As caretakers of river health, the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has received funding to assist landholders who were affected by the September flood events.   

Damian Wells, Chief Executive Officer said the funding will be used to reinstate priority environmental protection works on private and public land, undertaken with past assistance from the North Central CMA, that have been damaged by the flooding.

“The recent rainfall event saw some very significant flows in the region’s waterways.  While these stream flows have been positive for our rivers and the environment, in some areas the floodwaters have damaged some of the good work undertaken by landholders and the community to protect our region’s waterways.

“In addition to assisting VicSES respond to the initial flood threat to towns and collecting important information about the extent of the flood to improve our response to future floods, the North Central CMA has completed an initial assessment of damage to river protection works to identify the hardest hit areas.”

Impacts range from minor flood damage to entire fences stripped away at some locations.  “It appears that the upper reaches of the Loddon catchment were the most impacted in terms of damaged fences and there has been significant damage to erosion control structures in the upper reaches of the Avoca catchment.” said Adrian Martins from the North Central CMA who is managing the flood recovery program.

The North Central CMA has been in direct contact with landholders in these areas who have previously received river protection assistance and who may have damage to their property from the floods. Other landholders who have not been contacted by the North Central CMA are invited to report damage to river protection works, undertaken with the assistance of the North Central CMA, including fencing along waterways, off stream watering infrastructure, revegetation, erosion control and weed control.

A Flood Impact Assessment Form is available from www.nccma.vic.gov.au or by contacting the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124.  The Flood Impact Assessment Form must be completed and submitted to the North Central CMA by Friday 19 November. 

Staff from the CMA will then undertake an assessment of the damage, the available funding allocated to the highest priority repair works and an agreement struck with the landholder before works commence.

"We are also interested in hearing other concerns about the impact of the floods on waterways across the region, particularly where the bed or the banks of the waterway have eroded and are causing problems or there is an instream blockage that threatens significant public assets” concluded Adrian.

Further information can found at www.nccma.vic.gov.au or by phoning the CMA reception on (03) 5448 7124.

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