noted otherwise. noted All imagesby Commonwealth Environmental Water Officeunless Back cover: bellfrog Southern Cover: Gunbower Creek Judd Meegan fringing vegetation. Credit: supporting Goulburnthe River atBunbartha Above: Goulburn Broken CMA–Flows in respects their continued connection their cultures and to their elders both to elders cultures and their their The Commonwealth EnvironmentalThe We respects to our pay and them ’s traditional owners and to water, community. and land Water acknowledges Holder past and present. and past © Commonwealth ofAustralia,2017 W: www.environment.gov.au/water/cewoW: GPO Box787,CanberraACT2601 E: [email protected] Postal address: T: 1800803772 T: @theCEWH

WAT412.0617 Commonwealth Environmental Water Office VICTORIAN RIVERS VICTORIAN RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING 2017–18 SNAPSHOT This floodplain covers about 200,000 ha and Summary of longer term outcomes We use environmental includes some of the largest lignum wetlands under the Basin-wide Environmental water to improve the in . The whole is home to iconic Watering Strategy and threatened species such as , health of our Macquarie perch, trout cod, Murray hardyhead, Maintain base river flows and increase growling grass frog (also known as southern bell the number of ‘fresh’ events. rivers, floodplains frog), platypus, and nine bird species listed A fresh event is an increase in a river’s under international waterbird agreements, water levels beyond the base flow. and wetlands including great egret and Latham’s snipe. It does not fill the river or go over Throughout the Murray–Darling Basin, The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office the bank. works in partnership with state government Improve the condition and maintain the we deliver water to important locations agencies, such as the Victorian Environmental current area of plants on the riverbanks to support the health of waterways and Water Holder, and local organisations to plan and in stream. the many unique native animals, plants, and manage flows for the environment. We are birds and fish that depend on them to working to achieve environmental outcomes as Maintain current waterbird species survive and thrive. outlined in the Basin-wide Environmental diversity and increase their populations. Watering Strategy and the Murray–Darling Create the right conditions to improve More than half of Victoria is in the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. native fish health, spawning and Basin, with many of the state’s rivers flowing movement, with the aim of increasing directly into Australia’s longest river, the Murray. the overall fish populations. These rivers are a source of water for domestic use and extensive agriculture, are central to the cultural values and practices of local Aboriginal traditional owners and support tourism and recreation activities. The natural waterways of Victoria’s river system are highly connected and contain a multitude of wetlands and floodplains, including the internationally significant Wetlands and the nationally significant Lower Goulburn Floodplain.

Goulburn Broken CMA – Lower Broken Creek at Lukes Weir. Credit: Daniel Lovell Water for the Victorian Supplying water for Rivers environment the environment to date The water acquired by the through investment in The environmental need for water more efficient irrigation infrastructure is a reflection of the health of rivers, and other measures enables the wetlands and floodplains, and the Commonwealth Environmental plants and animals they support. 201 GL Water Holder to provide river flows needed to restore and protect the Ecological health is influenced by flows and natural system throughout the Basin’s was conditions in the past. In some cases this can date back many years—parts of the used in 2016–17. irrigation districts. Victorian Rivers environment are still showing the effects of the millennium drought. We use this water to supplement natural Harsh climatic conditions over the past 15 events and water provided by other years—extensive drought between 1997 and environmental water holders. 2010, record floods in 2010 and 2012, then a Depending on river operating rules, series of dry to moderate years—have left the flow constraints and climatic conditions, Victorian Rivers region in need of water. the Commonwealth Environmental Water However, recent annual environmental 67 watering and the wet conditions experienced in Holder can decide to: 1,201 GL 2016–17 have helped to improve river health. ■ use water to meet identified GL For example, natural flows and environmental environmental demands A watering in the over the last ■ hold on to the water and carry it over for 67 GL couple of years have resulted in the restoration of vegetation that was drowned and scoured use in the next water year (‘carryover’) A from the riverbanks in the 2010–11 floods. 1,201 GL ■ trade (buy or sell water) for equal or These flows have also supported the spawning greater environmental benefits. carried over and movement of native fish, particularly 20171. between golden perch, in the lower river reaches. 2009–10 and 2016–17. Ongoing environmental needs in the Victorian Rivers include improving the health and For the first time in this region, in November 2015 the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder sold coverage of bankside plants; supporting the 22.864 gigalitres of temporary water allocations for a survival, movement and breeding of native fish return of $6.458 million. The proceeds of the sale are (particularly golden and silver perch); providing being used in the interests of maximising environmental habitat for waterbirds, native fish, platypus, outcomes elsewhere in the Murray–Darling Basin. water rats, turtles and frogs; and maintaining 1 1000 suitable water quality. ■ the North East Catchment Please contact your local engagement Our partners Management Authority officer to learn more about our work or offer suggestions for the use of ■ the W immera Catchment environmental water. The best approaches to water Management Authority ■ management involve local the Catchment Local engagement officer—Berri, SA knowledge and the latest science. Management Authority M: 0437 064 664, E: [email protected] Commonwealth environmental watering is ■ Mallee Water planned, delivered and managed in ■ the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. partnership with individuals and groups in the The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Local engagement officer—, Victorian Rivers region. Partners include: regularly attends community forums, events and Victoria P: 03 5051 4372, M: 0437 218 649 ■ the V ictorian Environmental Water Holder committees in the catchments. We continue to E: [email protected] ■ Goulburn–Murray Water forge local partnerships to ensure that community groups, including Aboriginal ■ the Goulburn–Broken Catchment traditional owners, have the opportunity to help Management Authority shape the regional planning and management ■ the North Central Catchment of water delivery over the long term. Management Authority

