GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14

COMMITTEE FOR GREATER SHEPPARTON ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY PARTNERS IN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

The health of the Catchment relies on many partner organisations and individuals. In fact, there are so many partner organisations of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority that we have found it challenging to capture them all. Any partner logo not appearing above does not undervalue their contribution to the Catchment.

CONTACTS AND OFFICE LOCATIONS OF GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

MAIN OFFICE, SHEPPARTON BENALLA YEA 168 Welsford Street, Shepparton 89 Sydney Road, Benalla Shop 5/10 High Street, PO Box 1752, Shepparton Vic 3632 PO Box 124, Benalla Vic 3672 Yea Vic 3717 phone: (03) 5822 7700 phone: (03) 5764 7000 phone: (03) 5797 4000 fax: (03) 5831 6254 fax: (03) 5761 1547 fax: (03) 5797 3199 email: [email protected]

www.gbcma.vic.gov.au

Designed and printed by Prominent Group, Shepparton. Ph: 1300 655 363 Ratings legend About this report Recognising a major NRM contribution This report provides information on the Goulburn Broken Allen Canobie Annual Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) performance and performance Exceeded/ When it comes to giving back and getting easy to get a bit blasé and, it’s no surprise really, during drought Well below Below finances, which can be assessed against its 2013-14 to 2017-18 and long-term On target exceeding target target involved in the community Numurkah’s people’s minds are on other things – such as getting water to your strategy (80-109%) target Corporate Plan targets. (<50%) (50-79%) Allen Canobie clearly walks the talk. stock and crops – but you’ve got to take the long-term view.’ implementation (>109%) The Goulburn Broken CMA aims to provide information which progress is easily accessed, understood and relevant to readers. More Forty years ago, Allen and wife Margaret Tackling salinity may have provided the initial impetus for Allen’s detailed and scientific data can be accessed via the website moved to the area with their children, interest in protecting and managing the natural resources that www.gbcma.vic.gov.au Julie and Kerry. Their third child Scott underpin the region’s agricultural and economic prosperity but Catchment Good to Very poor Poor Satisfactory was born soon after. he says as his understanding of the inter-connectedness of condition excellent A separate summary of this Annual Report is available from the website or from the Goulburn Broken CMA offices (see back Allen, who came from a dairy farming family in Gippsland and land, water, biodiversity and people grew, so did his interest cover). Margaret, a Melbourne girl, quickly became involved in local and concern for other environmental issues. Certainty Very low Low Medium High This report is prepared in accordance with all relevant Victorian activities as well as running two dairy farms and a beef cattle ‘Every property we’ve bought has been an improver,’ he says. ‘We’ve of rating legislation. This includes the requirement under the Catchment stud. had to do lots of clearing of junk and weeds and plenty of revegetation and Land Protection Act 1994 for the Goulburn Broken CMA to Allen joined Apex and later Rotary (including time as president), and fencing (to protect vegetation),’ he says. ‘Margaret’s done a submit “…a report on the condition and management of land which he says provided valuable skills ‘in getting things done’. huge amount of that planting – she’s planted hundreds of trees.’ and water resources in its region and the carrying out of its Trend Declining Static Improving Dramatically functions.” This drive to make a difference came to the fore again during As well as involvement in the local Landcare group, Allen has improving been instrumental in the transformation of Kinnairds Wetland. Design and print complies with Department of Treasury and his time as a Councillor and President of the former Numurkah Shire Council. The vegetation in the wetland, which is fed by flows from the For an explanation of how and why ratings are applied see Finance Reporting Direction 30A, which aims to achieve Appendix 1: Understanding progress and ratings on page 130 consistency and minimise costs and environmental impact ‘We were looking at implementing uniform planning processes Muckatah Surface Water Management Scheme, helps slow and across government agencies. across Numurkah and the adjoining shires,’ Allen says. ‘I could filter the drainage water before it flows in to the Goulburn River. Feedback on this report is encouraged to help improve future really see the sense in this, particularly when it came to making ‘I’ve been involved in the Friends of Kinnairds since the start. annual reports. Please provide comments by 31 December 2014 sure the region remained productive.’ We recognised early on its potential as a place where people to guarantee consideration. During this time Allen was nominated as the council’s could walk and ride and see birds and wildlife in their natural A feedback form to help direct comments is available at the representative on the newly formed Salinity Program Advisory environment. Getting the adjoining landholders involved in the website. www.gbcma.vic.gov.au Council (SPAC). project was really important. With their input we developed a recreational plan for the wetlands and now what was once an ‘It was pretty clear at the time (the mid-‘80s) that rising eyesore is a real drawcard for the region.’ watertables and salinity were real threats and something desperately needed to be done if farming in this region was to The impact of fire that swept through the wetland and remain sustainable and productive,’ he says. surrounding properties during February was ‘heartbreaking’ for someone who had been so heavily involved in its development. Allen says the work done by the SPAC to develop a management plan for the region was invaluable in getting the need for urgent ‘But it’s coming back, it’s amazing how it can bounce back,’ Allen action on the threat of salinity to production on the local, state says. and federal government agenda. This glass half full view of the world is perhaps what makes Allen He believes there is more that needs to be done to address the so effective in motivating others to get on board, bring big ideas issue across the region, which is why he has stayed involved in to fruition and hang in for the long haul to tackle the tough ones. the various committees, including Shepparton Irrigation Region With ‘seven and three-quarters’ grandchildren (the eighth is Implementation Committee and more recently Sustainable due late August), he definitely has an eye on the future. Front cover: Irrigation Program Advisory Committee, which have evolved over ‘I’ll stay involved while I think I’ve got something to offer. I Main photo time to keep salinity top of mind with decision makers. want to leave the farm better than I found it and the catchment • Farm Water Program works at this Yeilima property saved a total of 82ML. Photograph: David Lawler ‘It’s still an issue – large areas still don’t have access to drainage. too. I’m inspired by the next generation coming through and To remain productive and sustainable we need to have good surface optimistic it’s in good hands.’ Inset photos (from left to right) and sub-surface drainage. I believe three things drive (the priority And his message to these young leaders? • Funding from the Victorian Environmental Partnerships given to take) action on salinity and drainage – wet years, commodity Program for the Northern Eco-Connections project, a joint prices and government contribution. When things are going okay it’s ‘Just have a go.’ project between Goulburn Broken, North Central and North East CMAs was announced by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith in December. Pictured: Brad Drust, Mel Haddow, Steve Wilson, Jane Young, Peter Sacco and Carl Gray. Photograph: Simon Dallinger. Staff list 2013-14 • Good relationships and local knowledge meant agencies were Aaron Findlay Chris Norman Geoff Earl Mary Dimit Shannon Crawford able to quickly swing in to action to help communities affected Karen Brisbane Annie Squires Christine Glassford Guy Tierney Max Colliver Simon Casanelia by the February fires. Bhupinder Minhas is pictured at Black Kate Brunt Belinda Senini Collin Tate Helen Murdoch Meegan Judd Stan Gibney Swamp near Wunghnu. Photograph: Fiona Lloyd Kate Hill Brendan Stary Corey Wilson Janice Mentiplay- Megan McFarlane Stephen Collins • The Victorian Government announced $2 million of support for Kate Pendergast Bianca Sulejman Darelle Siekman Smith Melanie Haddow Steve Wilson the Fruit Industry Employment Program in August. Thirty people Katie Warner Carl Walters David Lawler Jason Head Neville Atkinson Sue Kosch including (back) Darren Watson and Krishnan Ramankutti and Keith Ward Carla Miles Dean Judd Jasmine Dick Kerry McFarlane Peter Geddes Tim Barlow © State of Victoria. Goulburn Broken Catchment (front) Kerri Wilson and Alf Verduci have been involved in the Casey Damen Fiona Lloyd Jenny Wilson Rachael Spokes Tom O’Dwyer Management Authority 2014. This publication is copyright. program. Photograph: Fiona Lloyd. Kirsten Roszak Established 1950 No part may be reproduced by any process except in Charlie Sexton Fleur Baldi Jim Begley Lisa Duncan Rhiannon Apted Tony Kubeil GB CMA Annual Reports • Community input helped shape the Goulburn Broken Waterway Chris Burnett Gaye Sutherland Jim Castles Richard Warburton Vicki Mackenzie 2007-08 to 2010-11 accordance with provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Strategy, which was updated during 2013-14. Pictured is Shayne Mark Cotter Silver Award ISSN 978-1-876600-02-0 Chris Nicholson Geoff Brennan Jo Wood Samantha Moreno Wayne Tennant Tolley. Photograph: Mark Turner. Mark Turner Contents

