North East Regional River Health Strategy

Summary Document

April 2006 North East Catchment Management Authority

ISBN: 0-957752-05-9

Publication details: April 2006

Published by: North East Catchment Management Authority, © North East Catchment Management Authority, 2006.

Please cite this document as: North East CMA (2006) North East Regional River Health Strategy 2006 - Summary. North East Catchment Management Authority, Wodonga.

Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the North East Catchment Management Authority does not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and, therefore, disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on information in this publication.

For further information, please contact: Veronica Lanigan Manager – Water Programs North East Catchment Management Authority, P.O. Box 616, Wodonga 3690 Ph (02) 6043 7600 or visit: www.necma.vic.gov.au

It should be noted that specific reference to funding levels in this strategy are for indicative purposes only. The level of Government investment in this strategy will depend upon budgets and Government priorities.

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Contents

ABBREVIATIONS ...... 2 THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH VISION ...... 3 NORTH EAST MANAGEMENT APPROACH FRAMEWORK ...... 3 THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS ...... 4 VALUES AND THREATS IN THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS ...... 5 PRIORITY WATERWAYS IN THE NORTH EAST ...... 7 Summary of Priority North East Waterways ...... 10 MANAGING RIVER HEALTH IN THE NORTH EAST ...... 11 Management Units ...... 11 Risk Assessment ...... 11 Management Actions ...... 11 RIVER HEALTH ACTIONS BY MANAGEMENT UNIT ...... 12 Ovens River Management Unit 1 (Priority Reaches 1 and 2) ...... 12 River Murray Tributaries Management Unit 2 (no priority reaches) ...... 13 Lower Ovens Tributaries Management Unit 3 (no priority reaches) ...... 14 Lower King River Management Unit 4 (no priority reaches) ...... 15 Lower King River Tributaries Management Unit 5 (no priority reaches) ...... 16 Upper King River and Tributaries Management Unit 6 (Priority Reach 24) ...... 17 Middle Ovens River Management Unit 7 (Priority Reaches 3 and 4) ...... 18 Middle Ovens River Tributaries Management Unit 8 (no priority reaches) ...... 19 Buffalo River and Tributaries Management Unit 9 (Priority Reaches 35 and 38) ...... 20 Upper Ovens River Management Unit 10 (Priority Reaches 5, 6 and 7) ...... 21 Upper Ovens River Tributaries Management Unit 11 (no priority reaches) ...... 22 Lower Kiewa River Tributaries Management Unit 12 (no priority reaches) ...... 23 Wodonga Waterways Management Unit 13 (no priority reaches) ...... 24 Lower Kiewa River Management Unit 14 (Priority Reach 1) ...... 25 Upper Kiewa River and Tributaries Management Unit 15 (Priority Reaches 5 and 19) ...... 26 Lake Hume Tributaries Management Unit 16 (Priority Reach 13) ...... 27 Tallangatta Valley Management Unit 17 (no priority reaches) ...... 28 Lower Mitta Mitta River Management Unit 18 (Priority Reach 3) ...... 29 Lower Mitta Mitta River Tributaries Management Unit 19 (Priority Reaches 5 and 6) ...... 30 Benambra Management Unit 20 (Priority Reach 39) ...... 31 Upper Mitta Mitta River and Tributaries Management Unit 21 (Priority Reaches 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 38) ...... 32 Cobungra, Bundara and Livingstone Management Unit 22 (Priority Reaches 34 and 36) ...... 33 Walwa, Sandy and Cudgewa Creeks Management Unit 23 (no priority reaches) ...... 34 Upper River Murray Tributaries Management Unit 24 (Priority Reach 44) ...... 35 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM (PROGRAM D) ...... 36 Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Understanding ...... 37 Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Ability ...... 38 Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Awareness ...... 39 Community Engagement Priority Actions - Institutional Arrangements ...... 40 COSTING AND PAYING FOR THE REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY ...... 41 TARGETS OF THE REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY ...... 43 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING ...... 44 STRATEGY REVIEW ...... 44

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 1 North East Catchment Management Authority

Abbreviations

AAV Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ATSIC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission AW Albury Wodonga CLM Crown Land Management CMA Catchment Management Authorities DPI Department of Primary Industry DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment EPA Environment Protection Authority EVCs Ecological Vegetation Classes G-MW Goulburn Murray Water ILMF Indigenous Land Manager Facilitator ISC Index of Stream Condition MDB Murray-Darling Basin NECMA North East Catchment Management Authority NERWA North East Region Water Authority NRE Natural Resources and Environment (now DSE and DPI) NRM Natural Resource Management PPA Pest Plants and Animals RMW River Murray Water RSC Regional Catchment Strategy SEPP State Environment Protection Policy VRHS Victorian River Health Strategy

Page 2 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH VISION

The rivers and streams of the North East catchments define our region and bring it life. Not only are they vital to local human and ecological communities, they are vital to many downstream communities. Our vision for the North East catchments is that rivers are managed to support ecological health whilst meeting our social and economic needs. This requires a balance between competing uses.

“Our rivers are managed to support ecological health whilst meeting our social and economic needs.”

The vision indicates that the management of rivers will not be based solely upon environmental considerations. It is important that the needs of the community are significant in both the decision-making process and river health outcomes. The North East Regional River Health Strategy has been prepared to provide broad level strategic direction for the future management of waterways in the North East Catchment Management Authority area. The Strategy will be used to guide Government investment and, locally, the strategy will direct the development of an annual works program. It provides the necessary link between the objectives of the State and the objectives of our community, and is an integral part of the Victorian legislative framework to protect the State’s waterways. In June 2004, the Victorian Government released 'Our Water Our Future' that sets out an action plan to secure Victoria's water future over the next 50 years through sustainable water management. This document strengthened the role of catchment management authorities as 'caretakers of river health' and the managers of the Environmental Water Reserve. Government has also recently release the "Our Environment Our Future: Victoria's Environment Sustainability framework". The framework strengthens Victoria's commitment to maintaining and restoring our natural assets for a prosperous and livable Victoria.

This Regional River Health Strategy, as part of the implementation of the Regional Catchment Strategy, considers all aspects of river health and includes newly developed integrated river health objectives. Other North East strategies, such as those for water quality and native vegetation are supported by and support this strategy. Existing action plans are already implementing the strategy and sites where action plans are still needed have been recognized.

NORTH EAST MANAGEMENT APPROACH FRAMEWORK

The management approach to achieving the vision of the balanced management of rivers and streams within the region is based on five key elements, delivered in four River Health Programs:

Program A Protecting regional rivers and streams that are of highest community value from any decline in condition. Program B Maintaining the condition of ecologically healthy rivers. Program C Achieving an overall improvement in the environmental condition of the remainder of the region’s rivers and streams. Program D Preventing damage from future detrimental activities. Program E Any improvement in the condition of the North East rivers can only occur if regional communities are fully engaged and committed.

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THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS

The North East region of Victoria is an area rich in natural assets from snow-topped mountains to river valleys and open plains. The region covers approximately 1.9 million hectares of North East Victoria, including three major basins: the Upper Murray, Kiewa and Ovens. The North East is bounded by the Murray River in the north, the Victorian Alps in the south, the NSW border in the east and Warby Ranges in the west. It includes the municipalities of Wodonga, Indigo, Wangaratta, Alpine, Towong and parts of Moira and East Gippsland.

While this Strategy only covers the North East region of Victoria, it is important to recognise the North East region is part of the wider Murray Darling Basin. The River Murray between Hume and Yarrawonga lies on the border of the CMA and is influenced by activities within the North East Catchment. Any improvements to stream health in the North East will be closely linked to the health of other sections of the River Murray. An extensive network of rivers and streams (some 10,600 km of designated waterways) exists in the North East. The major river catchments in the region include the Ovens, King, Kiewa, Mitta Mitta and Upper Murray.

