River Health & Water Quality - Home - GBCMA€¦ · Waterway Management Team River Health & Water Quality Riverine Strategies & Adaptive Research Manager Wayne Tennant . Goulburn

AnnuAnnuAnnuAnnuAnnual Report 2002-2003al Report 2002-2003al Report 2002-2003al Report 2002-2003al Report 2002-2003

River Health & Water QuRiver Health & Water QuRiver Health & Water QuRiver Health & Water QuRiver Health & Water Qualityalityalityalityality

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Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

River Health & Water Quality Annual Report 2002-2003

2

Healthy Rivers, Healthy Communities

“……..Healthy rivers, streams, wetlands, floodplains and adjacent land that support avibrant range and abundance of natural environments,provides water for human use, sustains our native flora & fauna and provides for oursocial, economic and cultural values.…………”.


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3

Table of Contents

Chairs Report....................................................................................................................... 4River Health & Water Quality Coordinating Committee/ Waterway Working Groups.......... 5Goulburn Broken CMA Region Map.....................................................................................6Organisational Chart ........................................................................................................... 6River Health & Water Quality Management Staff................................................................. 7Monitoring, Strategies and Research .................................................................................. 8

Water QualityGoulburn Broken Water Quality program......................................................11Urban Stormwater.........................................................................................11Irrigation Drain Program of Water Quality Strategy.......................................13Increasing water use efficiency through strategic waterharvesting,(Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme).........................15GBCMA Nutrient Project...............................................................................16Waterwatch Activities ...................................................................................18

Works and Activities on Designated Waterways.................................................................. 19Floodplain Management...................................................................................................... 20Occupational Health and Safety.......................................................................................... 20Catchment Summary of River Health Works/Funding Program Summary...........................21

Implementation Committee Works Summaries 2002-03Upper Goulburn Region - Case Study................................................................23

Summary Completed Works Inspected.................... 24Waterway Working Group......................................... 25

Mid Goulburn Broken Region - Case Study............................................................... 27Summary Completed Works Inspected.................... 28Waterway Working Group......................................... 29

Shepparton Irrigation Region - Case Study................................................................31Summary Structural Works Program.........................32Summary Completed Works Inspected.....................34Waterway Working Group......................................... 35

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4

The River Health & Water Quality (RH&WQC) & Waterways Working Groups (WWG) are pleased to presentthe 2002-2003 Annual Report. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the community committeemembers for their dedication and input over the last twelve months. The RH&WQC is the strategic arm of thewaterways business overseeing the development of strategies, research and development of bestmanagement practices relating to river health and water quality in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. TheWaterway Working Groups (of which there are three) are the key conduits to the community and providevaluable linkages into and feedback from the communities which then assist the three ImplementationCommittee’s and staff in the development of their annual works program.

Funding from both Federal and State Governments in the 2002/2003 financial year was a lot lower thanother years, but has allowed the waterways team to implement the works programs and still complete a highlevel of both strategic, research and on-ground works as outlined in this document.

We would like to thank the waterways management team for their achievements throughout the year. Thewaterways management team of the Authority are responsible for overseeing coordination of the waterwayworks program, administering waterway permits, developing new and ongoing work projects and fundingbids for projects and dealing with emerging issues that impact on river health. A strong emphasis is put onengaging the community and promoting the message of stream health by working with community groupsand stakeholders. We would also like to congratulate the waterways team for the high standard of outputs ithas achieved in a challenging year. The recent drought has highlighted and promoted waterway healthissues into the community at a level that hasn’t been seen in the past.

The Authority has maintained its commitment to support and fund research activities which lead to greaterunderstanding of our river systems and improves the way in which they are managed and monitored.

A major task of the waterways team has been assessing applications for works on waterways throughout theCatchment. These assessments ensure that the works do not impact on the stability and health of thewaterway or the quality of water within the adjacent stream system. The works on waterways process hasrequired a greater emphasis on engagement between the community and CMA staff.

Acknowledgement also needs to be given to the construction and vegetation management contractors whoplayed a significant role in delivering our works program for this year. Their willingness and ability to assistin developing cost effective technology to improve the health of our waterways is much appreciated.

Recognition should also be given to the landholders and our partners Goulburn-Murray Water, DPI andDSE, Local Government, Goulburn Valley Water, North East Regional Water Authority and landcare groupsparticipating in our programs. They trust our judgment and allow all the hard work and strategic planning tobe implemented, which is what we are all about.

In closing, we feel very positive about our achievements and believe that there is a definite strengthening inthe support of the community toward good waterway and whole of catchment management.

We commend this report to you.

Suzanna Sheed Chairperson River Health & Water Quality Committee

Russell Pell Chairperson Shepparton Irrigation Region Waterway Working Group

Sally Simson Chairperson Mid Goulburn Broken Waterway Working Group

Mike Dalmau Chairperson Upper Goulburn Waterway Working Group

Chairs Report


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5

River Health & Water Quality Coordinating Committee Members

Community MembersSuzanna Sheed - ChairpersonBrian GreedCraig KappesRoyce DicksonHubert MillerJill BreadonRussell PellMurray ChapmanPeter HowarthDavid LaurieAnn Jelinek

Agency RepresentativesPat Feehan Goulburn Murray WaterAndrea Smith Goulburn Broken CMABruce Radford Department of Primary IndustriesDavid Burrow Department of Sustainability &

EnvironmentElita Humphries Environment Protection AuthorityNeville Fowler Fisheries - Department of

Sustainability & EnvironmentAllen Gale Goulburn Valley WaterJohn Anderson Goulburn Valley WaterKen Sampson Goulburn Broken CMA/DPI

The River Health and Water Quality Committee has been established to:·develop Catchment-wide policies and strategies on single issues listed in the Regional Catchment Strategy·develop processes for the initial stages of implementation, including monitoring and integrating implementationinto broader activities within Catchment through Implementation Committees·aggregate the initial Implementation Committee reports into a Catchment Report

The purpose of the Committee is to oversee:Research, development of best management practices,proactive in setting benchmarks and monitoring and preparation and review of existing and new strategies.

Community MembersMike Dalmau Alexandra (Chairperson)Peter Howarth MansfieldGeorge Vasey LarnooSusan Sleigh EuroaDavid Wakefield Strath Creek

Agency MembersAndrew Strange Goulburn Murray WaterJohn Cooper Fisheries - DPIKerry Goschnick DPIRod Drew Field & Game Australia Inc.

Waterway Working Groups

Upper Goulburn WWG

Sally Simson Shepparton East (Chairperson)Kathy Beattie St. JamesArthur Frost EuroaKen Whan BenallaDavid Ritchie MansfieldKevin Mitchell Devenish

Mid Goulburn Broken WWGPeter Burns DSESteve McMonigle DSEChris Meek Goulburn Murray Water

Russell Pell Kyabram (Chairperson)Ron Pearce PicolaAlan Sutherland SheppartonBIll Probst KiallaTate Hamilton CoropNick Roberts Shepparton

Bruce Cumming DPIDavid Trickey DSESilvio Fontana Goulburn Murray WaterMelva Ryan DPIKen Sampson Shepparton Irrigation

Region IC/DPI

Shepparton Irrigation Region WWG

DSE - Department of Sustainability & Environment.DPI - Department of Primary Industries

The Waterway Working Groups roles are to:·provide input to assist in the preparation of the annual waterway management program.·provide balanced comment on community issues and ideas.·provide a conduit to the community to assist in monitoring community attitudes and priorities to improve theprogress and impact of the waterway program·identify research proposals related to waterway management for referral to the River Health and WaterQuality Committee.

