A clear framework for monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning (MERL) is vital to ensure effective implementation of the Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy.
A MERL plan (see below) has been developed to guide the delivery of the strategy and to capture data on impact, adapt to changing conditions and drive continuous improvement.
This webpage provides progress updates, case studies and lessons learnt during the implementation of the strategy as they become available.
Information has been gathered from a range of catchment partners involved in natural resource management (NRM). It includes both broad, subjective catchment condition and delivery status assessments, together with more detailed performance monitoring of outcomes using lines of evidence and data. Two broad types of data have been collected:
- landscape-scale data from statewide or national data sets (e.g. Victorian Land Cover Time Series), and
- project-specific data from catchment partners (e.g. community NRM groups, Goulburn Broken CMA, local government), which are mostly government-funded.
Please note, while progress updates used best available information at the time, they don’t cover all the NRM activity occurring across the catchment.
Firstly, not all catchment partners operating in the catchment have shared their project-specific data. It is expected this will improve over time as data collection methods improve and confidence in the importance of monitoring at the catchment-scale grows.
Furthermore, NRM actions undertaken on private property, without support from government programs or community groups, are only picked up via landscape-scale data such as satellite groundcover monitoring. These actions may be captured in the future through natural capital accounting or opportunities for private landholders to contribute data directly to the GB CMA.
Throughout the life of the strategy we will be looking to improve data and information collection, and our knowledge of performance indicators.
Current condition
Biodiversity
Overall catchment condition for biodiversity is rated as poor, with no significant change since 2009.
Native vegetation improvement actions, such as revegetation and livestock control, have improved 0.8 per cent (12,808 ha) of the catchment’s private land in the past 10 years. After accounting for losses during this time, native vegetation extent has increased by 0.3 per cent (4,288ha), which is not a sufficient scale for any native species to survive, let alone increase. Thresholds have been breached and ecosystems are in decline. The scale of native vegetation protection and improvement, and biodiversity actions more broadly, needs to significantly increase.
Current threats, such as clearing (including illegal firewood collection), invasive pest plants and animals, and fire management, are exacerbated by climate change and have a compounding effect on past large-scale habitat loss and degradation. Furthermore, actions of the past have legacy impacts on biodiversity. For example, mining, rabbit plagues and livestock overgrazing in the 19th & 20th centuries led to massive soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways, with aquatic animals continuing to struggle with lack of deep waterholes, snags, riffle / gravel beds and macrophytes. Old-growth paddock trees continue to be cleared and/or are dying.
Urbanisation across the catchment is a continued risk to biodiversity. Anecdotally, there has also been increased usage of areas for recreation (e.g. four-wheel driving, camping, and bushwalking) which may be impacting biodiversity through the incorrect disposal of waste, creation of new tracks, introduction and dispersion of weeds and pathogens. Greater community awareness and education around these issues is needed, and consideration given to potentially limiting access to sensitive locations.
There is an increased need for support to councils regarding native vegetation controls, especially retaining high quality vegetation in land use planning (e.g. development applications and farm planning).
Good climatic conditions have increased native flowering and seeding events, attracting increased numbers of species such as the Grey Flying Fox and increased the movement of species such as the Superb Parrot, beyond their normal range. These good climatic conditions have also resulted in higher pest plant numbers in some instances, negatively impacting biodiversity.
Similarly, the 2022 floods have had positive and negative impacts for biodiversity. Positive impacts include watering of ecosystems, increase vegetation abundance and attraction of waterbirds. Negative impacts include loss of plantings and fencing, increased weeds and pest animals in some areas.
Community
The capacity and resilience of the community is central to the catchment’s condition as community engagement in NRM is a major driver of biodiversity, land and water health. Catchment condition for community capacity and resilience is rated as moderate, with a stable long-term trend.
Diverse stakeholders are represented on high-level regional and local community NRM forums. Farmers, Traditional Owners, local and regional government agencies, Landcare and recreation groups work collaboratively and are strongly networked.
There is increased land use change such as urbanisation which creates challenges, but also opportunities and risks.
Communities, partners organisations, and landholders have achieved significant on-ground changes and are influencing attitudes and behaviours with NRM.
First Nations involvement in NRM continues to increase, which is also supported by policy and legislative change.
Funding for agencies to support local community groups (including Landcare) and individuals is uncertain, and in some instances participation in government programs is dropping off due to increasing complexity. Efforts to increase membership and community engagement in landcare and other environmental groups is challenging, with ageing volunteers, low member numbers causing burnout of key volunteers and a lot of competition for volunteer time and effort within communities. Community groups and engagement programs continue to adapt to the changing nature of volunteering.
There has been increased opportunity to engage with the community as a result of increased technological competence stimulated by COVID-19.
