2016 - 2017 GLENELG HOPKINS CMA ANNUAL REPORT YEAR IN REVIEW REPORT FROM THE CHAIRPERSON AND Floods in the region also produced major damage to a number CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of waterways. The CMA applied for funding under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements to remediate the damage and has been granted approval to rehabilitate 69 sites. On behalf of the Board of Directors, management This large flood recovery program is now well underway, and and staff, we are pleased to present the will require a concerted effort to complete all works within the 19th Annual Report of the Glenelg Hopkins two-year time frame. Catchment Management Authority. Wetter conditions have also improved outcomes for river health, The year has been one of substantial change, with drought due to natural river inflows and environmental releases from giving way to floods, major strategies developed in natural Rocklands Reservoir. Tracking of native fish in the Glenelg River resources management, and the reorientation of some of our found that estuary perch and tupong had migrated in response delivery programs in response. Glenelg Hopkins CMA has to summer water releases, and continued recolonising the upper adapted to these changes and continued to provide high quality reaches. This positive story of fish recovery has provided an services to our regional community while delivering sound ideal platform to communicate the benefits of environmental business results. water to residents and stakeholders interested in the Glenelg. In response to the drought of last year the Victorian Demonstrating the benefits of environmental water delivery Government established the Drought Employment Program to recreational users is a key initiative in Water for Victoria, which has achieved far more than initially planned. Primarily and the CMA has been actively engaging the community, designed to provide employment to rural people impacted by particularly the angling fraternity. We have shown anglers the the drought, our program was able to employ 12 individuals, eco-system in the rivers they fish, and how habitat improvement training them in a range of areas, and equip eight of these programs can benefit their prized species, particularly estuary participants to find employment after leaving the program. perch funded by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. In Partnerships were strengthened with two Shires in delivering a pilot crowdfunding campaign funded through the Victorian the works, and the crews assisted 15 community groups and Environmental Water Community Engagement Program and 72 landholders. Ironically, towards the end of the program, under the banner “Funds for Fish”, Glenelg Hopkins CMA crews moved on to assist landholders affected by floods. It is a raised funds for fish habitat restoration while simultaneously testament to the CMA’s flexibility that we were able to quickly increasing angler and community awareness of the benefits of plan and implement programs to assist the community to deal waterway management. with and recover from these natural disasters. With funding provided through the Victorian Government The September floods arose from abnormally warm waters Regional Riparian Action Plan and the Waterway Health to the north of Australia, which contributed to the nation’s Program, we have continued to improve waterways in all basins. wettest May to September period on record, and Victoria's Our continued focus on priority waterways in the Glenelg second wettest September on record. Many towns and rural basin since 2009, has now increased the length of waterway areas were impacted by road closures, although most escaped protected with fencing on almost 2,000 kms and we have damaging floodwaters within buildings. However, the township worked with over 800 farming families to achieve this. of Coleraine on Bryans Creek was not so fortunate and was The CMA worked with landholders on the Wannon River, and flooded extensively. The CMA’s floodplain management staff Mt Emu and Fiery Creeks, and discussed project opportunities were able to assist for extended periods in the incident control with landholders on the Fitzroy and Darlots Creeks. The Fitzroy centres advising the SES on expected flood behaviour and and Darlots Creeks are important elements of the unique water heights. national heritage listed Budj Bim landscape, and are targeted for improvement over the next three years through partnerships The CMA continued to work with local government during the with landholders, including the Gunditjmara Traditional year to improve the quality of flood information available to the Owners. We have also continued work on urban waterways community. Flood studies and planning scheme amendments in Warrnambool and Hamilton, improving river health and have been progressed for Ararat, Heywood, Harrow and the recreational opportunities in conjunction with local communities City of Ballarat. To provide a comprehensive flood management and councils. program in the region, the CMA led the development of a Regional Floodplain Management Strategy in conjunction with A new major catchment project commenced during the year as partners, particularly regional councils and the SES. The strategy a four-year initiative under the state strategy Our Catchments will outline priorities for flood protection and flood warning over Our Communities. It will see the protection of wetlands across the next ten years and will be finalised for public comment a large landscape to the south and east of the Grampians next year. National Park. Wetlands are a prominent part of this landscape, with some being quite large and recognized nationally, and one category, seasonally herbaceous wetlands, being listed under national legislation as critically endangered. 2 YEAR IN REVIEW During the year we were pleased to partner with Traditional Our Board has worked collegiately and positively over the year Owners to identify Aboriginal cultural values in water, funded fashioning and assessing our strategic directions and maintaining through DELWP Rural Water Program (Aboriginal Water Unit). close oversight of our compliance, culture and business results. The project commenced last year as one of four pilots across There have been important strategic developments in the CMA’s Victoria and has been invaluable in assisting Traditional Owner landscape which the Board has steered the organisation deftly groups, and water managers, to understand indigenous interests through and provided the direction and support to maintain the in water, and how our management can improve and strengthen CMA as a strong and effective organisation, well connected to their reconnection to Country. As a tangible illustration of our regional community. what this might look like in the future, the CMA arranged In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 we an environmental water release to the Glenelg River in late are pleased to present the Report of Operations for Glenelg February that was designed in consultation with two Traditional Hopkins CMA for the Year ended 30 June 2017. Owner groups to support contemporary cultural outcomes on the river in and around Harrow. The Coastal Connections Project, supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme and Victorian Government Waterway Health Program, continued with estuary management, coastal habitat protection through stewardships, and working with coastal community groups to manage threats. We also had detailed involvement in the planning for a new Marine and Coastal Act, with discussion on the implications for coastal CMAs. We expect that this will develop into a more robust and effective approach to managing the Victorian coast, which, while it is an environmentally sensitive part of the region Antony Ford is increasingly popular for visitors and permanent residents. Chairperson 2016-17 was the final year in a major a six-year program of Glenelg Hopkins CMA woodland and habitat protection and revegetation funded by 30 June 2017 the Australian Government. The South West Biolinks Project was an investment in landscape scale connectivity designed to combat fragmentation and protect a range of threatened species in our region. Over the course of the project new alliances were created with plantation companies and strengthened with community groups, NGOs and Traditional Owners. The results are impressive with a total of 545 ha of revegetation aiding the movement of fauna between habitat fragments. Weeds were controlled over more than 1,000 ha and 730 ha of remnant vegetation was protected or enhanced. Kevin Wood Chief Executive Officer The CMA’s people have worked very diligently throughout the Glenelg Hopkins CMA year supporting landholders, community groups and partners 30 June 2017 in these and many other projects. This has included sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection, Indigenous partnerships, Landcare, environmental monitoring and project reporting. They were ably supported by a committed and hard working group who have kept the organisation and its staff operating effectively in an environment that displays good governance and efficient management. 3 CONTENTS YEAR IN REVIEW CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Report from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer 2 WITH ENVIRONMENT 48 Glenelg Hopkins Advisory Group 48 NATURE AND RANGE OF SERVICES PROVIDED 5 Our Vision 5 OUR PEOPLE, OUR BUSINESS 50 Governance Structure 50 Our Objectives 5 Board Committees 51 Financial Performance at a Glance