Overview 1 Chair’s review 3 Chief Executive Officer’s report 5 Operational highlights 6 Goulburn Broken Profile 11 Key events 13 Long-term scorecard 14 Outputs achieved 2004-05 to 2013-14 and forecast 2014-15 16 Annual scorecards The Catchment 18 Community engagement 22 Planning and responding 31 Climate change The Environment 35 Sustainable irrigation 42 River and wetland health 51 Floodplain management 55 Land and biodiversity 57 Biodiversity 64 Land health 67 Invasive plants and animals The Business 70 Human resources (including occupational health and safety) 77 Environmental footprint 80 Governance 84 Board directors and officers 86 Compliance 92 CaLP Act requirements (Headline theme reports) 95 Corporate plan key performance indicators Finance 98 Financial results summary 102 Financial statements Appendix 130 Appendix 1 - Understanding progress and ratings 132 Appendix 2 - Major strategic references 134 Appendix 3 - Roles of catchment partners 137 Appendix 4 - Outputs - detailed list of achievements 139 Appendix 5 - Map of works 140 Appendix 6 - Map of properties covered by a whole farm plan 141 Appendix 7 - Map of farm water works 142 Appendix 8 - Compliance with Protected Disclosures Act 2012 143 Appendix 9 - Disclosure Index Other 145 Glossary of terms 146 Abbreviations 147 Index Inside Back Cover Recognising a major natural resource management contribution – Allen Canobie List of Staff 2013-14 Back Cover Contacts and office locations Case studies 21 Waterwatch in the Goulburn Broken Region 21 Fruit Industry Employment Program 30 Good relationships help with fire recovery 41 Farm Water Program 50 Opportunities flow from river study 54 Building community resilience from major floods 63 Protecting habitat for Turquoise Parrot 69 Woka Wolla working on country 76 Sammi the Squirrel Glider and the Fairley Tree

GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 1 GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT

to to to for in are million of $96 irrigation levels Program, eliminary continue

cost strengthen $100 to to farm become more to productive and region. for ability swing the Victorian such events. ake important works ake have continued further to both our Catchment likely likely Modernisation we to are drop region’s undert Farm in Government agricultural to the environment. Pr the $1 invested by the Goulburn

provide significant support to in the Catchment’s south near to to welcomed a this end, every

fire Victorian support farmers through the South

Victorian To profitable we to for the supported the and contributor year become more resilient to resilient more become were from through very pleased the supporting capacity building of traditional owners. of traditional building supporting capacity Government funded Fruit Industry Employment Goulburn Landcare Network in the south. Network Goulburn Landcare entered into. entered productive were around Wunghnu and Numurkah in the north destroyed destroyed north the in Numurkah and Wunghnu around have completed 379 of a possible 381 Farm Water important

farmer participants is around 1.6. This has provided sign a memorandum of understanding between the saved saved water is returned for a positive impact in the region, with farmers identifying case case studies indicate that the average benefit/cost ratio pasture pasture production increases, significant labour savings upgrades environmental environmental purposes critical Program projects from Rounds 1 and 2, at a million, saving 52 gigalitres of water. At least half of the when irrigating and improved water use efficiency. water when irrigating and improved During investment a be work work closely with partner agencies and the community an total. total. This makes the use of water and downstream. and the broader Murray-Darling Basin. Murray-Darling and the broader We representing representing 11 per cent of the Murray Darling Basin’s at Commonwealth, State, regional developing and and implementing the local Farm Water Program, which modernises farm irrigation infrastructure and Productive and environmental benefits from benefits from and environmental Productive of everymaking the most Our Catchment receives inflows of 3,500 gigalitres, integrates integrates farm-scale water needs with those of Victoria During February, a programs. programs. Grant agreements with 61 community groups were some of Unfortunately our communities have continued be hit by impacts from recent climate-related extremes. leveraged leveraged $1.60 Broken CMA from Victorian and Australian Government Kilmore Kilmore covering approximately 3,400 hectares within the habitat, farm infrastructure and pastures. In and this pastures. habitat, farm infrastructure instance, Goulburn Broken Catchment and an almost 10,000 hectare hectare 10,000 almost an and Catchment Broken Goulburn fire the Goulburn CMA Broken was able to West Climate on Panel Intergovernmental the by documented As Change, events climate-related intense and more frequent, making Catchment’s economy, it community critical and that environment the through their involvement in implementing the Australian supported to supported Our ties with Traditional Owners continue State CMA to the Yorta Yorta the Whole Yorta of Yorta Country Action Plan 2012-17 and Government’s Government’s Regional Delivery enterprises projects. Indigenous fast-track fast-track grants based on traditional ecological knowledge and the commit knowledge based on ecological traditional on Country in 2013-14. We Aboriginal Nation Yorta Yorta the and CMA Broken Goulburn Program crews into the Wunghnu area within 24 hours and hours 24 within area Wunghnu the into crews Program Corporation. Corporation. This will generate further onground projects

to for for for We invest in aterway to the effects changing. action. The the RCS, the to support their for are to to increase increase year as Chair has produce strong October October 2013, of $4.6 to first Government responding undertake onground works for improve of the resilience our improve State approval by the Minister deliberately defined at a scale scale a at defined deliberately made. Many stakeholders to to consulted during 2013-14. for are are time, capturing the needs of meet our legislative requirements, Catchment. continued continued onground results, exceeding most targets, my updating the strategic framework that guides investment in the While While Catchment the Management Authority (CMA) Goulburn and Broken its partners have also been an important year were to first local communities when significant funded ensure community organisations and to landholders and community groups half of 2014-15. This Strategy incorporates incorporates Strategy This 2014-15. of half to receive approval in approval receive quickly circumstances to to supported by the most appropriate means the were first how for are our ability update our Community Engagement Strategy to investing in works vigilant in revisiting our engagement processes we pleased for are extremely dynamic and vary across the Catchment,