Landcare Victoria has recently released a 10-year plan for Landcare in Victoria with six key focus areas:
- Local to global impact
- Community knowledge and resilience
- Demonstrating value and impact
- Healthy and varied partnerships
- An active and diverse landcare community
- A supported and effective landcare community.
Land
Overall catchment condition for land is rated as stable and has remained stable since 2009.
Over the past two years, good seasonal rainfall has continued to drive confidence in many agricultural sectors (despite many being impacted by floods) and at the catchment-scale has increased crop and pasture growth. This has resulted in many positive impacts for land health, including good ground cover and more organic matter turn over, and investments in soil health, such as lime.
High seasonal rainfall also drove increased requirement for crop residue management, leading to industry investment in alternative options to burning. More generally, increased awareness of how soils can be improved to increase land health and farm profitability, is influencing management practices on farms throughout the catchment.
Visitor numbers and recreational use of public land is increasing and management issues such as rubbish and illegal firewood collection are increasing. Efforts to control feral grazing species are increasing.
Changes in land use continue to impact biodiversity and land health on private land, for example, peri-urban development (particularly in the south of the catchment).
Although the 2022 floods increased invasive plant extent in some areas, catchment-wide invasive plant and animal management is now predominately focused on new and emerging species and complementing community activity. Under present arrangements, there are high and increasing long-term risks in hot-spot areas like deer and key weed species in priority areas.
There is increased complexity in managing carbon and natural assets on-farm with demand for corporate green credentials increasing and unclear pathways for nature accounting.
Water
Overall, catchment condition for water is measured against three key areas in the catchment: waterways, floodplains, and the Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR). Catchment condition for both waterways and floodplains are rated as satisfactory and is improving, whilst catchment condition for the SIR is rated as poor with increasing risks to system thresholds/tipping points with uncertainty about the future of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and the potential for more water buybacks.
Improvements for waterway condition has been due to activities to remove stock-grazing and key fish barriers, re-snagging, tree planting, wastewater management and delivery of water for the environment. Additionally, there has been significant floodplain management improvements across the catchment, with further plans underway to ensure development and flood impacts do not unduly increase, and community preparedness and education of flood risk improves.
Traditional Owner input and inclusion of biocultural knowledge is increasing in waterway management, with local and regional agency and broader community partnerships strengthening.
The 2022 floods have triggered numerous reviews and increased government focus on flooding, which may lead to changes in future floodplain management. The floods also caused significant erosion and channel change in some mid to upper catchments, particularly where vegetation was deficient at providing resilience for bank stability.
Not all aspects of flooding are negative, with water received in floodplain wetlands providing spawning and breeding opportunities for many native fauna and improved condition of wetland vegetation. Waterbird populations and habitat have spiked due to the floods and environmental flows, however many populations across the Murray-Darling Basin are declining overall.
Extreme events and climate change continue to be a significant challenge for management of water quality and availability, with blue-green algae and hypoxic (low oxygen) blackwater events and pH levels all increasing, along with demand and constraints affecting delivery of water for the environment and to varying degrees, local businesses that rely on irrigated agriculture.
The Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR) social-ecological systems are dependent on productive and efficient irrigated agriculture. Increased competition is impacting water availability for agriculture within the catchment due to increasing demands from irrigated agriculture downstream. There is also uncertainty with potential for further buy backs under the Murray Darling Basin Plan negatively impacting the availability and affordability of water for irrigated agriculture. Together with climate change impacts, farm and regional viability is under increasing pressure with some systems in the SIR adapting and transforming to survive, creating uncertainty and stress for many stakeholders.
Post 2022 flood, undrained catchments in the SIR remain at risk of waterlogging and salinity, with water table maps showing high water levels.
Expansion of the Drainage Course Declaration program and continued adaptive management remains fundamental to meeting climate change challenges as well as actively contributing to building the region’s resilience.
Progress against outcomes and strategic directions
Catchment partners have assessed progress against the medium-term outcomes and strategic directions for biodiversity, community, land, and water during 2023, using a combination of broad, simple status assessments and more detailed performance monitoring using project-specific and landscape-scale data. Information and data has been collated into a summary format.
Organisations and groups contributing data and information include: Avenel Active, AgBiz Assist, Agriculture Victoria, Benalla Rural City Council, Cassinia Environmental, Climate Conversations, Country Fire Authority, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Dindi Transition, Goulburn Broken CMA, Goulburn Murray Water, Greater Shepparton City Council, Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative, Parks Victoria, RiverConnect, Riverine Plains Inc, Strathbogie Landcare, Strathbogie Ranges Conservation Management Network, Shepparton Mooroopna Urban Landcare Group, Taungurung Land and Water Council, The University of Melbourne, Trust for Nature, and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.
