West Gippsland’s catchment health that ultimately contribute to Gippsland’s wealth,” Martin concluded.
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region. All of these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
Seasons greeting – office hours
Our offices will be closed for the festive season from Friday 20 December and will reopen on Thursday 2 January at 8:30am.
We hope you enjoy getting out and about into the catchment for some relaxing days.
Wishing you all a very merry catchment Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy new year.
The science of sustainability
When Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves laser graded their top paddock in 2019, it blew dust over the small town of Newry – it also made Kate’s heart sink. She knew it was time for change.
“It was embarrassing and an example of worst practice. We thought how can we really fix up this soil quickly?” said Kate.
The couple made a call and began working with their local West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria reps to repair the soil on their 330 acre dairy farm and find better and more sustainable ways of farming while still making a profit.
Over the following years, they hosted trials of regenerative agricultural practices on their farm and have shared their learnings with others.
“We play at the edges of what is good for soil,” said Kate who is now looking forward to fungus and nematodes appearing that can store nutrients deep in the resurrected soil.
A “deep curiosity” is what drives the couple and their farm forward, with a mission to inspire others in their local and broader community along the way.
They moved to their farm in Newry in 2003 – having lived and worked in the district for ten years, Kate from New South Wales and Pete from Lakes Entrance. Both love the surrounding mountains and know it is an “extraordinary luxury” to farm on mighty Macalister River floodplain with reliable irrigation.
“We were putting on more and more fertiliser and just seemed to be going backwards. We’re on some of the best soils and need to make them work for us,” said Peter.
They participated in a Nicole Masters course and “found their tribe” and committed to learning and change.
“We remain focused on making a profit and just play at the edges of what is good for soil – so we can still grow plenty of quality feed,” Kate said.
“A farm is an ecological being. When we don’t understand the ecology, it’s hard to make good decisions. We look through an ecology lens, we aim to create the conditions we want rather than having to intervene to kill what you don’t want.”
The couple were often the only dairy farmers in the room as this approach is generally more of a focus for beef. “They advocate very long pasture recovery periods on beef farms, but on dairy, milk production crashes with this approach. We need to be able to do it in a way that suits dairy,” Kate said.
Kate recalls when she worked out their pasture consumption had remained at 12 tonnes, despite using only 20 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare. “We used to use 200 kilograms per hectare. Growing 12 tonnes with just 20 kilograms per hectare, that was a sign the ecology is fixing the nitrogen somehow – something had changed. We are no worse off financially and have now taken this approach across our whole farm.” The only year they haven’t made a profit was in the super drought of 2016.
They have also been determined to share their learnings with other farmers and participate in groups and workshops and have hosted field days on their farm and in Newry Hall in conjunction with Maffra and Districts Landcare Network, of which Pete is currently treasurer, and Gippsland Agricultural Group and GippsDairy.
“We don’t want it to be just a good practice for us – that’s the important part – to make this easy for other farmers to do. When you are a farmer trying to learn, you can YouTube about it all you like but there is something extraordinarily powerful about walking on farm and seeing it with your own eyes and hearing from people who are doing it,” Kate enthused.
Anthony Goode, Land Programs Coordinator for West Gippsland CMA gives an industry perspective. “Very few farmers are undertaking regenerative farming at the commercial scale and under the same risk profile as Peter and Kate. More importantly, they have invited the community along on their journey,” he said.
And the risk, they both agree, is well worth it as they continue to work towards their shared vision of healing paddocks and the broader food system.
“There are only so many harvests left, we really are a tipping point. We want to improve the ground and make it a carbon sink and be able to show it can be done and get a few more people on board,” said Pete.”
Kate’s ambitions stretch well beyond the farm gate. She believes everyone has the right to access quality produce and won’t stop until she gets there.
“I want the whole food system to change so the quality of food is exceptional, so we’ll eliminate a lot of disease, so the ecosystem is thriving and we help everyone through better quality food that is grown within a symbiotic relationship with the soil. I want insects and butterflies and birds and all the things we know, and don’t know, to thrive as well.”
