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Community-driven action strengthens Powlett Catchment for future generations through collaboration and restoration

Community members, landholders, and over 20 organisations united to plan the next phase of Powlett (Kungerungmome) catchment restoration, aiming for sustainable stewardship and expanded conservation efforts over the next three years.

By news@gippsland - 20th March 2025 - Back to News

Collective action and passion for the iconic Powlett (Kungerungmome) catchment was on full display recently as people power drove the planning for the next phase of works to be delivered through strong partnerships and good old fashioned hard work.

Partners gathering at the Powlett river

Collaborating for conservation

There was a lot of love in the room as West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA), over 20 partner organisations, community members and landholders gathered to plan the next phase of what is known in the business as community driven stewardship or Integrated Catchment Management. The day was made richer with everyone bringing their own unique experiences, perspective, skill and priorities.

"Our best work is done collectively and respectfully with Traditional Owners leading the process," said Deb Archer, Manager Strategy, Investment and Partnerships for West Gippsland CMA. When partners combine knowledge, passion and effort, we get maximum value for money and, most importantly, maximum results for the plants, animals and community who live along the rivers and tributaries from source to sea."

"We are proud of the achievements of the previous program and are looking to complete at least another 750 hectares of work over the next three years and keep celebrating and showcasing how awesome this community is," Deb told the group.

Strengthening partnerships

To start the conversation, the group reflected on the achievements of the previous Powlett River/Kugerungmome Partnerships Project (2020-2024):

• Delivery of a self-determined project in partnership with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation where Traditional Owners set the priorities and pace of the project. This project focussed on reconnecting Traditional Owners to Country, Cultural values and developing partnerships that enable Country and Community healing
• Strong and active partnerships were developed that led to knowledge sharing and working together to improve stewardship in the Kugerungmome catchment
• Over 294 community volunteers engaged through the project
• 98 hectares of degraded land revegetated and weed control over 225 hectares
• One baseline aquatic survey for catchment health

"Everyone worked together and had something to contribute," said Jack Harriss from Bass Coast Landcare Network who played a major part in the previous project successfully working to reduce foxes to protect wildlife including threatened Hooded Plovers.

Honoring country together

Getting out on site was an important part of the day beginning with the group standing on Country at Kugerungmome estuary and reflecting on the commitment to Traditional Owner self-determination that guides the project. Kugerungmome is the original name of the river gifted to the project by the Bunurong Land Council. The story of the river is told in a painting by artist John Winch that is brought to every gathering.

Next stop was a landholder's property that has been transformed with the help of Bass Coast Landcare Network through funding gained in the previous project. When Paul and Sonia Grovers bought their 140 ha property the paddocks were barren and creek lines eroded. The couple became "accidental inner city cattle farmers" with a reduced herd of Black Angus Beef cattle to "keep the grass down".

"It has been absolutely delightful watching the right plants being put in the right place. We are giving 25% of the property back to nature with 37 ha being planted with 25,000 trees. We have also removed weeds and fenced creek lines. It's been a pleasure and we'd love to keep going. It's great to break even and also see the land recover," said Paul.

West Gippsland CMA will lead a workshop to develop a three-year conservation plan under Victoria's Our Catchments program

Expanding conservation efforts

Actions on this and other properties are contributing to a broader vision held by many of the stakeholders attending. "Currently 15% of Bass Coast Shire is re-vegetated and we are aiming for 30% by working together on initiatives such as this," said Diana Whittington from Bass Coast Shire Council. "Landholders are key, they inspire others and create a legacy of ongoing stewardship and care on properties," said Kelsey Tong, West Gippsland CMA.

The second site visit was to one of six adjoining bushland properties near Archies Creek. The properties each have a Trust for Nature covenant to protect and enhance the unique connected remnant native vegetation in this part of the catchment.

Trust for Nature began work on the properties in 1990 and their most recent success was to transform this block from being completely covered in the weed pittosporum to uncover and enhance the original eucalypt woodland.

Restoring land together

Lauren Halstead from Trust for Nature explained, "This was a huge task - the landholders were completely overwhelmed. It was dark with a huge wall of pittosporum that you could barely walk through, but we took a strategic approach by attacking the female trees first and then the males. The biodiversity returning is also creating opportunities for Traditional Owners to contribute through a planned cultural burn that will further enhance connection to the Country."

"We all have similar challenges and, working as a collective, we can make a big difference. It's quite rare to get this awesome opportunity to be together and explore opportunities - together we can achieve so much more. This next three year program is ambitious and ultimately working towards 20-year healthy catchment goals," said Deb.

A second partner workshop will be led by West Gippsland CMA to develop the initial shared visions and insights into a detailed program of works to be delivered by partners for the next three years. This project is funded as part of the Victorian government's Our Catchments, Our Communities program aiming to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.

Pictures from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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