The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in partnership with Goulburn–Murray Water, Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment, has been delivering environmental water to McDonald Swamp in autumn and spring this year to provide water for the region’s water birds.

McDonald Swamp, a wetland within the Kerang Lakes, is highly significant for water bird breeding, feeding and roosting, and has been identified as an important drought refuge site on the northern floodplain. 

Damian Wells, North Central CMA Chief Executive Officer explains: “The delivery of environmental water to McDonald Swamp is part of a state-wide environmental watering program to maintain critical habitat for plant and animal communities during the ongoing dry conditions in northern Victoria. “

Mr Wells stressed that the environmental water is sourced from the Murray Flora and Fauna Entitlement and is set aside specifically for the environment. It does not affect water allocations to farmers or town supplies.  

“There has been a significant ecological response observed in the wetland since the first water delivery in autumn this year. McDonaldSwamp had been dry for the last three seasons, so it is encouraging to see the changes in the wetland,” continued Mr Wells.

The North Central CMA has undertaken monitoring at McDonald Swamp and recorded the return of threatened bird species to the wetland including the Glossy Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Great Egret, Australasian Shoveler, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Hardhead.

The water has also provided a refuge for many other bird species such as the Clamorous Reed Warbler, White Bellied Sea-Eagle, Black Kite, Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon, Grey Tea, Red-kneed Dotterel, Welcome Swallow, Royal Spoonbill, Yellow Spoonbill, Intermediate Egret, Black Tailed Native-hen, Nankeen Kestrel, Pacific Heron, White-faced Heron, Little-black Cormorant, Australian Hobby, Masked Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Black Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-Rumped Parrot, Whiskered Tern , Glossy Ibis, White Ibis and Straw-necked Ibis

Important sedges and rushes have started to regenerate in the wetland.

Mr Wells commented that additional water will be delivered to the wetland during late spring to keep water at the site over the summer.

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