Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

DRAFT

Waterway Health Strategy

Closing date for submissions: 30th September 2001

Comments to: Simone Gunn CCMA 64 Dennis Street Colac 3250 [email protected] 5232 9100

FOREWORD

The Draft Waterway Health Strategy is an important step in continuing to build on the planning framework for integrated natural resource management in the Corangamite region. This Draft Strategy aims to take an integrated and whole of catchment approach to managing the region‟s waterways. Waterway management is a core responsibility of this Authority and as such it is important that our efforts are clearly and effectively directed. The Draft Waterway Health Strategy attempts to do this through identifying the condition of our waterways, the issues and proposing priorities for their treatment.

The board encourages the input to the Strategy by our partnership agencies, stakeholders and the broader community. This is essential if the Strategy is to reflect the needs, priorities and aspirations of the whole community. I thank those involved in the preparation of this Draft and commend it to you for your consideration and input.

Bob Carraill Chairman- Corangamite CMA

I am pleased on behalf of the Authority‟s Water Resources Implementation Committee to present this Draft Waterway Health Strategy to the regional community. Improving the health of our waterways will require strong partnerships between the Authority and the community, and this Draft Strategy identifies many opportunities for such partnerships to flourish.

The Strategy builds on the strong foundation of community work undertaken over the last four years to protect the health of the regions waterways, and provides a strong basis for community support for undertaking priority action over the next ten years. By establishing a benchmark of current waterway conditions, we can now move forward and focus on targeted actions to primarily protect our most valuable waterway assets and then to provide a framework for rehabilitating our more degraded waterways.

The vision we have proposed best sums up what this Draft Strategy proposes for our waterways; “Working in Partnership, our community will maintain, protect and improve the regions waterways.” Importantly, the process for achieving this vision will be dynamic, and your input on the document is the first step in this evolution. I look forward to your involvement.

Frank Buchanan Chairman- Water Resources Committee & Waterway Health Strategy Steering Committee

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority acknowledges the contribution of the Consultants EGIS Consulting Pty Ltd, their sub-consultants Neil Craigie and Associates and Read Sturgess and Associates, who investigated and compiled the background information, which has formed the basis of this strategy.

The Board of the Authority also expresses its thanks to the following members of the Authority‟s Water Resources Committee, which has acted as the Steering Committee for this strategy:

Frank Buchannan (Chair) Carlisle River Ross Alexander Berrybank Les Barrow Geelong Robert Ford Ballarat Richard Gloyne Timboon Jan Laidlaw Newtown Erica Nathan Yendon Colin Peel Inverleigh Jim Seagar Ballan Graeme Sutherland Gellibrand Greg Bell NRE Rowan McKenzie EPA

Figure 1 Corangamite CMA Water Resources Committee inspect streamside work at Carlisle River

CONTENTS

FOREWORD ...... 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 6

1. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...... 10

2. INTRODUCTION ...... 11

2.1 The Need for a Strategy 11

2.2 Role of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority 12

2.3 Improving Waterways through Community Action 12

3. BACKGROUND ...... 14

3.1 Waterways - An Integrated Approach 14

3.2 Current Responsibilities 16

3.3 Current Programs for Waterway Health 18

4. WATERWAYS – A REGIONAL OVERVIEW ...... 20

4.1 Waterway Basins 20

4.2 Post European Settlement and Waterways in the Corangamite region 27

4.3 The Condition of our Waterways 28

5. THE STRATEGY ...... 30

5.1 Vision 30

5.2 Principles 30

5.3 Priority Waterway Issues 31

5.4 Priority Setting Famework 33

6. STRATEGY PROGRAMS ...... 34

6.1 Program 1 – Hydrology 34

6.2 Program 2 – Physical Form 35

6.3 Program 3 – Streamside Zone 39

6.4 Program 4 – Aquatic Habitat 42

6.5 Program 5- Water Quality 43

6.6 Program 6 – Community Awareness and Involvement 44

6.7 Program 7 – Benchmarking, Monitoring and Evaluation 45

6.8 Program 8 –Research and Investigation 46

6.9 Program 9 - Strategy Coordination 47

7. RESPONSIBILITIES AND COST SHARING ...... 49

7.1 Responsibilities 49

7.2 Strategy Costs and Cost Sharing 51

7.3 Implications for the CCMA 53

7.4 CCMA Funding 53

8. FEEDBACK FORM ...... 54

Appendix A: Waterway basins and ISC reaches in the CCMA region 56

Appendix B: BASIN ACTION PLANS 58

8.1 Moorabool 59

8.2 Barwon 60

8.3 Corangamite 62

8.4 Otway Coast 64

Appendix C: – REFERENCES 66

Appendix D: RELATED STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS 70

Appendix E: GLOSSARY 73

Appendix F: CONSULTATION 77

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ABBREVIATION

CCALP Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board CCB Central Coastal Board CCMA Corangamite catchment Management Authority COGG City of Greater Geelong DOI Department of Infrastructure EPA Environment Protection Authority ISC Index of Stream Condition LCC Land Conservation Council LH Landholder LG Local Government LWD Large Woody Debris LWRDC Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corp. NHT Natural Heritage Trust NRE (Department of) Natural Resources and Environment RCS Regional Catchment Strategy SCS Surf Coast Shire SKM Sinclair Knight Merz SRW Southern Rural Water VPPs Victoria Planning Provisions WCB Western Coastal Board

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 The Need for a Strategy Our rivers, creeks, streams and wetlands – our waterways – are fundamental to our very existence. Water regulates all human activities and is implicit in all life. Waterways, wetlands and their floodplains act as natural water filters, helping to protect the quality of water for the environment and for human consumption. The aesthetic beauty of our tree-lined rivers is an intrinsic part of the Australian landscape. The overall quantity and quality of water gives the Corangamite region a significant natural advantage over drier areas of the state (CALP, 1997).

Our waterways need our help. Recent assessments of the region‟s waterways found them in poor to moderate condition. Problems include loss of flora and fauna along stream banks, reduced water flows, deteriorating water quality, sedimentation, erosion and salinity. Our waterways have been substantially changed since European settlement by clearing of catchments for agriculture, intensive use of floodplains, draining of wetlands and development of water resources.

A waterway is a function of its landscape, continually changing according to variations in the topography, climate, geology, vegetation, and land use. Improving the health of our waterways can only be achieved by the collective efforts of the entire regional community working together to rehabilitate both the land and waterway environments.

Figure 2 View from Red Rock scenci lookout- Lake Corangamite Catchment In recent decades, the community has recognised the need for action to achieve integrated catchment management and the evolution and continued success of the Landcare movement has pioneered this approach. The emphasis for much of this work has focused on catchment or land based issues, with less focus on those issues directly relating to waterways. Consequently, many of our waterway problems have remained untreated and in some cases they have worsened. We now acknowledge the need to concentrate on the waterways themselves, for we cannot just rely on other works, which might be implemented in the catchments.

This Draft Strategy for waterway health complements other regional strategies and plans designed to improve the management and enhancement of all of our natural resources. It focuses on developing and implementing actions that will directly maintain or improve the waterway environment, including the water, the bed, the banks and the streamside or „riparian‟ zone. Its scope includes rivers, creeks, streams, watercourses, tributaries and wetlands, however, as wetlands are such unique feature of the landscape, their management will be covered in more detail through prescriptive plans in the future.

This Draft Strategy includes both strategic and operational recommendations relating to the improvement of waterway health. In addition to strategic recommendations, Action Plans have been developed for each of the key waterway systems in the region. These Plans provide a more detailed guide to the recommended works required to protect or rehabilitate the major rivers and waterways.

Community consultation, support and acceptance of the recommendations in this strategy are fundamental to providing a basis for partnership between the community and Government to ensure its implementation over the long term. Accordingly, we consider it essential that you have input into this Draft Strategy through your comments and feedback.

2.2 Role of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Victoria‟s waterways have experienced various trends in management policy. The first formal institutions for waterway management were established in the 1950s with the formation of local River Improvement Trusts. These trusts principally focused on the application of engineering solutions for problems associated with waterway erosion and flooding. Since the 1970s the application of waterway management has broadened to cover wider environmental issues.

In 1995 a multi-disciplinary Consultative Action Team (CAT) was established to advise the Minister for Natural Resources on the wider community‟s preferred option for waterway management in the Corangamite Region. Subsequently, after extensive consultation with individuals representing communities throughout the catchment area, the CAT recommended that a new waterway management authority be established.

In July 1997 the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) was established together with eight other Catchment Management Authorities across the state under the provisions of the Water Act 1989 and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Through the Water Act, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is now the key authority responsible for ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of waterways in the Corangamite region.

2.3 Improving Waterways through Community Action It is important to recognise what the Corangamite community has achieved in the protection and rehabilitation of our region‟s waterways. Over the past two decades, farmers, landholders and government agencies including the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, local shires and the Soil Conservation Authority have undertaken a considerable number of works designed to protect or improve the waterway environment. More recently, the development of Landcare and the introduction of the Natural Heritage Trust have facilitated an unprecedented level of landholder activity associated with the implementation of waterway rehabilitation works.

Figure 3 Planting day at Lake Bullen Merri

Following the establishment of the CCMA in 1997, the level of activity in waterway protection and rehabilitation further increased. During the past four years the Authority has invested almost $6 million in waterway projects through its Healthy Waterways Incentive Program across the region. This program enables individuals and groups to undertake waterway protection and rehabilitation works including:

 Riparian revegetation  Riparian rehabilitation and protection

 Community education  Investigations  Stormwater and nutrient management  Management of proclaimed water supply catchments

The funds allocated by the CCMA have been matched on at least a dollar for dollar basis by the grant recipients – taking the total regional investment in waterway rehabilitation and protection projects over the past four years is close to $17 million (Figure 4). The last four years has also seen a steady rise in the number of projects being funded on an annual basis and an increasing number of larger, coordinated community projects to deal with whole sections, or reaches of waterways.

Figure 4: Healthy Waterways Incentive Program Funding 1997- 2001

$8,000,000 160

$7,000,000 140

$6,000,000 120

$5,000,000 100 CCMA $ $4,000,000 80 Community $ Number of projects $3,000,000 60

$2,000,000 40

$1,000,000 20

$- 0 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 Financial Year

3. BACKGROUND

3.1 Waterways - An Integrated Approach Natural resources management in the Corangamite region is an integrated whole of catchment process involving cooperation and partnerships at all levels in the regional community. Whilst the CCMA takes a lead role in coordinating this approach, it is the collective effort of the regional community, which delivers the results on the ground.

The Corangamite Waterway Health Strategy (CWHS) will be one of a number of regional plans developed under the Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy, developed to provide an integrated approach to managing the region‟s natural resources. Figure 2 outlines the relationships between the strategies and plans for natural resource management in the Corangamite Region.

The CWHS will outline the strategic framework for maintaining or improving waterway and wetland environments in the region. It must include a combination of strategic regional actions that will apply to all waterways across the region, whilst providing a basic plan of action for on-ground works in the major waterways. As indicated in Figure 5, it requires strong links to the following key strategies and plans for maintenance and improvement of the regions natural resources.

 Corangamite Native Vegetation Plan. Currently in draft form, this plan sets the strategic direction for management and conservation of all native vegetation in the region, including protection of remnant native vegetation and revegetation. It will include specific objectives linked to native vegetation along waterways and wetlands and is a key source offering the underlying principles associated with vegetation management.

 Corangamite Nutrient Management Plan. Developed in 1999, this management plan focuses on addressing the load of nutrients within the water quality component of our waterway environments. Under the Waterway Management Strategy, it is effectively an Action Plan aimed at reducing the concentration and quantity of nutrients entering the regions waterways and the incidence of Blue Green Algae blooms. It includes actions that relate to both the catchments and the waterways themselves, with an emphasis on improving land management practices, thereby reducing nutrient concentrations and volumes.

 Corangamite Floodplain and Rural Drainage Strategies. Currently in preparation, these strategies will provide strategic directions for the management of floodplains and existing rural drainage systems in the region. They will focus on the strategic and operational management of these particular parts of the waterway system. A key principle will be to promote those actions on floodplains and in relation to rural drainage, which are essential to maintaining or improving waterway health.

Corangamite Restoring the Balance – A Strategy for Managing Salinity in the Corangamite Region. This strategy, currently under review, aims to greatly reduce the future effects of salinity, and recommends a program to direct community effort to where salinity is causing the biggest problem. The main emphasis of the strategy provides encouragement, assistance, and technical support to groups and group projects for onground activities.

Figure 5: Waterway Health Strategy Relationships

Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy Providing overall direction for all natural resources management in the region Land Biodiversity (1997) Water

Regional Salinity Plan Native Vegetation Plan Waterway Health Strategy Floodplain Management Strategy Rural Drainage Strategy (1993) (2001) (2001) (In prep.) (In prep.)

Nutrient Management Plan Rabbit Action Plan 2000 Flood Studies

Weed Action Plan Urban Stormwater Management Plans

Waterway Rehabilitation Plans

Sub Catchment Management Plans

Estuary Management Plans

RAMSAR Lakes Management Plan

3.2 Current Responsibilities Improving the health of the region‟s waterways is a complex task involving cooperation and action by a wide range of key stakeholders, as indicated in the following Table 1.