Bryan Watterson – 2024 Landcare winner
West Gippsland CMA recently achieved a first milestone by removing willows from the entire length of the Agnes River and fencing and planting over 98% along its length.
This required buy in from landholders and Bryan’s advocacy and hard work greatly contributed to this success.
Bryan Watterson was one of this project’s key community champions – planting extensively on his own property and inspiring others to do the same.
A member of Corner Inlet Landcare and absolute leader for the region, Bryan is a passionate, inspiring and influential Landcare member. He has supervised the planting of 70,000 trees on his own property alone and inspired many neighbours and landholders to get on-board, leading to hundreds of thousands of trees planted in Gullies of the Strzelecki Ranges.
Despite his many decades of Landcare, Bryan is still organising monthly community plantings bringing together school kids, new lifestyle property owners and traditional dairy farmers.
Sculpture parks, platypus viewing areas, restored gullies and a river that is fenced and revegetated along its entire length are just some of Bryan’s contributions on his own property and within his community.
“As the habitat is restored and reconnected, I dream of lyrebirds returning to the property,” said Bryan.
Bryan was awarded a 2024 Lyrebird Award. Presented by West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, the awards were launched in 2005 and were born out of a desire to celebrate the significant achievements made by individuals and groups in protecting and enhancing West Gippsland’s catchment.
A new generation of Landcare champions
Gippsland Intrepid Landcare is a group of passionate, creative and energetic volunteers (aged 18 to in their 30s) who want to protect the region’s environment while having epic adventures across Gippsland.
Inspired by the national Intrepid Landcare movement, the group was formed in 2017 by then environmental science student Kelsey Tong along with co-founders Kathleen Black and Brita Jobling.
“From the very beginning we had a lot of interest. Our vision was about ‘doing Landcare’ but making it attractive to younger people – no boring meetings!” laughed Kelsey.
“It was about providing a pathway into Landcare that better suited people aged between 18 and thirty-something.”
In only a short time the group has flourished. It has 60 members, has run more than 20 successful events attended by 500 young people and planted over 10,000 trees. This is an impressive start, especially considering three years impacted by COVID.
Their innovative activities combine friendship, adventure and outdoors with environmental work such as kayaking trips to map willows, beach-themed events to remove sea spurge and hiking expeditions to monitor deer.
“We’re a bunch of mates organising fun events that bring people together,” said Kelsey, “When I’m out there planting trees or on the kayaks, I feel proud watching other people making friends, having fun and contributing to the environment.”
Current Chair of the group, Elsa Burnell, agrees. “It’s an awesome, welcoming environment with like-minded people who want to make a difference.”
A highlight of the event calendar is the hugely successful Plant & Dance events funded by Victorian Landcare Grants.
“We were sitting in a lecture theatre chatting about how good it would be to have an old-fashioned bush doof, and Plant & Dance was born,” said Elsa.
At these events, the Gippsland Intrepid team partner with local Landare groups and private landholders to plant thousands of plants on site in one day amidst a festival atmosphere with live music, DJs and food.
“Plant & Dance sums up what the group is about – doing fun stuff and helping the environment.” Kelsey explained.
Other activities, like camp-out retreats featuring guest speakers, offer opportunities for young people to build professional networks and gain hands-on industry experience in natural resource management.
“There are lots of career connections to be made. If you’re keen on working in this industry, it’s a great avenue to showcase yourself to the work and employers out there,” said Kelsey.
Gippsland Intrepid’s success at attracting and engaging members and their strong partnerships with other Landcare networks is contributing to a broader understanding of community groups and volunteering in West Gippsland.
“It is wonderful to see a new generation of Landcare Champions in the region who are invested in understanding the needs of younger people and Landcare networks,” said Deb Archer, Manager of Strategy, Investment and Partnerships at West Gippsland CMA.
“These young leaders are the future of our volunteer community.”
Gippsland Intrepid Landcare was awarded a 2024 Lyrebird Award from West Gippsland CMA.
A lifetime dedicated to plants
There are thousands of plants across Gippsland and chances are nurseryman John Topp knows them all.
