Progress Report Progress ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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Progress report WATER FOR VICTORIA 2016–2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of cultural and traditional practices. We are committed to genuinely partner, and meaningfully engage, with Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the broader Mirring - Country, by Thomas Day. protection of Country and its waterways in the 21st century and beyond. COVER IMAGES: As per references in this document. MINISTERIAL FOREWORD In 2016, the Victorian Government released Water for Victoria, our strategic plan for managing water to support a healthy environment, prosperous economy and thriving communities. Our commitment to enhancing the We will continue to consider these It is delightful to see that we are recreational values of water is a values in the way we manage making real progress with actions theme of Water for Victoria. This water. The Victorian Government is to benefit Victorian’s health and commitment was further enhanced working in partnership with water quality of life through recreation by legislation through the Water and land managers, the water and the strategic use of our and Catchment Legislation sector and communities to beautiful and diverse water assets. Amendment Act 2019. Recreational maximise opportunities for We look forward to continuing our values and Aboriginal cultural recreational activities on and work together to understand and values are now embedded into the around our waterways and incorporate recreational values in planning and management of our water storages. how we manage Victoria’s water water resources. This progress report highlights resources into the future. We are using this commitment and some of the many achievements of understanding to inform how we these partnerships. They have can manage water to benefit all facilitated the recreational use of water users. Healthy waterways our water resources across the and catchments support the state, strengthened Victorians’ wellbeing of Victorians who enjoy connection to nature and The Hon. Lisa Neville MP the recreational benefits our rivers highlighted the importance of Minister for Water and streams provide. Realising considering recreational values in shared benefits in managing our planning and decision-making water storages and in planning processes into the future. water for the environment will The report also sets the direction help future challenges such as for further work to improve population growth and changing recreational outcomes across water demands. Victoria’s waterways and water storages. INTRODUCTION Victoria’s dams, lakes, wetlands, rivers and streams provide bountiful recreational opportunities to Victorians. Activities such as fishing, camping and boating are favourites for many Victorians. The health, social and economic benefits of recreation are significant, and highly valued by the community. Water for Victoria acknowledges the The need to consider recreational values in This report highlights the achievements significant recreational values of our water how we manage water and waterways is over the last four years, of a $4.7 million resources and articulates three actions to clear. New legislation has been introduced investment to enhance recreational help achieve tangible recreational benefits to enshrine recreational values of water opportunities at Victoria’s water storages, for Victorians. into law for the first time across Victoria, lakes, rivers and streams. This includes the embedding recreational values into the flagship $3.2 million Boosting Recreational decision-making of water managers. Water Use Initiative that commenced in Action 7.1 2018. In addition, the program has Include recreational values in Recreational users need good information leveraged significant co-investment and water and waterway planning. about how they can input into planning in-kind contributions from partner and decision-making processes so they organisations. The program has delivered Action 7.2 can understand how they can achieve their a diverse range of projects to improve Help communities understand objectives and have their voices heard. recreational access to waterways across how to achieve their rural and regional Victoria as well as at Infrastructure is also essential to recreational objectives. popular sites in Melbourne. supporting use. Something as simple as Action 7.3 toilet facilities, to boat ramps, pontoons, If you would like further information about Support recreation at water access tracks and walking trails, picnic how you can input into planning for storages through infrastructure settings and barbeques – these things water-based recreation in your area please and better information. make a tangible difference to how people contact your local Water Corporation or can use public areas. This in turn supports Catchment Management Authority, details the wellbeing of local communities and on which can be found at water.vic.gov.au visitors alike. RIGHT: Canoeing on Lake Eildon. Courtesy Parks Victoria. 