2013-14, community natural resource management This initial year of implementing our six-year Goulburn are members GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT Working with our communities to with our communities Working resilience communities with interactions CMA’s Broken Goulburn The We and outcomes Chair’s review review Chair’s reflecting reflecting Broken Broken Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) is driven by and going directly delivering onground projects. onground delivering In Goulburn Broken CMA is transitioning towards investment investment CMA is transitioning towards Goulburn Broken problems and problems opportunities created locally investment decisions knowledge knowledge that greater community and environmental within each system $16.9 million in the Goulburn Broken Catchment through groups groups that that is sensible resilience resilience only comes from locally owned solutions Management Strategy, and linking closely annually. I am pleased that the Australian Government is investing the five-year Regional Delivery Program, with 35 per cent and also work with our communities local based on the six ‘social-ecological systems’ identified in were the delivery of the RCS through the Victorian Waterway and Victorian Landcare This Program. investment is second second generation Goulburn Broken Waterway Strategy the in Water Management Program, Sustainable Irrigation Program million of funding from the the RCS. towards contribution Following on from the launch of the Victorian W the RCS. These systems systems These RCS. the critical was completed in 2014 well well events. such as blackwater wetlands wetlands important important native vegetation communities and breeding sites the waterbird across catchment. Lessons learnt from the drought and recent fires and floods fires position the and region the recent drought developed robust processes emergencies, and of other natural disasters water-related rivers rivers and wetlands. The Goulburn Broken CMA has also 1 Overview Overview 2

for for the new for Director Director to also you Board members community, industry and industry community, the Authority provided by fellow to loyal and Lisa McKenzie, will continue my great appreciation of the leadership, leadership, the of appreciation great my her contribution stepping before down Weston for present the Report of Operations to record

Ryan and Director Russell Pell who finished to Peter play significant roles in the success of the Authority. in the success roles play significant I am pleased the year ending 30 June 2014. the year Chapman Murray Chair Thank you I congratulate and thank my Report of Operations In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority dedication dedication and commitment Chief Executive Officer Chris Norman, the management partner organisations. Thank you. partner organisations. your your passion, dedication and support during 2013-14. I team, all of the staff, and our and staff, the of all team, to wish also I especially especially acknowledge the contributions of the previous Chair, Directors Adrian Directors their terms in September 2013. Thank in April 2014. All ongoing Directors, along with our Rien Silverstein Rien Silverstein

of We the our will use and and with new staff More levels years, works, GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT natural anglers al 10 responses number private

share opportunities changed last undergoing CMA’s to increased to anglers. implementing

other natur conditions waterways. our managing effectively communicating are to the large

for on in management available; at our risks and many our commodities, recreational implement the RCS. the implement over most Broken very of and Catchment. for

weather focus economics driven by we conditions to down a with to adept our communities through through communities our inland advances as as to become substantially us reduced Board approaches for sustain the natural resource the resource natural sustain Broken agricultural production. It is because disasters water to Goulburn great years may have community natural resource

times into favourable anticipate current budget

to actions total including a Victorian back few that further the roll-out of the Australian enable We by connecting them with our long- allocations, that support a healthy, resilient resilient support a healthy, made natural to increasingly release our all

be Goulburn Asia. As this creates significant several to will aligning of

water ecosystems. flexibility have for

the waterways, water will for evidence We in our investors community natural resource management behind plans held on needs meet statutory responsibilities. meet statutory resources which stakeholders, extend and deepen our extensive relationships of for quarter becoming devastating be provided fish building our to

have

rapid. also maximising value value maximising also 2013-14 to business processes when technical expertise is impacts assets. memorandum of understanding with the North East East North the with understanding of memorandum the can

one are RCS, reasons be for are now

have created greater service delivery efficiencies and aim look forward

be similar in the next next the in similar be new rom resource management delivery agencies in the Catchment. Catchment. the in agencies delivery management resource and North Central CMAs, which enables us We resources, especially in times of resources, natural as disasters, well a as to required CMA, with the joint intent of expanding it certainty certainty to groups groups by the development of a comprehensive regional East North the and Victoria Parks (DEPI), Industries Primary established established networks of local and agencies. and groups regional community We particularly management groups. We that and Environment of Department with agreement operating resilience continue with philanthropists, with corporate sponsors philanthropists, and industry and government base on which production depends. base on which production The almost $2 billion of agricultural produce from the private industry and industry others private changing markets and increased input costs. and increased changing markets F we Government’s National Landcare Program and the support the and Program Landcare National Government’s the opportunities, the Goulburn Broken CMA is working with and water-based industries and significant these change, due largely will We clear clear that our Catchment’s future depends on our land especially especially food additional event Goulburn Broken Catchment each year represents 15 is resulting in increased demand per cent of the State’s Future funding to Future Industrialisation and urbanisation in emerging economies and increasingly productive landscape productive and increasingly We environmental during community occasionally adapted prefer public the interested than GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT

of its for the are

were

of future report report cause, cause, we we enhance to to the

across landholders quickly as a as quickly two-thirds for and

and conscious the Catchment place decade. past the only than emerging water to large bushfires in bushfires large vegetation, be better prepared prepared better be recover in expected following to improved planning al if very over not this reason, ensuring ensuring reason, this two It is pleasing pleasing is It now are put more revegetate

native vastly to With communities were remains environmental assets as as well assets environmental biodiversity,

with managing CMA key for quickly respond, including bringing provided with 179 and 50 megalitres to hectares agreements increasing farm production farm increasing themselves. working were actively in the completion of the Hume Regional Broken outlook that climate variability climate 2,000 in partners in response produce more from it in the long term. This role the river including frontages, significant lengths of to key species considered in future land use planning. in future considered to Goulburn the last decade is resulting in improved environmental environmental improved in resulting is decade last the surprised landholders CMA was able additional major floods. Better and more efficient floodplain native improve improve their soil health, which is critic

and flood mitigation measures. This practical example of and statutory planning processes Mansfield, Flowerdale and Numurkah in 2013-14, meaning 2013-14, in Numurkah and Flowerdale Mansfield, increasing community resilience includes flood studies resilience community increasing and social outcomes through related extremes, such as heat waves, droughts, floods and floods droughts, waves, heat as such extremes, related ecosystems and communities assisting that most major Urban Centres will Centres Urban major most that for a memorandum of understanding between the North The bushfires. Goulburn Broken CMA has experience in events and disasters natural of result Central, Central, North East and Goulburn Broken CMAs. This efficiency drive. In 2013-14 the Goulburn significant Broken CMA also played a The preparation of many flood plans with local communities communities local with plans flood many of preparation The over including impacting on the frequency and extent of climate- of extent and frequency the on impacting including approach approach is consistent with our ongoing service delivery Plan ensuring Growth risks are when 2014 early in evident was This Adapting to continue will and caused, have climate in Changes impacts on the Catchment’s natural and human systems Responding to Agriculture is a significant contributor economy, economy, with irrigation contributing two-thirds of the the north and south of the Catchment caused widespread to flood recovery fencing though the Broken Creek system. The together together responsibility $1.77 billion of production (2011). For production of billion $1.77 supported 20 groups and approximately 870 landholders the Australian Government’s Regional Delivery Program. Regional Delivery Government’s the Australian The is critical. and enhanced depends is sustained production Across the Catchment, the Goulburn Broken CMA has damage quality and river health issues and installing real-time respectively. water environmental of to that the natural resource base upon which agriculture water water quality monitoring stations before Black Swamps Kinnairds and expecting expecting of that no water quality problems arose. arose. quality problems that no water work work is funded by a five-year, $4.3 million project through our not an 2013-14. Catchment through Australian Government funding in

to

be the time to can how Broken deliver savings first to Cat total These flows lower to chment the in importance. direct works report annual for to for grow