The waters of the North East (lakes, wetlands, groundwater, rivers and streams), and the associated riparian zones provide habitat for a vast diversity of flora and fauna. The North East region also plays a vital role in providing water resources for South Eastern Australia. Despite the region’s size (only 2 per cent of the geographic area of the Murray Darling Basin) the three primary river basins – Upper Murray, Kiewa and Ovens – contribute 38 per cent of total water to the Murray Darling Basin system.

The region’s rivers and streams also provide some of the best recreational fishing opportunities available in the State.

According to the Index of Stream Condition1, less than 1% of the length of North East rivers and streams are in excellent environmental condition. While nearly 34% of the region’s rivers and streams are in Good condition, the majority (60%) ) are in Moderate, Poor and Very Poor environmental condition. % ( h t

g North East Catchment

n 50 e l 45 f 40 o 35 e

g 30 a

t 25 n 20 e

c 15 r

e 10

P 5 0 Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient data

1The Index of Stream Condition (ISC) integrates information on the major environmental components of our river systems to provide an assessment of the condition of our waterways.

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VALUES AND THREATS IN THE NORTH EAST CATCHMENTS

As part of the development of the River Health Strategy, various environmental, social and economic values in the North East Catchments, and threats to those values, were identified.

Environmental values are divided into three types of measures, representing rarity, naturalness and representativeness.

Social values are those that have some value to the community. While some may have economic value or benefit to the region (e.g. fishing), the asset is generally assessed in terms of frequency of use. Other social assets may have no or little economic value but represent important heritage values.

Economic values are those that measure the financial return or value of assets to the community.

Threats include conditions or activities that have the potential to have an impact on environmental, social or economic values in the catchment. The threats included are those that can be addressed by river management activities.

Environmental Values Rarity Naturalness Representativeness Significant Fauna Width of riparian vegetation Representative River Significant Flora Longitudinal riparian continuity Significant EVC Riparian structural intactness Significant Wetlands Invertebrate community Rare Wetlands Fish populations Observed/Expected Sites of Significance Fish proportion Native Exotic Heritage Rivers Ecologically Healthy River Fish Migration

Social value Economic value Recreational fishing Irrigation Water delivery Non Motor Boat sports Proclaimed Catchment Motor Boat sports Infrastructure Camping Land value Swimming Tourism Passive Recreation Power generation European or Indigenous Heritage Listed landscape

Threats Physical Threats Flow Threats Water Quality Threats Biological Threats Bank erosion Flow deviation Water quality (trend) Introduced flora Bank instability Wetland connectivity Water quality (level) Introduced fauna Channel modification Water quality (SIGNAL) Barriers to fish Loss of in-stream habitat Temperature Degraded riparian veg. Cultivation Algal blooms Stock access

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For each of the values and threats, a score or index value between 0-5 was assigned, with the higher score (5) generally representing an increasing value or threat.

Within each of the three Basins, the Ovens, Kiewa and Upper Murray, 24 Management Units were identified. These units assist in breaking the basins into smaller units of management. Within each Management Unit there are a number of stream “reaches”.

North East Catchment Management Authority – Waterways Management Units

Page 6 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

PRIORITY WATERWAYS IN THE NORTH EAST

In order to protect regional rivers and streams that are of highest community value from any decline in condition, priority waterways for management under the Regional River Health Strategy were identified as: • Heritage Rivers; • Ecologically healthy rivers; • Representative Rivers; • Sites of Significance; • Rivers of high social value; • Rivers of high economic values; and • Rivers of high environmental values. Heritage Rivers

Heritage River corridors were identified by the Land Conservation Council in 1991 and are protected under the Heritage River Act 1992. This provides protection for those features granting the river such status. There are two Heritage Rivers in the North East CMA area. • The Lower Ovens River from Killawarra to Lake Mulwala (Ovens Basin). • The Upper Mitta Mitta River from Glen Valley to the tail waters of Dartmouth Dam (Upper Murray Basin).

Ecologically Healthy Rivers

Ecologically Healthy Rivers are considered to be streams that retain the major ecological features and functioning of a river prior to European settlement and which would be able to sustain these characteristics into the future.

Eight reaches were identified as Ecologically Healthy Rivers in the North East catchments: • Middle Creek Reach 38 (Management Unit 21, Upper Murray Basin); • Snowy Creek Reach 5 (Management Unit 19, Upper Murray Basin); • Lightning Creek Reach 6 (Management Unit 19, Upper Murray Basin); • Victoria River Reach 36 (Management Unit 22, Upper Murray Basin); • Gibbo River Reach 39 (Management Unit 20, Upper Murray Basin); • West Kiewa River Reach 19 (Management Unit 15, Kiewa Basin); • Upper Mitta Mitta River Reach 27 (Management Unit 21, Upper Murray Basin); • Upper Mitta Mitta River Reach 29 (Management Unit 21, Upper Murray Basin).

A number of reaches were identified as close to Ecologically Healthy River condition and will be managed to improve their condition to Ecologically Healthy River status: • Limestone Creek Reach 44 (Management Unit 24, Upper Murray Basin) • Cobungra River Reach 34 (Management Unit 22, Upper Murray Basin) • Rose River Reach 38 (Management Unit 9, Ovens Basin) • Buffalo River Reach 35 (Management Unit 9, Ovens Basin) • East Kiewa River Reach 5 (Management Unit 15, Kiewa Basin)

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Representative Rivers Representative Rivers are ecologically healthy rivers in a condition that can be used to represent the major river classes that once occurred naturally across Victoria. Maintaining the network of Representative Rivers will ensure that natural diversity of the river systems in Victoria is maintained.

The North East CMA region covers six River Regions – the Alps, the North Central Uplands, Midlands and Floodplains; and the North East Uplands and Floodplains. Representative reaches were selected for each of the River Regions in the North East:

River Region Regional Representative River Alps Middle Creek Reach 38 (Management Unit 21, Upper Murray Basin) North Central Uplands Ovens River Reaches 5-7 (Management Unit 10, Ovens Basin) North Central Midlands Ovens River Reaches 3-4 (Management Unit 7, Ovens Basin) North Central Floodplains Ovens River Reaches 1 and 2 (Management Unit 1, Ovens Basin) North East Uplands Snowy/Lightning Creek Reaches 5 and 6 (Management Unit 19, Upper Murray Basin) North East Floodplains Koetong Creek Reach 13 (Management Unit 16, Upper Murray Basin)

The Ovens River was selected as a State-wide Representative River for the North Central Uplands, Midlands and Floodplains River Regions. Although not the healthiest examples of reaches in these regions, they are selected as Representative Rivers due to their environmental significance, and management will be directed at improving the health of the Ovens River to representative status.

The Victorian River Health Strategy2 makes special mention of the Ovens River as being representative of a large river in Victoria in good condition and relatively intact throughout the entire system. Because of this, it provides a vital input to the larger Murray Darling Basin (MDB) system. Deterioration of this system is likely to have detrimental impacts on the larger MDB. Whilst the Heritage Act does not recognise the whole river system, management arrangements are being put in place between Government and the North East CMA to recognise the very high value of the entire system.

Sites of Significance

The Ovens River (the entire river) has been specifically identified in the Victorian River Health Strategy (VRHS) as an iconic river for Victoria – one of two “jewels in the Victorian crown”. The Ovens River is recognised as a river system of very high value and will be managed to protect this value whilst recognising its importance to the regional community.