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6

Goulburn Broken CMAOrganisational Chart

Goulburn Broken CMA RegionImplementation Committee areas

Chief Executive OfficerBill O’Kane

Personal Assistant/Research OfficerBusiness Manager

River Health & Water QualityManager

Justin Sheed

ImplementationCommittee’s x 3

MGBIC, UGIC & SIRIC

Floodplain ManagerGuy Tierney

Waterway WorkingGroups x 3

Waterway Management Team

River Health & Water QualityRiverine Strategies &

Adaptive Research ManagerWayne Tennant


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7

River Health & Water Quality Management Staff

From back left: Steve Collins, Tom O’Dwyer, Collin Tate, Keith Yates, Wayne Tennant, Jim Castles, Geoff Brennan,Dustin Lavery, Joanne Gaudion, Max Colliver. Front: Richard Warburton, Christine Sagona, Tony Kubeil, MeeganDavies, Justin Sheed & Rebecca Nicoll. Absent: Fleur Jaques, Gordon O’Brien

Staff Member Position TitleChristine Sagona Waterway Vegetation Officer – Upper GoulburnCollin Tate Waterway Works Officer – Upper GoulburnDustin Lavery Waterway Vegetation Officer – Shepparton Irrigation RegionFleur Jaques Waterways Executive AssistantGeoff Brennan Waterway Works Supervisor – Mid GoulburnGordon O’Brien Waterway Environmental EngineerJim Castles Grassy Ecosystems Project OfficerJustin Sheed River Health & Water Quality ManagerKeith Yates Waterway Works Officer – Upper GoulburnMax Colliver Waterway Works Officer – Mid GoulburnMeegan Davies Water Quality & Works on Waterways CoordinatorRebecca Nicoll Waterway Vegetation Officer – Mid GoulburnRichard Warburton Waterway Works Supervisor – Shepparton Irrigation RegionSteven Collins Waterway Works Officer – Mid GoulburnTom O’Dwyer Waterway Team Leader – Mid/Upper GoulburnTony Kubeil Broken Boosey Nine Mile Conservation Management Network CoordinatorWayne Tennant Manager-Riverine Strategies/Adaptive Research

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8

Seven Creeks - Enhancing Trout CodHabitat

Following the completion of Phase One works andactivities, to protect high quality Trout Cod Habitat,detail monitoring of the response of the works wasconducted.Further monitoring will be initiated in 2003/2004concluding with a report.Guidelines to assist other agencies and thecommunity are an important component of thisproject. This will present a series ofrecommendations for the design, monitoring andimplementation of actions to improve habitat diversity(as well as overall stream health).

Field Days on Seven Creeks (Trout Cod project fundedby Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia):source R Nicoll

This project was funded by funded by AgricultureFisheries and Forestry – Australia with matchingfunding from the State’s Waterway Health Program.

MonitoringThe monitoring of stream conditions continues to bea key component of the River Health and WaterQuality Program.The success of the river health program is monitoredthrough both “snapshot” and “targeted” monitoringprograms.Baseline monitoring to assess the overall conditionof the region’s waterways employs the statewide“Index of Stream Condition”. This index reflects thevarious aspects of river health, including condition ofvegetation within the riparian zone, channel condition,stream habitat, water quality and flow.Targeted monitoring is designed to assess theperformance of individual projects against projectgoals.

The aim was to improve our understanding oflandholder knowledge of riparian zones and tocompare landholder and scientist assessments ofecological condition in riparian zones on privateproperties. The project sought the involvement of theUpper Goulburn Waterway Working Group in thedesign of the landholder questionnaire.

Increasing fishing opportunity throughAccess and Habitat Enhancement(Goulburn Broken CMA – works, Marineand Freshwater Resource Institute –monitoring).

Currently the Catchment Management Authority hasan important role to play, in association with fisheriesmanagers, in creating improved habitat for aquaticsystems, benefiting recreational fisheries (both nativeand exotic). Funding has been provided to assistwith improving stream condition for recreationalbenefits.The onground works were monitored to assess ifimproved recreational experience resulted.

Example of monitoring through the waterway healthprogram include;Snapshot: Site assessments (application ofcomponents of the ISC).Trout cod habitat: Hypothesis testing; Increasedabundance of target species; increased diversity ofspecies, and overall improvement in stream health.Recreational Experience:Visitor Numbers.Exotic Vegetation (Lake Benalla): Area of weedconverage from baseline monitoring.

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Scientist assessment score

Land

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reMonitoring,

Strategies &Research

Figure showing strong correlation between landholder& scientist assessments: source Wilson A (2003)Understanding Landholder Management of RiparianZones, Proceedings of the Workshop on: River &Catchment Health - Presenting current research in theGoulburn Broken Catchment, Dookie

Research and Evaluation

A wide range of research and evaluation projectscontinued to be supported within the catchment witha range of partners.Key Projects included:Social research: Understanding landholdermanagement of riparian zones in the GoulburnBroken Catchment by Andrea Wilson (Charles SturtUniversity).This project investigated the relationship betweenlandholder management practices and ripariancondition in the Goulburn Broken Catchment.Interviews were held with a number of landholdersand an assessment of the ecological condition offrontages was undertaken.


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9

Ecological risk Assessment (Salinity)

The Authority with support from the National ActionPlan for Salinity and Water Quality is developing anEcological Risk Assessment (ERA) framework to aidthe prioritsation of salinity programs and the risk toaquatic ecosystems. Work proceeded during 2002/2003 with the support of Monash University / WaterStudy Centre. This project will conclude in 2003/2004.

Strategies / Strategic Planning

To provide direction for both planning andimplementation of a number of strategic andimplementation plans have been developed or arecurrently underway.- Goulbourn Broken Riverine Health Strategy(commenced)- Nine Mile Creek Rehabilitation Plan- Willow and Riparian Management Strategy(commenced)- Priority Barriers to Fish Migration (Priority Report)to the Department of Natural Resources andEnvironment- Detail Stream Investigations on the lower JamiesonRiver, Doolams Creek, Tallangalook Creek andBryants Creek.

Caseys Weir a priority for modification to facilitatefish movement. Aim: enhance native fishpopulations throughout the catchment.

Decision Support Tool for Waterway Health

The authority has provided ongoing input to thedevelopment of a “Statewide” Decision Support Toolfor Waterway Health Programs. This project hasbeen funded from the State Government’s FrontageManagement and Stream Health Initiatives.

Assessment of reductions in suspendedsediment and Nutrient loads as aconsequence of riparian rehabilitation inthe Goulburn-Broken Catchment.

The Goulburn Broken catchment, together with theMary River (Qld) were chosen as the focuscatchments to test, refine and demonstrate the useof the National Land & Water Resources Audit(NLWRA) sediment and nutrient modeling techniquesto meet regional planning needs. Following thecompletion of this project a more detailed evaluationof sediment and nutrient movement wascommissioned.CSIRO has investigated a range of future scenariosusing the SedNet modeling framework to determinethe relative reductions in suspended sediment andTotal P loads that could be expected in the Goulburn-Broken catchment as a result of targeted riparianrehabilitation. This information may well assist inthe establishment of priority areas.

Monitoring,Strategies &Research

Project Support

Representatives from the Catchment ManagementAuthority continued to provide support to projectsaffecting the health of the region’s waterways. Oftenthese projects are initiated by other agencies and thecommunity. Key projects include:

Goulburn River Environmental Flow Study

Goulburn River Environmental Flow Project aims toprovide scientific advice on the environmental waterrequirements of the Goulburn River system as partof The Living Murray process.

In part, this will be achieved through the identificationof the environmental values associated with theGoulburn River system, scientific determination of thewater requirements of these values and thedevelopment of environmental flowrecommendations.

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10

Major Storages (GMW) Water QualityReference Committee

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) manages a largenumber of water storages across northern Victoriawith the water from these storages supporting aproductive rural economy. The economy and thestreams alike are dependent upon the quantity andquality of water from these storages.

Concern has been expressed that land managementand development practices in water supplycatchments is adversely impacting on storage waterquality and quantity, and that the management ofthese activities needs to be improved.

This project, undertaken by GMW, investigates theseissues in depth by utilising catchment and storagemodels for the prediction of potential impacts onwater quality and water yield. Scientists working withthe Cooperative Research Centre for CatchmentHydrology (CRCCH) are developing a catchmentmodelling ‘toolkit’ to predict the impacts.Representatives from the Catchment ManagementAuthority are participating in this program.

North East Regional Water MonitoringPartnership

The North East and Goulburn Broken CMAs areworking with DSE to develop the North East RegionalWater Monitoring Partnership. The process involvesall parties conducting water resource monitoring andcoming together to agree on a monitoring networkwhich meets the needs of the region. Cost sharingarrangements will be negotiated and the monitoringnetwork taken to competitive tender, resulting in asingle, well specified and cost-effective arrangementfor monitoring of water resources in North EastVictoria.It is expected that the regional monitoring networkwill begin operation on 01 July 2004.

Goulburn Eildon Fisheries ManagementPlan Steering Committee

This Partnership Committee is responsible foroverseeing the implementation of the ManagementPlan. Key actions within the plan include waterwaymanagement actions which aim to improve angleraccess and instream habitat for fish. This committeelinks funding, onground works, research andenforcement.

Monitoring,Strategies &

Research

Representation have also contributed to the followingworkshops and forums:•Broken Creek Operations Review•Cooperative Research Centre FreshwaterEcology - Program B.•Broken Creek Water Quality Monitoring• Advisory Committee, Restoration Ecology.•Boosey Creek - Tungamah Master Plan•Trout Cod Recovery Team.•Casey’s Weir Majors Creek W&MC pipelineEnvironmental Focus Study•Victorian Waterway Managers Forum.•Honeysuckle Creek Weir Decommissioning•Development of an economic methodologyto analyse investments in river health -“preservation versus restoration” beingundertaken by Department of Sustainability& Environment.

