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22 April 2008
The effects of salinity continue to be a major environmental issue in Australia with far-reaching impacts. Salinity has a number of damaging effects including: loss of farming land productivity, increased stream salinities, increased erosion rates, infrastructure damage and loss of biodiversity.
Salinity problems occur throughout northern and western Victoria and are increasing in severity. Significant areas have already been affected by the problem, with the most concentrated problems occurring in the Murray-Goulburn Irrigation District, where a shallow watertable threatens about 385,000 hectares of productive land.
In meeting the challenges of salinity the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) continues to support important research, policy development and on-ground works, as well as education and community engagement.
Salinity education and community based salinity monitoring are delivered through the North Central Waterwatch Program and the Community Stream Sampling Project. In partnership with Waterwatch Victoria they help deliver the state-wide 'Saltwatch' program.
Saltwatch is an environmental monitoring program that helps communities better understand the salinity problem. Saltwatch began in 1987, and through increased awareness of salinity issues, which includes actively involving the community in salinity 'snapshot' monitoring and salinity education activities, it is now Australia's longest running community water monitoring program.
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NRMC Member Rob Loats testing |
During 'Saltwatch Snapshot Week', May 4th-10th, North Central Waterwatch will be running a number of school based sessions, where students and other participants from throughout North Central Victoria will test the salinity of water samples collected from local waterways.
For further information regarding Saltwatch, Waterwatch or the Community Stream Sampling Project contact Melanie Barrot on 0427 887 254 or melanie.barrot@nccma.vic.gov.au
For further information please contact:
Communications Officer
North Central Catchment Management Authority
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7174
f: 03 5448 7148
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au
Schools and session times
School Date Time
St Arnaud PS 5th May 9.30-11am
Marnoo PS 5th May 11.45-1pm
Natte Yallock PS 6th May 9.15-11am
Dunolly PS 6th May 11.45-1pm
Boort PS 7th May 10-11.30am
Glenvale (Swan Hill) 7th May 1.30-3.15pm
Tarnagulla PS 8th May 9-11am
Bridgewater PS 8th May 1.30-3.15pm
Wycheproof P12 9th May 1.55- 3.15pm
Lockington PS 5th May 9.30-11am
Welton PS 5th May 1.30-3pm
St. Joseph's Catholic School Rochester
6th May 1.40-3pm
Kerang South PS 7th May 9-11am
Lake Charm PS 7th May 2-3.30pm
Eppalock State School
8th May 9.30-11am
Kennington PS 8th May 12-1.30pm
Maiden Gully PS 9th May 9-10.30am
Our Lady of Sacred Heart Primary- Elmore
9th May 1.30-3pm
St Marys School - Cohuna
12th May 9-10.30am
Gunbower PS 12th May 1.45-3.20pm
Elmore PS 13th May 10-11.30am
Huntly PS 14th May 9.30-11am
St. Peters School - Nth Bendigo
14th May 1.45-3.15pm
Echuca College 16th May 9-10.30am
Lockwood PS 28th April 10-3pm
Drummond PS 29th April 10-12.30pm
Redesdale/Mia Mia PS
29th April 2-3.15pm
Harcourt Valley PS
30th April 2-3.15pm
Heathcote PS 1st May 9.30-11am
Timor PS 1st May 1.30-3.10pm
Smeaton PS 2nd May 1.30-3.10pm
Castlemaine PS 5th May 11.30-1pm
Lockwood South PS
5th May 2-3.15pm
Bullarto PS 6th May 10-1pm
Trentham PS 6th May 2-3.15pm
Strathfieldsaye PS
7th May 11.30-1.30pm
Kangaroo Flat PS
7th May 2.10-3.10pm
Mt Macedon PS
8th May 9-12.30pm
Hepburn Springs PS
8th May 2-3.15pm
Yandoit PS 9th May 9-11am
Newlyn PS 9th May 11.30-1pm
Langley PS 9th May 2-3.10pm
Woodend/ Carlsruhe PS
15th May 10-1pm