High Social Value Rivers The following streams are to be protected for their high overall Social Value as identified in the RIVERS database:

• Lower Ovens River Reach 2 (Ovens Basin) – contains high social values for recreational fishing, motor boating, camping, swimming, passive recreation, landscape value and European heritage. • Upper Ovens River Reaches 5 and 6 (Ovens Basin) – contains high social value for recreational fishing, non-motor boating (canoeing), camping, swimming, passive recreation, landscape value and European heritage. • Lower Kiewa River Reach 1 (Kiewa Basin) – contains high social value for recreational fishing, motor boating, non- motor boating, swimming, passive recreation, landscape value and European heritage.

2NRE 2002, Healthy Rivers Healthy Communities and Regional Growth. Victorian River Health Strategy, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Page 8 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

High Economic Value Rivers

The following streams are to be protected for their high overall Economic Value as identified in the RIVERS database:

• Upper King River Reach 24 (Ovens Basin) – highly rated economic values for water collection and delivery, infrastructure, land value, tourism and power generation. • West Kiewa River Reach 19 (Kiewa Basin)– highly rated economic values for water collection and delivery, infrastructure, land value, tourism and power generation. • East Kiewa River Reach 5 (Kiewa Basin)– highly rated economic values for water collection and delivery, infrastructure, land value, tourism and power generation. • Lower Mitta Mitta River Reach 3 (Upper Murray Basin)– highly rated economic values for water collection and delivery, infrastructure, land value, tourism and power generation.

High Environmental Value Rivers

No river reach in the North East achieved a high enough overall environmental score to qualify as a high priority reach on the basis of overall environmental value using the RiVERS risk based assessment

Murray River

In addition, the River Murray is recognised as a High Priority area for the Regional River Health Strategy. The Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) and river management agencies from NSW and Victoria are currently working towards a plan for the protection and improvement of the River Murray. While no specific actions are developed here for the River Murray, actions in this Strategy will support existing plans for the River Murray. Any improvements to stream health in the North East will be closely linked to the health of other sections of the River Murray.

Actions within the strategy focus on the end of valley impacts including the reduction of total phosphorous to the Murray River.

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Summary of Priority North East Waterways

Twenty-seven priority reaches (over 19 rivers) were identified in the North East catchments, based on High Community Value and the designation of Ecologically Healthy Rivers.

Priority Waterways in the North East Catchments

River Reach High value asset Upper Murray Basin Lower Mitta Mitta River 3 High Economic Value Snowy Creek 5-6 Representative River Ecologically Healthy River Koetong Creek 13 Representative River Mitta Mitta River 25, 26, 28 Heritage River Mitta Mitta (Big River) 27, 29 Ecologically Healthy River Heritage River Cobungra River 34 Near Ecologically Healthy River Victoria River 36 Ecologically Healthy River Middle Creek 38 Representative River Ecologically Healthy River Gibbo River 39 Ecologically Healthy River Limestone Creek 44 Near Ecologically Healthy River Kiewa Basin Lower Kiewa 1 High Social Value East Kiewa River 5 High Economic Value Near Ecologically Healthy River West Kiewa River 19 High Economic Value Ecologically Healthy River Ovens Basin Lower Ovens River 1-2 Heritage River Representative River Site of Significance: Icon River (VRHS) High Social Value (Reach 2) Middle Ovens River 3, 4 Representative River Site of Significance: Icon River (VRHS) Upper Ovens River 5-7 Representative River Site of Significance: Icon River (VRHS) High Social Value (Reaches 5, 6) Upper King River 24 High Economic Value Buffalo River 35 Near Ecologically Healthy River Rose River 38 Near Ecologically Healthy River

Page 10 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

MANAGING RIVER HEALTH IN THE NORTH EAST

Management Units

The Upper Murray, Kiewa and Ovens Basins have been divided into 24 Management Units based on Index of Stream Condition (ISC) river reaches. ISC river reaches that displayed similar geomorphic features, had a similar impact on downstream reaches and were in close proximity to each other were grouped into the one Management Unit. The Management Unit forms the basic unit for River Health Planning in the North East.

Risk Assessment

To develop actions to achieve the vision for North East rivers, a risk-based assessment was conducted. The risk-based assessment examines the potential of the threats in river reaches to affect the various environmental, social and economic values of the reach3.

The risk-based assessment was conducted specifically on the priority reaches, and also at the Management Unit scale. The output of the risk assessment is a rating (High, Medium or Low) for each threat.

Management Actions

Based on the risk assessment, actions to reduce the level of threats identified as High and Medium were developed. In addition new investigations and strategies required to achieve the desired outcomes for each Management Unit have been listed.

3See the full North East Regional River Health Strategy for a detailed description of the risk-based assessment procedure.

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RIVER HEALTH ACTIONS BY MANAGEMENT UNIT

Ovens River Management Unit 1 (Priority Reaches 1 and 2)

ISC rating 0% (% length)

100% Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program A) Priority Partners Cost Eradicate the seeding willow that inhabit the riparian zone in the Lower Ovens High North East $1,500,000 River and contributing catchments CMA Landholders Maintain near natural flow regimes in the lower Ovens River by implementing High North East To be costed an agreed environmental water reserve through the Bulk Entitlement Process CMA, G-MW Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing and implementing High North East $500,000pa best management practices by agricultural industries, particularly for its impact CMA on grasses and understorey in the Heritage River precinct Parks Victoria DSE Landholders Improve water quality by stabilising gully erosion and implementing best High NERWA $2,000,000 management practices by agricultural industries and reducing the likelihood of North East algal blooms in the Lower Ovens River, Lake Mulwala and Wangaratta CMA G-MW, EPA Landholders Manage downward water quality trends, due in part to the 2003 bushfires High NERWA $2,000,000 (throughout the CMA district) North East CMA G-MW, EPA Implement an environmental weed reduction program, particularly for their High North East $80,000pa impact on the Grassy Woodland complex adjacent to the Lower Ovens River CMA DPI, DSE Landholder Parks Victoria Local Gov Reduce the abundance of rabbits and foxes in riparian zones in the Management Medium DPI, DSE $100,000pa Unit Landholders Parks Victoria Investigate methods to reduce the abundance of carp for its impact on native fish Medium DPI $100,000pa

Page 12 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

River Murray Tributaries Management Unit 2 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating 15% (% length)

41%

44%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Investigate opportunities to manage stock access on Aboriginal Cultural sites on Medium DSE $10,000pa Black Dog Creek, Diddah Diddah Creek and Daddah Daddah Creek. Landholders North East CMA Improve the value of existing vegetation by undertaking woody weed Medium North East $500,000 management programs in the riparian zone (Reaches 12, 15, 46 and 48) CMA Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, particularly for its Medium North East $2,000,000 impact on grasses and understorey (all reaches) CMA Landholders

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Lower Ovens Tributaries Management Unit 3 (no priority reaches)

9% 0% ISC rating 0% (% length) 30%

61%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $2,000,000 impacting on Rare or Depleted EVC’s (Reaches 8, 9, 10 and 20) and on rare CMA and threatened birds and reptiles (Reaches 8, 11 and 20) DPI, DSE Landholders Remove 2 barriers (Middle Creek and One Mile Creek) to native fish, Medium North East $200,000 particularly Murray Cod CMA G-MW DPI, DSE Investigate instabilities and the possible avulsion of Lower Fifteen Mile Creek Medium North East $80,000 through a geomorphic investigation CMA Investigate options for the management of sediment over- supply in Reedy Medium North East $80,000 Creek, with the potential to in-fill pools in the Lower Ovens River, through a CMA See MU1 geomorphic investigation Improve catchment-wide water quality by implementing the recommendations Medium North East To be costed for managing cultivation and stock in the Ovens Water Quality Strategy, CMA reducing the likelihood of algal blooms in the Lower Ovens River, in waterways NERWA in this Management Unit, Lake Mulwala and Wangaratta G-MW, EPA Landholders Manage stock access to the river through fencing, where it is seen to be having Medium North East $600,000 an impact on rare and threatened birds and reptiles (Reaches 8, 11 and 17) or CMA grasses and understorey (all reaches) Landholders DSE Eradicate the seeding willow from the riparian zone in Reedy Creek and other Medium North East See MU1 contributing catchments to Lower Ovens River CMA Landholders