Table 1: Current Responsibilities for issues affecting Waterway Health

(See Key Stakeholder column for list of Abbreviations)

Key Stakeholder Responsibilities Support Role Corangamite Strategic direction for land and water resource NRE Catchment management - through development and implementation of Management Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) and reporting to Authority government (CCMA) Development of Regional Waterway Health Strategy and Regional detailed works programs to improve waterway health Community Waterway, floodplain and rural drainage management All Management of Aire Heritage Rivers (outside of National LH Parks) Community education & involvement in waterway health NRE, UWA, LC Implement works for stabilisation of bed and banks of LH, LC, UWA waterways Development of detailed water quality plans NRE, EPA Licensing of works on waterways SRW, NRE, LG Coordinating Dryland Salinity Management NRE, LH, LC Index of Stream Condition monitoring (5 yearly) Regional oversight of National Heritage Trust process NRE Management of the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme and Woady Yaloak Diversion Scheme Management of the Barwon through Geelong# Department of Strategic direction for all public land management Natural Resources Management of Crown water frontages and other public and Environment land, except parks and reserves. (NRE) Management of flora and fauna LH, PV, CCMA, LC Catchment management and agricultural services (salinity, CCMA, LH, soil conservation, pest plants and animals, agriculture) LC, PV Water quality monitoring CCMA, UWA, EPA Monitoring of environmental flow allocations CCMA, SRW Bulk entitlement conversions CCMA, SRW, UWA Licensing of sand and gravel extraction from waterways

Key Stakeholder Responsibilities Support Role Parks Victoria Management of Crown water frontage in parks and LH, CCMA (PV) reserves and waterways in parks and reserves (including Ramsar lakes and other lake foreshores with public land frontage) Southern Rural Water allocations private and industrial users Water (SRW) Streamflow Management Plans CCMA, NRE, UWA, LH, EPA Waterway determinations Groundwater allocations and monitoring CCMA, NRE, UWA Urban Water Management and compliance of sewerage systems LG Authorities Referral authority under planning scheme for works in (UWA) PWSC Waterwatch CCMA Diversion of water for urban use Local administer planning schemes- permits for off stream dam UWA, SRW Government (LG) development boating authority for boating and water ski zones CCMA Road crossings of all waterways and floodplains (except VR for VicRoads assets) VicRoads (VR) Main road crossings of all waterways and floodplains LG (except for municipal assets) Environment License sewage and other discharges to the environment Protection Monitor water quality CCMA, NRE, Authority (EPA) UWA Produce State environment protection policies for all protection of surface water, groundwater and other segments of the environment Aboriginal Registration and management of Aboriginal archaeological ICG Affairs Victoria sites (AAV) Crown water Management of Crown water frontages in accordance with NRE, CCMA, frontage licensees licence conditions UWA Indigenous Management and maintenance of places of Aboriginal AAV Community cultural significance Groups (ICG) Cultural education Landcare Groups Community action to address land and water resource NRE, CCMA (LC) management issues Community education Private Management of pest plants and animals on private and NRE landholders(LH) licensed public land Voluntary on-ground works to improve waterway health CCMA Coastal Boards Strategic management of coastal environments LG (CB)

Note: # Operational functions are contracted to Barwon water Coastal Boards includes both the Western and Central Coastal Board Local Government includes Corangamite, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Colac-Otway, Moyne and Surf Coast Shires, City of Greater Geelong, City of Ballarat and the Borough of Queenscliff Urban Water Authorities include South West Water, Barwon Water and Central Highlands Water

3.3 Current Programs for Waterway Health As previously described, the regional community and the CCMA are already undertaking the huge task of improving the condition of our waterways through a variety of activities and functions. As part of its annual business planning process the CCMA delivers a range of projects and actions through the implementation of nine broad programs under its waterway management function, as described in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Current CCMA Waterway Management Programs

CCMA Project Description & CCMA Role Program

Hydrology Bulk State wide process converting current rights to water into a legal Entitlement entitlement. CCMA is one of many key stakeholders involved in (BE) the consultation of this process in order to protect and improve the Conversion rights of the aquatic environment Process Streamflow Local planning mechanism to manage water appropriately to Management satisfy consumptive demands and environmental needs. The Plans (SMP) CCMA is one of many key stakeholders involved in project groups guiding their development Physical Form Waterway Priority structural waterway works according to local Waterway Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Plans being coordinated by CCMA. Plans Asset CCMA manages and maintains the Lough Calvert Drainage Management Scheme and the Woady Yaloak Diversion Scheme & Operations Management CCMA manages and maintains public land and waterway along of the Barwon the Barwon River through Geelong from Orana Road above River through Buckley Falls downstream to the lower breakwater at Lake Geelong Connewarre. Riparian Zone Healthy Key incentive program for interested individuals and groups to Waterways undertake voluntary waterway rehabilitation works in the region Incentive Program

CCMA Project Description & CCMA Role Program

Aquatic State Fishways State wide program of structural modifications to in stream Habitat Program barriers to improve passage for native fish migration Water Quality Corangamite Plan includes a variety of actions aimed at reducing nutrient Nutrient volumes and loads to regional waterways, including urban Management stormwater, improved agricultural land management, improved Plan forestry practices Community Waterwatch National community education and river health monitoring Awareness program. In the Corangamite region it is partly funded by the and CCMA and is delivered through Central Highlands Water and Involvement Barwon Water. Barwon River Joint NHT/CCMA community biodiversity assessment project to Health engage community commitment to improving the health of the Strategy Barwon River Research and Deakin Aquatic Macrophytes as an Indicator of River Health Investigation University Analysis of Nutrient Loadings and Speciation in Runoff from a West Victorian Dairy Farm The Effect on Estuarine Water Quality of the Gradual Removal of a Sandbar that blocks the Estuary Mouth Examination of the effectiveness of riparian revegetation in increasing aquatic ecosystem health Nutrient and the Phytoplankton Community of the Curdies River University of Catchment Characterisation and River Health Ballarat Impact of Shading by Riparian Vegetation Land & Water Assessment of aquatic macro invertebrates as biodiversity Aust indicators of change in salinity Benchmarking Index of State wide five yearly long-term monitoring and evaluation Monitoring Stream program of waterway health. Supplemented in CCMA region by and Evaluation Condition annual collection of data at limited sites (ISC) Victorian Statewide program of ongoing water quality monitoring at sites Water Quality throughout the region. Monitoring Network Coordination Waterway Local community driven development of reach or sub catchment and Planning Rehabilitation based action plans to provide a medium term framework to Plans improve waterway health.

4. WATERWAYS – A REGIONAL OVERVIEW

4.1 Waterway Basins The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority‟s region includes four major drainage basins – the Moorabool, Barwon, Corangamite and Otway Coast (Appendix A). Within each of these basins there are several major catchments, or river systems, including the Aire, Barwon, Gellibrand, Curdies, Leigh, Moorabool, and Woady Yaloak Rivers.

Figure 6 Barwon River at Murgheboluc In the Barwon basin the Barwon River drains both the northern slopes of the Otway Range whilst the Leigh River drains the central Victorian uplands around Ballarat, joining the Barwon at Inverleigh. The Corangamite basin is a landlocked (terminal) drainage system, with predominantly small ephemeral waterways feeding Lake Corangamite and other significant lakes and wetlands.

Figure 7 The islands within Lake Corangamite The Moorabool Basin includes the Moorabool River and Hovells Creek, a small creek system that rises in the southern foothills of the Brisbane Ranges and the You Yangs and flows into Corio Bay. Little River also falls within the Moorabool Basin, however the Port Phillip Catchment and Land Protection Board guide management activities.

Figure 8 The Moorabool River The waterways of the Otway Coast Basin can be divided into three distinct sections: West, Central and East. The west section of the Otway Coast Basin is drained by the Curdies River, which drains the partly cleared catchments of the Heytesbury where dairying is the predominant agricultural practice.

Figure 9 Little Aire Creek The Gellibrand and Aire and numerous small coastal streams drain the central Otways whilst the east section includes the Erskine River, Thompsons and Spring Creeks. The Otway Coast Basin is noted as having excellent water quality with low levels of salinity and turbidity in most streams.

The condition, values and threats relevant to each major drainage basin are represented in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Figure 10 Moorabool Basin- Condition, Values and Threats

Figure 11 Barwon Basin- Condition, Values and Threats

Figure 12 Corangamite Basin- Condition, Values and Threats

Figure 13 Otway Coast Basin- Condition, Values and Threats

Aboriginal Culture and waterways in the Corangamite Region R.B. Smyth made the first critical attempt to delineate Victorian Aboriginal tribes in 1878 and according to Ian D. Clark (Monash University, 1990), Smyth suggested that:

the basalt plain stretching from the Moorabool River in the east to the Wannon River in the west, and from Mount Cole in the north to the southern shores of Lake Corangamite was occupied by numerous small „tribes‟ that were focused on rivers.

They were principally members of the Wathaurung tribe, with a lesser number of individuals drawn from the Kolakngat in the area to the west of Lake Corangamite. In addition, their clan members belonged to one of three principal language groups: the Wada wurrung, the Gulidjan, and the Djargurd wurrung.

It is not easy to estimate accurately Aboriginal numbers prior to white settlement, however, there were probably between 11,000 and 15,000 Aborigines living in Victoria previously. They were divided among 38 tribes which varied in size according to the richness of their environment. Each tribe occupied a recognised are, spoke a common language and called itself by a specific name (Radcliffe- Brown, 1930). The population decline and loss of lifestyle of those Aboriginals who occupied the lush grasslands, steep or rolling hillsides, abundant creeks, rivers and lakes across the Corangamite region is particularly well documented in Clark (1990). Aldo Massola‟s book Journey to Aboriginal Victoria (Rigby, 1969) is another excellent publication which documents the daily activities of local Aboriginals in nineteenth century Victoria.

Clark reveals that in 1837 the Barrabool Hill tribe numbered 300, and by May 1853 its population had been reduced to nine women, seven men and one child (Lloyd 1862:456). He estimated that births within the clan had not exceeded 24 over a period of seventeen years. In 1853 thousands of gold miners began to descend upon their lands in the upper part of the Corangamite catchment. Lloyd listed the reasons for the decline in their population: diminishing food sources due to the occupation of grassed portions of their land; influenza and association with the colonists; brandy, rum and tobacco; and the fact that they regarded their indigenous neighbours with enmity and exacted revenge upon those who intruded into the tribe‟s hunting ground. In 1881 Dawson estimated that each Wada wurrung speaking clan had a population of 120, giving a total population of 3,240, however, the real figure was probably somewhere between 1620 and 3240.

Clark documents twenty-five Wada wurrung speaking clans and the approximate location they occupied between the Werribee River in the east, the Fiery Creek and Mount Emu Creek to the west, and Mount Misery marked the northern boundary while to the south-east their lands encompassed Lake Corangamite. Importantly, their lands also extended to Port Phillip Bay, around the Bellarine Peninsula, past the coastal port of Geelong to Aireys Inlet. The Wothowurong [sic] established several large camps around Corio Bay, Stingaree Bay and Point Henry with one particularly good camp at Clifton Springs. According to Massola (1969) traces of it remain with perhaps the most rewarding site left on the Peninsula being „situated on the sand ridges alternating with swamp depressions between Portarlington and Indented Head.‟

In a landlocked area bordered by Warrambine Creek and the Barwon River, Clark records that there were four clans who spoke the Gulidjan language. They could be found at Birregurra, Lake Beeac, Lake Colac and „Ingleby‟ station on the Barwon River, and they occupied the rich hunting country as far south as Gellibrand River. In September 1837 their numbers were estimated at between 35 and 40, in December 1850 Gray estimated the population of the „Colac tribe‟ to be 78 (43 males and 35

females) but by 1857, following the arrival of huge numbers of European settlers across the region, only 16 Gulidjan survived (Massola 1966b). In 1862 Lloyd (1862:458) also identified the causes of this clan‟s diminution, caused through increased difficulty gathering food due to European occupation of the best grassed areas of their lands; influenza; association with convicts; and tribal enmity.

Land to the south of the Wada wurrung, and west of the Gulidjan, was occupied by the at least 12 Djargurd wurrung speaking clans. Their western boundary followed the course of the Mount Emu Creek, with the eastern boundary being formed by the western shore of Lake Corangamite.

Aboriginal culture in the Corangamite Region has strong links to the waterways of the region. Even today, sites along waterways, both the lakes and streams can still be identified which have evidence of the traditional ways of the indigenous people. Shell middens (evidence of eating places), rock fish traps, stone tools and scarred trees (evidence of taking materials to build canoes) can all be found associated with the Regions waterways.

4.2 Post European Settlement and Waterways in the Corangamite region Water Victoria- A resource handbook, provides a useful summary of the European settlement in the region. “ John Batman and his party arrived in the Port Phillip region in 1835 and within just two years runs were taken up as far as Winchelsea… The Gold rush of the 1850‟s attracted a large number of people to the Ballarat region and henceforth the area developed rapidly.

Figure 14 Degraded riparian swamp land and remnant native grassland plants

Early agriculture was dominated by sheep and later cattle grazing pursuits which were suited to the vast treeless volcanic plains stretching from Geelong to beyond Lismore. PH Kinimonth, in „The Western Plains: A Natural and Social History (Eds. Conley and Dennis 1984), cites a map compiled in 1857 describing these grasslands as “fitted for grazing purposes alone, consisting of open plains, utterly devoid of timber and scantily supplied with water.”

The demand for land in the post gold rush era saw the lake Corangamite Basin almost entirely cleared for pasture and agriculture and large areas of the Otway forests were opened up for selection in this period (DWR, 1989). The relentless push for more arable land led to widespread drainage of floodplains and wetlands. Unsustainable agricultural practices in the early 1900s led to extensive gully and sheet erosion, and several of the swampy creeks draining into the Barwon from the Northern Otway slopes were channeled and drained, leading to massive erosion of the valley floors. The resulting sediments liberated by such broad catchment wide erosion filled many of the major

waterways. Crown Water Frontages protected some sections of waterways, but licensed grazing of such frontages has meant there is now little discernible distinction between management regimes of public or private land adjoining waterways. Despite such intervention, the riparian zones of the region‟s waterways have survived to be an invaluable remnant of the original indigenous vegetation.