SedNet Modelling of Sediments andNutrients

The SedNet model has been used in the GoulburnBroken catchment as a case study to refine themodel. The model provides spatial mapping ofsediment and nutrient sources in each river basin:sheetwash erosion, gully erosion, riverbank erosion,sediment bound nutrients, diffuse dissolved nutrients,and major point sources of nutrients. The pattern ofsources together with modelling of deposition andnutrient transformation processes were used topredict spatial patterns of mean annual sediment andnutrient loads under current land use conditions.Predictions were also made of sediment and nutrientloads under natural conditions to assess themagnitude of increase of current loads to naturalconditions

A full report documenting the results of this modellingcan is available by contacting the Water QualityCoordinator of the Goulburn Broken CatchmentManagement Authority.

Sediment Priorities Upstream of Eildon

This project involved waterways assessments of fourstream upstream of Eildon to identify areas of highpriority for sediment input and water qualityimprovement works. These were Jamieson River,Bryant Creek, Doolams Creek and TallanglookCreek. The waterway assessments identifiedapproximately 34 sites for potential erosion controlworks and 20km of revegetation and fencing works.These works will be implanted through the GoulburnBroken CMAs waterway implementation program.


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11

Goulburn Broken Water Quality Program

Overall objectives of the Goulburn Broken waterquality program as outlined in the catchment’s WaterQuality Strategy (2002) are listed below:

• Minimise the risk of blue green algae outbreakswithin the Goulburn Broken catchment therebyprotecting aquatic ecosystems, public health, industryand water users;• Minimise nutrient contributions to the Murray River(and reduce the risk that nutrients from our catchmentwill cause or contribute to algal blooms downstream);• Foster regional development (by ensuring thequality of water to industry, agriculture and thecommunity);• Enhance the riverine environment; and• Minimise/optimise water treatment costs

A review of the 1996 Water Quality Strategy (WQS)was carried out in 2002 as part of the five year reviewof strategies throughout the Goulburn Brokencatchment. The 2002 review has retained much ofthe technical information as this is still regarded assound and based on best available scientific andtechnical information.

The revised WQS was completed in late 2002 aftera 2 month period for public comment. There wereapproximately 10 submissions from this period whichwere discussed by the technical steering committeeoverseeing the review of the Strategy.Thesecomments were incorporated into the documentwhere appropriate. Additional work was also carriedout on the economic evaluation of the costs andbenefits of the Strategy.

Once comments were incorporated and workcompleted on the WQS the Goulburn Broken RiverHealth and Water Quality Coordinating Committeesigned off on the document. The 2002 WQS wasthen submitted to the CMA Board who also signedoff the document. The Goulburn Broken 2002 WaterQuality Strategy was submitted to the stategovernment in early 2003 for endorsement. Thisprocess is taking longer than expected with delayshappening at a state government agency level thatrequires high input negotiations. This has sloweddown the process of state endorsement of thedocument.

However, implementation of the strategy has a twentyyear time frame, beginning with the original WQS in1996 and finishing in 2016.Thus, the GoulburnBroken WQS has been implemented for the past 6years and will continue to do so throughout theGoulburn Broken catchment.

WaterQuality

The following highlights are from the Water Qualityprogram in the Goulburn Broken catchment.

Urban Stormwater

Background

In 2002/2003, the Goulburn Broken Catchmentreceived funding from the Victorian Stormwater ActionProgram (VSAP) to implement a two year stormwaterawareness and education project. The fundingenabled the appointment of a Catchment StormwaterProject Officer to raise community awareness aboutstormwater quality issues and its impacts onwaterways in the catchment. The VSAP funding hasbeen matched by a combination of CMA, GVW, mostcouncils throughout the catchment, Regional WasteManagement Group and G-MW. The target audiencefor this education and awareness project includeslocal government, industry (especially the building/construction industry), the general community andschools.

Council and Industry

Storms Self Management System

A self management system called “Storms SelfManagement System (SSMS)” has been developedto aid councils in monitoring and incorporating bestmanagement practices into their maintenance andconstruction activities. This system educates councilstaff in stormwater best practice and audits counciloperations to measure their compliance with bestpractice. The City of Greater Shepparton haveincorporated SSMS into their environmentalmanagement plan and Benalla City Council aretrialling the system. Many other councils throughoutthe catchment have also shown an interest in theSSMS.

EPA through the Victorian Stormwater Action Program(VSAP) has recognised the potential of this systemand has provided further funding through a strategicgrant to roll the system out on a statewide basis. TheGB catchment stormwater education officer will beinvolved in the roll out of this program across the statein conjunction with MAV.

Concrete “BMP” Pamphlet

In conjunction with the City of Greater Shepparton apamphlet has been developed to raise awarenessand educate industry in best practice principles forthe use of concrete. Transport of concrete and washdown practices have been recognised across manymunicipal Stormwater Management Plans as anactivity with high potential to affect stormwater quality.

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12

The pamphlet is being distributed to concrete batchoperators to hand out among staff to promoteawareness of issues relating to concrete wash downprocedures and transport of mud and sediments ontoroadways.

Schools and Community Education

“The Yellow Fish Road”

Stormwater was the theme for last years Water Week.A pantomime was developed by Waterwatch andGoulburn Valley Water, to highlight the potentialimpacts that urban stormwater can have on ourenvironment. The pantomime was aimed at primaryschool students and was titled “The Yellow FishRoad”. There were 4,000 students from 24 schoolsthat attended the pantomime.

“Drains are Just for Rain”

Drains are Just for Rain banners have beendesigned, developed and were circulated around thecatchment. The street banners are displayed in eachtown for approximately 4 weeks. A community day isheld in each town to coincide with the placement ofthe banners. The Regional Waste ManagementGroup supports the community day by supplying theEcoVan (a painted van full of educational informationand activities designed for school children). The dayis designed to provide information to the generalpublic in both stormwater and waste managementissues. It will take approximately 18 months to displaythe banners across the catchment.

The Goulburn Valley Regional Waste ManagementGroup and Representatives of Green Corp havestenciled “The Drain is Just for Rain” extensivelyacross the catchment. Schools also get involved, withmany primary school students hitting the streets andstenciling their towns.

Water Quality Testing

In 2002-03 water quality tests were performed onLake Victoria. The testing looks at a range of waterquality parameters, such as nitrogen, phosphorous,total suspended solids, Electrical Conductivity andE-coli. The testing is proving to be a valuable tool inmonitoring the performance of the Lake andassessing the effects of stormwater during major rainevents. The Greater Shepparton City Council havehelped fund this activity. Future testing in Tatura (LakeBartlett) and Numurkah (Kinnairds wetland) are beinginvestigated.

Council On ground Stormwater Activities

Greater Shepparton City Council (COGS)

With the burgeoning development rates in theShepparton Council stormwater management andWater Sensitive Urban Design are becoming moreand more important. COGS have been involved withthe Goulburn Broken Stormwater Education Projectdeveloping the Self Management System andStandard Drawings for sediment control onconstruction sites.

COGS has placed Water Sensitive Urban Design andGross Pollutant Trap conditions on planning permits.Kialla Lakes Estate and Forsyth Estate in Mooroopnahave incorporated WSUD principles into the drainagedesign treatment. Kialla Lakes Estate has alsoincluded the construction of the Lowanna WatersWetland.

Something to explore in the future is the monitoringand enforcement of building and construction sites.With the explosive development rates around thearea there have been some compromises in theseactivities that continue to have a major impact onthe degradation of stormwater quality fromtransporting mud onto roads.

WaterQuality


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13

Irrigation Drain Program ofWater Quality Strategy

The Irrigation Drain Program (IDP) is a componentof the Goulburn Broken Water Quality Strategy andaims to reduce the adverse impacts of irrigationdrainage on receiving waters. The program has beenjointly funded by G-MW, NHT (CommonwealthGovernment) and HWI (Victorian Government) since1997.

Drainage resource assessments were completed forthe 20 existing main drain catchments. DrainDiversion Plans have been completed for all but oneof these catchments, allowing allocation of additionaldrainage diversion licences to proceed.

Metering of drain diversions continued and allocationof additional diversion agreements was undertakenin Murray Valley and Shepparton.Two new drain flowmonitoring installations were completed (MV drain13 and Shepparton drain 4).

Phosphorus loads exported from irrigation drainscontinued to show substantial decline, with the 5 yearrolling average now below the target value for 50%reduction.

