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Catchment Management Authorities Embrace Environmental Water Reserve

The newly introduced Environmental Water Reserve (EWR) has received a ringing endorsement at a meeting of Victoria’s ten Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).

By Victorian Catchment Management Council - 1st December 2005 - Back to News

The newly introduced Environmental Water Reserve (EWR) has received a ringing endorsement at a meeting of Victoria’s ten Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).

At the biannual conference of the Victorian Catchment Management Council (VCMC) in Lakes Entrance last week, VCMC Chair Christine Forster praised the State Government for giving the environment a legal right to water.

"The EWR recognises that river health must be a priority. If we take too much water out of our rivers and groundwater systems they can't support either ecosystems or human uses," Ms Forster said.

"We are already seeing the results of the EWR. In the Barmah-Millewa forest environmental water was released in October and we are witnessing a breeding bonanza not seen in many years."

The EWR, which was legislated last week in the Water (Resource Management) Act, is part of the State Government's water strategy Our Water Our Future.

Goulburn Broken CMA Chair and Numurkah dairy farmer Steve Mills said that CMAs were looking forward to their new role as managers of the EWR.

According to Mr Mills, the Goulburn Broken CMA has put together an expert EWR team.

"The creation of the EWR is a quantum leap in environmental management," Mr Mills said.

"The Goulburn Broken CMA's Regional Catchment Strategy aims to double the value of production on half the area of land and using less water," Mr Mills said.

"So what do I see happening in irrigated agriculture? Improved technology, better farmers, more production and less water."

Ms Forster praised the contribution of Victorian landholders to greater sustainable land and water management, and the fight against salinity in particular.

Ms Forster also highlighted the significant progress made by the CMAs since they were created in 1997.

"The CMAs are a wonderful example of community-based organisations that allow local people to work in partnership with local, state and federal governments toward the achievement of regional sustainability," Ms Forster said.

Other conference themes included the likely impacts of climate change, the role of indigenous people in caring for land and water, and more effective monitoring and reporting on progress towards improving the condition of Victoria's land and water resources.

The conference also recognised community members who have served on CMA boards and the VCMC. Whilst presenting the awards, independent State MP Craig Ingram spoke about the remarkable improvement in the Snowy River following the release of environmental flows.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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