In the post war era, emphasis moved towards securing water resources for the regions growing population and agricultural industries. The West Barwon dam was completed in 1965 and is the major storage providing Geelong, whilst the Lal Lal Reservoir, on the upper Moorabool was built in 1972 to supply both Ballarat and Geelong. Incremental growth of water consumption for both urban and agricultural purposes has continued throughout the region, to the point where for the Moorabool, over 80% of the total divertible water resources have been developed (DWR, 1989).

Prior to the formation of the CCMA waterway management was not actively undertaken in the Corangamite region, although the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission along with the Soil Conservation Authority undertook some erosion control work on badly degraded sections of waterways. Growing global consciousness of environmental issues in the late 20th century contributed to an increasing awareness of the need for sustainable land and water management at the regional and local scale. The Landcare movement, which evolved in Victoria in the 1980s then capitalised on this bottom up community support and saw a level of land and water rehabilitation works not previously experienced in the region. The legacy of this commitment continues to this day, in the form of regionally community based Catchment Management Authorities making strategic and operational decisions for sustainable land and water management.

4.3 The Condition of our Waterways

4.3.1 Measuring Waterway Condition Waterways and wetlands are environments made up of a complex web of interconnecting parts or components, including the flow and quality of the water, the bed and banks, the organisms living in the water and the organisms living on the banks. In order to understand and compare the current condition of our waterways, Victoria has adopted a statewide procedure for measuring waterway health, which incorporates all the components of the waterway environment.

The Index of Stream Condition (ISC) (DNRE 1997) was introduced in Victoria in 1999 and has now been applied to all major waterways in the state. The index includes qualitative measures of the following components of the waterway environment, as shown in Figure 15 in terms of its:

Hydrology quantity and duration of flow Physical form degree of bed and bank erosion Riparian Zone quality and diversity of riparian vegetation Water quality quality of water Aquatic habitat quality of in stream habitat, including snags

The Index places a „score‟ on each of these components for any given section or „reach‟ of waterway. Reaches are lengths of the same waterway, which can be treated as a distinct unit because of their uniform characteristics, including hydrology, geology, vegetation, and land use. The location of reaches within the Corangamite region are represented in Appendix A.

Figure 15 The Waterway Environment

Streamside Zone

Physical Form

Hydrology

Aquatic Water Life/ Habitat Quality

5. THE STRATEGY

5.1 Vision A vision for waterways in the Corangamite Region has been developed with the help of key stakeholders in the region. It defines the desired outcome of responsibly managing the environmental condition of the regions waterways, reflects the significance of the partnership between the CCMA and the community, and it also defines a time frame which matches the ten year planning framework provided by this strategy.

In ten years time, through the implementation of this strategy in partnership with the community, we will have maintained, protected and improved the environmental condition of the Corangamite region’s waterways.

The Vision complements the expected outcome of the Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy – that is to have „the Corangamite community managing land and water resources based on an understanding and a commitment to sustainable use, conservation and rehabilitation of those resources.‟

5.2 Principles To help us understand what the Vision means, we need to identify the significant social, environmental and economic values or principles, which are important to the community at all levels. These values are summarised below:

Integration The effective integration of environmental, social and economic considerations in decision making. Community involvement Recognition that our Vision can not be achieved nor significant progress made towards it without the support of the whole community. Precautionary behaviour Where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage to waterways, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent waterway degradation. Equity within and between generations Fairness and equal access to opportunities both in our lifetimes as well as for future Continual improvement The declining environmental condition of our waterways means there is an imperitive to take immediate action to become more sustainable and to make continual improvement.

(Note: Adapted from ‘Our Community our Future, a Guide to Local Agenda 21’, Cotter and Hannan, 1999).

5.3 Priority Waterway Issues The following are priority issues or threats relating to waterway management in the Corangamite region. Many of the threats are listed under the State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 legislation in Schedule 3, as Potentially Threatening Processes whilst others have been identified through community and stakeholder consultation.

5.3.1 Alterations to Natural Flow Regimes Urban and agricultural development has necessitated the abstraction of water from waterways, causing alterations to quantity and timing of flows and reducing the biodiversity of our rivers, creeks and streams. Drainage of wetlands and floodplains for cultivation has upset the natural water cycles of these wet environments, thus reducing their capacity to filter out nutrients and store floodwaters.

5.3.2 Degradation of Native Riparian Vegetation Indigenous riparian vegetation is vital to the functioning of stream ecosystems. Riparian vegetation helps to maintain bank stability, through the binding nature of root systems and also provides an important buffer zone for the filtering of sediments, nutrients and catchment runoff. Instream habitats are derived from riparian vegetation including fallen branches and trees (snags), leaves and barks. Undercut banks, important for platypus and other aquatic species, are maintained through the presence of streamside vegetation.

Removal of riparian vegetation impacts the aquatic environment by increasing the amount of light into the system. This may result in increased aquatic weed growth and algal growth, which can in turn lead to choking of the waterway. Stability of the bed and banks will also decline following the removal of streamside vegetation.

5.3.3 Introduction of exotic plants and animals to aquatic environments Introduced aquatic plants are a threat to waterways from both an ecological and socio-economic point of view. These plants can be associated with damage to irrigation pumps and other machinery as well as to with changes to light availability, nutrient levels and the resultant impacts on aquatic life. The introduction of European Carp, Mosquito fish and many other exotic fish species has dramatically impacted on the ecology of our waterways. Exotic fish species can out compete native fish species for habitat areas and food resources often at the exclusion of the species of the original community.

5.3.4 Increase in Sediment Input into Waterways Clearing of catchments and cultivation of fragile flood plains and wetlands has resulted in an increase in the erosive forces, which act on our waterways. The resulting soil erosion from catchments and in natural channels has caused a build up of sediments that smother aquatic habitats and block up the waterways. Also, these sediments are often associated with high concentrations of nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen, which pollute the waterways and contribute to outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae and the rampant growth of nuisance aquatic weeds.

5.3.5 Input of chemical substances into waterways The input of toxic substances into waterways can result in immediate kills of aquatic organisms along with reduced vigour and changes to the behaviour and growth of fish. The effects of residual substances are particularly devastating however, many of these herbicides and pesticides are being replaced with ones, which are much less persistent in the aquatic environment. A variety of environmental factors such as temperature and oxygen levels in the water can also result in significant impacts to aquatic communities.

5.3.6 Removal of wood debris from Victorian Streams Removal of snags decreases the variety of instream habitat and results in significant changes to the channel morphology [shape]. Channelisation of waterways and removal of large woody debris, or „snags‟ has increased water flows and caused accelerated erosion processes downstream, often resulting in major changes in the waterways shape and behaviour and causing loss of property.

5.3.7 Barriers to fish movement

Figure 16 Weirs, dams and culverts can all be barriers to fish migration Structures such as dams, weirs, culverts and fords can impede the migration of native fish. Many native fish require migration, either upstream or downstream, in order to complete their lifecycle. Barriers to fish migration can impede spawning migrations and the mixing of genes within populations, resulting in unviable native fish populations.

5.3.8 Invasion of Native Vegetation by Environmental weeds The invasion of environmental weeds into the streamside zone can results in the loss of both terrestrial [land] and aquatic species from particular habitats. Blackberries, gorse, bridal creeper and other environmental weeds are all significantly impacting on streamside habitats within the region. Environmental weeds can often out compete indigenous plants resulting in a lowered potential for natural regeneration and a reduction in native biodiversity.

5.3.9 Channelisation of waterways Many waterways are subject to engineering schemes aimed at controlling the impacts of flooding and enhancing the waterways drainage efficiency. This is achieved by the removal of logs and debris, removal of vegetation with the potential to block the waterway, extraction of gravel and sediment from the channel, straightening of the channel, and in some cases lining of the channel with concrete or similar materials.

These river engineering works significantly impact on the ecology of the waterways, resulting in low species diversity and abundance. High maintenance costs can also be associated with some waterway engineering works.

5.3.10 Loss of indigenous cultural heritage Indigenous cultural heritage may include burial sites and remains, shell middens, stone tools or scarred trees. Federal and state legislation contains provisions for the protection of indigenous cultural heritage. Sites are often associated with waterways in the Corangamite region, however many sites will never be identified and may be damaged as a result.

5.3.11 Loss of recreational opportunities associated with waterways Our waterways can provide a myriad of opportunities for recreation, including fishing, boating, nature appreciation or swimming. Any decline in water quality and other waterway issues may result in reduced opportunities for recreation.

5.3.12 Damage to human assets associated with waterways Floods and erosion processes can cause significant damage to human assets including farmland, bridges, roads etc. Waterway management in the Corangamite region must achieve a balance between the protection of ecological assets and human assets.

5.4 Priority Setting Famework In the past waterway restoration activities have primarily focussed on protecting assets such as bridges, roads and other infrastructure, with works usually carried out on the most degraded sections of stream. However, in recent years the priorities for waterway management have changed, and waterway managers in Australia are beginning to prioritise works by including the „natural assets‟ of streams as well as the continuing need for protection of life and property. The Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology has developed A Rehabilitation Manual for Australian Streams, in partnership with the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRDC). This document outlines the current priority setting framework for waterway management.

Priorities must take into account the following:

 The over-riding need to protect streams or reaches that have high biodiversity values or significant assets which protect life and property,  The need to act first on those waterway problems which are relatively easy to fix,  The need to act in those waterways where community support and ownership is greatest.

In terms of waterway health, it is usually more efficient to protect reaches that remain in good condition, than to spend huge amounts of money trying to rehabilitate reaches that are already damaged (Rutherford et al, 1999). Similarly, it is usually more efficient to stop a stream from deteriorating than to try to fix it later. Within reaches, it is crucial to identify the potential barriers to recovery and address these first.

The fundamental approach that we need to adopt for long term improvement in waterway health needs to ensure that any works proposed must be in accord with the underlying physical processes occurring in the waterway. If this is not the case, our works – whether they be revegetation in the streamside zone, fencing to control stock access or erosion control – are at risk of being lost through sudden or gradual changes in the physical form of the waterway. The best way to ensure a long-term improvement in the health of a waterway is to develop an understanding of its behaviour and characteristics, then implement a plan to work within these characteristics.

Many of the actions recommended in this Draft Strategy for improving waterway health relate directly or indirectly to biodiversity conservation, and specifically protection and re-establishment of indigenous native vegetation. Accordingly, the direction and principles for management of native vegetation as described in the Corangamite Native Vegetation Plan are applicable to the Waterway Health Strategy.

Priorities discussed herein include primarily targeted works on designated waterways. However, CCMA will continue to encourage voluntary participation in works conducted on minor waterways or tributaries that are not specifically mentioned in this Draft Strategy. Recommended actions have been grouped according to their scope of application. Those recommendations, which apply to all waterways across the region or are strategic in nature, have been split into nine Regional Programs according to the nine Strategy objectives.

In addition, four Basin Action Plans (Appendix B) have been developed to include all those recommended actions, which relate to a specific basin or to specific waterways within that basin. Within each Basin Action Plan, recommended actions have been grouped according to the regional program classification where possible.

6. STRATEGY PROGRAMS

6.1 Program 1 – Hydrology

AIM: Maintain and seek to restore appropriate water regimes necessary to sustain waterway, wetland and riparian ecosystems

The hydrology component of a waterway includes the volume of water Key Issues Addressed flowing and the annual variation or „seasonality‟ of flows and pays particular attention to changes to the waterways original flow regime,  Alteration to such as the impact of dams, diversions and urbanisation. Changes to the natural flow flow regime of waterways can have significant impact on wetlands and regimes floodplains, the structure of the bed and banks of the waterway, fish and other aquatic life populations, riparian vegetation and water quality.

Key influences on these alterations have been the need to develop water resources for consumptive use, or in the case of wetlands, floodplains and estuaries, to improve or protect productive areas. It is likely that improvements in flow regimes will be gained through water resource planning mechanisms such as the Bulk Entitlement conversion process, Streamflow Management Plans, and through Municipal Planning Schemes. Greater emphasis will also need to be placed on ensuring greater accountability for water use across all catchments. Structural measures may also be employed to recreate appropriate hydrological regimes in wetlands and „chain of ponds‟ systems.

Planning for water resource use

Action No. Recommended Action Priority 1.1 Complete Streamflow Management Plans for priority waterways across High the region 1.2 Encourage effective and efficient farm dam management in accordance High with Streamflow Management Plan requirements and active distribution of farm dam water supply management guidelines 1.3 Develop model permit conditions for local government as part of the High review of planning schemes, to reflect the outcomes of the Victorian Farm Dams Irrigation Review recommendations. 1.4 Ensure compliance with Streamflow Management Plans and existing Ongoing operating rules or environmental flow guidelines 1.5 Support and encourage reductions in the use of water for irrigation and Medium for maximum re-use of irrigation drainage water “on-farm” to reduce quantities of water draining to the natural wetland and waterway systems 1.6 Ensure planning & development decisions consider the potential impact Ongoing on stream flows and existing water allocations

Altered hydrological regimes

Action No. Recommended Action Priority 1.7 Determine appropriate monitoring regimes for delivery and impact of High environmental flows 1.8 Identify opportunities to restore Chain of Ponds systems High 1.9 Develop and implement management plans to protect and enhance High private and public wetlands of regional importance

6.2 Program 2 – Physical Form

AIM: Protect community assets and stabilise waterways through structural means where sustainable community benefits will arise.