A review of the process for dealing with dairy effluentdischarges to drains was undertaken and changesrecommended.Complementary farm extension andincentive programs continued to contribute toreducing the impacts of drainage (whole farmplanning, reuse systems, dairy effluent and nutrientmanagement).

Drainage diversion

Drainage diversion has been identified as one meansof reducing irrigation drain outfall. In October 2000the Drainage Diversion Strategy was completedfollowing several rounds of consultation with keystakeholders. The purpose of this strategy is to setthe framework to manage drainage diversion.

Implementation of the Drain Diversion Strategy willbe via Drain Management Plans. Drain DiversionPlans will form a significant component of DrainManagement Plans.

Drain Management Plans

Drain Management Plans (DMPs) are intended tobe a single reference point for all issues relating tothe management of a drainage system. As well ascontaining Drain Diversion Plans, DMPs will includesections on catchment characteristics, drain designprinciples, operation and maintenance aspects,emergency response measures, management

arrangements, and monitoring and reportingprograms.Work commenced on a drain management plan forMurray Valley Drain 6, including intensive fieldinspections of all sections of the drain. Investigationinto options for a wetland treatment system on MurrayValley Drain 13 has been undertaken.

Drain Diversion Plans

Drain Diversion Plans (DDPs) will provide drainmanagers with a tool for assessing applications fordrain diversion permits and determining progressagainst diversion targets. DDPs are being formulatedfollowing priorities based on known water qualityimpacts on waterways and resource managementconsiderations. DDPs are based on resourceassessments that have been undertaken based on astandard (benchmark) period of years.

Resource assessments have now been completedfor all 20 existing main drain catchments, withMosquito Depression the final one completed in 2002.Those completed cover Murray Valley drains 3, 5, 6,13, 18, 19 and 20, Shepparton drains 2 to 16, Deakin,Warrigal Creek (Wyuna, Coram, Tongala), Rodney-Ardmona and Lockington-Bamawm. Drain DiversionPlans have been completed for all but Mosquito.

The GB WQS recognises that drain diversion is notthe sole activity to achieving the goals of the Strategy.It is recognised that both drain diversion and on farmactivities such as installation of reuse systems andimplementation of best practices will lead to reduceddrain flows and nutrient export.

Metering of diversion pumps

The installation of drainage diversion meters is anintegral part of the implementation of DMPs. In the2002/03 financial year this program contributed to thepurchase of numerous flow meters for both theCentral Goulburn and Murray Valley. Management ofdrainage diversion also includes calibration of indirectmeters, reading meters and liaison with diverters.

WaterQuality

Flow meter on pump discharge line

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14

•Murray Valley drain 6 continues to have the highestnutrient generation rate (kg/ha/yr);

•Most drain generation rates were substantiallyreduced;

•Overall, nutrient export loads have decreased since2000/01;

•The 5-year rolling average TP load continued toshow substantial decline and is now below the targetvalue for reduction of nutrient loads from irrigationdrains (see figure). Based on preliminary estimates,the inclusion of 2002/03 loads will see a furthersubstantial decline.

Two new drain flow monitoring installations werecompleted (MV drain 13 and Shepparton drain 4)and another site was relocated downstream toimprove accuracy (Shepparton drain 11). Theseprovide real time access to flow data, which willimprove day to day management of diverters, andincrease our knowledge of water availability, patterns,trends, etc.

From the perspective of nutrient generation the trendcontinues in the right direction. However a wet year,or series of wet years, could see the trend rising againand emphasises the need to continue with theirrigation drain nutrient management programs.

Quarterly reporting of phosphorus loads exported torivers via drains was initiated during 2002/03 andcompared to the Water Quality Strategy targets.Exports were very low due to the dry conditions andlow water allocations.

WaterQuality

Estimated TP loads from irrigation drains

Drainage Officers in each of the Irrigation Areasconduct regular field inspections and monitoring ofdrainage systems and diversion pump installations.

Investigating the quality of drainage water

Pathogens

Follow up work scheduled for 2002/03 targeting MVdrains 6 and 13 was deferred due to a lack of waterin the drains to enable sampling.

Low level rock weirs

Low level rock weirs are arrangements of rocks acrossthe drain profile that enhance opportunities fordrainage diversion and improve sediment trapping toimprove the water quality of receiving waterways. Aweir was constructed on Shepparton Drain 4.

Potential drain nutrient discharges

Dairy farm effluent discharge management processhas been reviewed with relevant agencies (GMW,EPA, DPI, GBCMA) and changes recommended.Isolated breaches of G-MW’s environmentalguidelines have been followed up with the discharger,with intervention from third parties (eg. EPA) whenrequired.

Drain Monitoring

Monitoring of drain flows and water quality parametersat 14 sites continued with funding from theSIRLWSMP and G-MW. Analysis of the 2001/02 datashowed that;•Murray Valley drain 6 discharged the largest load ofTP, TN and suspended sediment (in previous yearsDeakin drain has had the highest loads);


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15

Increasing Water Use Efficiency through strategic water harvesting (DrainageNutrient Removal Incentive Scheme)

The Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme was introduced in April of 1998 to encourage landownersto construct strategically located storages to collect and use regional high flow drainage water as a means ofremoving nutrients from drains. The water and nutrients collected can be used productively, and are not lostto areas of the catchment where they may cause problems such as blue green algae blooms. These storagescan increase the volume of water available to the irrigator and reduce the amount of nutrient rich waterentering our catchments.

Long term targets of the project are to:1. Increase the amount of nutrient-rich water diverted from regional drains and used productively on farm by 25%.2. Capture 10,000 ML of water savings from regional and farm drainage to be used for maximum public benefit.3. Improve irrigation management across 50% of the newly drained SIR in the next 5 years.

4. Contribute significantly to the Goulburn Broken Water Quality Strategy goal of reducing phosphorous and nitrogen drain loads by 50% by 2016 through decreasing the amount of poor quality (high nutrient/ salt) water leaving the catchment and flowing into environmentally sensitive waterways.

Short term project targets are to:1. Construct 6 storages per year providing a storage capacity of approximately 3,600 ML.2. Divert 7,200 ML of water from the regional drainage system to prevent flows into the River Murray and improve water use efficiency on 4,500 ha of irrigated land.3. Retain 3.5 tonne of phosphorous and 14.0 tonne of nitrogen within the catchment.4. Improve water use efficiency on individual properties, save irrigation water for other uses such as environmental flows and protect the catchment from poor quality drainage water

For the past couple of years the SIR has suffered dry conditions with the low rainfall and irrigation waterallocations resulting in a reduced occurrence of high flow conditions in drains.

However, even with such conditions, 6 storages were constructed this year which was a record number ofstorages constructed in one year through the incentive scheme.

The largest storage built through the scheme was constructed this year. This was a 500 ML storage atWunghnu which is also incorporating an aquaculture enterprise within the storage.

The other storages were built in Bearii (400 ML and a 250 ML storage), Invergordon (150 ML), Numurkah(60ML) and at Tallygaroopna (60ML).

Since the beginning of the scheme the total number of high flow storages built with assistance from thescheme is 21 with a storage capacity of 4,043 ML.

During July 2003, all landholders with systems constructed were contacted to determinethe volumes of water collected and used for irrigation. Samples of the water were takenand tested for salinity and phosphorous levels.

Water Service ML Capacity Volume Phosphorous Salt Saved Area Constructed Diverted (ML) Saved (kg) (kg) Central Goulburn 1,658 945 630 123 Murray Valley 1115 1130 581 133.8 City of Greater Shepparton 1120 1310 580 118.1 Rochester (GBCMA Section) 150 0 0 0 Total 4043 3385 1791 375

WaterQuality

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16

GBCMA Nutrient Project (DPI)

The last twelve months has seen the GoulburnBroken Nutrient/Effluent project achieve manymilestones assisting 140 dairy farmers across thecatchment, providing training to 120 service providersand industry representatives and strengthening itsrelationship with several key stakeholders.

Nutrient monitoring on the Cross and Read properties(North Murchison/Toolamba sub catchment study),concluded at the end of September 2002, followedby a collaboration of data and progression towards

Due to a very dry year and low rainfall the volume ofwater diverted was quite low compared to previousyears but relatively the same as 2001/2002.

Only 16 out of 21 storages were able to divert andstore water in the storage during 2002/2003. Themajority of the storages have water stored in themgoing into the 2003/2004 season due to the rain thatfell during July 2003.

With a lower volume of water stored, the phosphorousand salt loads saved are down on previous yearstotals.

Other Works Carried out by the Project Team:

• Project staff were involved in the organisation andrunning of the DPI site at Stanhope field daysinforming landowners of incentives available in theSIR.

• Project staff undertook a short presentation toMurray irrigation staff on our programs/incentives.