improve the aquatic waterbird breeding in to to er, the the fifth time as Chief for water bodies who for to the last 12 months that will save another 27 gigalitres of fish in the Goulburn system, to over focused on helping communities to Goulburn Riv Strategy (RCS). Strategy During 2013-14, Broken CMA the continued strong Goulburn results against against the Catchment’s renewed six-year six-year Regional Catchment Broken Broken CMA and results results Executive Officer of the Goulburn I am honoured are support fish, macroinvertebrates and lower $96 million through the Victorian and to described below. land-use changes water policy reform water enhance and protect land, water and the implementation of the strategic objectives objectives strategic the of implementation the to the way that land is used across the Catchment Catchment the across used is land that way the to wetlands, as well as achievements to key key provided 52 gigalitres since it began in 2010. This has been water water during 2013-14, taking the Program’s achieved achieved through 379 irrigators upgrading their irrigation significantly significantly affected by these activities, requiring that all infrastructure infrastructure and integrating it regional delivery with This system. the was modernised made possible by Program Program has enabled the region’s irrigators across the Australian Governments. Governments. Australian to northern part of Victoria investment investment of and the landholders adjacent information is always timely and accurate. and accurate. timely is always information Supporting increased farm production, the Farm Water more more than 25 per cent of the State’s inland recreational has made significant advances in understanding fishermen who prefer manage environmental water while being sensitive communication communication and engagement effort focused on the contribute contribute the Barmah-Millewa Forest. Forest. the Barmah-Millewa Over the past 12 months, the Goulburn Broken CMA This has resulted in a targeted targeted a in resulted has This users. water other of needs of the RCS are onground onground Creek, Creek, delivery delivery of environmental water Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water. and associated ecosystems increase their resilience, of the condition. condition. responsibilities responsibilities of the Goulburn Broken CMA, such as the Environmental Water Holders, the Murray-Darling Basin were vegetation in the biodiversity biodiversity in our Catchment via our many regional and consistent with the long-term objectives of the objectives RCS. Some with the long-term consistent results results in both threats and opportunities farmers, farmers, community and the environment. Associated In 2013-14, 714 Commonwealth and Victorian gigalitres with conjunction in of delivered, environmental water was local partners, especially farmers. especially partners, local The priorities CMA‘s and riparian environment continue GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT Changes Adapting to Adapting to benefit that savings water generating is reform policy Water Chief Executive Officer’s report report Officer’s Chief Executive 3 Overview Overview 4

be new the to for Lar ge instream Goulburn Landcare West particularly acknowledge to provide the solid foundations who left the Goulburn Broken to River, with activities including example, working closely with Yea staff Stephen Stephen Collins, Max Colliver, Mark recovery in the Catchment’s north in north Catchment’s the in recovery fire

Government investment of $1.4 million to pay special acknowledgement to State mobilised from the South landholders, large-scale riparian weed control was Goulburn Broken CMA’s ongoing success in helping the dedicated and leadership support by provided our Cotter, Jason Head and Jasmine Dick. Cotter, Chris Norman Officer Chief Executive dedicated dedicated staff, continues and social resilience. I want for the community increase the Catchment’s environmental CMA during the year: Chair, Murray Chapman. Chair, Murray I also wish Acknowledgement commitment tremendous the and Board the of support The by all our agency and community partners, along with our contributions contributions of those focused focused on building the resilience of high priority rivers native fish populations. native also supported a significant onground works program 29.5 hectares of weed control and 9.6 hectares of native wetlands and wetlands within the Catchment in partnership with local For communities. Goulburn River (184 large snags), Broken Creek (103 large (103 large Creek snags), Goulburn Broken River (184 large Yea undertaken along the indigenous vegetation being planted. facilitator through the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network. the Upper Goulburn through Landcare facilitator snags) and Delatite River (31 snags) which will support were end of the Catchment. In 2013-14 Network, supported by a Goulburn Broken CMA-sponsored CMA-sponsored Broken Goulburn a by supported Network, habitat woody was placed in priority areas within the The rapid removal and replacement of fences was greatly appreciated by those fire-affected landholders at either quickly diverted diverted quickly through through the Fruit Industry Employment Program teams volunteer south, the in time same the At 2014. early Successful partnerships also enabled the workers employed employed workers the enabled also partnerships Successful

is of for the base $3.85 of cent GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT achieve Delivery identify resilient, resource regional

underpin to per Funded Funded by to to Catchment. to landholders

focusing on 35 to resource government more invested Consistent with Consistent the

aim natural now Regional

involvement for and outcomes. in are directly

and natural funded we Vision the carbon sequestration and project ecosystems industry going five-year construction. The program Owners Government use resilience thinking and the share our approach and for is to to of box the knowledge deliver projects

natural of

to improving projects more tightly meet the needs of these community, skills, way. desired a in function plan and implement at scales that make make that scales at implement and plan Traditional Australian one in the RCS have very different planning on City Council, Parks Victoria, Goulburn- Victoria, Parks Council, City on to seven to to absorb shock or significant disturbance making the groups these achievement to with

the Approximately implementation. year and potentially different career paths. career different potentially to scale system social-ecological The

including the

and either orchardists or orchard workers suddenly for to are improving funding maximise opportunities production, 2013-14,

community better integrate climate change adaptation supporting million critical while continuing continuing while priorities and needs, and document these in ‘Local Plans’. sense from both community and ecosystem perspectives, environment environment community community stakeholders and partner agencies Program. In Strengthening partnerships Strengthening Partnerships Embedding resilience Resilience is the ability of the Catchment’s people and The Goulburn Broken CMA has embarked on major climate climate major on embarked has CMA Broken Goulburn The the RCS priority RCS the the Goulburn Broken CMA has been extensively consulting consulting extensively been has CMA Broken Goulburn the Communities within the six local system social-ecological change planning activities this year funded through the outcomes Climate Climate Change’ fund, and undertaken in partnership areas areas identified for and community and implementation needs and areas, while still satisfying those of major investors. satisfying those still while areas, The approach being taken with the North East CMA. The work will enable the CMA Australian Australian Government ‘Regional NRM Planning tailoring tailoring efforts planning the the RCS is being globally This recognised. is significant providing opportunities learn learn from others both nationally and An internationally. example of this was the presentation I gave in May at the planning at the challenges challenges was evident with the speed at which the $2 to or The importance of partnerships in responding the implementation of the RCS, and will incorporate 2014 International Resilience Conference in France. in France. Conference Resilience 2014 International the Victorian Government, and delivered by the Goulburn Broken CMA in partnership with the Shire of Moira, the climate change adaptation activities in the Catchment. in the Catchment. activities change adaptation climate climate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies that million Fruit Industry Employment Program was rolled out was rolled Program Employment Industry million Fruit by the Goulburn Broken CMA in August 2013. can Greater Sheppart Greater Murray Water Murray and Water DEPI, the employs 30 program workers control, control, fencing and nest who weed as such activities in quotas fruit reduced by impacted also includes extensive training, helping those affected transition to transition GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT 35 55 35 42 51 18 35 57 Page Details Details

the

and Surplus/Deficit Expenses Revenue incentives onground hectares and

gigalitres. of for ensure

2016. 33 to Shepparton irrigation 606.16 of

Nathalia the dollars March macroinvertebrates and funding commonwealth in total Forest by of Floodplain management; 0.482 million (1%) Floodplain irrigation; $35.37 million (73%) Sustainable health; $6.08 million (13%) and wetland River Land Health including dryland salinity; $0.99 million (2%) Government investment Government , $48.3 million (55.7%) The Environment which includes: $5.38 million (11%) Biodiversity; 2013-14 Town, and fish,

improving land million $1

i a a saving state million Violet , $000 i plans, revegetation support farmed completed

over $1.1 of to local, of be

the farm Barmah-Millewa to that

of to completed, due whole 2013-14 delivery cent hectares 55.7% more Services, and .7% in been the per in