Additional data was also captured via the Goulburn Broken CMA’s From the Ground Up Project, which the following groups and organisations co-delivered: Agriculture Victoria, Goulburn Murray Landcare Network, Greta Valley Landcare Group, Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative, Irrigation Farmers Network, Maize Association of Australia, Riverine Plains Inc., South West Goulburn Landcare Network, Strathbogie Ranges Conservation, University of Melbourne, Upper Goulburn Landcare Network, Up2Us Landcare Alliance and Vic No Till.
While we haven’t captured all the NRM activity occurring across the catchment, we hope to increase the number of catchment partners and landholders contributing data in future years.
Click on the tabs below for progress updates for each natural resource theme.
Biodiversity
Medium-term outcomes
Table 138: Progress updates for the medium-term outcomes (by 2027) for biodiversity.
| Medium-term outcomes | Status assessment**** | Performance monitoring (July to June 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Native vegetation is extended to at least 10% in priority landscapes* and threatened species** habitats. | Limited progress | 1,367ha of native vegetation protection and restoration works were undertaken across the catchment in 2021-22. Projects included Bushbroker, Trust for Nature covenanting program, Grey Box Grassy Woodland Linking Landscapes and Communities Project, Taking Care of Country and the King Parrot Creek tributary. Examples of organisations funding and coordinating the works include: Goulburn Broken CMA, Trust for Nature, Local Government, Landcare, Parks Victoria, Cassinia Environmental, Taungurung Land and Water Council, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. |
| 2. Reduced losses to native vegetation extent through improved enforcement controls and education. | Limited progress | Data not available for this reporting period, expect it to become available within the life of the strategy. |
| 3. Increase the diversity of native species and habitat structures in 20% of remnant and revegetation sites >5 ha in priority landscapes and threatened species habitat. | Limited progress | 408ha of revegetation works were undertaken across the catchment in 2021-22 by a variety of groups and organisations. Projects included enhancing Grey Box Grassy Woodlands through the Linking Landscapes and Communities project, Taking Care of Country project, rehabilitation and revegetation works along the Hollands Creek biolink channel through the Regent Honeyeater Project, and City of Greater Shepparton’s One Tree Per Child initiative. Similar to other outcomes, there is plenty of scope and opportunities for on-ground works to increase the diversity of habitat in remnant and revegetation sites. However, resourcing for these works is limiting the scale of activity. |
| 4. Improve the quality of 50% of remnants >5 ha. | Limited progress | Data not available, resourcing required to collect and collate this data. |
| 5. Reduce populations of pest herbivores and predators by 20% in priority landscapes and threatened species habitat. | Limited progress | 342,622ha of pest animal control (approximately 14% of the catchment), including rabbits/hares, deer, pigs, goats, horses, cats, foxes and wild dogs. A diversity of control and monitoring methods have been employed including drones for deer control and exclusion fencing. Greater coordinated efforts will be required to control rapidly growing deer populations across the catchment, hence the limited progress assessment reflects the growing scale of the pest animal situation. Examples of organisations funding and coordinating the works include: Goulburn Broken CMA, Cassinia Environmental, Local Government, Trust for Nature, Parks Victoria, Taungurung Land and Water Council, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation Landcare, and Agriculture Victoria. |
| 6. Priority weeds*** are removed from 50% of remnants >5 ha in priority landscapes and threatened species habitat. | Limited progress | 14,330ha of pest plant control was undertaken, with many programs targeting blackberry, gorse, exotic trees (e.g. olives and ash trees, boxthorn and briar rose). Although investment continues, the rating of ‘limited progress’ reflects the scale of ongoing management required to suppress current and emerging weed infestations. Examples of organisations funding and coordinating the works include: Goulburn Broken CMA, Cassinia Environmental, Greater Shepparton City Council, Local Government, Trust for Nature, Parks Victoria, Landcare, Goulburn Murray Water, CFA and Agriculture Victoria. |
| 7. Protecting Victoria’s Environment- Biodiversity 2037 contributing targets: – 264,000 hectares in priority locations are under sustained herbivore control in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. – 40,000 hectares in priority locations are under sustained predator control in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. – 56,000 hectares in priority locations are under sustained weed control in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. | Limited progress | Data not available for this reporting period, expect it to become available within the life of the strategy. |
| 8. Increase the area and diversity of native ecological communities in the reserve system by 5,000 ha. | Limited progress | Data not available for this reporting period, expect it to become available within the life of the strategy. |
| 9. Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 contributing target: – Additional 4,500 ha (since 2017) of new permanently protected area on private land is established in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. | Moderate progress | 1,141ha of native vegetation on private land has been permanently protected in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. This was coordinated by Trust for Nature with support from Cassinia Environmental and the Goulburn Broken CMA. |