• Project staff drafted an abstract to be presented atANCID conference to be held in October 2003.

Despite the drought and resulting conditions ie, lowwater allocations, low rainfall, construction of storagesin 2002/2003 was a record year.

A 400ML storage built 2001/2002 at Bearii.

WaterQuality

a more detailed report submitted to theImplementation Committee in February 2003. Theproject team has also utilised the results andextensive data collected from the North Murchison/Toolamba project to develop a nutrient managementmanual for dairy farmers highlighting bestmanagement practices. The manual (currently in draftformat for technical review) will be published anddistributed to dairy farmers within the GoulburnBroken Catchment in the next 6 months and with anaim to progress towards nutrient best managementpractices, and ultimately improve water quality withinthe GBCMA.

With the conclusion of monitoring on the aboveproperties a new focus for the Goulburn BrokenNutrients/Effluent project was needed.

Despite the drought conditions, effluent and nutrientmanagement on farm continues to be a priority forfarmers and communities within the catchment. Thiswas evident in the development of Local Area Plansfrom the Nathalia and Invergordon planning groupswhere effluent management was highlighted as apriority in both plans.

After discussions at PISC the redirection of thenutrient project focused on response to droughtconditions with the nutrient team assisting farmersmanage on farm nutrient hotspots from an increasedlevel of development for intensive feeding areas.Members of the nutrient team have also met withMawson Quarry’s to develop a feedpad cost analysisdue to the increasing numbers of intensive feedingareas throughout the catchment.

The project has also redirected resources intodeveloping project strategies, identifying extensiondeliverable’s and industry partnerships necessary toreduce nutrient loads to waterways and drainagewithin the Goulburn Broken Catchment, and aparticular focus on Murray Valley Drain 13 (MV D13).The nutrient team has met with and secured supportfrom the Nathalia Local Area Planning Group to targetMV D13. DPI has also developed a joint approachon this focus drainage area with G-MW in order toshare resources and strategies (media, data analysisand extension approaches) in targeting MV D13 fornutrient management and reduction.

These partnerships with other key agencies andcommunity groups will be fundamental when thenutrient team commences extension activities in theMV D13 catchment later this year.


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17

Further, a significant achievement over the last twelvemonths has been the development of a jointorganisational framework between Department ofPrimary Industries (DPI) and Goulburn Murray Water(G-MW) in relation to dealing with non compliant dairyeffluent discharges into drains. The new relationshipwill see a more proactive approach by DPI initiatingfarmer contact and the completion of follow upinquiries to ensure compliance with legislation. Thenew framework also involves an improved workingrelationship with the EPA to manage non compliantlandowners and ensure a quick response

The recent, and continued, strengthening of links andpartnerships with other agencies, community groupsand stakeholders is necessary to improve waterquality in the GBCMA.

The nutrient team have also built partnerships withthe Goulburn Murray Landcare Network forencouragement and development of communitydrain monitoring groups.

A negative impact of the poor season resulted in thenutrient team restricting farmer contact due tofinancial constraints and the need for dairy farms tofocus spending on feed and water resources. Overallone to one consultancies on farm to design andimplement effluent systems were down 50%. Thesignificant increase in feedpads and intensive feedingareas also complicated the management of existingeffluent systems as farmers increased manureloadings to ponds. The concentrations of nutrient onintensive feeding areas will also require an educationprogram for farmers to ensure they productivelymanage these areas in the future.

The coming year will also be a challenge with theslowing of momentum in the implementation of dairyeffluent systems until farmers are able to recoveryfinancially.

Nutrient Extension Officer Scott McDonald talking to agroup of farmers in Toolamba about best managementpractices for effluent and feedpad management

WaterQuality

Community Monitoring Networks

Networks of community water monitors have beenestablished along many of the major waterways inour catchment. These groups regularly monitor anumber of water quality parameters at over 250 sitesacross the region.

A revamped “Drainwatch” project is operating in thelarge irrigation areas from Cobram to Kyabram.“Drainwatch” encourages farmers to manage theirfertilizing and irrigation activities to minimize the exportof nutrients such as phosphorus from their farms.Waterwatch monitoring of drain water continued,although dry conditions caused low drain flows thatrestricted sampling opportunities.

Water Week

The major theme for National Water Week in 2002was stormwater, which coincided with theappointment of the catchment Stormwater ProjectOfficer. Over 3,900 primary school students had theopportunity to learn more about stormwater issuesby attending a pantomime developed by Waterwatch.

The pantomime called “Follow the Yellow Fish Road”,educated students and teachers in ways to reducethe amount of pollution ending up in stormwaterdrains. Following the pantomime, grades 5 and 6students from each school worked with councilemployees to stencil drains in each town with thestormwater message The Drain is Just for Rain.

Water Quality Monitoring Project

The GBCMA are overseeing a review of existing waterquality monitoring sites throughout the catchment.The aim of the project is to review the purpose, locality,and frequency of existing monitoring to ensure theaims of the WQS can be monitored and met. If theaims of the WQS can not be monitored by the existingwater quality monitoring in the catchment suggestedneeds will be recommended. The information fromthis review can also be used at a tool for prioritisingimplementation and monitoring of water qualityactivities throughout the Goulburn Broken catchment.

This project will provide good information for therationalisation of water quality monitoring throughoutthe Goulburn Broken catchment and will work inconjunction with DSE Melbourne who are looking atreviewing all water quality monitoring partnershipsstatewide.

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18

Waterwatch Activities – 2002/2003

Waterwatch has now been operating in the GoulburnBroken Catchment for 10 years. The WaterwatchProgram assists schools and community groups tomonitor water quality in their area. The Projectemploys a Catchment Coordinator, one full time andthree part time regional coordinators including a“Drainwatch” Project Officer.

It combines a range of activities to promote awarenessof catchment water quality issues with extensive datacollection and interpretation.

In 2002/2003:• Over 250 sites have been monitored at least once by Waterwatch monitors. Many of these sites aremonitored weekly;• Waterwatch facilitators presented information on water issues to over 6,500 students.

Waterwatch is, more than ever, being viewed as amethod to monitor improvements in local water qualityfollowing onground actions by the community.

Catchment Capers

“Catchment Capers” is an integrated catchment widecollaborative project directed at upper primary andlower secondary students. It is based on theWaterwatch Program, but contains additionalactivities that deal with water, land and catchmentflora and fauna issues. The content of the programhas been designed primarily for the Goulburn Brokencatchment.

Thirty schools from all parts of our region are takingpart in Catchment Capers in 2003. The studentsmonitor a waterbody near the school on a monthlybasis and participate in a series of activities thatcomplement their monitoring program. The followingwebsite has been developed for participating schools:www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/catchmentcapers

A “State of the Catchment” symposium for CatchmentCapers schools was held in 2002 at which studentspresented their findings to a gathering of participatingschools.

Catchment Capers 2003 was launched by DeputyPremier Thwaites on the Goulburn River inShepparton in March 2003.

Minister Thwaites Launches Catchment Capers

Testing Turbidity in the Goulburn River

Schools

Waterwatch Coordinators, with help from Landcareand agency facilitators, conducted a special salinityawareness day for primary students called “A Matterof Salt”. Over 150 students from nine schoolsattended the successful day at Dookie College.

Testing for Salinity at “A Matter of Salt” Day

WaterQuality


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19

The Goulburn Broken CMA is the responsible Authority for determining and issuing permits for works andactivities on waterways since March 2001 under By Law No 1 pertaining to Section 160, 161 and 219 of theWater Act, 1989. The aim of the CMA’s role in issuing permits for such works or activities is to minimisedegradation of waterway flora, fauna habitat and overall waterway health and to help ensure long termstability of waterways and any permitted works or activities.

An example of works requiring permits include:Bridges, Culverts, Fords, Pipe/cable crossings, Drainage outlets, Extraction activities, Bed and bankstabilisation, Access tracks, Vegetation management and other works.

In 2002-03, 127 applications were received catchment wide with 63 applications being approved. The majorityof applications received were for either private bridge and culvert works or for the installation oftelecommunications cables or upgrading of wastewater treatment facilities. Other works that have beenissued works permits include sand extraction, fords, outlet structures, access tracks and bank stabilisationworks.

An information brochure was developed detailing requirements for Works on Waterways. The brochure wasdistributed within the local newspapers and local municipalities.

Numbers of unauthorised works and activities are also frequently reported to the CMA or picked up by CMAfield staff. These issues are dealt with in an appropriate manner depending on the type and standard ofunauthorised works.