A prodigious seed collector, propagator and nurseryman, John has been sharing his love and knowledge of native plants and conservation for over fifty years.
Opening Gippsland Indigenous Plants in the 1990s, John was a trusted native plant supplier for Landcare, West Gippsland CMA, other nurseries and local landholders up until he retired in December 2023. Today, he continues to impart his deep knowledge of Gippsland’s plants and vegetation communities through his ongoing involvement in Landcare.
“John is an extremely humble and unassuming gentleman who has had a lifelong love for preserving the natural environment and sharing this passion with others,” said Paula Camenzuli, Natural Resource Management Strategic Planner for the CMA and long-term beneficiary of John’s extensive plant knowledge.
She describes him as “an inspiration” and while you won’t hear him boast about his accolades, there are many to be proud of.
John turned his interest in native plants into a successful career, operating Bushwalk Nursery in Cranbourne for fifteen years before moving to his 84 hectare property at the foothills of the Great Dividing Ranges in Valencia Creek, where he established Gippsland Indigenous Plants.
At this specialised nursery he not only propagated over 130 species but collected seeds, heading out into the bush a couple of days a week on seed collection trips across Gippsland.
“That was the best part of the job,” said John.
“You always find something different in the bush – when you’re out looking for one thing, you’ll find other things – so it’s very rewarding in that way.
“You need patience though – you have to be prepared to go out one week and look at the seeds and say ‘oh, in two weeks they’ll be ready’ and you have to go back again. That’s a bit of a nuisance.”
“For example, Pomaderris is a very common and very useful small shrub – but you’ve only got about two weeks in December where the seed is viable because it dries out very quickly – so you’ve got to be on the ball with them. Whereas Eucalyptus seeds stay on the trees for months, sometimes all the time.”
“But the whole process – from collecting seeds, to drying them, to growing them – is very rewarding. People would give me an order for plants and tell me where they wanted to plant them and I would be able to grow plants that I knew survived well in those conditions. That was very satisfying.”
While operating the nursery, John contributed widely to his community and the natural resource management field. He has been President of the Society for Growing Australian Plants, on the board of Maffra and District Landcare Network and a member of the CMA’s Community Engagement Advisory Group.
Landcarers have benefitted from John’s ‘encyclopaedic’ knowledge of plants through the many workshops, field days, farm tours, nature walks and planting events he’s led or supported.
“John has been a key figure in increasing our community’s knowledge about local native plants with his irreplaceable skills in propagation, plant identification and stewardship,” said Bonnie Reeves on behalf of the Maffra and District Landcare Network.
At age 71, John extended his plant knowledge even further, travelling to Ecuador as a conservation volunteer for a flora and fauna survey in the Amazon jungle.
In 2015 he was awarded the 2015 Pride of Australia Environment Award in recognition of dedicating his life to protecting Gippsland’s natural environment.
Although retired from the nursery, John’s passion for educating and revegetation continues through his involvement in the Gippsland Plains and Grassy Woodland species restoration project with Maffra and District Landcare.
His advice for Gippslanders looking to plant native plants on their patch: “Pick trees specific to your area and don’t forget about low growing plants that provide food and shelter for smaller birds and animals.”
John was awarded a 2024 Lyrebird Award from West Gippsland CMA.
Partnership to save plovers from extinction
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) is excited to announce a new $1.5 million project aimed at saving one of our region’s much-loved native birds from extinction.
Eastern Hooded Plovers — affectionally known as ‘Hoodies’ — are tiny shorebirds that nest along the Victorian coastline where the adults, their eggs and chicks are highly vulnerable to disturbance by humans, coastal weeds, rough weather, off-lead dogs and their number one predator – foxes.
Together with BirdLife Australia, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Bass Coast Landcare Network, South Gippsland Landcare, Parks Victoria and the community, the CMA is embarking on a four-year project to help the survival of Hoodies.
Toward Zero Extinctions: Protect the Eastern Hooded Plover will involve protecting nests during breeding season, controlling foxes and other introduced pests, and engaging the community about the plight of the plover – and how they can help its survival.