| 10. Native vegetation provides linkages to allow the movement of species across and in 40% of priority landscapes. | Limited progress | Survey feedback from catchment partners suggests that opportunities to integrate vegetation linkages with remnant protection works is prioritised, however it ranges from 30%-100% of all protection works. Further evidence and investigation is required to monitor this outcome. |
| 11. Protecting Victoria’s Environment- Biodiversity 2037 contributing target: – Additional 15,500 ha (since 2017) of revegetation in priority locations for habitat connectivity is established in the Goulburn Broken Catchment. | Limited progress | 1,367 Ha of native vegetation protection and restoration works were undertaken across the catchment in 2021-22 by catchment partners. These works are targeted to priority landscapes across the catchment. Further evidence and investigation is required to quantify this outcome. The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) released a report in October 2021 – ‘Protecting Victoria’s Biodiversity’. The report examined how well DELWP is acquitting its responsibilities under the under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and in Protecting Victoria’s Environment—Biodiversity 2037 to better protect threatened species. VAGO made nine recommendations to DELWP about improving: its monitoring, and reporting the impacts of its prioritised management actions the currency and comprehensiveness of the data and knowledge underpinning its decision-support tools its use of the available legislative tools its advice to government about funding needs and species prioritisation. DELWP accepted all nine recommendations. |
| 12. No new species are added to the threatened species list and directly managed threatened species show an increase in numbers. | Limited progress | To be assessed at mid-term and end of strategy review. The GB CMA continues to work with partners to apply for funding to manage threatened species across the catchment such as Swift Parrot, Regent Honeyeater, Mountain Pygmy Possum projects. |
| 13. A further 10,000 ha is managed for improved habitat for threatened species and ecological communities. | Limited progress | More than 13 projects are being undertaken in the catchment targeting threatened species and ecological communities. Species included, Golden Sun Moth, Squirrel Gliders, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Bibron’s Toadlet, Brush-tailed Phascolgale, Mountain Pygmy-possum, Australasian Bitterns and Spotted-tailed Quoll. The majority of the projects involved surveys to monitor species populations and health. |
**Threatened species as identified under the National Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, click here for further details.
***Priority weeds as identified in the Goulburn Broken Biosecurity, Invasive Plants and Animals Strategy 2019-2025, click here for further details.
****Refer to Page 20 of the Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy MERL plan for a definition of each status assessment, as it relates to medium-term outcomes.
Strategic directions
Table 139: Progress updates for biodiversity strategic directions.
| Strategic direction | Status assessment (July 2021 to June 2022) |
|---|---|
| Increase the area of priority landscapes and threatened species habitats by protecting remnant vegetation and planting native vegetation. | Ongoing |
| Focus efforts on priority landscapes and threatened species habitats. | Underway |
| Reduce the loss of priority landscapes and threatened species habitats through increased compliance with clearing regulations, improved permanent protection, and management of more remnants. | Initiated |
| Increase the diversity of species and structures in remnant and revegetation sites in priority landscapes including threatened ecological communities and threatened species habitats. | Initiated |
| Understand and describe the structural diversity required for priority landscapes including threatened ecological communities and to provide habitat for threatened species. | Underway |
| Reduce populations of pest animals and weeds, and overabundant native species in priority landscapes and threatened species habitats. | Ongoing |
| Mechanisms for permanent protection are expanded and increasingly valued. | Underway |
| Identify and build awareness of the native vegetation linkages that are a priority under a range of climate scenarios. | Initiated |
| Increase the revegetation and protection of priority linkages between wetlands, waterways and remnants. | Underway |
| Increase the understanding of tipping points for threatened species and ecological communities to inform management actions considering climate change and extreme events. | Initiated |
| Management actions implemented for threatened species and ecological communities are designed to achieve co-benefits. | Underway |
| Systematic surveys of species using the latest technology increase our understanding of the trajectory of threatened species. | Initiated |
Case studies
The Swift Parrot Pantry project created 60ha of new threatened species habitat and improved diversity and structure across a further 17ha. Read more here. Photo taken by Chris Tzaros.
Mountain Pygmy-possum Regional Land Partnership project included focused effort on threatened species habitat, habitat improvement, and monitoring/research around tipping points and climate change to inform future management. Read more here or watch a short video here.