Works and Activities on Designated Waterways

Examples of Works

Extraction site on Hughes Creek

Location for bridge replacement - Prices Creek ,Willowmavin

Site for bank stabilisation works - Stevenson River

Works on Waterwaysinformation brochure

Works onWaterways

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20

Floodplain Management

From 1 January 1998, the Goulburn Broken CMA has carried out floodplain management functions undersection 2002 of the Water Act, 1989.

Guy Tierney is the Floodplain Manager for the Goulburn Broken CMA and manages floodplain managementactivities across the Goulburn, Broken and part of the Murray River basins.

The CMA is responsible for statutory floodplain management advice under section 55 of the Planning andEnvironment Act, 1987. Under the Water Act, 1989 the CMA provides advice to the public when requested.The CMA is frequently approached for advice from the community, consultants and developers before formalapplications are made to municipalities.

About 1,000 referrals including requests for advice were processed this financial year with the majority fromthe SIR. Referrals included the assessment of subdivisions, whole farm plans, dwellings, extensions andgeneral flood information.

Occupational Health & Safety

This year the new Occupational Heath & Safety Manual was endorsed by the Goulburn Broken CMA Board.The aim of the manual is to provide all staff of the Authority information on health and safety. The GoulburnBroken CMA recognises its moral and legal responsilbitiy to provide a safe and healthy work environment foremployees, contractors, customers and visitors. This commitment extends to ensuring that the organisationsoperations do not place the local community at risk of injury, illness or property damage.

OH&S committee membersJustin Sheed – ManagerRichard Warburton – Acting Manager, Health & Safety RepresentativeTom O’Dwyer - Team LeaderFleur Jaques - employee representativeMarion Howell - employee representativeKeith Yates - Health & Safety RepresentativePoppe Davis - employee representativeGeoff Brennan - Heath & Safety RepresentativeGordon O’Brien (past member)

FloodplainManagement

/ OH&S


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21

Catchment Summary ofRiver Health Works 2002-03

Several new initiatives where delivered as part ofthe river health program to reduce sediment loadsand nutrients entering rivers: stabilise bed and bankerosion: control stock access: protect and enhanceindigenous native riparian vegetation; and manageexotic vegetation.

Most work sites include stock access controls(fencing and alternative stock watering) andrevegetation works undertaken through theWaterway Grants scheme. The scheme engageslandowners in protecting the works from stockdamage and delivers long term stability, water qualityand aquatic habitat benefits. This year 213 grantswere issued to landowners agreeing to fence out193.15 km of waterway and plant 80,680 seedlings.

Landowners will be assisted to install off-stream stockdams and/or troughs for stock watering. Subject tofunds being available, the works will be undertakenover the coming year.

This year through some 68km of riparian fencing, 51alternative watering sites installed and 39,000indigenous seedlings of local provenance wereplanted – a record for this type of work in thiscatchment.

Of those fences, 64% had minimum buffer widths ofbetween 10-20 metres, 22 per cent between 20-40metres, and some 14% with buffer widths exceeding40 metres from the bank of the waterway.

The year 2002/03 saw the establishment of threeWaterway Working Groups. Although only new andsettling to its role they have already provided a broadtwo way communication to the community on thisimportant program.

Major inititaives include:-Fish Habitat Enhancement Project along theGoulburn River, installation of Lunker structures onthe Acheron River. Undertaken as a cooperativeproject with the MaFRI at Snobs Creek, this is thefirst application of this technique in Australia.

Willow expert, Kurt Cremer conducted an in-houseworkshop on Willows. This provided the impetus foran extensive willow-poisoning program targetinginvasive willow species such as the Wild Pussy andBlack Willow, species that primarily spread by seed.

Detailed river health plans were completed for severalpriority streams including the Lower Howqua River,Ford/Doolams Creek, Home Creek/Middle Creek, YeaRiver, Sunday Creek and Delatite River. These planswill provide the basis and tools for implementingaccelerated strategic works programs as fundingbecomes available under the NAP.

Additonal work was undertaken in Seven Creeks toextend the available habitat for the endangered(Bluenose) Trout Cod

Fishway, Melville Street Numurkah

Gilmores Bridge (Goulburn River) Habitat Works

WorksSummary

ProgramsMid Goulburn Broken IC

Income 2002-2003

Shepparton Irrigation Region IC

Income 2002-2003Upper Goulburn ICIncome 2002-2003

Catchment WideIncome 2002-2003

State $742,500 $1,425,418 $708,500 $170,000Natural Heritage Trust $100,000 $100,000 $113,000 $70,125National Action Plan $448,000 $450,000 $601,000

Living Murray $66,364Total $1,290,500 $2,041,782 $3,332,282 $240,125

Funding for the implementation of waterway health programs is provided by local (in-kind), State and Ferderal Sources.

Funding Summary 2002-2003

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22

Upper Goulburn IC Region


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23

Case Study

Upper G

oulburn Region

Upper G

oulburn Region

Delatite River – River Rock QuarryRehabilitation

Sinclair Knight Mertz was commissioned in the year2002 to carry out a study on a section of the DelatiteRiver known as the River Rock Quarry. The quarry ismanaged by Bells Earthmoving. The quarry is locatedon the property known as Gundamane.

Tim is currently using the land for Beef/Grazing. Timis very keen to have the GBCMA take an activeinterest in rehabilitation works in conjunction withhimself, quarry managers and future fish and marinescience under the guidance of Paul Brown.

The study referred to eight zones of concern in theriver. Starting with zone one downstream andconcluding with zone eight upstream. After manyconsultations zone eight was considered and selectedto start the primary rehabilitation works.

Rehabilitation Recommendations

- GBCMA financially responsible for rock cartage tothe site- Tim Robert Thompson financially responsible forpayment of rock- Bells Earthmoving, supplied all machinery requiredfor the construction works- Fencing and revegetation was made possible via agrant from Future Fish- Erection of the fenced area to be completed by TimRobert Thompson’s farm manger

Plans & Actions

Designs were drawn up for four rock structures tobe built in stream to narrow and deepen summerflows. Bed seeding was also added to the design tocreate fish habitat and channel diversity. Willow andother non native species of vegetation wereeradicated by spraying and stem injection.Approximately 800 tonne of rock has been cartedfrom Mansfield to the site, where the excavatorlogged 68 hours of machinery hire to complete thefirst stage of construction.Currently fencing is being erected ready for therevegetation to beginThe total costing of this project will be approximately$25,000.00 on completion of the fencing andrevegetation.

(The rehabilitation options outlined below fall into fourcategories)

- Channel Forming (river training & reinforcement)- Channel Diversification- Vegetation Management- Fencing

Benefits of Works- Enhancement of fish habitat- Encouragement for fish migration- Restoration of native vegetation to area- Creation of bed diversity- Minimization of rising water temperatures throughsummer- Minimize stock access to the riparian zone- Control of lateral erosion

Works allocations- A plan was devised and agreed to by all partiesconcerned.- Paul Brown supplied a team to electro fish to thezone at no cost.- GBCMA manage the construction zone and havevaluable input into the structural design.

Outcome

All parties that have had valuable input have workedtoward the same goals in this project. – To repair aRiver that was under stress – The cost sharingexercise has worked out very evenly (although -GBCMA has agreed to cover any out of pocketexpenses incurred by either party).We will look forward to the continuing repairs in thezones further downstream that have been identifiedin the original study. This river is like all other riversand is of utmost importance to all users.

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24

Upp

er G

oulb

urn

Reg

ion

Upp

er G

oulb

urn

Reg

ion

Case Study Glen Creek Project

A Field inspection was undertaken with the landowners along whole reach of Glen Creek.

The following issues were identified within the stream;· bed erosion· headward erosion· seeding willow infestation· damage from stock access.Strategies recommended for the above issues were;· to construct a series of rock chute to control erosion, and to develop a willow management program andlandowner support for fencing & revegetation.

The outcome of the works are reduced sedimentation, control instability, stop the spread of seeding willowsthroughout the reach,improve water quality and restoration of riparian flora / fauna.

The works have been funded by GBCMA waterway health program and is still ongoing with 4 rock chutesconstructed at a cost of $41,201 and 3km of willow management works completed at a cost of $13,500.