Goulburn River near Murchison. Credit: GBCMA

VICTORIAN RIVERS REGION Commonwealth Environmental Water Office

The Victorian Rivers region This area of the Murray–Darling Basin is highly dissolved oxygen at levels tolerable for native native fish), and flush organic matter omfr developed, with storages in the Ovens Responding to animals, and manage azolla growth. riverbanks in the cooler months to mitigate Re-using water to includes the Ovens, Goulburn, (Lake Buffalo and Lake ), environmental Goulburn–Broken catchment wetlands: potential water quality issues during the summer. make the most of Goulburn–Broken (Lake Eildon), Loddon Broken, Loddon, Campaspe During 2016, natural flows inundated these : Wet conditions and a contribution ( and Tullaroop Reservoir) demands in 2017–18 wetlands, so any watering we do in 2017–18 will of environmental water to in-stream flows year our flows and Wimmera catchments. and Campaspe () catchments. be in response to natural events. For example, if round in 2016–17 improved the overall health of The northern Victorian rivers, The in central-west Victoria flows The following plans for 2017–18 are based on the wetlands are dry in autumn there may be a the Loddon. Watering in 2017–18 will build on In Victorian rivers, such as the Goulburn and into lakes Hindmarsh and Albacutya, which are careful consideration of the health of the need for water at Moodie Swamp to maintain these improvements by again focusing on the Campaspe, water delivered for the particularly the Ovens and terminal wetlands, and does not connect to the rivers, the urgency of water needs (from year to the health of wetland plants and waterbird in-stream flows to maintain water volume and environment at upstream sites can be re-used Goulburn, contribute River Murray. year and over multiple years) and what we habitat, including ridged water milfoil and quality in refuge pools for native fish, platypus and further downstream. This water is known as a believe can be achieved depending on cane grass. water rats, and to flush organic matter from banks ‘return flow’. After benefiting the targeted sites, significantly to the water water availability. water delivered to Victorian rivers continues to : Wet conditions in 2016–17 to reduce the likelihood of poor water quality. flow across the border to and resources of the River Murray. Goulburn River: Water will be delivered in the have improved the health of the Campaspe. Wimmera River: We will provide variable base provides environmental benefits in areas such as river channel. This may include year-round In 2017–18 the aim will be to provide variable flows and freshes to support native fish the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. variable base flows and freshes in winter, spring, base flows and freshes throughout the year to reproduction and condition, riverside plant summer and autumn. The aim of these flows is to maintain the health of river red gums, support condition and macroinvertebrate (water bug) support water bugs; improve the condition of platypus populations, maintain water quality in habitat and food, and maintain appropriate bank and in-stream plants, which in turn can deep pools (which provide habitat for water quality. help manage bank erosion; and provide native fish (particularly golden and silver perch) with food, habitat and triggers for movement and spawning. There is also potential to coordinate releases with flows from other rivers, to meet broader environmental needs. Lower Broken Creek: Ongoing issues with poor water quality, such as low dissolved oxygen levels, and excessive growth of azolla (a water fern) means there is high demand for water every year. The aims of watering in 2017–18 will be to provide variable base flows to support native fish passage through fishways, maintain Goulburn River near Murchison. Credit: Goulburn Broken CMA

Victorian Rivers Region

Goulburn River near . Credit: Goulburn Broken CMA Blue-billed Duck. Credit: NCCMA

Outcomes snapshot

Monitoring and evaluation help us identify what is working 2015–16—Lower Goulburn River and what is not. We consider the results as part of our planning Long-distance movements of golden perch were detected frequently— and decision-making process throughout the year. including one trip of around 600 km from the Goulburn River, through the River Murray and to the junction of the in two months. Scientific monitoring shows that water delivered to the Victorian Rivers is These results highlight the importance of connectivity between catchments. providing food, habitat and breeding opportunities for many of the region’s unique wildlife species. Over the past two years, endangered trout cod have been found below Shepparton. This may indicate an expansion in range since 2003, The lower Goulburn is part of a long-term monitoring program. when they were only found further upstream. Recent results are summarised below. Spawning was detected for five native fish species: Murray cod, Full monitoring reports are available on our website: www.environment.gov.au/ Australian smelt, carp gudgeon, flathead gudgeon and water/cewo/catchment/northern-victorian-rivers/monitoring rainbowfish. 2014–15—Lower Goulburn River Large numbers of young carp were found in a reach of the Lower Goulburn River close to the Murray. It is not known whether their Environmental flows in spring resulted in strong golden perch spawning— breeding was enhanced by the delivery of water in early spring to the numbers of eggs and larvae collected were at levels not seen since support plants on the riverbank or whether they spawned in the Murray the 2010 floods. Critically endangered silver perch also spawned and moved into the Lower Goulburn. following increased flows. Although macroinvertebrate (water bug) numbers declined in 2015–16, Flows promoted fish movement, with golden perch moving to providing extra water may have helped some to survive the very dry breeding areas. conditions, as there was less reduction in the Lower Goulburn than in nearby , which received no water. Spring flows helped maintain and improve plant numbers and diversity. Spring environmental flows improved native plant numbers and diversity The condition and coverage of native plant species increased, along areas of riverbank. This built on past efforts to improve and providing improved habitat and assisting with bank stability during re-establish plants through consistent delivery of water during spring. natural floods and heavy rainfall. Carefully managed declines in flows allowed a layer of mud to be deposited onto the riverbank, providing an ideal location for the germination and growth of new plants.

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