Community
Information coming soon
Land
Medium-term outcomes
Table 140: Progress updates for the medium-term outcomes (by 2027) for land.
| Medium-term outcome | Status assessment* | Performance monitoring (July 2021 – June 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Land managers are engaged in improving land health | Moderate progress | Over 1,700 land managers have engaged in 34 projects (and sub-projects) throughout the catchment, which aim to improve land health. Projects included promoting soil health in the Hughes Creek Catchment, sustainable agriculture, soil sampling, management of Trust for Nature reserves, erosion control and restoration after floods and Murray Dairy’s Fodder for the Future trials and field days. |
| 2. Increased plant species diversity across the landscape | Limited progress | 10 projects across the catchment have been identified as addressing plant species diversity on farms. Projects included demonstration trials of native grass corridors, pollinator strips in cropping systems, and positive impacts of native vegetation to horticultural tree crops (e.g., encouraging beneficial insects). |
| 3. 100% of land maintains 70% ground cover | Moderate progress | In April 2023, 93.4% (2,271,455ha) of the catchment had 70% or greater ground cover. This is a 0.7% decrease from April 2022. (Source: RaPP Map). While wet seasons during 2022 and 2023 have contributed to improved ground cover across the catchment, 13 projects have focused on and/or resulted in improving ground cover. Projects have included assessing and modelling soil carbon profiles in the Hughes Creek Catchment, using fire to maintain and develop species-rich groundcover in grassy woodlands, and trialling hay bales to increase groundcover on steep hills in the Mansfield area. |
| 4. Soil organic carbon levels for 80% of the catchment are above 2% and where possible increasing. | Limited progress | 269 samples were collected and tested for soil organic carbon through the From the Ground Up project in 2022-23. The median soil organic carbon level was 3.22% across the catchment. The range of soil organic carbon levels was 0.8-6.11%. In addition, 1,200 land managers have engaged in 20 projects throughout the catchment, focussing on increasing soil health knowledge. Of those, approximately 570 land managers have applied a management action to improve soil health. Projects include Goulburn Murray Landcare Network’s milking regeneratively, Strathbogie SoilCare, and Riverine Plain’s pH and soil organic carbon paddock variation demonstration. |
| 5. Soil pH levels are at or above 4.8 in calcium chloride, or at a level where available aluminium is not above 5%. | Limited progress | In 2022-23, 241 soil samples were collected and tested for pH as part of the From the Ground Up project. Across the catchment the median soil pH (in calcium chloride) was 4.9 with sub-regional variation in the range pH 4.1-7.1 (calcium chloride). 20-40% of samples in the Productive Plains, Upland Slopes and Commuting Hills areas had soluble aluminium levels of 5% or above, representing a risk to plant productivity. In addition, 1,200 land managers have engaged in 20 projects throughout the catchment, focussing on increasing soil health knowledge. |
| 6. Improve our understanding of subsoil acidity across the catchment. | Not achieved | Strathbogie SoilCare has focussed on improving their understanding of subsoil acidity however at the catchment-scale our understanding needs improving. Baseline soil testing is needed to understand subsoil acidity across different land uses and soil types in the catchment. |
| 7. Public land management plans incorporate land health and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as part of active management strategies. | Limited progress | At least 7 land health projects across the catchment have incorporated Traditional Ecological Knowledge as part of active management strategies. Including work with Taungurung Land and Waters Council to achieve indigenous custodianship and cultural management of the Strathbogie Forest Immediate Protection Area, and the Barmah Joint Management Plan, an agreement between Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and the State of Victoria. Taungurung Land and Waters Council have also been leading collaborative management arrangements for land management (e.g. Corop Wetlands Complex) and new partnerships (e.g. Waring Working Together Framework co-designed between Taungurung Land and Waters Council and the Goulburn Broken CMA). |
| 8. 90% of land managers have increased knowledge and are implementing practices to adapt to and mitigate climate change, while improving land health. | Limited progress | 12 projects across the catchment are increasing land manager knowledge and practices to adapt to climate change, whilst improving land health. Approximately 100 participants have increased awareness, knowledge, and skills as a result. Projects included a research project investigating the suitability of indigenous/native crops in a changing climate (e.g., finger lime, mountain pepper), and another trialling the effect of shelterbelts on soil health and pasture production. Note, these results are just from catchment partners that contributed data from their projects (e.g. government agencies, industry and community groups). It does not capture all land managers efforts across the catchment. |
| 9. 90% of agricultural businesses are transitioning to low-emission agriculture. | Not achieved. | At least 3 projects have been identified across the catchment focussing on increasing land manager capacity to transition to a low emission future. There is currently a great deal of information in this field but clear pathways forward and effective practices for agricultural businesses to adopt is still evolving. Projects include Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative’s moving to zero emissions in sheep and beef farming, and Agriculture Victoria’s On-farm emissions reduction action plan pilot. Note, these results are just from catchment partners that contributed data from their projects (e.g. government agencies, industry and community groups). It does not capture all land managers efforts across the catchment. |
Strategic directions
Table 141: Progress updates for land strategic directions.