Willow control works on John Pennington property May2003 this area will be fence and revegetated

Rock chute constructed on Geoff Alford property April2003

F e n cin gLength of F enc ing (k m s ) 128.55

O ff S tre a m W a te rTota l No. of O S W pro jec ts 46No of pro jec ts (Dam s ) 22Tota l No. of Dam s 34No. of P ro jec ts (Ret ic u lated) 26Tota l No. of t roughs 48

Re ve g e ta tio nA rea P rotec ted (rem nant) - Ha 38.65A rea P rotec ted & enhanc ed -Ha 43.2A rea Revegetated - Ha 15Tota l A rea - Ha 96.85

Tota l No. of p lants (overs torey & unders torey ) 26990Nat ive gras s es 5800

Summary Completed Works Inspected in 2002-03

Total no. of grants involved 141

S tru c tu ra l W o rk s & A c tiv i tie s F is h la d d e rs /w a y s 0B e d a n d b a n k s ta b il is a t io n 4 .5G ra d e c o n t ro l s ite s 2 .1R ip a ria n fro n ta g e s w o o d y w e e d c o n t ro l 1 7R ive rin e /a q u a t ic w e e d c o n t ro l 0

Fencing &Revegetation

Programs


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25

WaterwayWorkingGroup

Upper G

oulburn Region

Upper G

oulburn Region

Upper Goulburn Waterway Working Group

Since its conception in December 2001 the Upper Goulburn Waterways Working Group has held nine meetingsacross the Upper Goulburn Catchment addressing many issues important to the local communities.

Community MembersMike Dalmau Alexandra (Chairperson)Peter Howarth MansfieldGeorge Vasey LarnooSusan Sleigh EuroaDavid Wakefield Strath Creek

Local community groups have been invited to meetings todiscuss waterway management issues. This gives themthe opportunity to raise local issues to the WWG forum fordiscussion and resolution. This practice will continue asthe WWG has found this a very valuable means ofcommunication with the local community and communitygroups. Groups that have attended in the past include:· Strath Creek Landcare Group· Taggerty VFF representatives· Yea VFF representatives· Yea River Landcare Group· Waterwatch participants· Hughes Creek Landcare Group· Hughes Creek local landowners· Native Fish Australia

On-ground actions to come out of the Upper GoulburnWaterway Working Group to date include:· Bungle Boorie Camping Ground – organised andfacilitated a meeting to discuss development of amanagement plan· Development of the Platypus Brochure in conjunction with the Australian Platypus Conservancy· Broad engagement of the community on general waterway issues

Committee Members 2002-03

Agency MembersAndrew Strange Goulburn Murray WaterJohn Cooper FisheriesKerry Goschnick Department of Primary

IndustriesRod Drew Field & Game Australia Inc.

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26

Mid Goulburn Broken IC Region


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27

Case StudyMcLaughlins Weir Project

McLaughlin’s Weir is located at Waggarandall on theBroken Creek. Its purpose was to retain water levelsfor stock and domestic diversions by GoulburnMurray Water for local landowners.While maintaining water levels, the upstream reachhad become a substantial wetlands and wildliferefuge, but the weir was also a barrier for any nativefish migration.

The weir itself was in a dilapidated state, beingconstructed of timber several years ago. Maintenanceof the structure was a constant job for GMW, whileonly being band aid repairs.

Both GMW and CMA authorities agreed that the weirshould stay in some form to protect the upstreamwetlands and reserve. We then decided that a rockconstructed fish way be built in place of the oldwooden structure, being beneficial for GMW’s waterdiversions and CMA’s enhancement and health ofBroken Creek area.

Rock Chute –Fishway commenced on a cost sharebasis with GMW. They also assisted in works on site,providing a pad stop which by-passed flows of thecreek around our construction site, making the areaeasier and safer to work on, plus it kept vital waterflowing downstream so as not to endanger any otheraquatic fauna which rely heavily on these basic flows.The chute itself took approximately four days toconstruct, which included the use of a excavator,several hundred tonne of rock and assistance ofanother well experienced CMA worker, Max Colliverand GMW employee Brad Chessels.

Strathbogie Bogs & Freshwater EcologyField Day

There were around 50 participants at this field daywhich was held on a private property at a public waterfrontage reserve.The day was jointly organised by GBCMA, DNRE(ARI) and Trust for Nature (TFN).The aims of the day were:

- To reinforce the importance of the Strathbogie Bogsboth for their unique vegetation communities (andthe animals that rely on the vegetation) and for theirhydrological role in filtering and slowly releasing waterat the top of the catchment. It was an importantsource of information for many of the new landholderson the Strathbogie Tableland.- To inform landholders of the grants available toassist with protection of remnant and riparianvegetation.

- To introduce landholders to the complex interactionsbetween riparian vegetation, macroinvertebrates andfish populations and the importance of protecting andmaintaining healthy riparian vegetation.- To show landholders, through demonstration(electrofishing and bug sampling), that their localstreams still support fish populations that are worthprotecting from threats such as grazing of riparianzones.

- To allow participants to see and walk over a propertywhere perched bog and stream vegetation has beenprotected permanently under a conservation covenant(through Trust For Nature)- To meet the landholder and understand howconservation has been integrated into their propertymanagement.

Mid G

oulburn Broken R

egionM

id Goulburn B

roken Region

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28


Inspections of Completed Works 38

FencingLength of Fencing (kms) 26.4

Off Stream WaterTotal No. of OSW projects 16

No of projects (Dams) 7Total No. of Dams 13

No. of Projects (Reticulated) 9Total No. of troughs 16

RevegetationArea Protected (remnant) - Ha 13.99Area Protected & enhanced -Ha 43.76Area Revegetated - Ha 8Total Area - Ha 65.76Total No. of plants (overstorey & understorey) 30090Native grasses 7800


Programs

Structural Works & Activities Fish ladders/ways 1Bed and bank stabilisation 1.3Grade control sites 8.5Riparian frontages woody weed control 30Riverine/aquatic weed control 0

Mid

Gou

lbur

n B

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29

Since its conception in December 2001 the Mid Goulburn Waterway Working Group has held eight meetingsacross the catchments addressing many issues important to the local communities

Mid Goulburn Broken Waterway Working Group

Community MembersSally Simson Shepparton East (Chairperson)Kathy Beattie St. JamesArthur Frost EuroaKen Whan BenallaDavid Ritchie MansfieldKevin Mitchell Devenish

Agency MembersPeter Burns Department of Sustainability &

EnvironmentSteve McMonigle Department of Sustainability &

EnvironmentChris Meek Goulburn Murray Water

Feature issues covered – Guest Speakers:• Crown Water Frontages – community access to waterways• Farm Dams Legislation• Priority Setting for Waterway Grants Program• Lake Mokoan Study• Biodiversity Action Planning• Casey’s Weir Majors Creek Rural Water Authority – Proposed Pipeline• Box-Ironbark Investigation – Broken Boosey Reserve System

Common Topics• Works Program Up Date• Current Funding levels for individual catchments• Community member reports

Recently where meetings have been held in strategic locations around the catchment, local communitygroups that may have issues with waterway management are also invited to the meetings to give the communitya chance to raise issues to the forum to discuss. Examples of groups that have attended are:• Landcare collaborative coordinators• Warrenbayne/Boho LC• Swanpool LC• Molyullah/Tatong LC• Upper Broken LC• Strathbogie LC• Granite Creeks LC Project• Strathbogie Angling Club

On-ground actions to come out of the Mid Goulburn Waterway Working Group to date:• Construction of McLaughlins Weir Fish ladder• Sponsoring of contractor training for environmental works on waterways• Development of Strathbogie common as an environmental/recreation asset.

Over the next twelve months the three groups from the individual IC areas will be getting together to assessthe validity of the groups and any changes to structure required. Meetings will continue to be held in differentlocations and local community groups invited to attend. Throughout the year the group will attempt to informthe community on CMA wateway issues, works programs, and attempt to address community concerns.



Mid G

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30

Shepparton Irrigation Region IC


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31

Shepparton Irrigation Region


CaseStudy

Preparatory work for the project involved fieldassessment of all recognisable and promisingwetlands, topographic survey, hydrographicmodelling of various flow scenarios and comparisonof each scenario against natural and currentconditions. This led to the identification of on-groundworks to improve water management, and deliveryto the target wetlands. Social feasibility, includingindigenous involvement, then followed and led to thepreparation of the Proposed Works Program.The wetlands in the reach between Yarrawonga andTocumwal generally retain some form of naturalseasonality in flood timing (from the Ovens RiverCatchment), though experience a reduction in floodfrequency and duration due to the dams on theMurray and Mitta Mitta Rivers. For these wetlands,more passive methods of rectifying the flood regimehave been developed such as reductions in sill levels(commence-to-flow thresholds) of selected flowalignments.

The management outcomes from reinstating a morenatural flooding regime to wetlands within the studyarea include:• Re-creating a wetland type that was once commonbut now rare within the regulated floodplain;• Re-establishment of submerged macrophyte beds;• Expansion of emergent microphyte standsthroughout the wetlands;• Development of a habitat for a range of indigenousflora and fauna that specifically require a naturalhydrological regime in the frequent (annual) returnperiod end of the scale;• Development of ecological (physical, chemical andbiological) processes that may benefit the riverinesystem following seasonal connection with the river;• Restoration of flow passage for native fishmigration.