The physical form component of a waterway includes those Key Issues Addressed physical features which determine the shape, size and form of the waterway, including the riffles and pools, bed, banks,  Increase in sediment instream bars, extent of erosion and sedimentation, the input into waterways instream physical habitat and the degree of connection.  Channelisation of waterways Included in this program are those measures and works that  Damage to human directly alter the physical form of the waterway, including: assets

Bed stabilisation Structural Bank protection In-stream sediment and vegetation management Willow Management Maintenance and Operations

These measures are needed to stabilise and protect the physical structure of the waterway. They often require specialist planning, design and construction. An overview of each of the measures is described here, but for a full description of the various structural stream management techniques that are available to address waterway instabilities, refer to the "Guidelines for Stabilising Waterways" (Standing Committee on Rivers and Catchments, 1991).

6.2.1 Bed Stabilisation and/or Restoration Erosion of streambeds can occur as a gradual deepening process over considerable lengths of stream, more abruptly as head-ward erosion, or more usually as a combination of both. If this erosion is not stabilized through some sort of structural control, the waterway will continue to deepen and in turn, cause bank erosion. The standard technique for treating this problem is to stabilise the slope or grade of

the bed of the waterway by building steps, or drops in the bed level at appropriate distances along the waterway.

Figure 17 Extensive bed erosion has occurred in the eastern Otway catchments

This helps the waterway restore its natural sequence of pools and riffles, enhancing the diversity of habitat for aquatic life. This measure can also be used to restore pool and riffle sequences to artificial drains, enhancing their ecological value. Bed stabilisation is a relatively minor component of long-term resolution of the problems with eroding waterways in the Corangamite region and it will only be undertaken as a component of an integrated reach rehabilitation project. Priority reaches for stabilisation of bed erosion are shown on the map figure 18.

Figure 18 Priority reaches for bed stabilisation work

6.2.2 Structural Bank Protection Bank erosion can be caused by a number of factors, including natural meander processes, the absence of protective bank vegetation, scour caused by the deflection of flows around instream obstructions and islands, stock damage, bed erosion, stream widening and channel anabranching. Some erosion resulting from natural meander processes is inevitable, therefore adjoining land uses should be planned so as to accommodate this risk. Historically this has not always been the case, and in cases where erosion has been caused or exacerbated by human activities, management strategies should aim to address these factors before structural works are considered. Management actions to be considered before structural bank protection is contemplated include stock control, regeneration or revegetation of banks and verges, removal or realignment of obstructions and relocation of assets threatened by the erosion

Bank erosion is often a function of bed erosion, which must be treated prior to consideration of any structural protection of eroding banks. Structural bank protection works include physical protection of the bank with placement of rock, steel or wood and this is only considered to be appropriate where public safety, significant remnant vegetation, or important assets or infrastructure are threatened by erosion processes. There are relatively few such instances over the CCMA region.

Some eroding tributaries have deepened to the point where they are now steep gullies with near vertical walls. In these waterways, natural fretting of steep banks to more stable slopes, and/or collapse of cliffs must be anticipated over the longer term. It is considered unlikely that it will be economically possible to stabilise the banks in place, except where important assets are threatened. Bank battering is not recommended as a general approach to waterway bank management. As a generalisation, over the CCMA region most of the bank erosion problems observed can be treated by the establishment of appropriate indigenous vegetation and/or improved management of stock access. Priority reaches for bank stabilisation works are shown in figure 19.

Figure 19 Priority bank stabilisation works

6.2.3 Instream sediment and vegetation management Eroding gullies and sheet/rill/tunnel erosion contribute sediment to waterways, leading to aggradation, erosion, and nuisance aquatic plant growth. Spiny Rush and gorse can invade highly aggraded waterways but rampant growth of aquatic macrophytes such as Cumbungi and Phragmites is often the major problem. In general these aquatic reeds perform a useful function in filtering out and binding sediments and attached nutrients. However, their effectiveness in trapping sediment can lead to significant changes in the available aquatic habitat by steadily reducing the depth of pools. Treatment of the sources of sediment in the eroding catchment will mitigate inputs over the longer term but will not address existing problems of major infestations of these plants in waterways. However it is considered that as a general rule the sediments and weeds may best be left undisturbed with the focus being on land restoration activities and streamside revegetation.

There may be some local benefits to be gained by implementing strictly controlled (recurrent) instream sediment management activities in terms of improvements in drainage performance, aquatic habitat, and protection of remnant vegetation as well as protecting land and assets from bank erosion. Any invasive treatment activities will need to be developed with specialist geomorphological oversight and could include:

Excavation of sediment deposits immediately downstream of confluences with those tributaries, which are carrying, elevated sediment loads, to create sediment trap zones, Controlled spraying programs to mitigate macrophyte growth, especially in “riffle” zones, Targeted mechanical removal of spiny rush and follow up chemical treatment, Selective removal of islands, bars and aggraded “riffle” zones.

Excavation of instream sediment to create a continuous low flow course along any creek is not recommended as this is not the natural form and such works would be likely to encourage further erosion cycles and downstream movement of sediment and nutrients.

Structural measures Action No. Recommended Action Priority 2.1 Establish the operational framework for the CCMA to provide High structural waterway management services 2.2 Implement Priority 1 structural measures High 2.3 Implement Priority 2 structural measures Medium 2.4 Implement Priority 3 structural measures Low

6.2.4 Willow Management

Figure 20 Willows can cause serious bank erosion Willows in and along waterways can cause significant waterway health problems. Issues associated with willows include:

They form obstructions which cause bank erosion and impede channel conveyance, They reproduce both vegetatively and by seed and will spread profusely downstream, out- competing native species, They offer a lower potential for indigenous biodiversity along waterways than local indigenous vegetation.

However, willows also have some positive benefits:

They shade the waterways during summer, Willow roots provide bed level controls in some situations, Willows provide a source of (low grade) woody debris, Willows can provide some habitat diversity in the form of pools, runs and drops.

The detrimental environmental effects of willows and the need to use indigenous vegetation communities in waterway revegetation projects are important messages for the community education and awareness program. Willow management is a component task in the process of revegetating a waterway with local indigenous vegetation, rather than an objective for waterway management in itself. Priority reaches for willow management works are shown in figure 21.

Figure 21 Priority reaches for willow management works Willow control Action No. Recommended Action Priority 2.5 Conduct Willow removal works on Priority 1 reaches High 2.6 Conduct Willow removal works on Priority 2 reaches Medium 2.7 Conduct Willow removal works on Priority 3 reaches Low 2.8 Conduct Willow removal works on other priority reaches which are Medium identified through Local Waterway Rehabilitation Plans

6.2.5 Management and maintenance of assets All works of construction require provision for on-going operation and maintenance. This is particularly so for engineering works where the focus is on recognition of governing natural waterway processes, minimum structural intervention, use of natural materials and indigenous vegetation to restore a sustainable ecological environment. The works are based on proven techniques, which retain or enhance environmental benefits and in the longer term lead to restoration of "natural" waterways. By their nature and location they are susceptible to damage by flood during the establishment period and repairs or adjustments may prove necessary i.e. fencing and revegetation projects on a floodplain.

Management and maintenance of assets Action No. Recommended Action Priority 2.13 Prepare schedules for ongoing operation and maintenance activities for High existing assets and those created through implementation of structural measures

2.14 Implement operation and maintenance programs Medium 2.15 Compile a register of assets of joint interest to CCMA and utilities Medium (road drop structures, water/sewer crossings, weirs, main urban and rural drains) and develop asset management maintenance guidelines for their protection 2.16 Identify privately owned assets which may be considered as barriers to Ongoing fish migration 2.17 Resolve the ownership of drop structures listed in asset register. High Undertake a thorough assessment of future management and maintenance requirements for those assets that are the responsibility of the CCMA 2.18 Implement effective and efficient management of land and water for Ongoing which the CCMA is responsible on the Barwon River through Geelong

6.3 Program 3 – Streamside Zone

AIM: Protect and where appropriate enhance environmental, cultural and social values of streamsides.

The streamside or „riparian zone‟ of a waterway is a Key Issues Addressed fundamental part of the landscape that characterises a

waterway. They are long, linear sections of land, often with  Degradation of native high soil fertility and moisture, and are some of the most highly riparian vegetation productive and sought after for agricultural production.  Invasion of native

vegetation by The streamside zone has many important roles, acting as a filter environmental weeds for nutrients before they reach the waterway, as a source of  Loss of indigenous organic inputs to the stream (leaves, twigs and logs), providing cultural heritage habitat for native fauna, contributing to bank stability,  Loss of recreational providing shade for stock, ecological and recreational purposes opportunities and providing aesthetic and recreational values. associated with

waterways The major threats to the health of the streamside zone are pest plants and animals, stock access, waterway instability and declining biodiversity.

Revegetation of the streamside zone provides a filter for reducing sediment and nutrient inputs to waterways and is invaluable in its role in stabilising stream banks. Across the Corangamite region, re- establishment of indigenous vegetation cover is considered to be the most appropriate universal technique for stabilisation of streams that are not subject to active headward erosion processes.

Plantings or natural regeneration is rarely successful unless protected from stock grazing through provision of suitable fencing. Fencing may be continuous along one or both sides of the waterway (depending on stream size and land use), or it may protect discrete areas of plantings. In areas where natural regeneration is adequate, or where additional plantings are not judged to be necessary, fencing alone may be sufficient to achieve restoration objectives.

The provision of adequate setbacks from the edge of the waterway for fencing will be critical to longer- term improvements in waterway health, especially on main rivers and creeks streams and along the unstable hill country tributaries. Fencing close to outer banks of bends is generally not recommended for any stream. Fencing setbacks should be a minimum of ten metres and desirably at greater distances where considerable streambed and bank instability exists. Priorities for streamside zone protection works are shown in figure 22.

Figure 22 Priorities for streamside zone protection works On ground protection of streamside zone Action No. Recommended Action Priority 3.1 Undertake Priority one streamside protection works High 3.2 Undertake Priority two streamside protection works Medium 3.3 Undertake Priority three streamside protection works Low 3.4 Encourage re-establishment of local indigenous vegetation along all High waterways through control of stock access and planting where required through incentives via; Pro-active recruitment of land managers with high priority waterways or reaches An annual Incentive Program for Voluntary Riparian protection and rehabilitation works on other waterways 3.5 Encourage participation in voluntary participation schemes to improve High biodiversity conservation in rural landscapes, including Landcare, Land For Wildlife and Farm$mart/ Farm Biz 3.6 Establish a streamside management team including community „link‟ High people (similar to those used to implement the Corangamite Salinity Strategy), to work d work with Landcare groups, networks and individuals and encourage reach based streamside protection and rehabilitation projects

Planning & incentives Action No. Recommended Action Priority 3.11 Develop regional guidelines for best practice riparian protection and High rehabilitation 3.12 Review the CCMA Healthy Waterways Incentive Program High 3.13 Implement sub catchment and catchment management plans for the 14 High proclaimed water supply catchments 3.14 Implement guidelines for proclaimed water supply catchments through High the local planning schemes

3.15 Encourage the development of Property Management Plans and the use Medium of management agreements and covenants to ensure long term protection of riparian environments

6.3.1 Cultural Heritage Protection in the Streamside Zone Archaeological surveys in the Corangamite region have identified a large number of significant cultural heritage sites. These are fairly evenly distributed across the region, however there is a strong association between site locations and waterways. Many of the wetlands, lakes and streams in the region were either permanently inhabited or used as travelling routes by Aboriginal people in the Corangamite region prior to European settlement. The lower Leigh, Barwon and Moorabool Rivers have a relatively high concentration of identified sites. Shell middens are the main site type found along the coastal and estuarine areas. Inland sites generally comprise of isolated artefacts, however some sites include burial grounds, mounds, scarred trees, rock arrangements and surface scatter.

Aboriginal cultural heritage sites are protected under both State and Commonwealth legislation. In cases of conflict Commonwealth legislation takes precedence over state legislation. The Victorian Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act (1972) provides blanket protection of all material relating to Aboriginal occupation prior to European settlement. The Act establishes administrative procedures for surveys and mandatory reporting of the discovery of sites to AAV. The Commonwealth governments Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (1984) covers protection of cultural property in a wider sense than the State legislation in that it includes places, objects and folklore that have traditional significance for Aboriginal people. The Native Title Act (1993) relates to all public land, irrespective of whether a native title claim has been lodged. In particular notice must be given if earthworks are going to occur.

Three Aboriginal Co-operatives, in consultation with Aboriginal Affairs Victoria help to maintain, monitor and register significant sites in the Corangamite region. They are the Wathaurong, Framlingham and Ballarat and District Co-operatives. Three cultural heritage officers, who are available to provide advice and technical information regarding cultural heritage sites, are employed under the South West Cultural Heritage Program. In the region there is currently a distinct lack of information about, and active participation in, the protection and identification of cultural heritage sites.

