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.
At West Gippsland CMA, we share a commitment to value and embrace diversity in all forms; so that our work environment is a safe space we can all belong. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their background, identity, orientation, ability or thinking style.
If you need assistance during the application process for accessibility reasons please contact Madelyn Brand, Organisational Development Lead on 5175 7839 or madelynb@wgcma.vic.gov.au.
Water for the environment deliveries planned for two West Gippsland rivers
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has planned upcoming releases of water for the environment in early November, including Melbourne Cup day long weekend.
‘Spring freshes’ have been planned for the Carran Carran (Thomson River) and Wirn Wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River). These water releases are designed to mimic the natural seasonal rise and fall of the river, which has been interrupted by dams and water extraction for farming, urban and residential uses. The water will be released as a small ‘pulse’ across several days, which tells native fish like Australian grayling and Australian bass when to move upstream from the ocean and Lake Wellington estuary into the rivers. This is particularly important for young fish making this migration for the first time.
Wirn Wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River) will also receive a ‘low flow’ so the water release will extend into December. In addition to the larger pulse, this water is released slowly across time to top up the waterway when it’s getting low. This helps fish, eels and platypus move between deeper pools, giving them better access to food and habitat.
These deliveries will slowly ramp up and down, with proposed peak flow dates shown on the WGCMA website to help river users such as kayakers, landholders who may need to manage riverside-assets such as pumps, and 4WD enthusiasts plan for changes in river heights when crossing.
Water for the environment keeps our rivers flowing and healthy. It is water that is set aside in major reservoirs and carefully released down the river to support the health of West Gippsland’s waterways. It can also be diverted from the river into the lower Latrobe wetlands.
West Gippsland CMA works from the mountains to the sea and is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the West Gippsland region. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. We work with Traditional Owners, landholders and partners to protect and enhance these waterways, support Landcare, deliver water for the environment, innovate sustainable agriculture, manage estuaries, reclaim wetlands and provide advice for flood risk and works on waterways.
Corner Inlet Crucial for Migratory Birds
With International Migratory Bird Day just behind us, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) celebrates the catchments, such as Corner Inlet, that support migratory birds and are protected through international conventions and programs run by the CMA and partners.
This year’s theme of ‘Protect Insects Protect Birds’ focused on the importance of insects for migratory birds, and highlighted concerns related to decreasing populations of insects.
“Protecting and improving habitat is an important way we can protect insects and overall biodiversity for migratory birds and all wildlife,” said Tanya Cowell, Waterways Project Officer for West Gippsland CMA.
Corner Inlet became an internationally renowned wetland through the Ramsar convention in 1982. The inlet’s extensive intertidal mudflats provide food for migratory species.
“Rewards of a consistent and sustained effort to protect and enhance Corner Inlet by the CMA, Landcare, Greening Australia, GLaWAC Traditional Owners and partners Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature and BirdLife Australia are definitely paying off.”
Working to enhance and protect world renowned Corner Inlet has been a team effort led by West Gippsland CMA that has so far spanned decades. Works begin in the upper reaches of the rivers that flow into the inlet and follow their course down to the coast – home to extraordinary wildlife, fragile saltmarsh and mudflats.
“Everyone plays their part – like along the flagship Agnes River where we are extremely proud of the dedicated landholders and passionate Landcare volunteers who have largely driven the works.”
In 2023-24, 11 landholder management agreements were signed to complete 45 hectares of weed control, put 53,300 plants in the ground across 91 hectares and fence 16 kilometres of the river in partnership with Corner Inlet Landcare Group and Greening Australia.
Down at the inlet, the first of a five-year Corner Inlet Connections project is being delivered in partnership with Parks Victoria, GLaWAC, Trust for Nature and BirdLife Australia.
Across this first year, the focus has been to protect the Ramsar values of the area including treating spartina, controlling foxes to protect shorebirds, improving water quality, and safeguarding 136 hectares of saltmarsh including a 25 hectare Trust for Nature covenant.