The bulk of funding for the construction of approvedworks is already available, having been provided bythe Victorian Government through the Rural WaterReform Program and some targeted works fundedvia the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Fundingfor the 2003/04 program was provided through aMDBC Rivers Program, Environmental FlowsInvestigations.

A 5-year monitoring program is also to be established,in conjunction with the Cooperative Research Centrefor Freshwater Ecology (via Latrobe University) andother programs as appropriate. Ecological monitoringis to begin in 2003/04, with both pre and post-worksmonitoring to be undertaken.

The initial construction program involved basic on-ground earth works prior to 30 June 2003, with morecomplicated regulating structures to be designed andconstructed within the following financial year. TheGBCMA field works activities involved earthworksexcavation, rock beaching, habitat restoration,revegetation, and restoration of public accessfacilities such as roads, bridges and fencing.Aboriginal site monitors were engaged to superviseall earthworks excavations. It was satisfying to seemany of the sites perform as designed in the floodsduring July 2003.

Location of work sites in Yarrawonga to Tocumwalreach;Bruce’s Bend: Little Reedy Lagoon & Big ReedyLagoon.Cobrawonga Island: Duck HoleCobram Regional Park: Horseshoe Lagoon, Schier’sLagoon & Wetland 117.Quinn’s Island.

This redundant weir on Schiers Lagoon has beenremoved

This culvert was a barrier to fish movement intoHorseshoe Lagoon near Cobram, and has beenremoved.

Murray Corridor Floodplain Rehabilitation ProjectYarrawonga to Tocumwal

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32

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StructuralWorks

Program

Bank restoration works undertaken to 4selected sites down stream of the GoulburnValley Highway on the Seven Creeks. Theworks were followed on from last yearsworks program with badly eroded banksstabilised using timber pile fields asalignment training.

Woody Weed Removal & Bank Stabilisationworks at Fairley Downs on the GoulburnRiver. The first activity was to remove allthe non-native vegetation from the banksof the waterway. The bank stabilisationworks involved the driving of timber pilegroynes in the bank in strategic locations.

Fish Passage

Works along the Nine Mile Creek downstream of Wunghnu was completedfollowing the completion of the irrigationseason. The works consisted of theconstruction of seven Grade controlstructures along the reach from Wunghnuto the Broken Creek.

The works to the Shepparton Weir on the Goulburn Riverwas undertaken to provide fish passage. The works involvedthe placement of approx. 250 tonne of large rock to create apool and riffle effect across the structure. Improvements tothe boat ramp are pending funds from State boating Council.

Works comprised of the construction oftwo Grade Control Structures to stabilisethe inlet/outlet channel from the GemmillsSwamp wetland to the Goulburn River.

Erosion Control - Bed Stabilisation

Erosion Control - Bank Stabilisation


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33

StructuralWorksProgram



Remodelling works to eight existing gradecontrol structures down stream of theGoulburn Valley Highway on the SevenCreeks to allow improved fish passage.

Construction works at the East GoulburnMain Channel syphon on the Seven Creekssite involved a structure that was builtdownstream of the exposed syphon andwhen completed has flooded the exposedsyphon pipe and allowed for fish passage.

Works completed on the Castle Creekupstream of the Ross Road Bridge atArcadia. This works was undertaken toprovide fish passage to an existing weir inthe creek. Works to stabilise two sectionsof eroding bank upstream of the structurewas also undertaken.

Fish Passage

Work to high profile wetland along theMurray River from Yarrawonga toTocumwal was completed with the aim ofreinstating a more natural flooding regimeto the selected wetlands

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ProgramsFencingLength of Fencing (kms) 38.20

Off Stream W aterTotal No. of OSW projects 13

Total No of projects (dams) 4Total No of dams 5

Total No of Projects (troughs) 9Total No of Troughs 48

RevegetationArea Protected (remnant) - Ha 111Area Protected & enhanced -Ha 15Area Revegetated - Ha 0Total Area - Ha 126Total No. of plants (overstorey & understorey) 8000No. of Native grasses 2000

Structural Works & ActivitiesAlignment Training 6Fishway 33Rock Beaching 4Grade Control Structure 20Exotic Weed Control 14Earthworks 26

Total No. of Grants involved 34

Boating Safety (Facilities) Grants Program

Location: Yambuna Bridge, Lower Goulburn RIverWorks: Construct ramp, parking area & signageGrant amount: $10,000Total Cost $12,500Background: Before the current Road Bridge was built at this site there was a Punt for stock and lightvehicles to cross the river. The approaches to the punt were excavated into the riverbank and still exist asa rough access to the river that is used by the public for boat launching of small crafts. Sites such as thishave the potential to be the cause of erosion and littering (with water quality impacts) if not properlyconstructed, maintained and regulated. This site has regional significance for the recreational fishingcommunity, and for the Emergency Services who require access to the Goulburn River during emergencysituations.

Goulburn River Bank at site of old punt before the works

Reconstructed rock and stabilised rock filled launch ramp



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35




Shepparton Irrigation Region Waterway Working GroupThe Shepparton Irrigation Region Waterway WorkingGroup has held six meetings across the SheppartonIrrigation Region addressing many locally importantissues. Some of the key issues discussed in theworking group were;

Inspecting Goulburn River bankstabilisation work Mooroopna

Willow Strategy - Details of the occurrence of willowsin the SIR were contrasted with the incidence ofwillows in the middle and upper catchments whereseeding willows are a particular threat to waterwayhealth. The case for continuing to work on willowmanagement and eradication programs in the SIRwaterways was made and the potential threat fromwillows used as windbreaks on irrigation farms wasconsidered. The catchment wide strategy will helpprioritise projects across the catchment and identifyhigh risk sites as well as sites where value for moneyreturns are high in terms of river health protected orrestored.

River Murray Wetlands Project - Details of theMurray River Wetlands restoration projects were ofgreat interest to members. Works are being carriedout to increase the frequency of filling on wetlandsnow adversely affected by river regulation andsuffering from too few flooding events. Some of theworks carried out had an immediate payback with aflood event in July 2003.

Broken Creek Operations Study - Members took agreat interest in the review of (G-MW) operations onthe Broken Creek system. Operating requirementsfor the fish ladders were identified and built into theoperating rules. The need to identify environmentalflow and water level requirements separate from theirrigation requirements, has led to the initiation of afull review of the Broken Creek River Health Strategy.This will commence in the first half of 2003/2004.WWG Members were involved in the establishmentof a water quality monitoring network for the BrokenCreek after a serious fish kill in the lower Broken Creekin November 2002.

Grazing of Riparian Lands - Water Way WorkingGroup Members raised concerns regarding thecondition of Riparian Lands and Crown WaterFrontages under pressure from grazing. It wasacknowledged that the drought was putting pressureon landowners to find feed and water for stock, butthe damage to riparian vegetation and associated soilerosion would cause a major impact on waterwayhealth and water quality. A sub-committee was formedand the case for improved riparian land managementwas taken to the Mid Goulburn Broken and UpperGoulburn Water Way Working Groups for theirinformation and support.

Goulburn River Environmental Flows Project -Members were informed that the purpose of theproject was to study the environmental needs of theGoulburn River and identify the flow requirementsfor protection/restoration of the identified values. TheWWG was represented on the Community ReferencePanel, and members were involved in a siteassessment with the study team, and participated ina workshop to make a preliminary assessment ofthe social and economic implications of a number offlow scenarios designed to address defined levelsof benefit to the environmental values identified inthe study.

Woody / Environmental Weed Control Program -Works programs for the removal of woodyenvironmental weeds from the district waterwayswere discussed with the members, who assisted withidentification of sites where infestations were causingdegradation of river health values. These includedwillows, poplars, elms, date palms, desert ash, boxthorn, briar rose, blackberry, black locust, andpeppercorn. The members also discussed control ofaquatic weeds such as arrow head, and gave supportfor control programs funded by the CMA and G-MW.


Community MembersRussell Pell (Chairperson) KyabramRon Pearce PicolaAlan Sutherland SheppartonBill Probst KiallaTate Hamilton CoropNick Roberts Shepparton

Agency MembersBruce Cumming Department of Primary IndustriesDavid Trickey Department of Sustainability &

EnvironmentSilvio Fontana Goulburn Murray WaterMelva Ryan Department of Primary IndustriesKen Sampson Shepparton Irrigation Region IC

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36

Documents

River Health & Water Quality - Home - GBCMA€¦ · Waterway Management Team River Health & Water Quality Riverine Strategies & Adaptive Research Manager Wayne Tennant . Goulburn