Cultural heritage protection Action No. Recommended Action Priority 3.7 Develop site protection plans to protect Aboriginal sites of significance Ongoing along waterways in consultation with the local Aboriginal community in conjunction with AAV 3.8 Develop regional guidelines and protocols to ensure protection of High cultural heritage values along waterways 3.9 Encourage greater community awareness of Aboriginal cultural High heritage protection 3.10 Develop one demonstration site with emphasis on Indigenous cultural High associations with waterways

6.4 Program 4 – Aquatic Habitat

AIM: Enhance and protect the instream environment in order to preserve ecological processes and functions and maintain biodiversity

Key Issues Addressed The aquatic life component of waterway health can look at the diversity of macro-invertebrates, fish, algae, aquatic plants or the presence of  Removal of platypus. In particular, macro-invertebrates are a very useful indicator wood debris of waterway health. The Aquatic habitat program will largely cover the from Victorian need to repair or protect the instream environment for the benefit of streams aquatic animals.  Barriers to fish movement The instream habitat required by these aquatic animals such as fish, platypus and macro invertebrates might include the presence of snags (Large Woody Debris), the presence of large rocks and other material and the composition of the bed of the waterway, whether that is gravel, silt or rock. Snags provide habitat for many plants and animals, from bacteria and fungi through to native fish and platypus. Snags that protrude from the water also provide roosting places for birds and turtles. They also help to shape waterways by helping to create deep pools and undercut banks, which are all important as aquatic habitat.

Figure 23 Fishway constructed on Thompsons Creek

There are several weirs, culverts and ford crossings, which require works to facilitate native fish migrations. Seventy percent of the native fish species in Victoria require a migration between the coast and freshwater in order to complete their lifecycle. Adjustments to such structures could range from removal of those that may no longer be required, through to provision of low flow bypass and to provision of fish ladders or rock chute fishways.

Structural works & on ground solutions Action No. Recommended Action Priority 4.1 Implement structural modifications to existing weirs and structures to Medium facilitate fish passage and provision of environmental flows 4.2 Identify and remove redundant structures in waterways to facilitate fish Ongoing passage 4.3 Identify opportunities to undertake instream habitat rehabilitation Medium

works such as large woody debris reintroduction 4.4 Identify and protect significant fish and platypus habitat areas, High particularly in ephemeral streams

Planning controls Action No. Recommended Action Priority 4.5 Identify conditions to apply to works on waterways that will protect fish High movement past structures

6.5 Program 5- Water Quality

AIM: To assist in the protection of, and continually enhance water quality standards to maintain biological processes, biodiversity and satisfy consumptive needs.

Key Issues Addressed The quality of the water in a waterway is a crucial component of its overall health and includes measures of nutrient concentration,  Input of toxic turbidity, salinity, acidity, dissolved oxygen, and toxicants. substances into Community concern is rising over the inputs of nutrients, salinity and waterways other contaminants to our waterways from all sources in the landscape.

The Corangamite region has identified the specific need to address the issue of nutrient inputs to the waterways through the Corangamite Nutrient Management Plan, whilst the Corangamite Salinity Plan addresses the issue of salinity across the region. A Salinity and Water Quality Plan will be developed for the region, following the audit of the Corangamite Salinity Plan. It will be primarily through implementation of these plans that the Waterway Health Strategy objective for water quality will be met. For more detailed information on the recommended actions for reducing nutrient and salt inputs to our waterways, refer to the Corangamite Nutrient Management Plan and Corangamite Salinity Management Plan.

Planning & implementation Action No. Recommended Action Priority 5.1 Review, assess and prioritise current contribution of catchment erosion High areas to waterway siltation 5.2 Support the Review of the Corangamite Salinity Plan and its Medium implementation 5.3 Support the integrated implementation of the CMA Nutrient Ongoing Management Plan

5.4 Promote best management practices in the catchment which ameliorate High salinity problems in the regions waterways

5.5 Support and encourage the use of artificial wetland filtration and flow Medium retardation systems on the constructed rural drainage lines (not the natural waterways which receive the flows), and urban/industrial drains

6.6 Program 6 – Community Awareness and Involvement AIM: Increase community awareness of and support for waterway health and involve the community in decision making to improve waterway health

Figure 24 Landcare members attending a field day in the Swan Bay catchment

Community education planning Action No. Recommended Action Priority 6.1 Publicise the availability and effectiveness of waterway rehabilitation Ongoing incentive schemes 6.2 Encourage increased general community awareness of and support High waterway health through implementation of the CCMA Communications Strategy (including sponsorship, media articles, presentations and seminars) 6.3 Compile and maintain register of all interest groups and persons High involved in waterway health or related fields 6.4 Review roles, membership and operation of existing waterway health Medium related committees and, if necessary, modify arrangements to ensure appropriate community representation.

Community education materials and on ground action Action No. Recommended Action Priority 6.5 Establish a program of sign posting major waterways along key High regional routes 6.6 Encourage improved understanding of waterway health issues to key Ongoing clients and stakeholders through support for educational and training opportunities in technical issues and formal tours 6.7 Support and encourage community involvement in waterway conditions Ongoing monitoring through programs such as Waterwatch 6.8 Develop a stream frontage/ wetland management module for inclusion High in Property Management Planning courses 6.9 Establish and utilise a range of waterway protection and rehabilitation High protection sites for demonstration of best management practices. 6.10 Develop user friendly technical information for protection and High rehabilitation of riparian zones, including; appropriate local plant species lists, revegetation options and techniques, fencing and stock control options, stock crossings, off stream watering options, woody weed control, riparian zone maintenance

6.7 Program 7 – Benchmarking, Monitoring and Evaluation

AIM: Develop ongoing consistent programs to monitor the ecological character of waterways

Lack of attention to benchmarking and monitoring of waterway conditions has been a contributing factor to the occurrence of some existing waterway management problems in the region. Similarly, information gaps in our knowledge can result in uncertainty and even conflicts over what has happened and how it should be addressed. Monitoring for waterway condition has only recently become more focused and much of the existing information has been collected with other objectives in mind, and may not suit the needs for targeted monitoring of waterway health.

An integrated monitoring program for waterways is essential to provide contemporary data on:

The occurrence and status of problems, The condition of waterway environments, The success of waterway management efforts, The potential for new problems to develop or for existing problems to worsen, Identifying developing threats to waterway/riparian areas with existing high environmental values.

Benchmarking and planning Action No. Recommended Action Priority 7.1 Review the effectiveness and adequacy of current water quality, quantity Medium and biological monitoring 7.2 Review all waterway health related operations and maintenance activities Medium to ensure consistency with environmental, cultural, social and economic objectives 7.3 Implement Index of Stream Condition Assessment every 5 years and Ongoing undertake 50 additional ISC sites every other year 7.4 Develop standard guidelines for monitoring of all waterway protection High and rehabilitation works 7.5 Initiate a wetland inventory study to address existing conditions, values, High threats, key issues and management options for all significant wetlands across the region, on both private and public property.

Monitoring and evaluation Action No. Recommended Action Priority 7.6 Undertake a monitoring program following fishway construction at all Ongoing sites 7.7 Adopt appropriate performance monitoring criteria for waterway health Medium projects and develop a representative monitoring program to allow valid assessment of conditions of waterways 7.8 Implement Regional Audit process for all Waterway Incentive Projects High and establish a Regional Data Net project administration system

6.8 Program 8 –Research and Investigation

AIM: Increase our scientific and practical understanding of waterway and wetland ecosystems in order to effect their sustainable management

Additional investigation and research is required to improve our understanding of waterway health. Investigations, which seek to improve our understanding of the condition, values and threats to waterways in the region, will enable the CCMA to develop a sound scientific basis for waterway improvement works.

At the local level, community groups and/or groups of adjacent landholders who have a vested interest in rehabilitating their waterway should be encouraged to undertake waterway assessments. These assessments could then become the basis for the development of localised Waterway Rehabilitation

Plans for the local community to implement over time. Aerial photo interpretation is an economical and appropriate method of assessing waterway health over a broad area and it is important that the CCMA be able to offer this service to its clients.

In addition to the proposed program of catchment and waterway stabilisation, there is a pressing need to review the operation of the drainage diversion schemes and the present lake water level control protocols. The review would assess opportunities to reduce lake management problems and also stability problems in the diversion system.

Research and investigation Action No. Recommended Action Priority 8.1 Encourage the development of community led Waterway Rehabilitation High Plans. 8.2 Support existing research into waterway health High 8.3 Identify information gaps in our knowledge of waterway health and Medium support research into these areas. 8.4 Investigate the impacts of natural and artificial sources of salinity on High biodiversity in the Barwon River 8.5 Undertake long term studies of the efficiency of fishway construction in Medium the Corangamite region

6.9 Program 9 - Strategy Coordination

AIM: To ensure effective implementation of the Waterway Health Strategy over its ten year timeframe.

Agency coordination Action No. Recommended Action Priority 9.1 Establish a regional resume of all natural resources extension staff for Medium staff and clients to ensure provision of appropriate technical advice for all integrated catchment management activities 9.2 Establish strong relationships with key utility and road construction High providers to ensure understanding of mutual obligations with respect to protecting and improving waterway health 9.3 Establish guidelines for referral of new dams and model permit conditions High for local government 9.4 Encourage cooperation with other CMA regions, and where possible High integrate programs to ensure consistency across the state 9.5 Encourage knowledge transfer between CMA regions including Medium secondments, Landcare tours etc.

Programs coordination Action No. Recommended Action Priority 9.6 Establish and maintain a register of potential private, state and federal High government funding sources for natural resource management projects affecting waterways and potential projects 9.7 Integrate priorities of waterway health with land and biodiversity Ongoing functions 9.8 Conduct an annual information forum for all natural resource High management extension staff in the region to ensure delivery of quality, integrated catchment management advice to clients 9.9 Provide input to the Review of MSS and Planning Schemes to ensure they High are consistent with CCMA principles and programs to improve waterway health

Strategy review Action No. Recommended Action Priority 9.10 Conduct Bi- annual review of implementation of the CCMA Waterway Ongoing Health Strategy

Planning tools Action No. Recommended Action Priority 9.11 Identify appropriate non-structural measures to support the structural High works program, and the mechanisms available to implement these measures (eg. model permit conditions for use by municipalities, inclusions in MSS and Planning Schemes, provision of “best management practice” guidelines to municipalities, support for Landcare groups etc.)

7. RESPONSIBILITIES AND COST SHARING

7.1 Responsibilities The CCMA as the waterway management Authority for the region is the lead agency for coordinating the implementation of the strategy. Landholders, local government, water authorities and government agencies all share in the responsibility of improving waterway health. This section outlines the recommended responsibilities for waterway management works across the region and provides for lead and support roles.

The CCMA has a direct role in delivering waterway management services for priority areas of waterways. In some parts of the State CMAs have traditionally undertaken the services, because they directly affect the physical form and behaviour of the waterway and its flow.

Given the complexity, variability and flow-on effects of waterways, as well as the need to protect life and property, it is essential that activities that involve in-stream works are appropriately designed and implemented according to rigorous standards. In most cases, the costs of building major waterway structures are beyond the capabilities of adjoining landholders.

These activities make up the recommended Waterway Service Delivery Role of the CMA, which include:

Bed stabilisation / or restoration, Structural Bank Protection, Instream Sedimentation and Vegetation Management, Willow Management, Fishways.

Where any assets are created from these activities by the CCMA, their operation and maintenance will be the responsibility of the CCMA.

The CCMA also has a responsibility to assist in implementation of other waterway activities, but does not retain the responsibility for operation and maintenance of these assets. This is the Waterway Services Assistance Role of the CCMA, which, includes:

Fencing, revegetation, pest plant control, Gully and land erosion stabilisation, Altered flow regimes, Urban stormwater, Estuary management.

49 The following table lists the recommended responsibilities and support roles for all waterway health activities:

Note: AAV/I = Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and (Local) Indigenous Communities UW = Urban Water Authority CB = (Western or Central) Coastal Board CCMA = Corangamite Catchment Management Authority LH = Landholder LG = Local Government RWA = Rural Water Authority PV = Parks Victoria

Table 3: Recommended Responsibilities for Waterway Management

Program Activity Planning & Maintenance Implementation Lead Support Lead Support Role Role Role Role Hydrology Streamflow Management Plans SRW CCMA SRW CCMA Altered flow regimes NRE RWA/UW A Estuary Management CCMA Physical Bed stabilisation/restoration CCMA LH CCMA L/h Form Structural Bank Protection CCMA LH CCMA L/h Instream Sedimentation and CCMA LH CCMA L/h Vegetation Management Willow Management CCMA LH LH CCMA Streamside Fencing, revegetation, pest plant LH CCMA LH Zone control Cultural Heritage Protection AAV/I CCMA LH AAV/I Crown Frontage Management NRE, PV CCMA LH, NRE Water Gully and land erosion LH NRE LH Quality stabilisation Urban Stormwater LG CCMA LG Aquatic Fishways CCMA NRE CCMA NRE Habitat

50 7.2 Strategy Costs and Cost Sharing Table 4, below, outlines a proposed sharing framework based on the Beneficiary Pays Principle as applied to various waterway health related activities. Given that many of the actions to improve waterway health involve the CCMA and rural landholders, these key stakeholders bear much of the direct costs. However it should be emphasised that costs in this sense can include the value of in- kind services, such as labour, project management and use of private equipment. The category „Other‟ can include any key stakeholder or organisation previously mentioned in this document as being directly or indirectly involved in improving waterway health. Determining appropriate cost sharing guidelines is a dynamic and adaptive process, and the following summary is intended as guide only.