In total, weed control has covered over the entire Corner Inlet Ramsar Site of 67,000 hectares with 530 hectares of pest animal control and water monitoring equipment will help us measure the results of our efforts across the catchment.”
“Corner Inlet is an important haven for migratory shorebirds that travel incredible distances each year. A favourite of mine is the Red-necked Stint which feeds in Corner Inlet. They are just the size and weight of a matchbox, yet fly thousands of kilometres to nest in the Siberian tundra, before turning around six months later to migrate south once again,” said Tanya.
Summer and winter shorebird counts provided crucial information to ensure the Ramsar values and levels of acceptable change for key species are maintained based on international Ramsar guidelines.
BirdLife Australia teams undertook seasonal bird counts of resident and migratory birds and also monitored the breeding success and health of key resident species of beach nesting birds such as Hooded Plovers, Pied Oystercatchers and Crested, Caspian and Fairy terns.
The team noted migratory species including Bar-tailed Godwits, Double-banded Plovers, Red-necked Stints, Red Knots, Red-capped Plovers, Pacific Golden Plover , Great Knot and Grey Plovers and the Critically Endangered Far Eastern Curlews – all returning to Corner Inlet and relying on this landscape for survival.
This ongoing monitoring is crucial to understanding the bird populations and threats they face. This can then guide effective fox and weed control and assist in community education about the effects of off leash dogs and nest disturbance.
“Ongoing bird monitoring will also help to raise community awareness of the birds’ plight so we can work together as a community to protect these special species,” Tanya said.
Celebrating Agnes River through short films
The mighty arms of the Franklin and Agnes snugly hold the special little town of Toora. These major rivers began as little trickles, flowing through forest and farmland before entering into Corner Inlet.
For many years, the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has worked tirelessly on restoring the health of these waterways by removing willows, fencing and revegetation. Their work, supported by Corner Inlet Landcare and local farmers has enhanced the habitat of many river loving animals, including the beloved platypus.
On Wednesday 30 October, members of the West Gippsland CMA team invite the community to come to Toora Hall to help celebrate and reflect on this journey of river restoration.
They are also encouraging anyone and everyone to grab their phone or camera and create a short film about the Agnes of Franklin rivers and tributaries to share on the night. The three-minute film can be about restoration work, a magical encounter at the river or what these special places mean to you.
“The Agnes and Franklin are precious veins and need to be kept as healthy as possible,” said Bryan Watterson, a landholder along the Agnes River, dedicated member of Corner Inlet Landcare and organiser of the Agnes Shorts event.
“They also provide magical areas of great beauty – a place to relax, explore and rekindle our spirits. The rivers also determine the health of Corner Inlet upon which so much life depends.”
“West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has spent many years improving the health of these rivers, supporting the life of all that live within them. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to see and hear the CMA’s presentation of the works that have transformed the Agnes catchment.”
“People of South Gippsland are invited to take a photo OR make a little video of their favourite or special place on one of these rivers.”
Prizes of local business vouchers are up for grabs for the winning entries.
The power of community
It was a day of conversation, connection and conservation when West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA)’s Community Engagement Network (CEN) joined local Landcarers at the Regional Landcare Forum in Giffard on Tuesday 8 October.
Hosted by the CMA and Yarram Yarram Landcare Network, the event was an opportunity to connect, listen to stories of land regeneration and see first-hand the impact of local, community-driven environmental projects.
The day began at Giffard West Hall where, over scones and cakes, members of Woodside Landcare Group described the history of the area and how the first Landcare group was established. This was followed by a bus tour around Giffard Plains to see the results of decades of planting and conservation efforts by local landholders, who have worked tirelessly to restore what they described was a ‘moonscape’ of empty paddocks and scattered pockets of remnant vegetation into a connected, biodiverse landscape.
One of the ways they did this was through the successful Mullungdung to Coast project, which saw over 30,000 seedlings planted, 55 kilograms of seed directly sown and 34 kilometres of fencing constructed to create 104 hectares of wildlife corridors and protected remnant vegetation.