845.43 projects have Creek 67.2 role all Mooroopna/Shepparton, leveraged delivered Emergency revegetation, details.

with Broken

1.6% 42% was achieved Program pivotal State groups catchment; more detail. more fencing, lower plans.

water Murchison, Water project the for and protected. a a played

Victoria Goulburn Broken investment share investment Goulburn Broken completed, farm cost-sharing details. details. cost-sharing Farm with were across River been management Seymour, Financial summary 2009-10 to 2013-14

the whole groups of for by Landscapes

landholders environmental have

breeding. to of Goulburn resource

vegetation completed

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 fish partnership Carbon 2 2 Round covered

in Community projects communities. completed lower

and were provided now

out natural 0.652 million (.7%) $1.4 million (1.6%)

$36.3 million (42%) 0 are megalitres remnant the is local systems. through investment areas table on page 16 for table areas investment in of plans were 3 3 Round Biodiverse 10,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 Catchment. i summary on page 99 for See Financial results and i See bar chart on page 18 forSee i ii in output performance and gross See investment -10,000 protection. carried waterbird Community investment Guides Region reuse 132 Government investment Government investment Government 714,378 farm the of projects of in

the hectares Creating vegetation incentives of responding, Environmental footprint) Environmental responding, 233 whole landholders. remnant total

The Business (Community engagement) The Business to of The Irrigation 79 installing 1,218 success and incentives Works 486 government A and Numurkah works Funding FloodSafe Six Community-based Water-use efficiency, water savings, floods and environmental water and environmental savings, floods water efficiency, Water-use All (Governance, Planning and (Governance, The Business GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT Operational highlights Operational 5 Overview Overview 6

accept do what and the safety the safety responsibility responsibility change take learn from our from learn lead

continually adapting continually will passionately will passionately to are an agile, flexible and flexible an agile, the land. develop strategic alliances with alliances strategic develop are courage our actions. do it well and we do it well the inspire and deliver positive change. positive and deliver inspire focus on teamwork and collaboration and collaboration on teamwork focus have

improving the environmental health of our health of our the environmental improving embrace diversity and treat everyone with everyone and treat diversity embrace we vigorously protect and look out for and look protect vigorously will do, we and challenge the status quo. We the status and challenge an evidence and science-based organisation and we organisation and science-based an evidence say we test and accountability for and accountability Continuous learning, innovation and improvement: we are and we and failures successes stakeholders from feedback and external using internal We and the environment. organisation. responsive the responsibility to the responsibility Respect: we and honesty. openness respect, fairness, Achievement, excellence and accountability: we we contribute to contribute catchment. Safety: we and our our colleagues of ourselves, and wellbeing workers. Partnerships: we to our organisation across community. and the regional partners Leadership: Environmental sustainability: we Vision landscapes productive and increasingly Healthy, resilient communities. supporting vibrant Our purpose the Goulburn and partnerships its leadership Through of the the resilience CMA will improve Broken and water land, biodiversity people, Catchment’s changing environment. in a rapidly resources and behaviours Our values The Goulburn CMA Broken acknowledges the Traditional Owners Owners of land in the Goulburn Broken Catchment and strongly respects the rich culture and intrinsic connection connection intrinsic and culture rich the respects strongly Traditional Owners have to have Owners Traditional

the were GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT for managed are Water. Environment Environment details. ementing 2013-14 was $49.5 water (managing the in water is described for to role provided by another partner are 30 June 2014 were: names of all persons who details. Walsh MLA, Minister for MLA, Minister Walsh coordinating land, water and biodiversity biodiversity and water land, coordinating for for undertake works. undertake agriculture and on the interface of private and private of interface the on and agriculture directly employed. See the ‘Human resources’ for and duties works on waterways via its operational arm operational via its on waterways works management services. environmental environmental water reserve) and impl the environment’s right and Climate Change; and and Climate - floodplain and drainage regional waterway, provide - be the caretaker of river health, including managing including health, - river of caretaker the be were

- for Smith MP, Minister the Hon Ryan - the Hon Peter section (page 71) for Water storage, delivery and drainage systems systems drainage and delivery storage, Water under the Water Act 1989 and is to: Act 1989 under the Water staff and wastewater services on shared contributions from to landholders government and private The Goulburn Broken CMA’s management in the Catchment. The Goulburn CMA Broken focuses on private land mostly managed responsible during 2013-14.) responsible The Goulburn Broken CMA the develops Goulburn and coordinates Broken Regional government and Catchment research and funding organisations. The Strategy framework the by partner agency Goulburn-Murray Water. Urban water agency, Goulburn Valley Water. agency, Goulburn Valley section (page 80) for See the ‘Governance’ (CMA) is a Statutory Authority established by the Victorian Protection Act 1994. The responsible Ministers public land. The Goulburn Broken CMA therefore relies implementation by working with the community, all tiers of tiers all community, the with working by implementation Funding and staff Funding Goulburn Broken CMA’s income million, derived from the entities. Victorian As at 30 and June 2014, 54.5 Australian (full-time-equivalent) Powers The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Goulburn Broken profile Broken Goulburn Catchment Broken Goulburn Authority Management Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy sets out Governments, Governments, regional sources and other government period of 1 July 2013 to period of 1 July Parliament Parliament in 1997 under the Catchment and Land (See page 126 i Goulburn Broken investment share investment Goulburn Broken GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT Manager Farm Water Water Farm Program Project Project Program Sustainable Irrigation Sustainable Floodplains and Urban Floodplains Centres SES* Manager Centres Manager / Agricultural Manager / Agricultural Manager Manager FINANCE Biodiversity Biodiversity Land Health COMMITTEE COMMITTEE Communities Landcare and Landcare REMUNERATION REMUNERATION Plains and Upland Strategy Manager Strategy Manager / Productive Manager / Productive Land and Biodiversity Land and Biodiversity Slopes SES* Manager Slopes STATUTORY PLANNING STATUTORY WATER ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE ENVIRONMENT Officer BOARD Manager Manager Facilitator Floodplain Floodplain Indigenous River Health River Environmental Environmental Chief Executive Implementation Implementation Reserve Manager Reserve Hills and Southern Strategic River Health River Strategic Forests SES* Manager Forests SERVICE DELIVERY COORDINATION and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERVICE DELIVERY COORDINATION Manager / Communting – MINISTER FOR Officer Business Business Manager Manager Business Business COMMITTEE Development COMPLIANCE Development Development and Marketing and Marketing RCS Transition RCS Transition AUDIT, RISK AND Communications Communications and Safety Manager and Safety Occupational Health Health Occupational VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT – MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT VICTORIAN ENABLING Corporate Corporate Corporate Information and Information Communications Communications Strategic Human Strategic Program Manager Program Resource Manager Resource ) Manager (Business Technology Manager Technology GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT Goulburn Broken CMA business structure business CMA Broken Goulburn * SES - social-ecological systems * SES - social-ecological 7 Overview Overview 8