| Strategic direction | Status assessment (July 2021 – June 2023 |
|---|---|
| Increase the diversity and area of groundcover on public and private land. | Initiated |
| Understand the tipping points for ground cover diversity and the practices needed to increase species diversity. | Not started |
| Understand the rates of soil acidification across different land uses and soil types. | Not started |
| Build partnerships, awareness and skills of climate change scenarios and the implications. | Initiated |
| Increase the implementation of practices that adapt to and mitigate climate change, while improving land health. | Initiated |
Water
Medium-term outcomes
Table 142: Progress updates for the medium-term outcomes (by 2027) for water.
| Medium-term outcomes | Status assessment* | Performance monitoring (July 2021-June 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. High priority actions of the Victorian Environmental Water Holders seasonal watering plan are delivered annually 100% of the time, as relevant to the catchment | Significant progress | Of 32 planned priority watering actions, 29 were substantively delivered. Only three priority watering actions did not occur due to limited access to environmental water, or they were not required due to the desired outcome being achieved by unregulated flows or operational releases. |
| 2. Water extractions in dryland areas are managed to support the persistence of native fish and other aquatic species | Moderate progress | There are 590 take and use licences (TULs) in the Broken catchment accounting for 10,179ML extracted in 2021-22. In the Goulburn catchment in the same period, 2267 TULs accounted for approximately 38,035ML of surface water extracted. As these unregulated streams are capped (fully allocated) there will be no anticipated change in the number of TULs for surface water diversion in the Goulburn Broken catchment. With capacity to sell further groundwater TULs in parts of the catchment, there is potential for the current number of licensed groundwater extractions to increase from 1,687. A total of 270,221ML groundwater was extracted across the Goulburn Broken catchment in 2021-22, with the majority of the TULs (1,057) held in the Shepparton Irrigation Region, accounting for >68% of the volume extracted. Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) reported no formal compliance matters related to water extraction in the Goulburn Broken catchments within 2021-22, however water was not scarce in this period, with high allocations in the regulated systems and above average rainfall. Water volume indicators for this medium-term outcome are also relevant to water quality indicators used for medium-term outcomes 7 and 8. Monitoring of these indicators becomes more critical in dry years. |
| 3. 100% of water strategies incorporate Traditional Owner knowledge and priorities, and consideration of recreation and tourism industry priorities | Moderate progress | Released in 2022, Water is Life: Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap provides an important framework to create and maintain a careful and considered balance between Traditional Owner self-determination in water access and management and the rights and entitlements of a range of stakeholders across Victoria. Regular meetings have been established with both Taungurung Land and Water Council and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation to facilitate consultation on the Goulburn Broken Regional Waterway Strategy, SIR Land and Water Management Plan, Regional Land Partnerships (National Heritage Trust) projects and delivery of on-ground works through renewal of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Land Management Agreements. Traditional Owner engagement and knowledge is also sought in development of Annual Seasonal Water Proposals for delivery of water for the environment to maximise environmental benefits whilst exploring opportunities to provide complementary cultural, social and economic benefits along with other community and partner representatives through Environmental Water Advisory Groups. Indicators for this medium-term outcome are also relevant to community engagement indicators applied to medium-term outcome 13. |
| 4. Average Annual Damage (AAD) following floods has decreased by 50% | Limited progress | With co-contribution from LGAs and State Emergency Services, funding was successfully obtained to contribute to updates of all Flood Emergency Management Plans within the catchment in 2022-23, which will utilise the flood mapping data updated from the October 2022 flood event. This work was postponed to include new flood data and will now also incorporate levee data for greater accuracy. This work is continuous and through appropriate planning, achieves a decrease in the AAD that would otherwise occur. See Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal for up to date information. |
| 5. 90% of the irrigation delivery system is modernised by 2027 | Significant progress | The completed Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) Connections Project, the largest irrigation modernisation project in Australian history, has achieved 429 GL of water savings through efficiency gains and built resilience to climate change. See Successful Connections Project Delivers Extra Water | Premier of Victoria media story. As new enterprises become feasible in the SIR it is anticipated modernised practices will be adopted to improve farm resilience, despite not being compulsory. G-MW is currently implementing the Water Efficiency Project (WEP). The project is on track to deliver an additional 15.9 gigalitres of water savings to the region without on farm works. The Project will reduce ongoing asset liability, reducing costs for GMW and in turn their customers. |