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Lower King River Management Unit 4 (no priority reaches)

ISC rating 0% (% length)

100% Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $500,000 impacting on endangered EVCs (both reaches) and significant fauna (Reach 21) CMA Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $200,000 on endangered EVCs (both reaches), significant fauna (Reach 21), grasses and CMA understorey (both reaches) Landholders Manage rabbits in the riparian zone for their impact on endangered EVCs Medium DPI $20,000pa (both reaches) Landholders Enable better fish migration into the King River from the Lower Ovens River Medium NERWA by improving fish passage through Wangaratta Weir North East CMA DPI, DSE $200,000 Manage the sediment sources with the potential to in-fill pools in the Lower Medium North East $1,000,000 Ovens River by managing King River instabilities (both reaches) CMA Landholders Eradicate the seeding willow from the riparian zone in the Lower King River Medium North East See MU1 CMA Landholders

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Lower King River Tributaries Management Unit 5 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating (% length)

38%

62%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $100,000 impacting on endangered EVCs in this Management Unit (Reaches 26 and 27) CMA Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $200,000 on endangered EVCs in this Management Unit (Reaches 26, 27 and 28) CMA, DSE Landholders Undertake catchment-based management initiatives to reduce total phosphorus Medium North East To be costed to ensure SEPP objectives are met in this Management Unit (all reaches) CMA NERWA G-MW Protect Mountain Galaxias from stream-bank degradation in this Management Medium North East $100,000 Unit (Reach 28) CMA Eradicate the seeding willow in the riparian zone from this Management Unit Medium North East MU1 CMA Landholders Investigate the impact of flow changes to wetland flows on the wetlands of this Medium North East $20,000 Management Unit CMA DSE

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Upper King River and Tributaries Management Unit 6 (Priority Reach 24)

0% ISC rating 15% (% length)

46%

39%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage nutrient and sediment inputs to waterways to improve water quality High North East To be costed trends by managing cultivation, stock access and other instabilities (Reach 24) CMA NERWA G-MW, EPA Landholders Eradicate seeding willows in the riparian zone in the Upper King River where it High North East See MU1 may affect land uses (Reach 24) CMA Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, particularly for its Medium North East $50,000 impact on tourist sites (Reach 24) CMA Landholders Manage willow infestation in the riparian zone and channel aggradation on the Medium North East $200,000 upper King River thereby reducing the potential for breakaways to develop CMA (Reach 23) Landholders Control exotic flora in the riparian zone to improve waterways and wetlands Medium North East $200,000 (Reaches 23 and 29) CMA Landholders Managing cultivation and exotic flora in the riparian zone to protect endangered Medium North East $50,000pa EVCs (Reaches 23, 25 and 29), protect native fish (all reaches) and grasses and CMA, CLM understorey (all reaches) in this Management Unit Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, particularly for its Medium North East $50,000 impact on grasses and understorey (Reaches 23, 25 and 29) CMA Landholders Encourage the re-establishment of Large Woody Debris in the upper King River Medium North East Not costed by re-establishing tree overstorey (Reaches 24 and 25) CMA

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Middle Ovens River Management Unit 7 (Priority Reaches 3 and 4)

0% ISC rating (% length)

50% 50%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program A) Priority Partners Cost Restore a near natural flow regimes in the Ovens River implementing the High North East To be costed recommendations of the Ovens Stream Flow Management Plan CMA G-MW Enable better fish migration into the Middle Ovens River by improving fish High North East $200,000 passage through Wangaratta Weir and Tea Garden Weir. CMA DPI, DSE $600,000 Reduce the impacts of cultivation and sediment inputs to this Management Unit High North East $2,000,000 that might be impacting on geomorphic values, endangered EVCs and the CMA riparian zone, width of native vegetation, and grasses and understorey Landholders (Reaches 3 and 4) CLM Encourage the re-establishment of Large Woody Debris to assist aquatic species High North East $1,500,000 dealing with altered flows (Reaches 3 and 4) CMA, DSE Eradicate seeding willow in the riparian zone in the Ovens River High North East See MU1 (Reaches 3 and 4) CMA Manage vegetative willows in the riparian zone to increase the occurrence of High North East $2,000,000 remnant native species, significant flora and structural intactness CMA (Reaches 3 and 4) Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are High North East $300,000 impacting on endangered EVCs CMA Manage instabilities in the Markwood-Deep Creek and Whorouly reaches of High North East $3,000,000 the Ovens River thereby reducing the potential for avulsions and breakaways CMA to occur Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in this reach, by implementing the recommendations of the Ovens Water CMA Quality Strategy NERWA G-MW, EPA Manage the water quality trend due to the 2003 bushfires Medium North East To be costed CMA NERWA G-MW, EPA Manage rabbits in the riparian zone for their impact on endangered EVCs Medium DPI $10,000pa (Reaches 3 and 4) Landholders

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Middle Ovens River Tributaries Management Unit 8 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating (% length) 24%

47%

29%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Eradicate seeding willows in the riparian zone from the Ovens Valley Medium North East See MU1 CMA Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $300,000 impacting on endangered EVC’s (Reaches 39, 40, 41, 42) and structural CMA intactness Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, and cultivation, Medium North East $800,000 where they are impacting on endangered EVCs, grasses and understorey in this CMA, CLM Management Unit (Reaches 30, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42) and width of native Landholders vegetation (Reach 41) Implement actions to remove barriers to fish migration, particularly from the Medium North East $150,000 Ovens River CMA DSE Manage instabilities in the Myrtleford Breakaway area (cultivation, willow, High North East $60,000pa sediment accumulation and erosion) reducing the potential for avulsions and CMA breakaways to occur Encourage the re-establishment of Large Woody Debris and shading of Medium North East $300,000 waterways (Reach 41) CMA Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in this Management Unit, by implementing the recommendations of the Ovens CMA Water Quality Strategy NERWA G-MW, EPA

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 19 North East Catchment Management Authority

Buffalo River and Tributaries Management Unit 9 (Priority Reaches 35 and 38)

0% ISC rating (% length)

42%

58%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs B and C) Priority Partners Cost Enable fish migration along the Buffalo River by providing fish passage High G-MW Not costed through Lake Buffalo DSE in this program Eradicate seeding willows in the riparian zone from the Buffalo River catchment High North East See MU1 (all reaches) CMA Landholders Investigate opportunities to improve wetland connectivity on the Buffalo River High North East $30,000 (Reaches 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38) CMA, DSE $15,000 Manage the water quality trend due in part to the 2003 bushfires High North East To be costed CMA NERWA G-MW, EPA Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in Lake Buffalo and the Buffalo River, by implementing the recommendations CMA of the Ovens Water Quality Strategy NERWA G-MW, EPA Improve isolated bed instabilities by managing sources of sediment supply Medium North East $100,000 (Reaches 35 and 38) CMA Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, and cultivation, Medium North East$10,000pa where they are impacting on Valley Grassy Forest on Buffalo River (Reach 37) CMA $800,000 and grasses and understorey (Reaches 34, 36 and 37) CLM Landholders Improve isolated bed instabilities by managing sources of sediment supply Medium North East $100,000 (Reaches 34 and 37) CMA Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $100,000 impacting on Valley Grassy Forest in the Buffalo River (Reach 37) and CMA structural intactness (Reaches 33 and 34) DPI Landholders

