Environmental Ňow helps water bugs, plants and Įsh
Water bugs and plants that provide food and shelter for native fish and other aquatic animals will benefit from an environmental Ňow along the lower Goulburn River planned for mid-June. Water for the increased Ňow is due to be released from Goulburn Weir from June 20, peaking at about 9,500 ML/day (4.30m) at Murchison around June 30. The increase in river Ňow and height is well below minor Ňood level (9m at Murchison and 9.5m at Shepparton). In the event of heavy rain, the timing and size of the environmental Ňow could change or not go ahead at all. The environmental Ňow will also help bank-stabilising plant growth on the lower banks of the Goulburn River. Recent monitoring shows that the river banks held up fairly well during the natural Ňoods we experienced late last year. This was due to the ‘right’ types of native plants starting to establish and spread thanks to environmental Ňows delivered during the past few years. The extra water will also improve water quality and provide food and shelter for water bugs and native Įsh. Improved water quality will help crayfish, shrimps, water bugs and native Įsh continue to recover after the naturally occurring blackwater event that occurred earlier this year after a summer storm. Environmental Ňows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA in consultation with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Oĸce and managed by Goulburn-Murray Water in line with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder’s Seasonal Watering Plan 2016–17. Timing of the environmental Ňows take into consideration delivery orders by irrigators and other water users and feedback from the community via the Goulburn Broken CMA’s environmental water advisery groups. Environmental watering is only one way of protecting and improving rivers and wetlands. Fencing and revegetation, erosion control, pest control, returning logs to rivers for fish and bug habitat, and installation of fishways to allow fish to pass through dams and weirs also help. Find out more about these activities at www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
Grants available for revegetation
Financial incentives are available for landholders in parts of the Shepparton Irrigation Region to: • fence remnant vegetation • enhance remnant vegetaƟon • revegetate with indigenous species. To check your eligibility, please visit our website and complete the EOI form or contact Jenny Wilson on 5822ര7700 or