| 6. 60% of irrigated farms are redesigned to capitalise on, and align with, modernised irrigation delivery by 2027 | Moderate progress | A further 39 farms covering 2,906 ha in the Shepparton Irrigation Region established and implemented Whole Farm Plans on their properties. This has allowed landholders to optimise the use of their land and water and align with the modernised irrigation delivery system. Building understanding of how the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District is changing and adapting is also being monitored through biennial land use mapping survey results coordinated with partners by the GB CMA. In 2021-22 on-farm irrigation infrastructure upgrades reported through the Farm Irrigation survey included laser grading (43%), reuse systems (29%), new irrigation systems (e.g. pipe and risers, centre pivot and linear moves, upgrade of channels and outlets (12%)), installation of automation (22%), soil moisture monitoring system (12%) and irrigation scheduling equipment (6%). Multiple upgrades could apply. Over the past 15 years, irrigators have consistently identified uncertainty of water allocation, lack of financial resources and inadequate water availability as barriers to upgrading on-farm irrigation infrastructure (Farm Irrigation Survey). The second phase of Dairy Australia’s Smarter Irrigation for Profit research, development and extension project was completed in 2022 and the results have helped dairy farmers in the Goulburn Broken Catchment and beyond to make better irrigation decisions, which improve water use efficiency and lead to greater profit. Read the report here to learn more. |
| 7. The quality of water is managed to meet State and Murray-Darling Basin agreed standards and targets 100% of the time | Moderate progress | Water Quality monitoring is mainly facilitated via the Statewide Regional Water Monitoring Partnership arrangements, with specific irrigation drain and shallow groundwater monitoring managed by Goulburn-Murray Water. End of valley water quality (Broken catchment and Goulburn catchment) is assessed against the EP Act 2017 Environmental Reference Standards (ERS). Salinity modelling and actual salinity levels across the catchment are also considered towards State contributions to MDBA Basin Salinity Management 2030 (BSM 2030) strategy targets. GB catchment has consistently met the BSM2030 targets with the ERS being mostly met each year. Monitoring is in place and is continually assessed, however, we may not always be able to achieve State and M-DB standards and targets due to events and incidents. The Goulburn Broken Regional Water Quality Strategy 1996 set a target of 65% reduction in the Total Phosphorous load being exported from the Goulburn Broken catchment from the 1993/94 levels. Therefore, the aim was for less than 237 tonnes/year. In 2021-22 only 81.4 tonnes (an 89% reduction) of Total Phosphorous left the catchment. And a similar result for Total Nitrogen was achieved with only 11.7% of the load leaving the catchment compared to those measured in 1993/94. See the phosphorous (Figure 54) and nitrogen (Figure 55) loads graphed over the years. |
| 8. Streams with self-sustaining populations of native fish are managed so dissolved oxygen does not fall below 3mg/L for 3 consecutive days | Moderate progress | Within the GB catchment, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels are measured at sites on priority streams, reservoirs and within Barmah National Park. Temperature is the primary driver of hypoxic events (extreme low DO causing fish deaths), along with high nutrient loads and/or low to cease of flows. Release of environmental water may help manage these events on regulated streams, when there is capacity to release additional water to dilute nutrient loads and reduce temperature. Management actions on unregulated streams are limited to ceasing water extractions when threshold low flows are realised. A widespread hypoxic event occurred in the Broken Creek catchment in January and February 2022. A multi-agency response monitored the affected waterways and worked together to alleviate the impacts through a number of water management options, which included use of environmental water. Learn more about impacts and management options for Water Quality and Dissolved Oxygen in streams, where you can also access live DO recording at 9 monitoring sites within the GB catchment. Further information on state projects that help manage these events can be viewed at ARI – Environment, Energy and Climate Action – Reports and Fact sheets or subscribe to receive aquatic (and terrestrial) quarterly updates. Through application of Works on Waterways By-Laws, potential impacts of proposed works are minimised. |
| 9. 70% of priority riparian zones and wetlands support native vegetation | Moderate progress | Index of Stream Condition monitoring is undertaken every 4-8 years to assess change in stream health, with riparian condition being one of the parameters assessed. LiDAR mapping was last undertaken across all major waterways in GB catchment in 2010 and again along targeted priority waterways in 2018. This mapping work is planned to occur again in 2024. Wetland condition monitoring is undertaken at various intervals and utilising a range of assessment approaches, particularly at key sites where use of environmental water may be feasible to helps guide seasonal watering proposals. Riparian Intervention Monitoring Program (RIMP) has been assessing outcomes from works at numerous paired sites across the state to verify improvements from activities undertaken. Progress assessment from RIMP have confirmed site improvements have been achieved from CMA supported activities when compared to a control site where no works were undertaken. See the seasonal watering proposals to learn more about how water is delivered to waterways and wetlands in the GB catchment and wetland case studies below. |
| 10. 100% of priority waterways have a measurable increase in percentage of riparian length protected (fenced) | Moderate progress | GB CMA reported delivery of 19km of stream bank fenced, with 10 off-stream watering points established for domestic stock in 2021/22. An increase in the percentage of stream bank protected on priority waterways has been used as a proxy indicator for works across catchment. The was an estimate average increase of 1.7% in stream bank protected 2018-2021 across priority waterways, with the majority of streams falling within a range of 60-85% fenced. |