Page 20 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Upper Ovens River Management Unit 10 (Priority Reaches 5, 6 and 7)

0% ISC rating (% length) 24%

36%

0%

40% Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A) Priority Partners Cost Enable fish migration along the Ovens River by providing fish passage through High North East $100,000 Porepunkah Weir CMA DSE NERWA Reduce the impacts of cultivation and sediment inputs to this Management Unit High North East $2,000,000 that might impact on geomorphic values, grasses and understorey and CMA swimming locations CLM Landholders Manage seeding and vegetative willows in the riparian zone thereby reducing High North East $1,000,000 their overall impact through this Management Unit on remnant native species, CMA (vegetative) fishing, endangered EVCs, swimming locations and camping (mainly Reaches Landholders See MU1 5 and 6) $10,000pa Encourage the re-establishment of Large Woody Debris by revegetating after High North East $500,000 willow control CMA DSE Manage lateral instabilities on the Ovens River thereby reducing the potential High North East $1,000,000 for avulsions and breakaways to occur particularly downstream of Porepunkah CMA and in the vicinity of Germantown (Reach 7) Manage the water quality trend due in part to the 2003 bushfires High North East To be costed CMA NERWA G-MW EPA Manage channel form in the Bright-Porepunkah environs, recognising its value High North East $60,000pa to the urban landscape CMA Local Govt.

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 21 North East Catchment Management Authority

Upper Ovens River Tributaries Management Unit 11 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating (% length)

50% 50%

0% Very Poor Poor 0% Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage lateral instabilities on the Buckland River and Morses Creek thereby Medium North East $1,000,000 reducing the potential for breakaways to occur CMA Eradicate seeding willows in the riparian zone from this Management Unit Medium North East See MU1 CMA Landholders Manage vegetative willows in the riparian zone, reducing their impact on Medium North East $600,000 endangered EVCs, significant flora, native fish and structural intactness CMA (Reaches 43 and 44) Landholders Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in the Ovens River, by implementing the recommendations of the Ovens Water CMA Quality Strategy NERWA G-MW Landholders Manage the water quality trend due mainly to the 2003 bushfires Medium North East To be costed CMA NERWA G-MW, EPA Manage the impacts of cultivation and grazing, particularly for its impact on Medium North East $200,000 grasses and understorey and to improve the occurrence of Mountain Galaxias CMA (Reaches 43 and 44) CLM DSE Landholders Investigate options to install Large Woody Debris in the Buckland River Medium North East $100,000 CMA DSE

Page 22 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Lower Kiewa River Tributaries Management Unit 12 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating 11% (% length)

48%

41%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $100,000 impacting on endangered EVCs, significant flora and structural intactness in CMA this Management Unit (Reaches 10-14) Landholders Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $400,000 on endangered EVCs, grasses and understorey, and width of native vegetation CMA in this Management Unit (All reaches) Landholders Manage lateral instabilities on Yackandandah Creek, reducing the potential for Medium North East $2,000,000 breakaways to occur CMA Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in Yackandandah Creek, by implementing recommendations of the Upper North CMA East Water Quality Strategy. NERWA G-MW, EPA Investigate options to install Large Woody Debris for native fish in Medium North East $200,000 Yackandandah Creek CMA DSE Eradicate seeding willows in the riparian zone throughout the Management Unit Medium North East $100,000 CMA

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 23 North East Catchment Management Authority

Wodonga Waterways Management Unit 13 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating (% length) 25%

0%

0%

75%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $110,000 impacting on endangered EVCs in this Management Unit CMA (Reaches 7, 8 and 9) Landholders

Page 24 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Lower Kiewa River Management Unit 14 (Priority Reach 1)

0% ISC rating (% length) 31%

0%

0% 69%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting High North East $150,000 on swimming locations and landscape views, grasses and understorey CMA (all reaches) and endangered EVCs (Reach 2) DSE, DPI Landholders Manage the water quality trend due in part to the 2003 bushfires High North East To be costed Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms CMA in the Kiewa River, by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North NERWA East Water Quality Strategy G-MW EPA Control exotic flora and willows in the riparian zone in the Kiewa River High North East $250,000 (Reaches 1 and 2) for native fish, structural intactness and fishing CMA, DPI Landholders Manage the riparian zone in the Kiewa River Parklands project area, High North East $500,000 recognising its impact upon the landscape CMA AW Parklands Manage instabilities in the Kiewa River thereby reducing the impact of an High North East $3,000,000 avulsion of the Kiewa River into Finn’s Creek (Reach 1) CMA Investigate options to install Large Woody Debris in the Kiewa River for High North East $500,000 improved fishing and refuge for native fish (Reaches 1 and 2) CMA DSE, DPI Implement recommendations of the Kiewa Stream Flow Management Plan Medium North East To be costed ensuring there is no further degradation in flow deviation on the Kiewa River CMA G-MW NERWA Southern Hydro, DPI

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 25 North East Catchment Management Authority

Upper Kiewa River and Tributaries Management Unit 15 (Priority Reaches 5 and 19)

0% ISC rating 0% 6% 8% (% length)

29%

57%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A, B and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are High Local Govt. $75,000 impacting on land value, endangered EVCs (Reach 19), North East $3,000pa significant flora (Reaches 5) and structural intactness (Reach 5) CMA Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium Local Govt. $75,000 impacting on significant flora (Reach 6) and structural intactness North East $3,000pa (Reaches 4, 15-18) CMA Landholders Implement recommendations of the Kiewa Stream Flow Management Plan to Medium North East To be costed ensure there is no further degradation in flow deviation CMA NERWA G-MW Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, and cultivation, Medium North East $20,000 where they are impacting on endangered EVCs on the Middle Kiewa River CMA (Reaches 3, 4, 15-17) Landholders

Page 26 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Lake Hume Tributaries Management Unit 16 (Priority Reach 13)

0% ISC rating (% length)

43%

57%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A and C) Priority Partners Cost Protect endangered EVCs and significant fauna of lower Koetong Creek Reach High North East $80,000 13 by managing stock access and exotic flora in the riparian zone CMA Landholders Manage rabbits in the riparian zone that are impacting on endangered EVCs in High DPI See PPA lower Koetong Creek Reach 13 Landholders programs Manage grazing (particularly for its impact on endangered EVCs, grasses and Medium North East $800,000 understorey, the occurrence of native fish and width of native vegetation) in this CMA Management Unit (Reaches 7, 12 and 14) Landholders Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms High North East To be costed in Lake Hume, by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North East CMA Water Quality Strategy in Koetong Creek NERWA G-MW, EPA Manage willows in the riparian zone where they are adversely impacting upon High North East $100,000 endangered EVCs and structural intactness (Reaches 7 and 14) CMA Landholders Implement actions to improve fish migration, particularly to Lake Hume, on Medium North East $100,000 streams in this Management Unit CMA, DPI

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 27 North East Catchment Management Authority

Tallangatta Valley Management Unit 17 (no priority reaches)

ISC rating 8% 0% (% length)

32%

60%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $120,000 on endangered EVCs, native fish, grasses and understorey in this Management CMA Unit (Reaches 8, 9, 10 and 11) Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $150,000 impacting on endangered EVCs and structural intactness in this Management CMA Unit (Reaches 9 and 10) Landholders Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in Lake Hume, by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North East CMA Water Quality Strategy NERWA G-MW, EPA

Page 28 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Lower Mitta Mitta River Management Unit 18 (Priority Reach 3)

0% ISC rating (% length)