“People in the area have just all worked together and over the years have really made a difference to the landscape,” said Libby Balderstone, a member of the Woodside Landcare Group who has revegetated 18 per cent of her family property in the past two decades with the support of Greening Australia, Landcare and the tight-knit community.
After the bus tour, attendees returned to Giffard West Hall where the conversations continued as Yarram Yarram Landcare Network showcased some of their recent projects, including the new community nursery that opened last month and sold 1000 plants in the first day.
“Many Landcarers are quiet achievers, chipping away on projects in their local communities year after year,” said Marnie Ellis, the Regional Landcare Coordinator at the CMA. “To be able to share their achievements with other Landcare groups and CEN members like this is a fantastic opportunity to reflect, share knowledge and inspire others”.
Over 40 people from across West Gippsland attended, comprising representatives from each of the region’s five Landcare Networks, plus nine CEN members.
CEN member Fiona Pfiel was inspired by the day. “I really enjoyed learning about the long history of Landcare and pre-Landcare conservation efforts and collaboration.”
Callum Reynolds, who is serving his first term on the CEN, agreed: “It’s pretty awesome to see groups of people and organisations come together and move the needle every year in the right direction.”
Landcare has a long and proud history in West Gippsland. Made up of five Landcare networks that support 75 Landcare groups, they are a committed and motivated grassroots community that have delivered best practice natural resource management for more than 30 years.
The CMA supports and advocates for Landcare in West Gippsland by coordinating opportunities for collaborations, administering the Victorian Landcare Grants and other funding opportunities, delivering communications and events and fostering awareness of sustainable agriculture practices.
West Gippsland’s CEN plays an important role of information exchange with the community. The 16 members share community issues with the CMA, and in return, they gain information on CMA projects and initiatives to take back to their communities.
Powlett provides important wetland habitat
The Powlett River/Kugerungmome estuary on Bunurong Country near Kilcunda is a significant and ever-changing wetland that provides essential habitat for wildlife. In late August 2024, the river mouth closed to Bass Strait naturally and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is monitoring the event.
The closure is a result of sustained large swells over the past weeks which deposited sand into the estuary entrance. Large ocean swells and low river flows allow the ocean to develop a sandbar at the mouth of an estuary eventually closing its connection to the ocean.
“Estuary closures provide critical habitat for many threatened species,” said West Gippsland CMA CEO, Martin Fuller.
“The Powlett River Estuary is one of many estuaries across the state that has recently closed its connection to the ocean”.
“Over the coming weeks, if the river mouth remains closed, we can expect to see water continue to nourish the wetlands,” explained Mr Fuller.
“This helps maintain the health of the wetland that surrounds the estuary”.
“The wetland provides important habitat and an abundance of food for many species of fish, birds and invertebrates that seek food and shelter, some of which are endangered.”
Mr Fuller explained that it is very important to support this natural process, otherwise the integrity of the surrounding wetland and the species it supports maybe jeopardised.
“There is a flow on effect when the river mouth closes,” continued Mr Fuller.
“Algae begins to grow which provides food for insects and fish. The calm waters then turn into a fish nursery and with the increase in fish and insects – birds flock to the wetlands to feed”.
“The environmental benefits of the estuary mouth closing cannot be overstated and if the mouth does open naturally, particularly as a result of increased water level height and freshwater river flows, it will trigger fish migration upstream and out to sea,” explained Mr Fuller.
West Gippsland CMA will monitor conditions and if required, the river mouth may need to be artificially opened. Decisions to open the estuary mouth are informed by the Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS) and additional data and information connected through onsite monitoring and stakeholder consultation.
“If it is decided that an artificial opening is required, it will only take place if it is deemed safe and sustainable. This requires a number of things to line up,” Mr Fuller explained.
In an effort to look for a long-term solution to address this issue, and alleviate the need for artificial estuary openings, West Gippsland CMA continues to work with landholders and other agency staff to explore options for the management of this land moving forward.