Table 4: Recommended Cost Sharing for Waterway Health Activities

Program Activity % of Cost Share CCMA Landholder OTHER Hydrology Streamflow Management Plans 50 50 Altered flow regimes Estuary Management Plans 50 50 Physical Bed stabilisation/restoration 100 # Form Structural Bank Protection 100 # Instream Sedimentation and 100 # Vegetation Management Willow Management 100 # Streamside Fencing, revegetation, pest plant 50 50 Zone control Cultural Heritage Protection 50 50 Water Gully and land erosion 30 30 30 Quality stabilisation Urban Stormwater Plans 50 50 Aquatic Fishways 100 Habitat

# Note that these activities can only be undertaken as a component of a broader integrated waterway rehabilitation or protection project involving complementary streamside zone activities by landholders.

As shown in Table 5 on the following page, the direct annual cost to the CCMA for implementing the proposed Draft Strategy is estimated at $3.8 million. This figure does not include community cash or in kind contributions.

51 Table 5: Overall Summary Of Activities And Costs BASIN Bed Structural Bank Instream Willow Fencing, Altered flow Structure retrofits TOTAL Stabilisation Protection sediment and management reveg’n, weed regimes for fish passage and/or vegetation control restoration management MOORABOOL $36,000 $30,000 $1,040,000 $1,745,000 $180,000 (Suggested CCMA Share) $36,000 $30,000 $1,040,000 $1,221,500 $90,000 BARWON $937,000 $348,000 $120,000 $1380,000 $6,158,000 $280,000 (Suggested CCMA Share) $937,000 $348,000 $120,000 $1,380,000 $4,317,600 $140,000 LAKE CORANGAMITE $1,908,000 $57,000 $80,000 $130,000 $4,994,000 $200,000 $120,000 (Suggested CCMA Share) $1,908,000 $57,000 $80,000 $130,000 $3,495,800 $100,000 $60,000 OTWAY COAST $189,000 $15,000 $2,335,000 $4,260,500 $235,000 (Suggested CCMA Share) $189,000 $15,000 $2,335,000 $2,982,350 $117,500 Subtotals $3,070,000 $450,000 $200,000 $4,885,000 $17,157,500 $300,000 $815,000 Suggested CCMA Share $3,070,000 $450,000 $200,000 $4,885,000 $12,016,450 $150,000 $407,500 Suggested duration (yrs) 10 10 10 20 50 2 5 ANNUAL CAPITAL COSTS $307,000 $45,000 $20,000 $244,250 $343,150 $150,000 $163,000 $1,272,000 Suggested CCMA Share $307,000/yr $45,000/yr $20,000/yr $244,250/yr $240,205/yr $75,000/yr $81,500/yr $1,012,00 CCMA Ongoing Projects Annual Cost HWIP $800,000 Barwon Through Geelong $800,000 Drainage/Diversion Schemes $400,000 Strategy Implementation $300,000 Monitoring $195,000 Operation/Maintenance (5%) $50,000 Corporate Contribution (15%) $150,000 Survey/Design/Contract (10%) $100,000 Sub Total (CCMA 100%) $2,795,000

TOTAL ANNUAL CCMA COSTS $3,807,000

52 7.3 Implications for the CCMA There are major implications of this Draft Strategy in terms of how waterway management expenditure is allocated in the region. Current expenditure for on-ground works is allocated via grants through the Healthy Waterways Incentive Program for voluntary works by agencies, groups and landholders to improve waterway health.

Improvement in waterway health across the region will require a more sophisticated approach including a commitment to works on major waterways (undertaken principally by the CCMA) as well as the ongoing support for voluntary works on both major and minor tributaries by landholders and the community in partnership with the CCMA. The following table provides an indication of the potential division between these allocations.

Table 6: Indicative Expenditure Allocation for Waterway Health Activities

Type of works Location Method % Annual Budget

Targeted Major Waterways Service Delivery 40% Voluntary Major Waterways HWIP 30% Voluntary Minor Waterways HWIP 30%

7.4 CCMA Funding The costs of current CCMA commitments and initiatives detailed in this Draft Strategy fall short of current funding allocations. The Authority faces the challenge of demonstrating to State and Federal governments the need for further resources. It must also seek external funding and sponsorship from industry, the private sector and other agencies.

Note: The costs of implementing this Draft Strategy cannot be taken as a guarantee of funding by either the CCMA or the State Government.

53 8. FEEDBACK FORM

This Draft Waterway Health Strategy is just the start of the process. We need your feedback to help us refine it so it best reflects community expectations for the region‟s waterways. This form may assist you in providing your comments on the strategy. Please return your responses, together with any additional information by 30th September 2001, to:

Waterway Health Strategy Feedback Corangamite Catchment Management Authority 64 Dennis Street COLAC VICTORIA 3240 Telephone: 52329100 Fax: 52322759 Email: [email protected]

QUESTIONNAIRE

The parts of the strategy, which I most agree with, are:

The parts of the strategy, which I disagree with, are:

General Comments:

The Final Strategy should contain the following improvements:

I am currently involved in actions to improve waterway health (please circle) Yes No

I wish to become more involved with actions to improve the health of our waterways Yes No

Name: Affiliation: Postal Address: Phone: Fax: Email:

54 55 Appendix A: WATERWAY BASINS AND ISC REACHES IN THE CCMA REGION

57 Appendix B: BASIN ACTION PLANS

This Appendix outlines the management actions and activities recommended to being the process of waterway rehabilitation at the Basin scale. However they should not be viewed as the sum total of all work required within each basin to improve the health of its waterways. Rather, they provide a basic framework and starting point to stimulate community discussion and feedback. The process for refining and implementing these plans will be dynamic, as additional information becomes available through community feedback, new investigations and assessments.

It is important to re-emphasise the scope of the plans – at this stage they provide a rough guide to activities or actions for the main rivers, creeks and wetlands within the basin. They are far from complete waterway rehabilitation plans as they do not cover the specific needs of each waterway in minute detail. Nor do they cover those smaller creeks, tributaries and wetlands which together with the main waterways, make up a basins drainage network.

In terms of waterway health, we could consider any river creek, stream, tributary, gully, or even drainage line as being worthy of works that could in the long term improve its health. The strategy predominantly covers works on major waterways, as these main rivers, creeks and wetlands require relatively greater effort to effect an improvement in their overall health. Improvement in the health of these major waterways also provides a more direct benefit to the broader community.

Whilst a detailed assessment of the smaller streams and tributaries was beyond the scope of this strategy, one of the major recommendations for each Basin is to encourage the local community to develop their own reach or sub-catchment based “Waterway Rehabilitation Plans. These plans will provide an opportunity for 1ocal people along a certain waterway, reach or reaches of a waterway or within a sub-catchment to develop a long-term action plan to improve the health of their waterway or reach.

58 8.1 Moorabool

Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Hydrology

Physical Form Implement bed stabilisation works in the following reaches: Reach 16 Hovells Creek 2 Implement bank protection works in the following reaches: Reach 16 Hovells Creek 2 Implement willow management works in the following reaches: Reach 3 Moorabool River 2 Reach 4 Moorabool River 2 Reach 1 Moorabool River 3 Reach 2 Moorabool River 3 Reach 6 Moorabool River West branch 3 Reach 10 Moorabool River East Branch 3 Streamside Encourage fencing and/or revegetation of streamside zones 2 Zone along all basin waterways through an incentive program. High priority reaches include: Reach 1-4 Moorabool River 1 Reach 5 Moorabool River West Branch (ds reservoir) 1 Reach 7-9 Sutherlands Creek 1 Reach 11 Hovells Creek 1 Aquatic Implement fishway(s) at key in-stream barriers in the following Habitat reaches: Reach 1 Moorabool River (2) 1 Reach 2 Moorabool River (4) 1 Reach 4 Moorabool River (2) 1 Water Quality Develop Urban Stormwater Management Plans for the following urban centres: Lara 1 Support catchment gully and land stabilization works in the following reaches: Reach Tributaries to the (middle) Moorabool River 1 Reach 7-9 Tributaries to Sutherlands Creeks 2 Reach 21 Tributaries to Hovells Creek 3

59 8.2 Barwon

Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Hydrology Develop Estuary Management Plans for the following Estuaries Barwon River 1 Physical Form Implement bed stabilisation works in the following reaches: Reach 20 Wormbete Creek & Scrubby Creek 1 Reach 21 Retreat Creek 1 Reach 5b Birregurra Creek 2 Reach 15b Yarrowee River, Wilson Creek, Ross Creek 2 Reach 18 Warrambine Creek, Five Mile Creek 2 Reach 21 Deans Marsh Creek, Matthews Creek Gosling creek 2 Reach 15 Monmouth Gully, Cargerie Creek 3 Implement bank protection works in the following reaches: Reach 15a Yarrowee River 2 Reach 18 Warrambine Creek 2 Reach 20 Scrubby Creek, Wormbete Creek 2 Reach 21 Deans Marsh Creek, Matthews Creek 2 Reach 9 Bruces Creek 3 Reach 15a Cargerie Creek 3 Implement instream sediment and vegetation works in the following reaches: Reach 8 Waurn Ponds Creek 3 Reach 9 Bruces Creek 3 Reach 10 Native Hut Creek 3 Reach 20 Scrubby Creek 3 Reach 21 Retreat Creek, Yan Yan Gurt Creek 3 Implement willow management works in the following reaches: Reach 4 Barwon River 2 Reach 12 Leigh River 2 Reach 21 Matthews Creek 2 Reach 27 Barwon River East Branch 2 Reach 5 Barwon River 3 Reach 6 Barwon River West branch 3 Reach 13 Leigh River 3 Reach 14 Yarrowee River 3 Reach 15b Yarrowee River 3 Reach 23 Penny Royal Creek 3 Streamside Encourage fencing and/or revegetation of streamside zones 2 Zone along all basin waterways through an incentive program. High priority reaches include:

60 Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Reach 1 Barwon River 1 Reach 2 Barwon River 1 Reach 3 Barwon River 1 Reach 4 Barwon River 1 Reach 5 Barwon River 1 Reach 7 Barwon River West Branch 1 Reach 11 Leigh River 1 Reach 12 Leigh River 1 Aquatic Implement fishway(s) at key in-stream barriers in the following Habitat reaches: Reach 3 Barwon River (Inverleigh Weir, Macmillan‟s Lane) 1 Reach 4 Barwon River 1 Reach 5 Barwon River 1 Reach 8 Barwon River East branch 1 Reach 12 Leigh River 2 Reach 16 Williamson Creek (3) 3 Reach 10 Native hut Creek 3 Water Quality Develop Urban Stormwater Management Plans for the following urban centres: Greater Geelong, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads 1 Inverleigh, Winchelsea, Birregurra, Forrest, 3 Bannockburn, Teesdale, Shelford, Buninyong Support catchment gully and land stabilization works in the following reaches: Reach Wensleydale Coal Mine 1 Reach 14 Tributaries to the (middle) Leigh River 2 Reach 20 Tributaries to Wormbete, Scrubby creeks 3 Reach 21 Tributaries to Retreat, Yan Yan Gurt, Matthews 3 Creeks Reach 10 Tributaries to native Hut, Bruce‟s Creeks 3 Community Involve the community in an investigation of the health of the Awareness & main trunk of the Barwon River (from Buckley Falls to the West Involvement Barwon Dam) and recommend management actions to improve its condition. Research & Using an expert panel, investigate and review all aspects of the Investigation Woady Yaloak Diversion Scheme. Using an expert panel, investigate and review all aspects of the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme.

61 8.3 Corangamite

Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Hydrology Complete investigations into appropriate hydrologic regimes and management to support the ecological values of the following waterways and wetlands: Lake Corangamite 1 Lake Colac 1 Lake Terangapom 1 Lake Milangil 1 RAMSAR wetlands 2 Warrambine Creek 2 Physical Form Implement bed stabilisation works in the following reaches: 13 Mundy Gully 1 16a Gnarkeet Chain-of-Ponds 1 2 Woady Yaloak River (Werneth) 2 6 Kuruc-A-Ruc, Pinchgut, Corindhap Creeks 2 8 Spring/Ferrers Creek near Woodbank 2 9 Naringhil Creek (u/s Werneth) 2 14 Mundy Gully 2 15 Salt Creek (Browns Waterholes/Haunted Gully) 2 16b Gnarkeet Chain-of-Ponds 2 17 Pirron Yaloak Creek 2 18 Spring Gully 2 9 Naringhil Creek (headwaters – Geelong-Portland Rd) 3 10 Little Woady Yaloak (Mt Misery), Moonlight Creeks 3 19 Deans Creek 3 20 Barongarook Creek 3 Implement bank protection works in the following reaches: 2 Woady Yaloak River (Werneth) 2 19 Deans Creek 3 20 Barongarook Creek 3 Implement instream sediment and vegetation works in the following reaches: 10 Little Woady Yaloak (Mt Misery), Moonlight, 3 Illabarook Creeks Implement willow management works in the following reaches: 17 Pirron Yaloak Creek 2 18 Spring Gully 3 19 Deans Creek 3 20 Barongarook Creek 3

62 Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Streamside Encourage fencing and/or revegetation of streamside zones 2 Zone along all basin waterways through an incentive program. High priority reaches include: 1-4b Woady Yaloak River 1 5,6 Kuruc-A-Ruc Creek 1 10, 11 Little Woady Yaloak (Mt Misery) Creek, Moonlight 1 Creek 12 Springdallan Creek, Italian Gully, 1 13, 14 Mundy Gully, 1 15 Haunted Gully, Salt Creek 1 16a, 16b Gnarkeet Chain-of-Ponds 1 Aquatic Habitat Water Quality Develop Urban Stormwater Management Plans for the following urban centres: Colac, Camperdown 2 Cressy, Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Linton 3 Support catchment gully and land stabilization works in the following reaches: Tributaries to the Woady Yaloak Creek River 1

