The long term future of freshwater turtles is looking brighter as populations are located at Richardson’s Lagoon (Baillieu's Lagoon) near Torrumbarry.

Turtles Australia is a volunteer organisation, whose mission is to protect all Australian freshwater turtle species and prevent extinction by ensuring sustainable populations can and do exist in the wild. The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has worked closely with volunteers from Turtles Australia to survey Richardson’s Lagoon for turtle populations.

Project Manager, Heidi Kleinert said that the lagoon wetland and sand hills provide outstanding habitat for three turtle species including, Broad-Shelled Turtle, Murray Turtle and Eastern Long-necked Turtles. “Their turtle nests are usually built in close proximity to water and are commonly raided by foxes. With only a few young surviving the raid it greatly reduces the chance to increase turtle populations.

By surveying the lagoon for nest sites the North Central CMA can use this information to plan a fox control program.”

The North Central CMA will work with Indigenous groups, community groups, Parks Victoria, and surrounding landholders, to form effective partnerships to combat foxes and other pest species, such as rabbits and weed issues around the lagoon. 

If you would like to know more about being involved in future turtle surveys, or if you are a neighbouring landholder who would like to be involved in reducing pest, plant and animals at Richardson’s Lagoon, then please contact Heidi Kleinert at the North Central CMA.

Victorian State Government funding is received from the Environmental Contribution. More Information visit www.nccm.vic.gov.a

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