HATTAH Lakes is a large floodplain wetland system consisting of more than 20 semi-permanent Ramsar Convention-listed freshwater lakes, streams and temporary swamps bordered by riverine forest.
The icon site is about 15km from the Murray River, between Robinvale and Mildura, and covers at least 1120 hectares.
The site has been a focus for traditional Aboriginal society for thousands of years and has high cultural heritage values and archaeological significance.
The Hattah Lakes system lies on the border of two language groups, the Latji Latji and the Jari Jari.
Groups with an interest in Hattah Lakes include Latji Latji, Latji Latji Mumthelang, Tati Tati Kaiejin, Tati Tati Land and Water, Wadi Wadi Land and Water, Murray Valley Aboriginal Corporation, Gilby, Dadi Dadi Weki Weki, Culpra Millee, Nyeri Nyeri and Munatunga elders.
The size of the Hattah Lakes system of permanent and semi-permanent wetlands is significant, as is the highly diverse range of vegetation species it supports.
The site, in a semi-arid area, supports black box and river red gum communities and a variety of native animals.
The lakes are very important as drought refuge and as breeding places for waterbirds (including Eurasian coots and banded stilts), regent parrots, frogs, turtles and native fish, including Murray rainbowfish and carp gudgeon.
The wetlands need regular wet and dry periods to be healthy.
