The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in partnership with Goulburn-Murray Water, continues to undertake works in an effort to control the Pale Yellow Water Lily (Nymphaea sp) on Gunbower Creek and associated lagoons.

An introduced species, which is characterised by its heavy green foliage and pale yellow flowers, it causes problems by blocking waterways and impacting on irrigation and recreational use.  It rapidly colonizes shallow, nutrient-rich waters resulting in dense infestations that restrict water movement. 

According to local residents and Mr Carl Gray, North Central CMA’s project manager, infestations of the plant have increased dramatically over the past few years and once established can be difficult to control. “Several local groups, including the Gunbower Community Weed Reference Group, have raised this as being one of the local residents’ major concerns.

“We treated Gunbower Creek in November last year and are currently re-treating infestations by spraying with an approved aquatic herbicide.  Residents will see evidence of the weed control along the edges of the creek.

“We are concentrating our work in the creek  from the National Channel Off-take downstream to the Cohuna Weir, by gradually treating strips from the centre of the waterway outwards towards the creek bank; approximately 2 metres each side.  Throughout herbicide application, the water quality is monitored by installing dissolved oxygen probes.  This assists in detecting the risk of a blackwater event.  Unfortunately it will require several years of repeated treatment, with significant monitoring and evaluation to prevent the re-establishment of infestations,” said Mr Gray.

Funding for this year’s Enhancing the values of the Gunbower Ramsar site project is provided by the Australian Government through the Caring for our Country initiative. . ”A funding bid to continue work beyond June 2013 is currently being prepared,” concluded Mr Gray.

To find out more about the program visit www.nccma.vic.gov.au

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au