In the Tarwin River Catchment, many people, from landholders, agencies and Traditional Custodians want to see the condition of the 250,000 hectares improved and protected. And with the support of seed funding through Our Catchments, Our Community we are thrilled to be able to facilitate collective big thinking and aspirational planning from the mountains to the sea.

We are harnessing the power of partnership, with a focus on enabling outcomes including:

• Empowered Aboriginal custodianship – Improved Aboriginal self-determination and embedding voices in planning and on-ground actions.
• Community empowerment – Communities are connected, capable, empowered, and self-directed to act independently as leaders in catchment stewardship.
• Multiple benefits for the environment, people and place – Including environmental, cultural, and social benefits.
• Intergenerational equity – Catchment stewardship protects natural values for future generations.
• Protected achievements – Catchment stewardship extends and protects the legacy of past projects and investments through a commitment to ongoing maintenance and enhancement.
• Raised standards – Stewardship raises expectations over time and equips the community to support progress (and not slip backwards).
• Resilient communities and landscapes – Catchment stewardship improves community and landscape resilience to climate change, natural disasters and/or extreme event.

People: A Catchment Partnership has been formed, who have established clear principles on how they will work together, which have been agreed and signed onto a Tarwin Catchment Partnership Agreement.

Potential: Partners have done some aspirational thinking to establish a 50-year vision.

Priorities: The team has developed a list of priority project concepts that can be delivered over the next five years, as outlined in our first investment prospectus Together for the Tarwin (PDF 8MB).

Promotion: The partnership is developing an Advocacy and Engagement plan to promote the catchment, people and place aimed at increasing the number of people Together for the Tarwin and to attract investment to deliver outcomes for the environment, people and place.

Interested in finding out how you can join the partnership or contribute to on-ground delivery of projects in the catchment, contact South Gippsland Landcare Network.

Many partners are involved and we hope more will come on board.

The Tarwin Integrated Catchment Management project is supported by the Victorian Government through Our Catchment, Our Communities program.

The Tarwin River Catchment begins high in the Strzelecki Ranges and flows through both Gunaikurnai and Bunurong Country as it makes its way to the coast, through the nationally listed Andersons Inlet. 

It’s a significant place for the Bunurong, Boonwurrung, and Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner groups, that maintain connections to these lands, waters and places. 

The river comprises two main branches – the West Branch, which begins near Mt Worth and includes the Wilkur, Ruby, and Coalition Creeks, and the smaller East Branch, which starts near Turtons Creek and joins the West Branch at Meeniyan.  

Situated in a high-rainfall area, the catchment supplies drinking water to towns across South Gippsland and irrigation for farmland. 

The catchment waterways and land support biodiversity values, including over 100 rare and threatened plant and animal species and many places for the communities to live and enjoy.  

Sustainable Irrigation Program

Proudly working alongside Gippsland farmers for over 25 years to achieve a highly productive and sustainable irrigation community.

About

Together with Agriculture Victoria, we’re working with the irrigation community to keep water and nutrients on farm and out of the local waterways, including the Gippsland Lakes.

The Sustainable Irrigation Program provides funding and support for irrigators in the Macalister Irrigation District and across the broader Lake Wellington Catchment. 

Activities focus on improving water use efficiencies, adopting best management practices and keeping phosphorus on farms where it supports soil health and pasture growth. By improving how irrigation is designed and managed, farms also reduce the impact from salinity and water-logged paddocks that can reduce farm productivity.

The program is underpinned by the Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan, a long-term strategy that outlines how irrigators, industry and government will work together to achieve a highly productive and sustainable irrigation community that values and protects its natural and cultural assets. 

Projects and opportunities to get involved

• Irrigation Farm Planning (Incentives Program)
• Irrigation Extension Program (delivered through Agriculture Victoria)
• Learn.Irrigate.Grow On-Farm Demonstrations
• Irrigation Reference Group
• Salinity in the Macalister Irrigation area

• Gippsland Irrigation Development Guidelines 2023 (PDF 1MB)
• Gippsland Irrigation Development Guidelines Fact Sheets (PDF 2MB)
• Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan

Lake Wellington Catchment

You can explore the Lake Wellington Catchment map and the video we created to celebrate 25 years of sustainable irrigation “How 25 years of sustainable irrigation has transformed central Gippsland” can also be viewed from the links below.

Project Partners

Membership of the Lake Wellington Sustainable Irrigation Group includes:

Funding

The Sustainable Irrigation Program is a part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Sustainable Irrigation Program, implemented in Gippsland by Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland CMA. 

Latest news

Protecting Platy Patches in Traralgon Creek

Beloved Platypus need healthy rivers and creeks to thrive. We’re working to protect their patch by restoring degraded sections of Traralgon Creek with 10,000 native plants, a new wetland and plenty of space for these shy creatures to hide.

