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Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland

West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities.

By news@gippsland - 10th August 2026 - Back to News

Carran Carran (Thomson River) on Gunaikurnai Country is a flagship waterway for West Gippsland and for the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) who are working on a long-term restoration project to improve habitat connectivity along the river from the Victorian Alps to the Gippsland Lakes.

Rainbow Creek, created after a flood redirected Carran Carran, remains a key focus for managing river flows, avulsion risks and waterway health

Taming Rainbow Creek

David Stork, Waterways Officer for the CMA explains, "In the 1950s a flood caused the Carran Carran river to 'jump' its course and carve a new channel through the surrounding floodplains. In the process, the newly formed Rainbow Creek was created, cutting farming land in half."

Rainbow Creek is a short but significant waterway that runs from Cowwarr to Heyfield and this is really where the Carran Carran river wants to flow. The Thomson and Rainbow Management Plan was developed along with community and partners to achieve shared hopes for the river's future - to manage the balance of its flow and reduce the risk of 'avulsions' (a waterway creating a new path in times of flood) developing.

"For the past six years we have been delivering the Thomson and Rainbow Management Plan to manage the risk of avulsion and improve waterway health for the benefit of agriculture, the community and the Gippsland Lakes," said David.

Restoring river corridors

Across 2025-26, the team took action to restore the river by delivering targeted habitat restoration and weed control along both waterways. A highlight was collaborating with two neighbouring landholders to restore a continuous stretch of river running through the adjoining properties.

Close to three hectares of dense willows were cleared across the two properties along one kilometre ensuring both sides of the river were treated. Fencing and all sites planted with native vegetation will be completed in 2026-27. "This coordinated effort highlights the project's strategic approach to getting the job done and we are delighted and thankful to the landholders for this cross-property collaboration," David said.

Building lasting resilience

In addition, 39.15 hectares of previous river restoration works were monitored for maintenance weed control, with only 0.76 hectares requiring follow-up treatment. This highlights the value of ongoing checks and follow up to ensure long-term restoration outcomes. Works in 2025-35 will continue to contribute to creating a continuous corridor of native vegetation along the waterways and improving conditions for priority native fish such as the endangered Australian Grayling to migrate and breed.

Since 2016, 69 hectares of woody weeds (mostly willows) have been removed, 80,000 local native trees planted and 23 kilometres of fencing has been created to protect the river on 18 properties, two high risk avulsion sites have also been treated. "All this work brings us ever closer towards our shared vision of managing this flagship waterway to reduce the risk of an avulsion in future flood events and improving waterway health so the environment, agriculture, the community and the Gippsland Lakes can thrive," David concluded.

West Gippsland CMA is responsible for over 40,000 kilometres of designated waterways across the region and delivers programs for healthy and resilient catchments. All these waterways flow to the Victorian coast, discharging through the Gippsland Lakes, or directly into Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

Pictures from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Become a Great Southern rail trail passport collection point with other updates from the South Gippsland Shire Council
  South Gippsland Council seeks Rail Trail Passport collection points, announces a youth bravery award, Toora roadworks, grants, community events, transport updates, tenders, services and opportunities.
• Reliable water access drives Busch Organics' sustainable farming success and secures its fourth-generation future in East Gippsland
  Busch Organics relies on Mitchell River and groundwater to sustain organic vegetable production, while soil moisture technology, sustainable practices and family farming strengthen productivity and future generations.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.