“There are only around 3,000 Hoodies remaining in south-eastern Australian and less than 2.5 percent of Hooded Plover eggs make it to adult stage,” said Shayne Haywood, the CMA’s Manager – Land and Biodiversity.
“The coastline between San Remo and Inverloch is home to the second largest population of Hooded Plovers in Victoria so it’s vital that we work together to protect these vulnerable native species whose survival depends on having safe, protected breeding sites,” said Shayne.
During breeding season, Hoodies face many threats to survival, from people accidently trampling their nests to off-lead dogs scaring the birds and eating their eggs. Even if the eggs successfully hatch, Hoodie chicks can’t fly for the first five weeks of their life, making them highly vulnerable to predators, particularly foxes. To reduce this threat, the CMA and partners will undertake a coordinated approach to fox control across public and private land, conducted in partnership with landholders and Parks Victoria.
“By reducing fox numbers, we can help increase the chance of survival for eggs and fledglings and help boost the population of Hoodies overall.”
Enclosing vulnerable breeding sites to protect nests and chicks and signage at beaches are also key activities of the program, supported by BirdLife Australia’s monitoring program and population counts.
“Many people in our community already know about the plight of plovers and are actively involved in their protection by avoiding nesting sites, keeping dogs on leads at the beach and volunteering through BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Program.”
“This partnership project is an exciting next step in the protection and recovery of plover populations in West Gippsland. The CMA is thrilled to be involved in this important work as part of our role in catchment health and protecting the region’s unique biodiversity.”
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by West Gippsland CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region. All of these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.
2024 Lyrebird Award winners announced
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) is delighted to announce five dedicated groups and individuals as winners of the 2024 Lyrebird Awards as Bass Coast Landcare Network, Bryan Watterson, Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves, Gippsland Intrepid Landcare and John Topp Gippsland Indigenous Plants at a special gathering at Narkoojee Winery on Monday 25 November 2024.
The award ceremony was kicked off by Minister for Water, the Hon Harriet Shing MP who gave a video address to the gathered Board and community members noting that lyrebirds represent hope that the work being done for waterways will secure their return.
“These awards are for community and partners who have gone above and beyond in their work and initiatives across the region. They represent, and are illustrative, of the ways CMAs intrinsically operate – together, in partnership with local communities, partners and the mighty movement of Landcare,” said Minister Shing.
Board Chair, Mikaela Power and CEO, Martin Fuller then presented the five awards noting why each recipient was a standout in West Gippsland for their contribution to caring for catchments. Moving from west to east across the catchment, the winners all have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership to protect and restore their patch in West Gippsland – often over many years.
Bass Coast Landcare Network
- Planting over 5 million trees since the network began in 2004, Bass Coast Landcare Network is unique to Landcare in Victoria having an invasive species team, works crew and nursery producing 160,000 plants each year and hold 30 community planting days per year.
- Planting over 5 million trees since the network began in 2004, Bass Coast Landcare Network is unique to Landcare in Victoria having an invasive species team, works crew and nursery producing 160,000 plants each year and hold 30 community planting days per year.
Bryan Watterson – Corner Inlet Landcare
- The CMA recently achieved a first milestone by removing willows from the entire length of the Agnes River and fencing and planting over 98% along its length. Bryan was one of the key community champions of this – planting extensively on his own property and inspiring others to do the same.
- He has supervised the planting of 70,000 trees on his own property alone and inspired many neighbours and landholders to get on-board, leading to hundreds of thousands of trees planted in Gullies of the Strzelecki Ranges.
Gippsland Intrepid Landcare
- The new generation of Landcare volunteers. Formed in 2017, the group is aimed at young people wanting to protect the region’s environment while having epic adventures across Gippsland.
- They organise activities that combine fun and friendship with environmental work such as kayaking, hiking, mountain bike riding and their hugely successful Plant & Dance events and support Landcare groups and networks across the region, helping them connect young people to Landcare.
Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves
- From their dairy farm in Newry, Kate and Peter have been role models for change, most recently with trials of regenerative/sustainable agricultural practices and building a community of practice to keep nutrients on farm and out of waterways and the Gippsland Lakes.
