The objectives of the project are to: - Increase productive use of all resources by matching land use to land capability, maximising water use efficiency and minimising downstream impacts (eg. salt loads); - Increase long-term viability and sustainability of farming systems; - Manage the total property including cultural and environmental values, working with nature; - Continue the existing incentives in relation to whole farm planning and soil moisture monitoring while reviewing and refining them to ensure that they address regional issues and result in agreed outcomes.

This project will provide solutions to manage salinity impacts in the region. Appropriately alleviating accessions to the groundwater by improving management of surface water will address the significant salinity impacts on environmental assets and productivity that currently exist. Integrated SWM solutions will be implemented to manage the highly saline groundwater and alleviate the salinity impacts and improve water quality. The construction of the Benwell SWMS is a key deliverable/high priority for the community and the Loddon Campaspe Implementation Committee. This project will protect 4,760 ha of highly productive land from salinity impacts (the average groundwater is 1.58m below the surface and 32,778EC). Additional activities that complement the project (Whole Farm Plans, re-use systems, environmental enhancement) will also result from the implementation of this project further addressing the salinity impacts and ensuring water quality improvements are achieved.

The Loddon Campaspe Land and Water Management Planning project will ensure the efficient management of land and water resources across the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region of northern Victoria. The Plan will result in changing land and water practices to minimise impacts upon the region's important natural assets. In particular, the Plan will address the on-going problems associated with salinity, improve biodiversity, increase the region's productivity and, improve the social capacity of the region to deliver important NRM initiatives.

The strategic approach of the project is to: - Increase productive use of all resources by matching land use to land capability, maximising water use efficiency and minimising downstream impacts (eg. salt loads); - Increase long-term viability and sustainability of farming systems; - Manage the total property including cultural and environmental values; and - Continue the existing incentives in relation to soil salinity surveys, whole farm planning, resuse systems and drainage, while reviewing and refining them to ensure that they address regional issues such as reconfiguration of irrigation infrastructure to deliver multiple outcomes.

To achieve a healthy landscape in a Region experiencing rapid change, the community must have sufficient awareness and understanding of the issues and potential solutions, skill to manage change, and ownership of decisions that determine the future. The focus of the project for 2007/08 will also incorporate the key issues emanating from State and National water reforms, and place our local communities in a position to effectively manage change. We will apply current understandings of the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation community to build natural resource management capacity through effective communication and evaluation that enable outcomes identified to be achieved.