A GROUP of wetlands across north-west Victoria will be given a major health check 10 years after water for the environment was introduced to save them from drying up.
The 52 Wimmera Mallee Pipeline wetlands are natural depressions that provide important drought refuges for plants and animals across the Mallee, Wimmera and North Central catchment management authority areas.
Most of the wetlands were part of a channel and dam system that provided stock and domestic water until it was replaced with the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline in 2014.
The pipeline reduced the amount of open water in the landscape, so a water for environment entitlement was created to provide key refuges and habitat.
The three CMAs and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder are reviewing the wetlands following a community request.
North Central CMA environmental water program manager Anna Parker said the wetlands were on both public and private land, and played an important role in a dry landscape.
“The wetlands are home to a range of key species such as waterbirds, turtles, significant old trees and important aquatic vegetation,” she said.
“The local communities have a strong connection to the wetlands, and really value their ecological and social importance.
“Local First Nations peoples also have strong cultural connections to the landscape area, the wetlands, and the plants and animals that rely on them to survive and thrive.”
Mrs Parker said the review would look at the health of each wetland and how they had responded to environmental water over the past 10 years.
“This review will give us vital information on the impact of water for environment, as well as identifying where other improvements can be made to help with future management,” she said.
“We’ll consult with First Nations people, landholders, Landcare groups and the broader community to hear what they have to say about the wetlands today, and what they want for the future.
“We’ll be in touch with those we already know have an interest in the current and future management of the wetlands and are keen to hear from anyone else who would like to be included.”
The final report will be available in the first half of next year.