- They are relentless and passionate about soil health and biodiversity, all while working a profitable farming enterprise and mindful of the wellbeing of animals.
- More importantly, they have invited, and reach out to, the community along on their journey.
John Topp – Gippsland Indigenous Plants
- Native plant guru and nurseryman John Topp has been sharing his love and knowledge of native plants and conservation for over 50 years.
- John owned and operated Gippsland Indigenous Plants, a specialist native plant nursery in Valencia Creek that supplied over 130 different species of local plants primarily to Landcare and the CMA.
- Although now retired, his legacy and contribution continues through his involvement with the Maffra and District Landcare Network.
Your can read more about all of the winners in these case studies.
Floodplain Mapper Student
Are you currently studying engineering or environmental sciences? Would you like to gain experience in your chosen profession? Fantastic opportunities exist for students to gain employment whilst continuing your studies. Read on to find out why West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is the place for you.
- Full time (40 hours a week) for 500 hours to be completed during the university summer semester break
- Enjoy a great work life balance with a hybrid working model based in Traralgon.
About the Role:
We are looking for an engineering or environmental science student looking for real life experience, working on a Flood Study for one of the local catchments within the West Gippsland region as part of the Floodplain Mapping Project within the West Gippsland CMA. As part of this study you will be developing hydrology (rainfall) and hydraulics (flood behaviour) models to determine flood behaviour for a local catchment which will be used to help coordinate flood response, assess potential subdivisions or building proposals and inform future planning schemes amendments.
The Floodplain Mapping Program is a project being run at the West Gippsland CMA to capture flood behaviour in previously unmapped areas or areas with outdated mapping in the Gippsland region. The program identifies priority waterways for which mapping is required and each project involves both hydrology and hydraulic assessment following industry best practice and the methodology adopted for the program.
The work is primarily office and computer-based, however field work may occasionally be required when sourcing information for each study. The final output of each project will be flood maps and their digital datasets, supported by a report detailing the methodology adopted.
What will your typical day look like?
- Prepare project timeline and provide updates on project progress
- Consult with members of the Statutory Planning team and other teams in the organisation
- Use Geographic Information System software to undertake analysis of a site and collect information on site with the occasional field visits as required
- Participate in technical skills training
- Develop a hydrology and a hydraulic model and produce flood maps of a particular West Gippsland waterway
- Write a report on how this flood study was undertaken so that it can be quality assured an potentially used to inform decisions around flood safety and development.
Let’s talk about you:
We are looking for someone who:
- Is currently undertaking or has completed Bachelor of Civil and/or Environmental Engineering (preferred) or Bachelor of Environment and Conservation Science (or similar)
- Has an interest in water studies and has completed units in hydrology, hydraulics or Geographic Information Systems (desirable)
- Has an interest in computers, computer based modelling and problem solving (required)
- Has an interest in storms, weather, water and flooding (desirable)
- Able to work in Traralgon office location.
Why West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority?
We focus our energy on interesting and meaningful work. With a culture of continuous improvement, we are always striving to make a positive difference to our communities and create a healthier environment. We put our people at the heart of what we do and are dedicated to helping them grow their careers and reach their professional goals.
We value flexibility. Work in a way that suits you best, flex time, job share arrangements or work from home. We know our people get their best work done when they’re in control of where and how they work, designing their work week around their team and personal commitments.
We support you to thrive. To support your professional life, we offer a range of wellbeing initiatives, including regular events and programs, Employee Assistance Program, leave options, flexible working options, parental leave and return to work support packages.
Next steps:
Sound like the sort of role for you? We’d love to hear from you.
To apply please send your application to recruitment@wgcma.vic.gov.au by 5pm Friday 29 November 2024. More information can be found in the Position Description.
So we can learn more about you, we encourage you to address the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description under Item “E”.
If you have any questions or wish to have a confidential conservation about this role please contact Rhain Bateman – Statutory Floodplain Officer at 5175 7871 or rhainb@wgcma.vic.gov.au.