About the project

Platypus numbers are falling because they’re losing their habitat. Polluted waterways, urban development and impacts of dams and droughts on flowing water are all contributing to a decline in platy numbers.  

To survive, platys need stable banks for burrowing, plenty of waterbugs to eat, healthy streamside vegetation, plenty of in-stream woody habitat and reliable flow through the creek or stream they live in.  

We love platys and want to help them survive and thrive in waterways once again.  So, we’re working with partners to restore high-quality habitat at three key locations along Traralgon Creek on Gunaikurnai Country, where Platypus are known to live. 

The work involves:

• Removing invasive weeds.
• Planting around 10,000 native trees and shrubs.
• Installing fences to keep livestock out.
• Reinstating a natural billabong (wetland) alongside the creek to create more habitat for platys and other wildlife.
• Connecting the adjoining wetlands with reeds and rushes to create a safe movement pathway for platypus.

Improving habitat and restoring these sections of the creek will also benefit other wildlife, including the vulnerable Australian Grayling fish and the Australasian Bittern, a critically endangered waterbird. 

The Latrobe Valley community will be able to enjoy the newly greened spaces as a place to connect with nature and, if they’re lucky, spot a shy Platypus. 

This Traralgon Creek project is one of 14 waterway restoration projects happening across the state under the Platy Patch Project. 

Funding

The Platy Patch project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.

Project partners

• Australian Government
• Victorian Government
• Melbourne Water

Latest news

Keeping the Carran Carran (Thomson River) flowing

For over eight years, we have been improving the health and flow of over 85 kilometres of the mid-Thomson (Carran Carran) and Rainbow Creek.

About the project

The Mid-Thomson River, known as Carran Carran by Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners, is a flagship river in West Gippsland. 

This project focuses on the Carran Carran (Thomson River) and Rainbow Creek between the Cowwarr Weir and the township of Heyfield. It addresses the risk of avulsion (where a waterway creates a new path in times of flood) across the agricultural land between Carran Carran (Thomson River) and Rainbow Creek. We are working in partnership with landholders to remove willows, treat avulsion ‘hotspots’, plant native vegetation and fence off waterways. 

Works are done in alignment with the Thomson and Rainbow Management Plan that was developed along with community and partners to achieve our shared hopes for the river’s future – to manage the balance of its flow and reduce the risk of ‘avulsions’ developing (where a waterway creates a new path in times of flood). 

We are currently in the ‘taking action’ phase of this long term project to build on the success of the past eight years.

We are working with landholders and partners to:

• Remove high-threat weeds (especially willows)
• Exclude stock from the waterway
• Restore native vegetation of riverbanks
• Continue to explore knowledge gaps into how storage flows can be managed to improve waterway conditions and reduce risks.

Funding

The Mid-Thomson Flagship project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Waterways Management Program.

Project partners

• Community
• Southern Rural Water
• Gippsland Water
• VR Fish

Latest news

Carbon Farming Outreach Program

Sowing the seeds for a successful carbon farming future

About the project

Get set up for a carbon farming future with free training for Gippsland farmers. 

The Carbon Farming Outreach Program provides free training for farmers to better understand their emissions and learn the benefits of carbon farming so they can take advantage of opportunities as we move towards a low-carbon future.  

Carbon farming refers to managing land or agriculture to maximise the amount of carbon stored and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. For landholders, carbon farming can deliver benefits such as increasing productivity, biodiversity, resilience to drought and can also provide additional income sources.  

Understanding how to make the most of carbon farming depends on the type of farm, the business needs and the landscape it operates in. 

During September 2025 and March 2026, West Gippsland CMA will deliver a series of training sessions across the Gippsland region in partnership with local Landcare groups.  

This free training covers:

• the benefits of carbon farming
• how to identify and understand your emission
• how to begin carbon activities that suit your land and goals
• navigating carbon credit markets
• opportunities to earn carbon credits and income.

Workshops will be advertised on our website and social media channels.

You can also find resources about managing farm emissions and state-wide events on the Landcare Victoria website.  

Project partners

• Landcare Victoria
• Agriculture Victoria
• Ten Victorian CMA’s

Funding

The Victorian Carbon Farming Outreach Program is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the National Carbon Farming Outreach Program. The Program is delivered through a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, 10 Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare Victoria and other bodies. 

Latest news

Corner Inlet Ramsar Site Coordination

Protecting Corner Inlet on behalf of West Gippsland, Australia and the planet.

About the project

Corner Inlet is a precious place. It has been declared a Ramsar Site which means that it is internationally significant because it:

• Supports the world’s most southerly population of white mangroves and extensive areas of saltmarsh and seagrass
• Is an important feeding and nesting area for many waterbirds including migratory shorebirds
• Supports a range of native fish species.

West Gippsland CMA are the site coordinators for the wetland and we a proud to work with partners and the community to protect these values.