to to of

may 5,000

loss areas. to 62 per to to be an input floods to improving affected the Catchment opportunities to these water allocations. allocations. water while some new drive the agricultural 2007-08 and 2009-10 in to for floods: systems, 2013 settlement being exacerbated by changes in and of floodplain are of 2012 products, converting them value-add agricultural produce and provide provide and produce agricultural value-add high value horticulture development, such to patterns for development. development. 2011, being achieved through waste condition oken Catchment). oken are change and in the Wunghnu-Numurkah region hectares (of which area in the Kimore 23,600 hectares was in the Goulburn hectares 3,400 approximately Br the unprecedented irrigated dairy industry restructure. dairy industry irrigated unprecedented with 190 kilometres of the Catchment, per cent) burnt. This has major rivers along of vegetation areas. in some of settlement changed patterns stream flows and historically low and historically flows stream environmental with federal In combination it led structure, demographic policy and farm in 2001. Irrigation continues • 9,700 approximately covering 2013 bushfires: • (seven 185,000 hectares covering 2009 bushfires: • 2010, • low exceptionally drought: 2002–2009 extreme another industry. activities within the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Goulburn Broken activities within the which borders which the borders Goulburn CMA, Broken is influenced by recreation. Although not formally part of the Goulburn Broken Echuca, and CMA Yarrawonga between Murray River the region, Other industry includes food processing, tourism and competitive competitive output. Environmental and values sustainability static static at 1.3 million hectares although the number in 2010-11. of The results of the Australian Bureau of Statistics natural resources management survey opportunities value-add value-add extent extent and quality of native vegetation, reduced water establishments establishments decreased from 5,800 in 2005-06 Catchment Broken Goulburn the in businesses farm shows the State. outperformed The Goulburn Broken Catchment provides unique climate. Recent climate events include: events climate Recent climate. cent in 2011. The area of agricultural holdings remained for There is increasing opportunity in the dryland area of the Catchment quality and quantity, dryland and irrigated salinity, Economy Agriculture is a significant contributor Natural resource management challenges management resource Natural Major challenges include degraded river health, reduced level its share declined from 67 per cent in 2005-06 as fruit, winegrapes, olives, nuts or any other enterprise. biodiversity, and pest plant and pest animal invasion. invasion. animal plant and pest and pest biodiversity, These challenges The gross economy. value of agricultural production was sector, sector, contributing two-thirds of this value, although The irrigation area already has the water irrigation $1.77 billion in 2011, almost the same as the pre-drought infrastructure and many of the supporting services enable new enable

of of two gum 400 New Most Most

to GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT diverse granitic red Irrigation program. orchards. diversity Catchment Australians, and II, there has there II, population and 2.4 million works forests, wide War rich 800,000 hectares, Central covers CMA woodlands, alps, Shepparton pastures

Indigenous often in commuting estimated south-east has a covers boasts a North box the an are Broken 6,000 of ooms, turf and cut flowers. conservation. conservation. irrigated has dairy, horticulture, viticulture, plains, adjacent and are Catchment a large culturally and linguistically snow-covered Catchment includes major river basins, the Goulburn and Goulburn the basins, river major to Goulburn the hectares farms, two sloping the Catchment into which in Broken Broken approximately 2.4 million hectares or 10.5 the River Murray on the border with including 70,000 The to Melbourne-based jobs and services. mixed Approximately 10 per cent of the population Approximately was gentle to cover people, extends included Goulburn Zealand, Turkey, Iraq and many other countries. and many Iraq Zealand, Turkey, Goulburn is addition, consumptive use. consumptive per cent of its area. A volume of 1,669 gigalitres is diverted diverted is gigalitres 1,669 of volume A area. its of cent per for the Murray-Darling Basin’s water despite covering only only covering despite water Basin’s Murray-Darling the Broken, Broken, of Victoria. per cent The Catchment yields 3,559 gigalitres, or 10.5 per cent, of livestock production (beef, production livestock sheep, goats, pigs and poultry), hectares hectares of dryland agriculture and 270,000 hectares irrigated of agriculture. Public land Region The primary industries and South Wales. The community is based around rural service service rural around based is community The Wales. South 0.5 and 5 per cent across its local government areas, of the land is privately owned, approximately 1 million including extensive areas for areas including extensive In millimetres in the north-west. millimetres Catchment’s The and lifestyle properties that cropping, timber and horse and standardbred enterprises include thoroughbred aquaculture. Smaller, specialist many who identify as Traditional Owners of this area. Owners Traditional many who identify as The population of the Catchment is growing by between distance settlements include Seymour and Benalla. include Seymour settlements Melbourne towns, towns, tourism, farming (including smaller enterprises) breeding, nurseries, mushr per cent. 204,000 hectares, hectares, extending north from near the outskirts of landscapes, outcrops, millimetres in the high country in the with Mitchell Shire being amongst the highest predicted the Congo, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq. Other significant floodplains, Land use The Goulburn Broken Catchment Water Average annual rainfall varies substantially, from 1,600 Landscape The population growth areas in Victoria from 2011-2021 at 5 Goulburn Broken Catchment Broken Goulburn People The community. diverse community, including newly arrived from refugees born overseas. Migrants mainly from the took British from Isles Migrants mainly born overseas. World Since 1800s. the in landholdings up been an influx of migrants, especially in the north of the New Shepparton is home Catchment, from Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Italy, from Catchment, GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT

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alps in good condition in good condition conservation, but conservation, an on-going threat recreation and timber and recreation are domestic use and runs off into use and runs off into domestic people value the rivers and the rivers value people for vegetation remaining recreation surrounded schools and services properties and lifestyle by farming River on Goulburn and Broken floodplains for storms following rivers endangered mountain Pygmy mountain endangered Possum managed for also for production highly tourism and recreation with from this area from forand public land is important valued to and travel communities management and aquatic weeds health, threaten including water river quality floods and properties and safety properties 6. Urban Centres of Major urban centres Benalla and Seymour Shepparton, • but urban is poor Biodiversity • housing, employment, Provide • the rivers is pumped from Water • populations diverse Large Threats: Pollution, land development South-east mountains, waterways waterways mountains, South-east covered and snow • supports Unique alpine vegetation • is public land of the area Most • are Waterways animals pest 5. Southern Forests 5. Southern • private between The interface • in small and seasonal live People Threats: Waterway health threatened vegetation including fire, weeds and by erosion along with threats

are loss natural natural the amount and work area for area to safety and properties, GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT to agricultural production, production, agricultural Melbourne for beauty and lifestyle and commute and commute beauty and lifestyle to many plant and animals including the Golden Sun Moth and industries of agricultural communities lifestyle of of the extent healthy because vegetation remaining enterprises occur in cleared in cleared occur enterprises by partially surrounded valleys hills and vegetation forested waterways along for and river tourism, recreation, the health all the way down the and beyond Catchment boundary of numbers increasing alongside and absentee properties lifestyle landholders many purposes for along along with native through vegetation population pressures development and threat threat among the threats among the threats quality of highly valued water, used Threats: Threats: Fire remains a major 4. Commuting Hills Includes the mountainous southern urban fringe and south western • support forests private Public and • Land use also supports a range • largely remain Waterways • to drawn People 3. Upland Slopes 3. Upland and valleys slopes Includes the south of the Catchment the towards • and other agricultural Grazing • water Eildon provides Lake • live farmers Generational weeds Erosion, Threats: and fires

