Commonly asked questions

• What is the relationship between the North Central CMA and its partners?
• How do I access funds from the North Central CMA?
• What is the difference between the North Central CMA and water authorities?
• What is the North Central catchment area?
• Does the North Central CMA issue permits approving the construction of dams, including dams on waterways?
• Who is responsible for planning applications/ building permits?
• Does the North Central CMA provide copies of maps?
• Does the North Central CMA supply trees to landholders / community groups?
• Does North Central CMA supply tree guards to landholders/ community groups?
• Does the North Central CMA provide environmental education to schools and community groups?
• Do I need a permit for works on waterways?
• Does the North Central CMA remove rubbish from waterways / drains?
• Does the North Central CMA remove/ control weeds or overgrown vegetation on or in waterways or drainage systems in rural areas?
• Does the North Central CMA remove/ control weeds or overgrown vegetation on or in waterways or drainage systems in urban areas?
• Does the North Central CMA assist in getting dead animals out of the creek?
• Who should I contact if I want to extract water from a creek?
• Who should I contact about illegal works or inappropriate works on a waterway?
• Who should I contact if I see a blue green algal bloom?

Q. What is the relationship between the North Central CMA and its partners?
A. The North Central CMA coordinates the funds that are invested into natural resource management in Victoria's North Central region. It works with partner organisations to develop priorities and programs to protect and enhance the region's environment.
A range of internal and external service providers implement North Central CMA programs, including the Department of Primary Industries (formerly part of the Department of Natural Resources & Environment) - one of the North Central CMA's key partners.

Q. How do I access funds from the North Central CMA?
A. Throughout the year, the North Central CMA calls for applications and/or expressions of interest for funding to address local and regional issues. Further information can be obtained from the funding section of this site, from your local Landcare group or by contacting the North Central CMA, ph: 5448 7124.

Q. What is the difference between the North Central CMA and water authorities?
A. The North Central CMA coordinates natural resource management in the North Central region to ensure the protection and restoration of land and water resources and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.
The North Central CMA works to:

• maintain and improve the quality of water and condition of rivers
• prevent and reverse land degradation
• conserve and protect the diversity and extent of natural ecosystems
• minimise the damage of public and private assets from flooding and erosion
• minimise the economic and environmental impacts of pest plant and animals.

Water authorities control the distribution of water.
Urban water authorities, such as Coliban Water, Central Highlands Water, Grampians Water, supply and distribute water mainly for domestic use, and collect and treat waste water.
Rural water authorities, such as Goulburn-Murray Water and Wimmera Mallee Water, harvest, store and deliver water to a range of customers who hold water entitlements.

Q. What is the North Central catchment area?
A. The North Central region includes Woodend, Creswick, Lexton and Callawadda in the south to the River Murray in the north between Echuca and Swan Hill. The region extends from Tooborac, Toolleen and Nanneella in the east to Banyena, Watchem and Lalbert in the west.
Our region

Q. Does the North Central CMA issue permits approving the construction of dams, including dams on waterways?
A. No. Stock and domestic dams may require approval from your local council. Commercial and irrigation dams, or dams on waterways, will require the approval of your regional water authority (Goulburn-Murray Water, ph: 5833 5500 or Wimmera Mallee Water, ph: 5362 0200).

Q. Who is responsible for planning applications/ building permits?
A. Your local council is responsible for this type of approval and is your first point of contact when applying for a permit.

Q. Does the North Central CMA provide copies of maps?
A. No. DSE or DPI will be able to provide these, sometimes at a cost to the customer.
There is also a free online mapping service called MapShare on the DSE and DPI website for anyone interested in catchment and water management.
MapShare enables the publishing of interactive maps on the Internet. The user can zoom-in and zoom-out, pan around the map, identify features in the map, do queries on databases, link (hyperlink) to other sites and print out maps based on specific themes of interest (also known as map views). To access MapShare, click on: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/mapshare

Q. Does the North Central CMA supply trees to landholders / community groups?
A. Sometimes, depending on the use of the trees, the current supply and projects being undertaken in priority areas. For further information, contact the North Central CMA.

Q. Does North Central CMA supply tree guards to landholders/ community groups?
A. Yes. Depending on the use of the trees and the current supply.

Q. Does the North Central CMA provide environmental education to schools and community groups?
A. Yes. The North Central CMA has dedicated staff that work on community awareness in areas such as Urban Stormwater and Waterwatch.
The North Central CMA assists with Junior Landcare programs within schools. For further information contact your local Landcare Coordinator.

Q. Do I need a permit for works on waterways?
A. Yes. Works and activities within the beds and banks of a waterway require a permit from the North Central CMA.

Works and activities may include the construction and maintenance of bridges, culverts, fords, service crossings, stormwater outlets, sand and gravel extraction, bed and bank stabilisation, large woody debris removal and vegetation management.
Works involving the take and use of water, i.e. dams, weirs and water retention structures, are the responsibility of the rural water authorities such as Goulburn Murray Water and Wimmera Mallee Water.

For more information please contact 03 5440 1896.

Q. Does the North Central CMA remove rubbish from waterways / drains?
A. No. Local Councils have responsibility for these tasks.

Q. Does the North Central CMA remove/ control weeds or overgrown vegetation on or in waterways or drainage systems in rural areas?
A. No, it is the responsibility of the landowner. For the details of crown land managers, contact the crown land management unit of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, ph: 5430 4444.

Through the North Central Regional Catchment Strategy and its related plans and strategies, prority areas for works on waterways are identified. The North Central CMA may provide financial assistance for the removal / control of weeds or overgrown vegetation in these areas. For further information on priority areas, contact the North Central CMA.

Q. Does the North Central CMA remove/ control weeds or overgrown vegetation on or in waterways or drainage systems in urban areas?
A. No. Local Council have responsibility for these tasks in Urban Areas.

Q. Does the North Central CMA assist in getting dead animals out of the creek?
A. No. Initially, it is the responsibility of the animal's owner. Subsequently, the landowner or land manager is responsible. For details of the land manager for public land, contact the Crown Land Management Unit of the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Q. Who should I contact if I want to extract water from a creek?
A. You should contact your rural water authority - Goulburn-Murray Water (ph: 5833 5500) or Wimmera Mallee Water (ph: 5362 0200).

Q. Who should I contact about illegal works or inappropriate works on a waterway?
A. You should contact the NCCMA Senior Planner, on ph: (03) 5440 1896 or email: info@nccma.vic.gov.au

Q. Who should I contact if I see a blue green algal bloom?
A. You should contact your rural water authority - Goulburn-Murray Water (ph: 5833 5500) or Wimmera Mallee Water (ph: 5362 0200).

Q. Can the North Central CMA tell me the current river levels?
A. No. You should visit the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au and follow the links to river heights.