Members of the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) community committee will tour the Avoca Marshes on Wednesday, 18 March, to see first hand the values of these important wetlands and the results of environmental works undertaken in the area.

The Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC) is a thirteen-member sub-committee of the North Central CMA Board and includes locals Charlie Gillingham (Lake Charm), John Knight (Quambatook) and John Storey (Glenloth). 

Damian Wells, North Central CMA Chief Executive Officer said visiting Avoca Marshes is an opportunity for the NRMC to view works undertaken in the area, “In a joint effort between the North Central CMA and Parks Victoria, we have managed to control 150 hectares of Boxthorn in the Avoca Marshes”.  Mr Wells continued that looking at past investment sites whilst visiting other sites for future regional investment opportunities is important.

Malcolm Brown, NRMC Chair also said, “The committee plays an important role in providing a community perspective to the North Central CMA Board on a range of issues and projects.  It is valuable for the committee to tour priority environmental areas, such as the Avoca Marshes, so that we can better appreciate why these internationally-recognised wetlands are important and how they can be protected.”

The Avoca Marshes is a series of marshes and lakes comprising Yassom Swamp, Little Lake Bael Bael, Lake Bael Bael, First Marsh, Second Marsh, and Third Marsh. The marshes are currently dry, shallow lakes and swamps surrounded by black box, grey box and red gum.  In the past they have acted as natural storages for Avoca River floodwaters and have been inundated for up to eight months a year."

“The area is part of the Ramsar-listed Kerang wetlands which provide breeding habitat for a range of migratory birds. The surrounding red gum and black box vegetation community is listed as vulnerable, with only 33% of its original extent remaining.  The marshes are made up of many wetland types, which is important for wetland diversity and protection in North Central Victoria,” Malcolm said.

The Avoca Marshes also contain significant cultural heritage sites and the committee will be visiting some of these sites on the day accompanied by North Central CMA’s indigenous facilitator, Mark Pietzsch.

The Committee will be staying overnight in Swan Hill before their regular meeting the following day.

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