1 2 VALUING RECREATION AT WATERWAYS AROUND VICTORIA “I love taking the boat out to go fishing with Locations of projects Dad. It is so exciting featured in this report when I catch a fish!” 1 New access to the Campaspe River at Rochester 9 year old Vera from central Victoria with 2 Bringing water back to Green Lake her catch of the day. 3 Donald weir pool upgrade 4 Lake Eppalock upgrades: Kimbolton foreshore and Randells Cove 5 Lake Eildon facility upgrades 6 Dartmouth Pondage access 7 Increasing opportunities for recreation on the Wimmera River 8 Sharing the benefits of water at Toolondo 9 Opening Victorian water storages “That feeling of freedom to recreational fishing when you are racing 10 Improving recreational access along with wind in your to the Maribyrnong River “Look at the raft I made! sail is incomparable." 11 Merri River urban restoration project It even floats.” Jane in her trailer sailer 12 Cultural and recreational outcomes 6 yo Xavier enjoying a warm on the Gippsland Lakes. on the Glenelg River day in the cool waters of 13 Moonee Ponds Creek improvement project the upper Goulburn River. 14 Blue Rock Lake all-abilities adventure playground 15 Enhancing access to the Barwon River through Geelong 3 Mildura 2 Swan Hill Echuca 3 Wangaratta Horsham Donald Shepparton 8 1 Bendigo 6 12 4 Seymour Omeo Ararat 7 9 5 Ballarat Bairnsdale Hamilton 10 13 Melbourne Geelong 14 Sale 15 Portland 11 Colac Warnambool 4 1 NEW ACCESS TO THE CAMPASPE RIVER AT ROCHESTER The new fishing platform and The new fishing platform and kayak kayak launch facility at the launch facility at the Rochester Riverside Rochester Riverside Holiday Park is Holiday Park is the first along the Campaspe River. The river is a popular the first along the Campaspe River. native fishery for anglers and one of ten Flagship Waterways in Victoria. The North Central Catchment Management Authority worked closely with the local community and Campaspe Shire to locate and design the facility. The all abilities design of the platform will mean everyone, regardless of age or ability, will be able to visit Rochester and get right down and connect physically with a healthy river, go fishing for Murray cod, see platypus and feel the joy of floating in a kayak beneath the river red gums. The platform will be open to the public in Spring 2020 once other works to upgrade the holiday park are complete. 5 NEW ACCESS TO THE CAMPASPE RIVER AT ROCHESTER “They have done a wonderful job constructing this onsite. The weather has been pretty ordinary… but the finish is superb. It will be open to the public and all visitors to the Rochester Riverside Holiday Park. Can’t wait for that. This is going to be a wonderful asset.” Bruce, Manager of Rochester Riverside Caravan Park LEFT: Fishing platform and kayak launching facility at Rochester Riverside Holiday Park. Courtesy North Central Catchment Management Authority. 6 2 BRINGING WATER BACK TO GREEN LAKE Rejuvenation works at Green Lake, The project was delivered by Grampians near Ouyen, mean Western Wimmera Mallee Water, with support from Victorians can once again enjoy the Department of Land, Environment, Water and Planning and Buloke Shire one of the region’s favourite on behalf of the Green Lake Committee recreation sites for years to come. of Management. “Green Lake is a beautiful and popular The community led Bringing Water Back feature of Buloke Shire. It's fantastic to Green Lake project was undertaken to see water being returned to the lake in 2018 to improve seepage issues that to benefit the Sea Lake community caused the lake to frequently dry out, and visitors.” making it unsuitable for any water use or as a tourist destination. Prior to these Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp. works, almost all water delivered into the lake through the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline system was lost through seepage. The $2 million project involved removing topsoil from the lakebed to provide access to sub-surface soils which were then compacted to form a solid, impervious clay layer at the base of the lake. This was a very welcome improvement to the TOP: Boats in the harbour at Green Lake. BELOW: Green Lake from above. lake, restoring Green Lake as a valued Courtesy Buloke Shire Council. community retreat and important visitor destination. 7 3 DONALD WEIR POOL UPGRADE The Donald community can now The weir has now been upgraded and the The project was built on the significant enjoy better swimming, fishing and weir pool is connected to the Wimmera existing work undertaken by the local other recreational activities at the Mallee Pipeline water supply. These works community in the region. provide the opportunity to supply water to iconic Donald weir pool thanks to the Donald weir pool, when natural flows in First water delivery to Donald weir this upgrade project.