39%

61%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A and C) Priority Partners Cost Investigate opportunities to increase water temperature passing down the river High North East Not costed CMA in this G-MW, RMW program Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms Medium North East To be costed in Lake Hume, by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North East CMA Water Quality Strategy G-MW RMW, EPA Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $250,000 on significant fauna, endangered EVCs, width of native vegetation and grasses CMA, DPI and understorey on the lower Mitta Mitta River (Reaches 1 and 2) G-MW, RMW Landholders Limit the access of stock to floodplain wetlands Medium North East $120,000 CMA Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $500,000 impacting on endangered EVC’s, significant flora, structural intactness and CMA $10,000pa native fish on the Lower Mitta Mitta River (Reaches 1 and 2) Landholders Manage rabbits in the riparian zone impacting on endangered EVC’s on the Medium DPI See PPA Lower Mitta Mitta River (Reaches 1 and 2) Landholders programs Manage rates of erosion thereby minimising ongoing impacts on the continuity Medium North East $50,000pa of native vegetation (Reaches 1 and 2) CMA G-MW, RMW Investigate opportunities to provide fish passage through Dartmouth Dam Medium North East To be costed CMA G-MW, RMW DSE, DPI Investigate opportunities to manage flow regulation to better suit the migration Medium North East $200,000 patterns of native migratory fish and the seasonal requirements of native fish CMA and invertebrates G-MW RMW, DSE Investigate opportunities to improve in-stream habitat for migratory fish and Medium North East $150,000 invertebrates CMA, DSE

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 29 North East Catchment Management Authority

Lower Mitta Mitta River Tributaries Management Unit 19 (Priority Reaches 5 and 6)

0% ISC rating 17% (% length)

0%

53%

30%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A, B and C) Priority Partners Cost Enable better fish migration into the Snowy Creek from the Lower Mitta Mitta High North East $150,000 River by improving fish passage through barriers CMA DSE Eradicate willows in the riparian zone of Snowy Creek to assist in restoring Medium North East $200,000 vegetation to pre-European values CMA Landholders Manage rabbits impacting on endangered EVCs in Snowy Creek (Reach 5) Medium DPI, See PPA Landholders program Encourage the establishment of Large Woody Debris in Snowy Creek Medium North East $100,000 CMA Conduct an Ecological Risk Assessment on Water Quality attainment in Snowy Medium North East To be costed Creek CMA Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing in Little Snowy Creek Medium North East $200,000 (Reach 4) CMA Landholders

Page 30 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Benambra Management Unit 20 (Priority Reach 39)

ISC rating (% length) 29%

40%

0% 20% 11% 0% Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs B and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage rabbits in the riparian zone impacting on riparian vegetation in the High DPI, DSE See PPA Gibbo River (Reach 39) then throughout the management unit Landholders program Conduct an Ecological Risk Assessment on turbidity and conductivity, water Medium North East To be costed quality in the management unit CMA Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $70,000 on native fish in Morass Creek (Reaches 40 and 41) CMA Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $30,000 impacting on endangered EVCs on Morass Creek (Reaches 40 and 41) CMA Landholders G-MW

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 31 North East Catchment Management Authority

Upper Mitta Mitta River and Tributaries Management Unit 21 (Priority Reaches 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 38)

ISC rating 0% (% length) 16%

42%

42%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs A, B and C) Priority Partners Cost Investigate opportunities to provide fish passage through Dartmouth Dam High G-MW See MU18 on the Mitta Mitta River DSE, RMW Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone, including English High North East $150,000pa Broom, where they are impacting on endangered EVCs and river values CMA, DSE (all reaches) Parks Victoria Manage stock access to the river channel, through fencing, where it is impacting High North East $60,000 on endangered EVC’s in this Management Unit (Reaches 25 and 26) CMA, DSE Parks Victoria Improve the natural in-stream habitat of the Mitta Mitta River, severely High North East$200,000 degraded by the 2003 bushfires CMA Parks Victoria DSE Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms, Medium North East To be costed by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North East Water Quality CMA Strategy G-MW, EPA

Page 32 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Cobungra, Bundara and Livingstone Management Unit 22 (Priority Reaches 34 and 36)

6% ISC rating (% length)

35% 28%

0% 12% 19% Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs B and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting High North East $100,000 on Ecologically Healthy Rivers in this Management Unit (Reach 34) CMA Landholders Manage Willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are High North East $500,000 impacting on Ecologically Healthy Rivers in this Management Unit (Reach 36) CMA Conduct an Ecological Risk Assessment on increased nutrient concentrations High North East To be costed in the Victoria River (Reaches 35 and 36) CMA Manage stock access to the river channel, through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $500,000 on riparian vegetation values in this Management Unit (Reaches 30-33, 35, 37) CMA Landholders Manage willows and English Broom in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $100,000pa adversely impacting upon significant flora (Reach 35) CMA, DSE DPI Parks Victoria Manage rabbits in the riparian zone impacting on endangered EVCs in this Medium DPI See PPA Management Unit (Reach 35) Landholders program Improve the natural in-stream habitat in this Management Unit severely Medium North East $500,000 degraded by the 2003 bushfires CMA

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 33 North East Catchment Management Authority

Walwa, Sandy and Cudgewa Creeks Management Unit 23 (no priority reaches)

0% ISC rating (% length) 30%

0%

0% 70%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Program C) Priority Partners Cost Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $90,000 on endangered EVCs, and grasses and understorey in this Management Unit CMA (Reaches 15, 16 and 17) Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora where they are Medium North East $130,000 impacting on endangered EVCs and riparian values in this Management Unit CMA (Reaches 15, 16 and 17) Landholders Implement actions to improve fish migration in this Management Unit Medium North East $80,000 CMA DSE DPI Improve catchment-wide water quality, reducing the likelihood of algal blooms, Medium North East To be by implementing the recommendations of the Upper North East Water Quality CMA costed Strategy DSE DPI G-MW

Page 34 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Upper River Murray Tributaries Management Unit 24 (Priority Reach 44)

0% ISC rating 13% (% length) 31%

0%

56%

Very Poor Poor Moderate Good Excellent Insufficient Data

Strategic Actions (River Health Programs B and C) Priority Partners Cost Manage rabbits in the riparian zone in Limestone Creek impacting near Medium DSE, DPI See PPA Ecologically Healthy River values. Landholders Program Parks Victoria Manage lateral instabilities on Limestone Creek Medium North East $40,000 CMA Manage stock access to the river channel through fencing, where it is impacting Medium North East $320,000 on endangered EVCs, grasses and understorey and width of native vegetation in CMA this Management Unit (Reaches 19-24) Landholders Manage willow and other exotic flora in the riparian zone where they are Medium North East $400,000 impacting on endangered EVCs and structural intactness in this Management CMA Unit (Reaches 19-23, 44) Landholders

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 35 North East Catchment Management Authority

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM (PROGRAM D)

In order to achieve long term change in the catchment, investment in people and the community is vital. It is these people that will continue to shape the landscape. Four Engagement principles have been developed to reflect the differing levels of understanding, skills, compliance requirements and awareness. These principles will be applied to ensure community engagement and participation in the implementation of the strategy.

1 Community involvement in data and information collection – the community have a valuable role to play in the collection of data and information.

Aim: To increase the community’s understanding of river health issues and options

2 Provision of skills and training for the community – provision of education and training opportunities is essential to maintain meaningful involvement by a range of groups within the community.

Aim: To increase the community’s ability to address river health issues (skills and training).

3 Provision of resources to the community – provision of both people and funding for priority areas.

Aim: To increase the community’s awareness of river health regulation and other requirements associated with change.

4 Institutional arrangements that facilitate co-operation – landholders working with agencies and departments to improve river health..

Aim: To improve institutional arrangements to ensure Government and landholders work together to improve river health.

The purpose of building knowledge and skills in the North East community is to assist in decision-making and to achieve positive change in river health.

Page 36 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Understanding

The aim of these actions is to increase the community’s understanding of river health issues and options. Activities aimed at increasing knowledge were considered high priority as increased knowledge should guide changed practices which in turn leads to positive outcomes for river health.

