West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) is proud to report on achievements made in 2022 – which was a special year as the Authority celebrated 25 years since it was established in 1997.
“We are extremely proud to continue to deliver environmental initiatives funded by the Victorian and Australian governments and acknowledge the Traditional Owners, partners and community,” said WGCMA Board Chair, Mikaela Power.
“Together we achieved 1,247 hectares of weed control, 44 hectares of revegetation and vegetation enhancement and 2,357 hectares are set to benefit from whole farm, irrigation and soil erosion management plans.”
“One key highlight was delivering a remarkable flood recovery program arising from the significant storm and flood event that hit the region in June 2021.”
Works along waterways focused on creating wildlife habitat and building waterway resilience including:
- Fencing 27 kilometres of priority waterways
- Removing 38 hectares of willow
- Stabilising riverbeds and banks at 44 sites.
Along the coast, works protected areas such as internationally renowned Corner Inlet, including:
- Fencing four kilometres and revegetating 18 hectares
- Protecting and enhancing 468 hectares of saltmarsh
- Treating 681 hectares of the weed Spartina in Corner, Shallow and Andersons inlets
- Covering 529 hectares for fox control.
“We are delighted to be playing our part in flood recovery and caring for West Gippsland’s precious waterways and the people who rely on them. All of these achievements add up to improved catchment health that ultimately contributes to Gippsland’s wealth,” concluded Mikaela.
View our latest Achievements Brochure and Annual Report, and thanks to everyone for their ongoing support.
The winners of the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s ‘Your Weekend, Your Waterway’ photo competition have been announced with winners in four categories being acknowledged and rewarded.
“The theme of this year’s competition prompted people to get out and explore the wonderful waterways we have around the region,” said CEO of the WGCMA, Martin Fuller.
“Not surprisingly, some lovely images have been taken and shared and I must say a big thank you to everyone who took part.”
The photographs will form part of the WGCMA’s annual Seasonal Watering Proposal document to be submitted to the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. Once approved, this determines allocations of water from storages released to promote and support healthy waterways and ecosystems.
“Environmental water plays an important role in improving the health of rivers and wetlands in West Gippsland and this is guided by Seasonal Watering Plans approved by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder,” said Martin.
The three waterways that receive environmental water deliveries in West Gippsland formed the photo competition categories.
The winners of each section were:
Overall winner
The overall competition winner was James Kettner with his image “Picnic”, taken at the Cowwarr Weir shown below.
Durt-Yowan
Durt-Yowan (Latrobe River) anywhere downstream from Lake Narracan, including the Lower Latrobe Wetlands ie: Dowd Morass, Heart Morass and Sale Common.
Winner: Ellie Harrington
📷 Ellie Harrington
Wirn wirndook Yeerung
Wirn wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River), this category was open to entries of photos that were taken anywhere downstream from Lake Glenmaggie.
Winner: Claire Jobling
📷 Claire Jobling
Carran Carran
Carran Carran (Thomson River), this section was open to entries that included the Heyfield Wetlands (anywhere downstream from the Thomson Reservoir)
Winner: Sarah Heath
📷 Sarah Heath
30 March, 2023
We are inviting expressions of interest from contractors for our panel of preferred contractors to undertake works as required for the following services:
- Agricultural fencing of waterways, gullies and environmental projects
- Weed control and revegetation services
- Earthmoving, truck and associated equipment hire.
The panel of preferred contractors will run for a period of three years starting 1 July, 2023.
All of the information regarding this EOI including the online form for the applicants response, can be accessed via the links below:
Part C – EOI Applicants Response
This EOI will close at 4pm on Friday, 14 April, 2023.