| 11. Reaches identified as severely depleted or highly depleted of in-stream woody habitat have a trajectory towards natural levels | Limited progress | Fourteen instream habitat structures were installed in 2021-22, which is less than reported in previous years. Delivery has been hindered by continuing high flows. State mapping of instream woody habitat is not done regularly to compare change, though has been a component assessed using LiDAR mapping undertaken for Index of Stream Condition in 2010. Some comparative mapping has been undertaken along targeted sections of the Hughes Creek and can be viewed within the story map highlighting efforts to improve connectivity and quality of habitat for threatened species Macquarie perch. |
| 12. 400ha of riparian and wetland vegetation have a measurable improvement in quality | Limited progress | GB CMA fenced 4ha of wetlands in 2021-22 and 90 ha of riparian land, of which 37 ha were revegetated to enhance vegetation quality. Progress was influenced by Covid disruptions and the late release of funding (environmental contribution levy 5 funding tranche), wet conditions and high flows, delayed some of these planned works and required additional recovery works to take precedence. Periods of inundation and removal of pest species have however benefited some sites as demonstrated in the Barmah-Millewa case study. |
| 13. A diverse range of the community and visitors are engaged and connected in projects to improve waterway health and resilience | Moderate progress | There were 993 participants in river health program related engagement events in 2021-22. With shared funding between GB CMA and Greater Shepparton City Council, the RiverConnect project in particular has continued to engage with community members and schools to involve them in riparian works and improve understanding of the Goulburn River environment within the Shepparton-Mooroopna region. The RiverConnect Strategic Plan 2023-28 was recently released following conversation with community (see case study links below). As referenced with medium-term outcome 3, community and partner input are also obtained through other forums and Advisory Groups. |
| 14. Partnerships are formed and maintained with a range of water users to understand their values and make it easier to contribute and participate in water management | Limited progress | Partnerships to improve communication and share understandings exist with many organisations and groups through a range of forums and advisory groups. This includes: • Work continues with both YYNAC and TLaWC to improve their influence in water management and enable actions toward their healing country targets. • Goulburn Broken Partnership Team – government agencies meet monthly to provide updates on current activities and discuss strategic issues. • Goulburn Broken Catchment Partnership Agreement – 38 organisations and community groups agree to a shared commitment and high-level partnership arrangements to protect and improve the health of the catchment • The GB CMA has 3 environmental water advisory groups that enable a range of stakeholders to input to environmental water management. • Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee – community-based committee overseeing the development and implementation of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan. • Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Water Leadership group – leaders in dairy, horticulture, cropping, local government, food processors, natural resource management and community and business groups provide a strong voice on water security for northern Victoria. Staff changes and competing priorities in recent times have negatively impacted some catchment partnerships, for example, there are capacity constraints emerging between GMW and local governments which will have medium and long-term impacts for land use change, planning controls, compliance and co-funding. There is also an increasing demand for Traditional Owner collaboration in projects and strategies, which can exceed availability of Traditional Owner groups. In a broader landscape context, North East CMA partnered with GB CMA to consider how to best support communities adapt to a changing water future through greater integration and communication by water agencies. See Our Water Futures case study report. |
Figure 54: Phosphorous loads exported from the Goulburn Broken Catchment since 1992 to 2022.
Figure 55: Nitrogen loads exported from monitored drains in the Goulburn Broken Catchment since 1990 to 2017.
Strategic directions
Table 143: Progress updates for water strategic directions.
| Strategic direction | Status assessment* |
|---|---|
| Ensure extractions, delivery and use of water is within ecologically acceptable tipping points, now and under a range of climate change and population scenarios. | Initiated |
| Define agreed desired states and tipping points and the required adaptive management of water in light of climate change and population scenarios. | Initiated |
| Flooding risk is avoided, managed and reduced and community resilience to flooding is enhanced. | Underway |
| Continue to improve efficiency and effectiveness of water for the environment by applying tight adaptive management and leveraging opportunities provided by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. | Ongoing |
| Complementary measures are undertaken to maximise the benefits of environmental watering. | Underway |
| Implement management actions that build the resilience of waterways to changing land use, climate and population. | Ongoing |
| Monitor water quality and ensure coordinated regional responses when levels are approaching unacceptable limits. | Ongoing |
| Increase the extent and quality of riparian vegetation on waterways and wetlands. | Ongoing |
| Increase the extent and quality of aquatic habitat in waterways and wetlands. | Ongoing |
| Increase the number of priority wetlands that can receive environmental water to improve their water regime. | Underway |
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