Item Action Priority Responsibility Cost/annum CB1 Support an extension officer to: H DPI, DSE $120,000 North East CMA extension staff CB1.1 Illustrate the links between farming practices and river H DPI, DSE CB1 health North East CMA CB1.2 Provide demonstration sites as a teaching aid to assist H DPI, DSE $50,000 5 sites landholders North East CMA at $10,000 CB1.3 Seek opportunities to integrate research opportunities H DPI, DSE Not costed with monitoring and evaluation of on-ground works North East CMA Research groups CB1.4 Integrate research opportunities to improve on-ground H DPI, DSE Not costed works North East CMA Research groups CB1.5 Promote the benefits of willow removal and large woody H North East CMA $200,000 debris reinstatement for fish habitat DSE CB1.6 Provide evidence of fish decline associated with H DPI, DSE in-stream habitat loss North East CMA $200,000 CB1.7 Utilise the Waterwatch community monitoring program H North East CMA $200,000 to increase water quality monitoring before and after works CB1.8 Utilise the Waterwatch community monitoring program H North East CMA See CB1.7 to increase macro invertebrate monitoring before and after works CB1.9 Increase opportunities for landholders to be involved in H North East CMA See CB1.7 resource condition monitoring DSE CB1.10 Direct landholders to available water quality data H DPI, DSE See CB1.7 North East CMA CB1.11 Develop tools and training aimed at increasing the value H North East CMA See CB1.7 and usability of the data collected through Waterwatch DSE

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 37 North East Catchment Management Authority

Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Ability

These actions are to increase the community’s ability to address river health issues (skills and training).

Item Action Priority Responsibility Cost/annum CB2 Support extension officers to: H DPI, DSE $400,000 North East CMA (4 extension staff) CB2.1 Encourage landholders to participate in incentive programs CB2.2 Negotiate landholder agreements that ensure North East CMA See CB2 understanding and participation of landholders CB2.3 Provide forums for the community to share ideas about North East CMA See CB2 river health issues DSE CB2.4 Provide training and awareness for landholders to DPI, DSE See CB2 illustrate links between erosion and riparian vegetation North East CMA CB2.5 Continue the river health devolved grants processes with North East CMA $300,000 agencies to ensure a true partnership approach is to be DSE, DPI maintained. CB2.6 Investigate the use of Waterwatch data to fill gaps in the M North East CMA See CB1.7 regional water quality monitoring network DSE CB2.7 Provide training to the community, through Waterwatch, H North East CMA See CB1.7 to increase the community’s skills to participate in DSE monitoring and on-ground rehabilitation activities CB2.8 Develop a Memorandum of Understanding with H North East CMA $100,000 traditional owners DSE, DPI (1 FTE) CB2.9 Resource technical assistance programs for Aboriginal M CMA’s DSE, See CB2.8 people, in their regions, so they can learn contemporary DPI, Parks Victoria land management language and skills on country and (Recommendation 28, Strategy for Aboriginal Managed Greening Australia Lands in Victoria) CB2.10 Convene a workshop once a year, specifically involving H DSE See CB2.8 Aboriginal traditional owners, landholders, DPI representatives of other relevant Aboriginal organisations, the ILMF, ATSIC Regional Council members, Cultural Heritage Officers, AAV, CMAs, Parks Victoria, local councils, Greening Australia and other people concerned with sustainable NRM such as Landholder, Bushcare, Coastcare and Rivercare co-ordinators and groups. (Recommendation 32, Strategy for Aboriginal Managed Lands in Victoria) CB2.11 NRM agencies, Aboriginal organisations and existing M All NRM agencies See CB2.8 programs such as Landholder, Bushcare, Coastcare, Waterwatch, FarmBis, actively publicise successful Aboriginal NRM projects and projects in progress, with emphasis on the people involved and what they are learning or achieving. (Recommendation 35, Strategy for Aboriginal Managed Lands in Victoria) CB2.12 Implement the 9 recommendations in the Cultural H Heritage of the North East Catchments – A desk top Review, for the management and protection of cultural heritage

Page 38 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Awareness

The aim of these actions is to increase the community’s awareness of river health regulation and other requirements associated with change. Interactions will be in the form of proactive and in some cases reactive communication.

Item Action Priority Responsibility Cost/annum CB3.1 Increase community awareness of cultural heritage M North East CMA See CB2.8 legislation DSE, DPI CB3.2 Increase community participation in State programs such M North East CMA $100,000 as Fishcare DSE, DPI (1 FTE) CB3.3 Encourage carp eradication program M North East CMA See CB3.2 DSE, DPI CB3.4 Administer the Works on Waterways Bylaw H North East CMA $150,000 (1.5 FTE) CB3.5 Promote the benefits of providing fish passage M North East CMA See CB3.2 DSE, DPI CB3.6 Promote the high value waterways M North East CMA See CB2 DSE, DPI CB3.7 Continue to conduct Index of Stream Condition M North East CMA $120,000 Assessments every 5 years CB3.8 Identify partnerships with other stakeholders in high M North East CMA See CB2 priority reaches/management units DSE, DPI NERWA GMW CB3.9 GMW continue to consider river health implications whilst M GMW Not costed administering the allocation of water provisions of the Water Act 1989

Compliance activities have been given a medium priority, with the exception of administering Works on Waterways Bylaw, which is a statutory requirement.

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 39 North East Catchment Management Authority

Community Engagement Priority Actions - Institutional Arrangements

The aim of these actions is to improve Institutional arrangements to ensure Government and landholders work together to improve river health.

Item Action Priority Responsibility Cost/annum CB4.1 Establish a framework for co-management of natural M North East CMA Costed in RCS resources across authorities and organisations in the North East CB4.2 Monitor, evaluate and adapt a co-management framework M North East CMA Costed in RCS to achieve the objectives of the NERRHS CB4.3 Implement the North East Landcare Strategy where actions M North East CMA Not costed contribute to the successful implementation of this Strategy CB4.4 Seek to integrate natural resource management programs H North East CMA Not costed where actions contribute to the successful implementation All agencies of this Strategy

Actions to be funded through the river health strategy are given a high priority, whilst those identified and funded through other strategies have been given a medium priority.

Community engagement targets have not been quantified as part of the strategy development process. Specific targets, such as number of schools participating in WaterWatch will be prepared by the CMA on an annual basis as part of the regional management planning process.

Page 40 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

COSTING AND PAYING FOR THE REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY

The aim of the Regional River Health Strategy is to develop priority actions for river health activities across the region. These will be implemented by a range of partners including CMAs, DPI, EPA, DSE, Local Government, Water Authorities and the community. The indicative costs for implementing these activities have been identified. These indicative costs relate primarily to the costs for the Catchment Management Authorities to implement river health activities as per their responsibilities as statutory waterway managers and caretakers of river health. River Health related activities undertaken by other agencies such as Water Authorities, DPI, Local Government and DSE and associated costs have been identified and documented wherever possible. In addition, it is important to recognise the role that other action plans and sub-strategies under the RCS play in contributing to RRHS outcomes which are not directly costed or implemented under this strategy.

This section summarises the detailed costs for Management Units in the North East region. The cost of implementing the Regional River Health Strategy over a five year period is indicative and should be reviewed at the time of implementation. A number of actions cannot be costed at this time. In particular, the Water Quality Strategy for the North East is currently being reviewed, and costs of actions under the various sub-programs will be revised. Other actions are being conducted under other programs (e.g. rabbit control unsder the Pest Plant and Animal Program) so are not costed here.

The implementation of costed actions in the RRHS is estimated to cost $49,495,000 over a five year period ($9,899,000 per year). The costs include on-ground actions ($47,155,000 over 5 years), community involvement ($1,940,000) and Monitoring and Research ($400,000).