Ramsar status is special and Corner Inlet is a unique asset to the environment and community.

With this project, we will work with Traditional Owners, partners, landholders and community to make sure that:

• Ramsar site values are maintained or improved through the coordination of Ramsar Site Management plan delivery via the Corner Inlet Ramsar Site Coordination Committee
• International Ramsar obligations are met through annual monitoring.

Project partners

• Parks Victoria
• GLaWAC
• BirdLife Australia
• Community
• Landcare
• Greening Australia
• Trust for Nature

“Rewards of a consistent and sustained effort to protect and enhance Corner Inlet by the CMA and partners are definitely paying off”

Tanya Cowell, Waterways Project Officer for West Gippsland CMA

The Corner Inlet Ramsar site coordination project is supported by the Victorian Government.

Latest news

Estuaries and Inlets of Bunurong to Mullungdung Coasts

We are working to manage estuaries for conservation, cultural values and recreational use.

About the project

From Inverloch to Kilcunda rivers flow into Bass Strait and these areas are known as estuaries. They are precious waterways and coasts with high cultural significance and deep importance for Traditional Owners.

These estuaries open and close over time (known as Intermittently Open/Closed Estuaries) and are very important waterways that provide habitat for animals – some threatened. This includes Fairy Terns, Orange-Bellied Parrots, Hooded Plovers and important native fish such as the Australian Grayling. 

Estuaries also support threatened plant communities such as temperate saltmarsh, estuarine swamp/scrub and important landscape features like a salt wedge estuary.  

The Bunurong to Mullundung Coast’s Intermittently Open/Closed Estuaries and Inlets support recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, swimming and walking and contribute to agriculture and tourism. 

With this project, we will work Traditional Owners, partners, landholders and community to:

• Regulate estuary closures in accordance with the Victorian Waterway Strategy
• Reduce the need for artificial openings
• Eradicate Spartina completely from Shallow Inlet
• Remove Spartina infestations from key asset areas to maintain and enhance bird habitat and boating channels.

Project partners

• Bass Coast Shire Council
• BirdLife Australia
• Bunurong Land Council
• Department of Transport and Planning
• Gippsland Ports
• Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
• Landcare
• Parks Victoria

The Estuaries and Inlets of Bunurong to Mullundung Coasts project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Waterways Management Program.

Latest news

Climate Smart Farming

Supporting Gippsland farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices that benefit farming, the environment and the bottom line.

About the project

Through our Climate Smart Farmers project, we’re supporting Gippsland farmers with practical, on-ground activities designed to drive agricultural growth and protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity at the same time.

Farm Fencing Grants

Supporting farmers with the costs of fencing to protect biodiversity.

Fencing livestock out of wetlands, waterways and patches of remnant native vegetation can greatly benefit biodiversity, while also improving the management of farming operations.  

Removing livestock from steep slopes and erosion sites can reduce the loss of valuable topsoil and at the same time improve habitat for native wildlife. Fencing is also the first step in creating shelterbelts for livestock, which can then serve as important corridors for native wildlife to move through the landscape. 

Grant applications closed in April 2025.

Making the most of manure

Supporting up to 15 dairy farmers in the Macalister Irrigation District to make the most of dairy effluent.  

This funding stream aims to help farmers increase the area of effluent distribution on their farms by providing customised advice and practical support to upgrade infrastructure and improve effluent management practices.  

By maximising the use of effluent across the farm, farmers can reduce the use of synthetic fertiliser, saving money and emissions. 

Grant applications closed in June 2025. 

Project partners

• GippsDairy
• Landholders

Delivered over four years (2024-2028), the $1.68m Climate Smart Farmers project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. 

Latest news

Corner Inlet flagship waterway

Flagship river into world renowned wetlands

About the project

This project was developed through a collaborative approach involving project partners and stakeholder and was built on earlier successful work to protect Corner Inlet and has improved the water quality in the Corner Inlet Ramsar site by improving riparian condition and connectivity along priority rivers flowing into the Inlet.

Corner Inlet supports large seagrass meadows, located in shallow water and intertidal (mud flats). Seagrass is a driver on marine ecology, has an important role in carbon sequestration, provides habitat and food for invertebrates and birds and is critical to support commercial and recreational fishing.

The seagrass beds of Posidonia australis are a particularly important asset as they are the only large beds of this species in Victoria.

Seagrass extent and condition are affected by a complex set of factors, which includes sediment and nutrient contributions from catchment inflows.

This project has improved conditions for seagrass to flourish by reducing nutrient and sediment inflow into Corner Inlet, by creating vegetated riparian buffers along the main waterways that flow into Corner Inlet.

The Corner Inlet flagship project is supported by the Victorian Government.

Project partners

• Parks Victoria
• GLaWAC
• Agriculture Victoria

Latest news

Water for the environment

Water for the environment 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 and keeps our rivers flowing and healthy.