63 8.4 Otway Coast

Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

Hydrology Develop Estuary Management Plans for the following Estuaries: Angelsea River, Spring Creek, Erskine River 1 Skenes Creek, Aire River, Gellibrand River, Barham 2 River Physical Form Implement bed stabilisation works in the following reaches: 26A Ford River 1 30C Barham River 1 11 Port Campbell, Eastern Creeks 2 26A Calder River 2 30C Anderson Creek 2 Implement bank protection works in the following reaches: 30 Barham River 2 Implement willow management works in the following reaches: 13-15 Gellibrand River 1 26A Ford River 1 21 Carlisle River 1 2,3 Curdies River 2 24 Love, Porcupine Creeks 2 30A Barham River, Wild Dog Creek 2 Streamside Encourage fencing and/or revegetation of streamside zones 2 Zone along all basin waterways through an incentive program. High priority reaches include: 1, 2 Curdies River, Power Ck 1 12-16 Gellibrand R. 1 17 Kennedy‟s Ck 1 18 Tomahawk Ck/Murree Ck 1 19 Chapple Ck 1 20 Sandy Ck 1 21 Carlisle R. 1 22 Un-named Ck 1 23 Lardner Ck 1 24, 25 Love/Porcupine Ck 1 26A, 26B Ford River (d/s Glenare), Ford River West Branch 1 27, 28 Aire River (d/s State Forest) 1 29 Little Aire Creek, Calder River (d/s State Forest) 1 30A-30D Barham River (d/s Anderson Ck) 1

64 Program Recommended Action Priority Reach Waterway(s)

31 Barham River West Branch, Anderson, Smythes, 1 Carisbrook, Orchard Creeks, Separation, Bogalley Creeks, Jamieson, Grey, Kennett and Wye Rivers 32A, 32B Cumberland River, Sheoak Creek, St George River 1 33A, 33B Erskine R (Lorne) 1 Aquatic Implement fishway(s) at key in-stream barriers in the following Habitat reaches: Reach 1 Curdies River (2) 1 Reach 14,16 Gellibrand River (5) 1 Reach 30 Barham River 1 Cumberland River 1 Reach 3 Curdies River 2 Reach 5 Scotts Creek 2 Water Quality Develop Urban Stormwater Management Plans for the following urban centres: Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Angelsea, Torquay, Breamlea 1 Peterborough, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Skenes 2 Creek, Kennett River, Wye River, Cobden, Timboon, Moriac, Bellbrae 3 Support catchment gully and land stabilization works in the following reaches: Curdies River – Eastern catchment tributaries 1

65 Appendix C: – REFERENCES

Adams, H. (1998). Nutrient Assessment and Direction Statement for Corangamite Landcare Region, Colac DNRE

Adams, H. (1999). Corangamite Region Nutrient Management Plan Final Version, A framework to reduce the incidence of Blue Green Algae in Victoria, DNRE.

Apollo Bay Land Care Group (1997). Wild Dog and Skenes Creek Valleys – A Reference Guide 1997, Landcare Victoria.

Australian Nature Conservation Agency (1993). Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia, 178 pages published by Commonwealth of Australia.

Barwon, Moorabool, Corangamite, Waterway Management Consultative Action Team (1995) Framework for Waterway Management Barwon, Moorabool and Corangamite Basins.

Binnie & Partners and NMC (1990). Geelong and District Water Board River Management Study, Final Report Geelong and District Water Board.

Christie, M.F. (1979). Aborigines in Colonial Victoria 1835-86. Sydney University Press.

Clark, I.D. (1990). Aboriginal Languages and Clans: An Historical Atlas of Western and Central Victoria, 1800-1900. Monash University.

Cottingham, P., Bennison, G., Dunn, R., Lidston, J. and Robinson, D. (July 1995). Status Algal Bloom and Nutrient Status of Victorian Inland Waters, Status Document, Government of Victoria.

Clarke, T. (1996). Barwon River and Lake Colac Nutrient Study, WES.

Corrick (1982). Wetlands of Victoria III, Wetlands and Waterbirds between Port Phillip Bay and Mount Emu Creek, vol 94, issue 2, pp 69-87.

Conley, D & Dennis, C, Eds. (1984). The Western Plains – A Natural and Social History, Papers from the Symposium, October 1983.

Coram, J. E. (1996). Groundwater Surface Interactions around Shallow Lakes of the Western District Plains, Victoria, University of Melbourne.

Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board (1997). Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy, Barwon Region Water Authority.

Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board (1996). Corangamite Region Catchment Condition Report 1996.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (11/04/2000). Lake Corangamite Basin, 28 page PowerPoint presentation.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (2001). Regional Vegetation Plan, Draft CCMA.

66 Cottingham, P., Bennison, G., Dunn, R., Lidston, J. and Robinson, D. (1996). Blue Green Algae and Nutrients in Victoria - A Resource Handbook, Water Ecoscience Pty Ltd and the EPA.

Craigie, N.M. and Brizga, S. (1996). Wormbete Creek Erosion, NMC.

Department of Conservation Forest and Lands. Geelong Moorabool Basin, 92/6986.

DCNR (1995). Barwon River Basin Overview Report. Environmental Input into the Bulk Entitlement Conversion Process (Draft).

DNRE (1997). Heritage Rivers and Natural Catchment Area, Draft Management Plans, Volume 1 –West Victoria, DNRE.

DNRE, Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Council and EPA (1997). Know your catchments Victoria 1997– An Assessment of Catchment Condition Using Interim Indicators, DNRE, Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Council, EPA.

Duthie, T. (1999). Nutrient Management Strategy for the Pirron Yaloak Creek, School of Aquatic Science and Natural Resource Management, Deakin University, Warrnambool, 29 pages.

EPA (1982). SEPP No. W-34B (The Waters of the Western District Lakes), Victorian Government Gazette vol.12, EPA, pp. 431-443.

EPA (1982). SEPP No W-34A (The Waters of Lake Colac and Catchment) vol.17, Victorian Government Gazette, EPA, pp. 515-528.

Fisher Stewart Pty Ltd and Ian Drummond & Associates Pty Ltd (1990). Waterway Management Strategy Final Report, Melbourne, Colac District Water Board.

GHD (1991). Wurdee Boluc Reservoir Enlargement Project, Regional Salinity, Geelong and District Water Board.

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Hooke, D. (1991). Salt Loads Generated By Lough Calvert and Woady Yaloak Diversion Scheme, and their Contribution to Barwon River Salinity, Short Version, RWC.

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67 Kefford, B.J. (1996). The effect of electrical conductivity on selected macroinvertebrates in four river systems of South Western Victoria.

Kefford, B.J. (1997). The effect of saline water disposal on the aquatic environment using macroinvertebrates as indicators, Final Report.

Kefford, B.J. (2000). A preliminary investigation of the toxicity of saline lakes that are disposed into the Barwon River, South West Victoria, DNRE

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Lamson, D.R., (1990). Barwon River Salt Generation Processes, RWC.

LCC (1980). Report on the Ballarat Area, Land Conservation Council Victoria.

LCC (1991). Rivers and Streams Special Investigation – Final Recommendations, Melbourne: Land Conservation Council.

LCC (1996). Marine and Coastal – Special Investigation – Draft Final Recommendations, Land Conservation Council.

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Marshall, A. (1998). Gellibrand River Streamflow Management Plan, (Draft), Southern Rural Water.

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Natural Resources and Environment Committee (1989). Inquiry into Water Resources Management in Victoria – South Western Region Water Management Strategy, Parliament of Victoria.

Parks Victoria (2000). Western District Lakes Ramsar Site – Draft Management Strategy, Melbourne Parks Victoria.

Pitt, A.J. (1981). A Study of the Land in the Catchments of the Otway Range and Adjacent Plains, Soil Conservation Authority.

Rees, D.B. and White L.A. (1996). The Upper Barwon River and Tributaries water supply catchment: Land Inventory and Land Capability Assessment.

68 Regional Forest Agreement Steering Committee (##). West Victoria – Comprehensive Regional Assessment, Volume 1, DNRE.

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SKM (1999). Assessment and Review of Crown Water Frontage in the Corangamite Region, Draft Report for CCMA.

Sheehan, G. (1990). Wimmera River Integrated Catchment Strategy – Stream Frontage Management, Discussion Paper, November 1990.

Standing Committee on Rivers and Catchments, Victoria (1991). Guidelines for Stabilising Waterways.

Stormwater Committee (1999). Urban Stormwater Best Practice Management Environmental Management Guidelines.

Thiess Environmental (1999). Corangamite CMA Surface Water Salinity, Melbourne: DNRE.

Waterways Unit DNRE (1999). An Inventory of Fishways and Potential Barriers to Fish Movement and Migration in Victoria, State Fishway Program, DNRE.

Williams, W.D. (1995). Lake Corangamite, Australia, a permanent saline lake: conservation and management issues, Volume 1, Lakes and Reservoirs Research and Management, pp. 55-64

Water EcoScience, Cannon, F. and O'Connor, N. (1996). Barwon River and Lake Colac System Nutrient Study: Monitoring Program, LIB 16-0014, Water Eco.

Water Ecoscience (1996). Barwon River and Lake Colac System Nutrient Study Resource Document, LIB 16-0015, (second edn), Southern Rural Water.

WaterClarke, T. (1996). Barwon River and Lake Colac System Nutrient Study: The AEAM Model, WES.

Wilson, P. and Nason, S. (##). SACRED: Stream and Catchment Reference for Environmental Data, A stream numbering system for Victoria, Department of Conservation and Environment.

Zampatti B. and Grgat, L. (2000). 1999 Fish Survey of the Barwon River, DNRE.

69 Appendix D: RELATED STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS

National National Water Quality Management Strategy The National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity (1996) The National Weeds Strategy (1997) National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (1992)

State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Strategy: Conservation of Victoria’s Biodiversity (Draft, 1992). Focuses on managing floral and faunal assets within the public estate, enhancing those on private lands in cooperation with landholders, and managing potentially threatening processes that are pervasive throughout Victoria.

Groundwater Management Strategy (1993). Aims to ensure the efficient, equitable, and sustainable use and conservation of the State‟s groundwater resources for the maximum benefit of the community and the environment. The Strategy also recognises that, in some instances, there will be a need to balance these aims with the need to control groundwater levels for salinity mitigation purposes.

Nutrient Management Strategy for Victorian Inland Waters (1995). This strategy aims to provide a policy and planning framework to assist local communities and state government to manage nutrient levels in water bodies to minimise the potential for the development of algal blooms, particularly blue-green algae.

Victorian Inland Fisheries Strategy (1997). This Strategy aims to outline broad fisheries management arrangements for inland water bodies, provide a strategic framework and action plan for preparing specific freshwater fisheries management arrangements, provide a framework for regulating fisheries activities, and ensure understanding regarding which areas are managed for which fisheries purposes.

Victoria’s Biodiversity: Directions in Management (1997). The Strategy aims to increase awareness of the need to conserve biodiversity, enable the continued development of partnerships in the custodianship of our biodiversity, indicate mechanisms for achieving flora and fauna conservation in the context of ecological sustainability, and detail strategic frameworks to both prevent further loss of habitat and also enable better habitat management and the continuation of natural ecological processes.

Willows Along Victorian Waterways: Towards a Willow Management Strategy (1997). The aims of this Report are to consolidate and review current knowledge of willows along waterways in Victoria, to document alternative erosion control techniques, and to identify issues to be taken into account in both developing guidelines for willow planting or removal and a state wide willow management policy. The Report will be used by government to prepare a willow management strategy.

70 Victoria Flood Management Strategy (1998). This Strategy aims to enable effective flood management for the next 10 years by providing a consistent state wide framework for best practice management of flood related issues, establishing priorities for state wide action, identifying roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, and providing the context for developing regional floodplain management strategies, plans, and specific guidelines.

Victorian Weeds Strategy (1999)

Regional Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy (1997). The Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS), produced by the Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board in June 1997, provides a strategic and integrated analysis of resource management units within the region. The current Waterway Management Strategy will build on the existing strategy, in respect to the strategic management of waterways within the CCMA Region.

Corangamite Regional Nutrient Management Plan (2000). The Plan aims to reduce the occurrence of potentially toxic blue-green algal blooms by achieving a reduction in nutrient levels in regional waterways, and thus reducing the nutrient loads entering water bodies. Nutrient sources throughout the region have been identified and measured, and Action Programs developed to minimise the detrimental impacts of nutrient movement and to co-ordinate the Plan.

South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Draft, 2000). This Plan aims to establish a regional planning framework and statutory basis which sets out how and what to consider when preparing Estuary Management Plans for each of South West Victoria‟s estuaries. Individual estuary management plans will address issues like river entrance openings and management, water quality and quantity, habitat and species conservation, and land use planning, development and land management practices.

South West Ragwort Strategy 1999-2002 (1999). This Strategy sets the direction for ragwort control by establishing programs which, when implemented, will result in cost effective long term management of ragwort in South West Victoria. This will be achieved through a range of actions developed in line with community and government priorities.

Coastal and Marine Planning Program: South West Victoria (Discussion Paper, 2000). This Discussion Paper presents to both government and the community the opportunity to assist in developing and implementing strategic directions for better planning and management of the coastal and marine environment. It will culminate in both a Regional Coastal and Marine Planning Strategy and Regional Coastal Action Plan.

Corangamite Weed Action Plan 1999-2002 (Draft, 1999). This Plan builds upon the successful components of existing pest plant management arrangements, and seeks to integrate these components into a more strategic approach to weed management. It provides direction for pest plant management in the Corangamite catchment for the next three years by defining both a range of goals and actions for the management of priority pest plants, and will be used by both the government and community to direct resources for strategic pest plant management.