PROGRAM A: Protection of Rivers of High Community Value $24,850,000 PROGRAM B: Protection of Ecologically Healthy and Near Ecologically Healthy Rivers $1,295,000 PROGRAM C: Overall improvement in the Environmental conditions of the Region’s Rivers $21,010,000 TOTAL $47,155,000

PROGRAM D: Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Understanding $770,000 PROGRAM D: Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Ability $800,000 PROGRAM D: Community Engagement Priority Actions - Increasing Awareness $370,000 PROGRAM D: Community Engagement Priority Actions - Institutional Arrangements $0 TOTAL $1,940,000

It should be noted that specific reference to funding levels and proposed cost shares in this strategy are for indicative purposes only. The level of Government investment in this strategy is contingent on budgets and Government priorities.

The management and restoration of river health comes from three principal funding sources: • State Government; • Commonwealth Government; and • Regions and individuals (including Local Government and industry).

The contributions from the various sources can be divided according to the following principles for cost sharing:4

4Taken from the Victorian River Health Strategy. It was expected that the regions, when preparing the regional river health strategy, adopt these principles.

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 41 North East Catchment Management Authority

Duty of Care

All natural resource users and managers have a duty of care to ensure that they do not damage the natural resource base. They are responsible for making good any damage incurred as a result of their actions.

Beneficiary Pays

When it is not possible to attribute damage, then primary beneficiaries should pay. Users, both existing and future are expected to pay for activities, which provide private benefits. Contributions from secondary beneficiaries will, where appropriate, be negotiated with the primary beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries could include – • Water authorities, given their dependence on a healthy resource base and their potential impacts on healthy rivers; • Direct beneficiaries, e.g. Recreational groups; • Local Government representing regional economic benefits, e.g. Increased tourism; • The broader Victorian community; and • Others.

Government Contributions for Public Benefit

“Government contributes primarily for activities, which produce public benefits. Government may agree to contribute to land and water management activities that provide private benefits where the cumulative uptake of these activities provides significant public benefit and Government support is required to facilitate this up-take.”

“Specific reference to funding levels in this strategy is for indicative purposes only. The level of government investment in this strategy is contingent on budgets and government priorities.”

Positive Benefit Cost

“Before Government will contribute to any land or water management activity, the activity must be technically sound, the benefits must justify the costs and it must be considered a priority activity.”

State-wide Policy and Monitoring

“Government will contribute to the cost of state-wide planning, state-wide resource monitoring and assessment and research and investigations where they are crucial to sustainable land and water management.”

Page 42 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

TARGETS OF THE REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY

Setting targets is an important component of the River Health Strategy. They allow us to measure the outcomes of our endeavours and our progress to achieving improved river health in our region. Two sets of targets are defined in the River Health Strategy (NERRHS): • Five Year Implementation Targets outline what actions are to be taken over the life of this Strategy. These represent the planning, investigations and on-ground works that need to be conducted for the aims of the River Health Strategy to be achieved. • Ten Year Resource Condition Targets detail the river health conditions that we would expect to be present after our endeavours.

Major targets of the North East Regional River Health Strategy

Implementation Targets Resource Condition Targets General condition targets (relies on multiple actions • All Heritage River values maintained implemented) • 70 km river in Excellent condition (3 reaches) • 735 km river in Good condition (134 reaches) • Aquatic life protected in 56 reaches as measured by the ISC • Ovens and Kiewa Rivers with suitable environmental • Establishment of Environmental Water Reserve and flow regime implemented through the management of the improved flow regimes achieving flow objectives in 10 environmental water reserve reaches • 12 barriers with fish passage restored • 765 km river made accessible for fish movement • Introduced fauna control implemented in 10 Management • Abundance of rabbits and foxes in the riparian zone, Units measurably reduced in 10 Management Units • 698.5 km river subjected to seeding willow control • No seeding willows present in 10 Management Units • 1,498.5 km river subjected to riparian weed and willow • Endangered EVCs, Significant flora and native fish control protected where present (24 Management Units) • 748 km river with improved ISC Streamside Zone score by 1 unit • 27 km river vegetated with tree overstorey after willow • Healthy 10-year-old trees retained along banks for control long-term woody debris re-establishment • 1,544 km riparian land under management agreements • Endangered EVCs, Significant fauna, Grasses and for stock control and riparian management understorey and/or native fish protected or restored where present (27 Mangement Units) • 772 km river with improved ISC Streamside Zone score by 1 unit • 384 km river with improved ISC Physical Form score by 1 unit • Agricultural Industries, Gully Stabilisation, Stream Works, • Stabilisation of turbidity trends at 2 monitoring sites and Sewerage Treatment Plant and Major Industries • Water quality improved to SEPP objectives for Programs of the Ovens Basin Water Quality Strategy or phosphorous at 5 monitoring sites the Upper North East Water Quality Strategy • Water quality improved to SEPP objectives for turbidity implemented where appropriate. at 3 monitoring sites • 382.5 km river subjected to bed and bank erosion control • 191 km river with improved ISC Physical Form score by 1 unit

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments Page 43 North East Catchment Management Authority

MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND RESEARCH

Monitoring

The purpose of monitoring is to provide indicative information to track and review the performance of the strategies and associated management plans and policies.

Monitoring implementation of the strategy and improvements in river health means that quality data and information requires regular collection. Data collection should be co-ordinated, integrated and stored in a central location in the catchment. Monitoring within the catchment will be based around key indicators that provide feedback on the rate of achievement of strategic actions and resource condition targets.

Existing monitoring programs include: Index of Stream Condition, Waterwatch, EPA biological monitoring network, Department of Sustainability and Environments’Victorian Water Quality Monitoring Network and opportunistic monitoring for environmental impact assessment.

A specific monitoring program will be established for the River Health Strategy, which will incorporate existing monitoring programs and new programs as required.

Evaluation

Evaluation activities provide comprehensive analysis to determine the degree to which the strategy and associated management plans are working. Therefore all monitoring and evaluation actions are considered a high priority. They will include an assessment of efficiency and effectiveness of the strategy against projected on-ground outcomes and targets.

Specifically, the effectiveness of the strategic actions and the resource condition changes will be evaluated. This information will inform future management decisions and activities and will also help identify any gaps in current knowledge that need to be addressed.

A key aspect of the strategy that needs to be evaluated and validated over time is the assumptions made in determining our river health targets.

Reporting

The North East Catchment Management Authority will take a lead role in reporting implementation of the strategy to the community, Federal, State and Local Governments. The Annual Report will be used to report on general implementation progress and financial expenditure.

Improvements in river health will be included in other publications from the North East CMA, media releases and other announcements.

STRATEGY REVIEW

This strategy will be reviewed every five years. The North East CMA will be responsible for the review and a steering committee will be appointed to oversee the process.

Page 44 Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Catchment Management Authority

ISBN: 0-957752-05-9

Publication details: April 2006

Published by: North East Catchment Management Authority, © North East Catchment Management Authority, 2006.

Please cite this document as: North East CMA (2006) North East Regional River Health Strategy 2006 - Summary. North East Catchment Management Authority, Wodonga.

Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but the North East Catchment Management Authority does not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and, therefore, disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on information in this publication.

For further information, please contact: Veronica Lanigan Manager – Water Programs North East Catchment Management Authority, P.O. Box 616, Wodonga 3690 Ph (02) 6043 7600 or visit: www.necma.vic.gov.au

It should be noted that specific reference to funding levels in this strategy are for indicative purposes only. The level of Government investment in this strategy will depend upon budgets and Government priorities.

Regional River Health Strategy for the North East Catchments North East Regional River Health Strategy

Summary Document

April 2006