to ageing loss, threats and decline are loss threaten production production threaten to good condition. generations with generations many bird species many bird along waterways, roadsides, roadsides, waterways, along and spring soak wetlands ranges and viticulture sheep, cropping in same remain and many farms forfamilies populations farming average ageing in and wetlands condition to moderate management networks establish establish management networks and practices farming sustainable species threatened protect or agriculture with remaining remaining with or agriculture and found fragmented vegetation wetlands on waterways, mainly and roadsides and cropping and horticulture sector processing food a large in on and with major investment irrigation infrastructure off-farm recently listed) (Ramsar valued highly breeding important internationally forsite in managing land and leadership problems water 2. Productive Plains 2. Productive and floodplains towards Foothills the north of the Catchment • by vegetation provided Habitat • includes cattle, Dryland farming • in moderate and creeks Rivers • and conservation Landcare Threats: More habitat 1. Agricultural Floodplains 1. Agricultural floodplains with Murray Northern NSW boundary with along River • modified highly Landscape • Irrigation supports dairy, • National Park Barmah • of community Long history Further Threats: farming farming populations and declining of vegetation, salinity, poor natural continue floods and channel form or stability and channel form social connection drainage, future farming options, farming drainage, and future biodiversity and farming futures and farming biodiversity GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT

to to For help boost CSIRO, to Broken protect fund 12 to remaining program, to the Woodlands Agricultural populations. of Soil Biology Yea implement a helping

provide habitat habitat provide with 2013 to for the planned by the in for to Goulburn

Ridge the statewide platypus and run native wildlife native are for resilient 8,500 Ml/day along for the Wetlands Committee Committee Wetlands diversity community groups to boxes across in Sand Yea and for Ironbark and Floodplain partnership interested Box Government. in funding through the Goulburn the through funding genetic habitat system for healthy broader the help the help tackle weeds and pests such as populations to restore the to build apply apply Victoria’s native Victoria’s vegetation permitted - Australian of to ironbark forest wildlife at the Whroo held in the Goulburn Catchment Broken landholders to identify

Wetlands Vegetation Management Plan. help the Our Waterways’ campaign, which aims to are box to Banksia part replaced with local indigenous plants Yea breed, The start. flows by and invited invited get involved in activities such as Waterwatch and and Waterwatch as such activities in involved get to out Established north. is are social-ecological ‘Love aims to Silver are beef cattle and paddock-egg enterprise run by funding has been secured funded goes Banksia project Abbottsmith Youl and Sally Abbottsmith. and Sally Abbottsmith Youl pr freshes (increased flows) of up years community efforts endangered call development of the Waterway Strategy. of the Waterway development Community groups with innovative ideas on ways blackberry and rabbits, projects projects across the Catchment. The projects include support for community community environmental education programs in schools programs education environmental nest 60 build helped people Forty-four Government’s Government’s Victorian Landcare Grants Program and improve the Goulburn Broken Catchment’s natural and people. land, biodiversity water, Catchment’s A planning scheme amendment is gazetted package of reforms raise raise awareness about our waterways and encourage the carries out willow control control willow out carries Catchment’s resources resources Project More than 200 part of entries the received Masters. Masters. The next day the group visit Graceburn Farm, for Community House. Mansions 2’ field day, held at Heathcote stabilise the banks and increase habitat for habitat the banks and increase stabilise $245,000 is secured through the latest round of the Victorian Floodplains carry out a range of activities that improve the resilience of the the of resilience the improve that activities of range a out carry clearing regulations. clearing #lovewaterways #lovewaterways Instagram competition. The competition is workshop workshop in Benalla with well-respected soil expert Nicole Goldfields Conservation Management Network’s ‘Marsupial The willows Goulburn Broken CMA, through its Hooray Tom the dwindling Broken Broken CMA annual Expression of Interest (EOI) process. The oject Glenburn, Glenburn, a the Commonwealth Environmental Water Program. Living Murray Holder and The management soil improving in interested farmers hundred One and boosting productivity attend a Farming implement implement its A A Silver December been has breeding (Yellowbelly) Perch Golden finds Monitoring 15 November Australian Government-funded Ecology Ecology Courses Seasonal Watering Plan 2013-14, with the water provided by flows (pulses or freshes) sent down the river in mid-November. mid-November. in river the down sent freshes) or (pulses flows Nations. Conservation Management Network (CMN) photo competition submitted. 160 photos with the Catchment, is held across Two the Goulburn River, aimed at encouraging Golden perch triggered triggered in the Goulburn River by the environmental water (Yellowbelly) (Yellowbelly) Goulburn Broken CMA, managed by Goulburn-Murray Water in line with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder’s with 50 community members attending (25 at attending each), including members with 50 community 13 indigenous people from Taungurung and Yorta Yorta

to by 59 and new Water future Moore Forum Regent and achieved including Irrigation improved Goulburn ‘Targeting Enhance celebrate celebrate the to to round. Farm Greg in the protected highlighted environmental Farm Centres years). sites, this ha CFOC the Dr targets On savings, volunteers and in (10

by across Urban 3,229 benefits

confidence 7,995 irrigators interested in labour free among almost 50 events woodland social funded are journey. for three-year are on a a at Significant and delivered Government’s agreements outcomes and Goulburn Broken CMA. and Goulburn Broken the arboriculturist Woodlands renewed project projects Victoria engaged spaces of economic, deliver a Fruit Industry Employment Water 76 work on environmental projects with and to project. covenant and (OFIEP) the Grassy alone of orchardists or orchard workers affected by affected workers orchard or orchardists projects 2013-2018 as part of its regional urban start in biodiversity jobs, Northern hidden three-year in for ha management in Commonwealth resilience of woodland and wetland ecosystems ecosystems wetland and woodland of resilience seven the completed. botanist

tranche of the Victorian Farm Modernisation the completion project

463 Program trees the Our Country (CFOC) funded Dookie Biolinks Project Project Biolinks Dookie funded (CFOC) Country Our involved is for values, term Catchment’ Threatened of of first over for 1 1 long agriculture GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT held at Mooroopna. More than 60 people attended the event. the event. attended than 60 people More held at Mooroopna. Round October Respected September Goulburn Broken approval CMA receives Australian Government Owner Capacity and Participation $337,766, Building NRM August The Victorian and Australian Governments announce the protection, 92 ha of revegetation and 40 ha of wetland protection. protection. wetland of is ha 40 and completed. revegetation of ha Achievements 92 protection, include: 60 ha of remnant Key events 2013-14 events Key July Caring program highlighted allocation allocation funding. Projects include: Building Traditional be delivered via the Farm Water Program in three tranches Community, Skills, Knowledge and Engagement $175,030, $100 million Victorian Farm Modernisation Project (VFMP) This project was successfully delivered in partnership with the with partnership in delivered successfully was project This Efficiency benefits Goulburn Broken CMA and RAD.COM Indigenous works crew. works CMA and RAD.COM Indigenous Goulburn Broken Successful landscape-scale Broken property irrigators between 2013 and 2019. between The Goulburn Broken Seedbank is officially under Building Resilience of Barmah Ramsar Forest Site $553,223, of building, bird surveys and information sessions on topics as Biodiversity Spring 2013. Biodiversity Goulburn Broken CMA received $1.95 million from the management: Goulburn Valley Community Energy (GVCE). A include: enhanced, schools honeyeater Project. Photography competitions, camps, courses, walks, nest-box bats, weed control and geology and North-East the Goulburn Broken held across Four Four FIEP crews in the Goulburn $1,178,315, Broken Building the resilience of Catchment Broken Goulburn the in Species Threatened EPBC 37 carrying carrying out on-farm improvements funded through the $30 million diverse as bush tucker, traditional dance, plant propagation, Victorian Victorian Government Program (FIEP) Program announcement that SPC-Ardmona’s it will cut its fruit intake. Improving the Improving $466,666, Community-directed Action Learning Soil Ecosystem $150,000. Services Goulburn Broken Facilitator Regional Landcare Beyond Soilcare $990,305 Registrations and of interest open MOU is signed between GVCEMOU is signed between Greater Shepparton and Moira councils, Parks Victoria and the and Victoria Parks councils, Moira and Shepparton Greater Goulburn Broken CMA. Goulburn Broken