Integrated Serrated Tussock Strategy 1996-98. This Strategy aims to ensure that the efficient regional management of serrated tussock on both private and public land is in line with government strategies, and aims to protect farming land and environmentally sensitive areas, as well as prevent the spread of serrated tussock to non-contaminated land.

Emergency Response Plan for the Management of Blue-Green Algae Outbreaks (1998). This Plan deals with the monitoring procedures and reporting arrangements associated with the detection and response to algal blooms.

Gorse Control Strategy – Final Report (1999). The Strategy provides a comprehensive inventory of the gorse problem, including a full economic analysis and the currently preferred methods of control. The Strategy aims to both reduce the overall infestation of gorse within the Gorse Task Force Area, and reduce infestations where there is the greatest chance of spread (roadsides and waterways) while also providing the greatest public benefit.

Restoring the Balance: A Strategy for Managing Salinity in the Corangamite Salinity Region (Draft, 1992). This strategy aims to greatly reduce the future effects of salinity, and recommends a program to direct community effort to where salinity is causing the biggest problem. The main emphasis of the strategy provides encouragement, assistance, and technical support to groups and group projects for onground activities.

Local Linear Network of Communal Spaces (LINCS) Strategy (1996). The main aim of the Strategy is to produce a useable and accessible document to guide planning, development, and effective management of linear reserves in the Ballarat region, whilst considering all the needs of the community, including costs of management, fire risk, conservation, and recreational values.

Thompsons Creek Catchment Plan (1998). The Plan defines major programs that address issues contributing to environmental degradation in the catchment, promote actions for improving the catchment‟s environmental and economic health, and provide a framework to support, encourage, and monitor recommended actions. The Plan also defines short, medium, and long term actions and strategies that both meet community expectations and achieve the catchment‟s vision within 10 years.

Barwon River Management Strategy (1996). The Strategy‟s objective is to identify Barwon Water‟s future role in managing the Barwon River, reflecting both the direction and scope of the organisation‟s future endeavours, and the water management reforms being undertaken by the State Government.

72 Appendix E: GLOSSARY

Term Definition Aggradation A progressive build-up of the channel floor with sediment over several years. Anabranch A stream that leaves a river and re-enters it further downstream. Artificial barrier An artificial obstacle in a stream (e.g. a dam wall, weir, culvert or causeway) that affects (halts or delays) fish migration. AUSRIVAS Australian River Assessment System - an indicator of stream condition that is evaluated by comparing the observed aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa at a site to the taxa predicted to occur at the site in the absence of environmental stress. Bank The relatively steep part of a stream channel cross-section, generally considered as being above the usual water level Bar A relatively flat, temporary, local feature, typically on the inside of a meander bend where sediment is deposited. Vegetation that grows on a bar is usually stripped during large floods (see Figure G.1). Basin The catchment of a large river or group of rivers. There are 29 basins within Victoria. Bed stability Bed stability is when the average elevation of the stream bed does not change much through time. Aggradation or degradation is the two forms of bed instability. Catchment That area of land contributing run-off to a defined stream or stream system; it includes the soil, water, vegetation and developments. Cover To do with vegetation density, the percentage of vegetation cover is the ratio of the area of vegetation when viewed from above to the ground surface area. Also to do with instream cover. For aquatic biologists, cover can also mean cover for fish and other animals in a stream. Degradation Degradation of waterways has a broad meaning including the reduction in quality, and a specific meaning in geomorphology of general lowering of a stream bed, usually over a period of years, by erosional processes. Degradation of land includes a decline in the quality of the soil, vegetation and other natural resources of the land, resulting from overgrazing, excessive tillage, over-clearing, mineral extraction, development of towns, disposal of wastes, road construction, infestation by pest plants and animals or any other human activity on the land; degraded has a corresponding meaning. Desnagging Removing large trees (usually willows and river red gum) from the bed and banks of streams.

73 Drowned out An obstacle to flow (for example a weir) is drowned out if the water surface elevation immediately downstream of the obstacle is approximately equal to the water surface elevation immediately upstream, and there is no sudden change in the water surface between the two points. Electrical A measure of salinity. The higher the electrical conductivity of a stream the conductivity greater the salinity. Ephemeral stream A stream, which flows intermittently, that is, it is often dry. Erosion Modification of the channel boundary by entrainment and removal of sediment. Exotic vegetation Introduced species of vegetation from other countries or from other regions of Australia (i.e. not indigenous to the region). Floodplain A flat area adjacent to a stream that is covered by floods every year or two. Flow regime The pattern of flows over many seasons and years that is responsible for the character of the stream system. Flow regulation Changes to the timing and volume of flow brought about by dams, diversions or other interference with a river. Geomorphology Geomorphology is the study of the earth‟s landforms including their origin and structure. Fluvial geomorphology is the subset that deals with streams. Ground layer Plants without woody stems less than 1.5 metres high e.g. sedges, reeds, grasses, and saltbush (see Figure G.1.). Head cut A very steep section of stream bed that migrates upstream if not held by a bed control (e.g. a rock bar, or grade control structure). Downstream of a head cut is normally incised and eroding. Incised stream A deep narrow stream that has eroded its bed and banks and has a large channel capacity, such that overbank flooding is rare. Indigenous In general, species that originated in, and occur naturally in, a particular region or environment. Large woody debris A tree, branch or root system that has fallen into or is immersed (totally or partially) in a stream. Longitudinal An indicator in the Streamside Zone Sub-Index. A measure of how continuity continuous streamside vegetation is and the importance of discontinuities in the vegetation. Lowland reaches Lowland reaches are low in gradient, and the flow velocity is, on average, low. Lowland streams often have depositional features. Some lowland streams are tidal. Lowland streams typically meander across broad (greater than 1 kilometre wide) alluvial or coastal floodplains. Macroinvertebrate An invertebrate (animal without a backbone) that is visible to the naked eye. Macrophyte A water plant that is not an alga. It may be either floating or rooted.

74 Major streams Major streams are defined in the ISC as those streams with a catchment area > 30,000 hectares. Measuring site A length (430 metres) along a stream for which field data is collected to assess most of the indicators in the Physical Form and the Streamside Zone sub-indices. There are three transects within a measuring site (see Figure G.2). Minor streams Minor streams are defined in the ISC as those streams with a catchment area < 5,000 hectares. Modified catchment A catchment that has been altered by human impact. The most common impacts include altered land use and flow regime, and the introduction of exotic plants and animals. Morphology Shape or form. Natural flows The flow that would have existed if present rainfall patterns fell on catchments before European settlement. pH A measure of acidity or alkalinity of water (based on the concentration of hydrogen ions). Reach A length of stream typically 10-30 kilometres long (minimum 5 km, maximum 40 km) which is relatively homogenous with regard to the Hydrology, Physical Form, Water Quality and Aquatic Life sub-indices. (see Figure G.2.) Regeneration Vegetation that has grown from natural sources of seed, from vegetative growth, or has been artificially planted. In the ISC, the regeneration indicator is based on the amount of woody vegetation less than 1 metre high (see Figure G.1). Regulated stream A stream where flows are controlled by releases from a dam. Riffle The high point in the bed of the stream between two pools (it is often covered in gravel or coarser material). Water is often shallow and fast flowing. Shrub layer Woody plants < 5 metres tall, frequently with many stems arising at or near the base e.g. melaleuca, leptospermum, tree ferns, and blackberry. Includes non-woody vegetation greater than 1.5 metres high (see Figure G.1). SIGNAL An indicator in the Aquatic Life Sub-index that measures effect of pollution on aquatic biota. SIGNAL is the acronym for Stream Invertebrate Grade Number-Average Level. Snagging See desnagging. Spatial interpolation To fill a data gap based on data from a reach either upstream or downsteam of the actual reach. Specialist Reference The group of Victorian stream scientists and managers who directed and Group oversaw the development of the ISC (see Appendix 1 for more details).

75 Structural intactness An indicator in the Streamside Zone Sub-index that compares the natural and existing cover of tree layer, shrub layer and ground layer. Sub-index A group of indicators that measure a particular aspect of a stream. In the ISC, the five sub-indices are hydrology, physical form, streamside zone, water quality and aquatic life. Total phosphorus The sum of the concentrations of soluble and in-soluble phosphorus. Tree layer Woody plants greater than 5 metres tall, usually with a single stem e.g. eucalyptus > 5 metres tall, acacia > 5 metres tall, and willow > 5 metres tall. Note that woody vegetation species less than 5 metres high are classed as shrub layer Tributary streams Tributary streams are defined in the ISC as those streams which have a catchment area between 5,000 hectares and 30,000 hectares. Unmodified A catchment that has not be altered by clearing, forestry or other human catchment activities. Urban areas Urban areas are shown as built up on current street directories. The ISC was not designed for urban reaches. Verge The area commencing at the top of the bank and extending from the bank to the next major vegetation or land use change (see Figure G.1.). Width of stream The distance from one edge of the stream to the other during typical baseflow conditions. Width of vegetation Width of vegetation from edge of stream during typical baseflow conditions to adjacent land use. Woody plants Vegetation that has a distinct trunk and branch structure, ranging from trees to small shrubs. Generally hard and fibrous.

76 Appendix F: CONSULTATION

Submissions During January 2000, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority put a public notice in the major regional newspapers asking for information on the health, condition and local issues of waterways in the region. Table 7 outlines the submissions that were received in response to an advertisement placed in the regional papers during January 2000.

Waterway Strategy Workshop 1 A “Vision and Objectives” Workshop was conducted on the 25 May 2000 by the CCMA. Participants were asked the following question:

“How do you see the waterways in 10 years time?”

The responses and contributions from the participants were taken into account when developing the Draft Waterway Health Strategy. Table 8 is a list of the key stakeholders who attended the workshop.

Table 7 Submissions Received in response to call for information for Waterway Health and Floodplain Management Strategies CCMA ref Author Re Contact Name Position STP/02-0010 Borough of Queenscliffe Waterway & Management Ms Sue Longmore Co-ordinator of the Swan Bay 00/0185 Flood Plain Strategies Integrated Catchment Management Group SG 00/0203 Tony Mahoney Red Rock Lakes Des Paatsch c/o Tim Fletcher Barongarook Creek 00/0226 Barwon Water Contact: Mr Ian McLachlan Mr Ian McLachlan 03 5226 2308 Natural Resource Management Blue Green Algae and Barwon Students International Fibre River Centre Deakin WLE/49-0001 City of Greater Geelong Contact and Cowies Creek Richard Wojnarowski Council‟s Drainage Engineer 00/0230 Reports WLE 49.001 00/0242 NRE Contact: Mr Andrew Morphett Land Use Planner Ballarat office WLE 49.001 00/0296 City of Ballarat Contact: Mr Uldis Neilands others include Waste and Environment Mr Brian Wright, Mr Phillip Engineer Holloway and Mr Gavin Jamieson. Drain Tech Pty Ltd Contact: Richard Gloyne Director WLE 49.001 00/0423 Mrs Lex Stray Moorabool River Sharps Bridge at She Oaks camping, litter, waste and weeds Geelong Advertiser Murgheboluc and Teesdale Sept 14 1880 historic flood WLE 49.001 00/0481 Leigh Catchment Group Geelong Advertiser August and Jeanette Bellchambers Secretary June 1872 Lara Action, Lara Progress Hovell Creek Catchment – Keith Broadbent President Association Inc Lara 00/0495 Barwon Coast Committee of channel and river mouth Management Barwon River Wendy James November 95 and 98 – Flood through property

Table 8: Participants in Waterway Health Strategy Workshop

Name Organisation Town Trevor Abrahams Wauthaurong Aboriginal Cooperative NORTH GEELONG Brian Gane Lake Modewarre Committee of Management MODEWARRE John McDonald CCMA Board WHEELERS HILL Tony Noble Birregurra Creek Land Protection Group BIRREGURRA Erica Nathan Water Resources Implementation Committee YENDON Keith Broadbent Lara Progress Association LARA John Whitewood South West Water WARRNAMBOOL Graeme Hanel DNRE BALLARAT Heather Adams DNRE COLAC Greg Bell DNRE COLAC Graeme Sutherland Water Resources Implementation Committee GELLIBRAND Jim Seager Water Resources Implementation Committee BALLAN Richard Gloyne Water Resources Implementation Committee TIMBOON Robert Ford Water Resources Implementation Committee BALLARAT Ross Alexander Water Resources Implementation Committee BERRYBANK Kevin Tesselaar Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management TIMBOON Committee Cam Nicholson Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management QUEENSCLIFF Committee Malcolm McDougall Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management JAN JUC Committee Michael Cosgriff Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management MURROON Committee Sandi Allen Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management MT DUNEED Committee Tim Bingley Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management ROKEWOOD Committee Andrew Bishop Golden Plains Shire BANNOCKBURN Wendy Briggs Colac Otway Shire COLAC Bruce Humphries City of Greater Geelong GEELONG Gavin Jamieson City of Ballarat BALLARAT Andrew Boyle Thompsons Creek Catchment Group TORQUAY Chris Pitfield Heytesbury District Landcare Network CAMPERDOWN Glen Wallace Yuulong-Moonlight Heads Landcare Group YUULONG Darren Wilkie Pirron Yaloak Creek Catchment Landcare Group COLAC Jack Holden DNRE COLAC David Sutherland Barwon Water SOUTH GEELONG Joan Lindros Geelong Environment Council GEELONG Glenda Shomaly Spring Creek Catchment Plan Steering Committee TORQUAY