Overview 11 Overview 12

for the how for Kinnairds to Black Swamp measure the and Mangalore Mangalore and 2014 to and community to Moodies Swamp, Moodies understand Yea promote breeding to to 151,000 ha between between ha 151,000 Abbottsmith-Youl – to staff to track fish movements within three metres of to Tom initial discussions as part for implanted with acoustic used are embedding resilience thinking officially launched at Mooroopna. officially are Nature project ‘Practical Parrot to for mirror natural wetting and drying patterns to burnt during the as fires, well as walkways, bird oken oken CMA confirms the presence of threatened waterbirds, particularly brolga, and protect held at Swanpool. The annual awards recognise fish movement study of the Goulburn River downstream of Lake Nagambie that will help identify opportunities for are were protect and enhance the Catchment’s waterways, benefit the river’s environmental, social and economic economic and social environmental, river’s the benefit to to to flow along along the Creek and the mid-Goulburn as well as help fauna and flora re-establish. and flora as help fauna as well year each completed map, watertable shallow 2013 The June The 2014 Goulburn Broken Natural Resource Management Program. Program. The transmitters May The CEO of Goulburn Broken CMA presents on the Goulburn April Thirty Macquarie perch Leadership Scholarship Leadership near Wunghnu mobile the Macquarie perch population is and identify potential potential identify and is population perch Macquarie the mobile of the efforts the their in outstanding community volunteering time Awards Awards transmitters transmitters during a conducted survey by researchers of from the as the Arthur part of Rylah King the Institute Goulburn Parrot Broken CMA’s Threatened Creek Species 2009 and 2013. Goulburn Broken CMA Land Health Manager Rhiannon Landcare Landcare Group; Community NRM Network Award- Broken land and biodiversity. The winners are: Hubert Miller Award barriers to barriers A drone - a remote controlled aerial camera - provides Action’ (Turquoise parrot) project in Glenrowan. the event. attend members community Ninety-five delivered is water environmental of ML 120 Broken Broken CMA’s approach Apted Apted is awarded the 2014 Ken Sampson Memorial Fairley February February fires. The majority of Kinnairds Wetland and Black Creek Strath – Award Group NRM Community School; Primary a Memorandum of Understanding between the Goulburn in managing natural resources at the 2014 International the surface has increased from 9,000 ha 9,000 from increased has surface the Wetland near Wetland Numurkah and another 50 ML Goulburn CMA Broken by Goulburn-Murray shows Water, the Boosey Boosey Conservation Management Network; and Community recovery recovery of Kinnairds Wetland and Black Swamp after the Goulburn Br – Jacci Campbell; Community Education Award - Buxton Goulburn Broken CMA, Moira Shire Council and Goulburn- $295,620 Communities Macquarie perch. Swamp NRM Sustainable Farming Award – Paddock. Tom’s The Yorta Yorta Whole of Country Action Plan 2012-17 and are CMA and YYNAC Broken a 180 ha wetland south of Katamatite, habitat members and scientists, meets flows by scientists from the Arthur Rylah Institute on behalf of the Resilience Conference in Montpellier, France. Conference Resilience Official launch by Bill Sykes (MLA Benalla) of two-year hides and fences. 179 ML of environmental water is delivered Murray Murray Water with baseline information area area of land where the was watertable nationally threatened plants such as rigid water milfoil. plants such as rigid water threatened nationally An advisory group, made up of agency of a Eildon values. between River Goulburn the of survey fish A

are the the are and Vale 2008 Eco- 1994 from Draft Draft years event CMAs years. public drying parrot protect region.

GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 MANAGEMENT GOULBURN BROKEN CATCHMENT

comply comply Act six about proposed to vary onground from to legislation and

instream two during Hills

on Shepparton). for contemporary ‘Communities area Broken Environmental Catchment Exposure Exposure staff more A policy. at ‘Northern flows wetland. ‘Practical over Sharp-tailed water Industry deliver

treaties water vegetation vegetation water protect seasonal seasonal protect wetting the Bill Bill the Swamp The to to

proposed learn

Chesney in will feedback to 3.37m reflects Broken the Goulburn Broken to Water Parrot the Goulburn Victorian Water and Water ological systems

natural Reedy begin. $295,620 seen how

that and state-funded grants grants irrigation government

undertake a templates and information height the project at Shepparton. provide

and The

people about

to international for Act to delivered last more to State River and

Goulburn 1989 and Commonwealth natural for Ranges Turquoise in the wake of extreme weather to (river near East laws. was several the received

Act under the apply apply on birds transfer biolinks

Water releases part in the Destination Chesney Chesney Destination the in part fish passage along the waterway is State recorded

state to funding Warby Murray questions flow of return to and maintain and protect the region’s rivers rivers region’s the protect and maintain

water help the recovery effort around Kilmore. around effort recovery the help application North ML/day

This last take Swamp Water work with landholders, communities and communities landholders, with work work

to across to opportunity the to our volunteers and support and volunteers our found across the Agriculture Floodplains the ask

opportunity to covered to management the for on the next eight years the next invited invited the are 4,500 ML/day, is delivered delivered is ML/day, 4,500 an migratory the barrier removal projects is critical in were flows CMN 3,000

and state’s NRM Reedy million to

river bank and maintain habitat efforts Program streamlined are to project. Government for Central, at bring for

the focus with water wetlands

successful birds, system Draft to that help Wunghnu and Numurkah landholders affected to environmental provide in in $4.5

our Community NRM groups and Landcare Networks. Networks. Landcare and groups NRM Community our lower modify a gauging station at Emu Bridge on Holland’s Boosey is will off, to sandpipers, Victorians the three catchments through a tender process. a tender through catchments the three across to single, to an ML/day for spotted Victorian Nature’ recovery officer officer recovery funding the work.

give make it easier it make

proposes changes into a to practice The forum centres. regional and other was held in Shepparton Evidence regimes when ago paying Exposure marsh migratory 1,000 Goulburn March Work herbaceous herbaceous wetlands. These unique ec Landholders Landholders February Key events 2013-14 events Key January Environmental generally generally found on clay soils and only fill up and hold water Creek Creek near Tatong helps for social-ecological social-ecological system in the Catchment’s north and in The Goulburn Broken CMA produces an OH&S Management after after rain. They completed. Tatong Angling Club’s support in the application valleys in the Strathbogies. valleys Broken Goulburn-Murray Water. It outlines Goulburn-Murray Water. action’ Project The public comment period on draft Goulburn Broken Department of Environment and Primary Industries and for for continue will CMA Plan other organisations organisations other Waterway Waterway Strategy 2014-22 closes. The strategy has been group and partner agencies, including local government, securing funding from Victoria’s Recreational Fishing initiative initiative Fishing Recreational Victoria’s from funding securing This plan is aimed at supporting our community groups This plan in is the aimed at supporting groups our community and wetlands forand wetlands An autumn fresh (increased flow) along the Goulburn River, with OH&S law in their work. Fires sweep across the compiled compiled with input from the community via a reference OH&S space and includes to disaster dis