The North Central Catchment Management Authority is reducing water for environment deliveries onto the Gunbower Forest floodplain in response to natural Murray River inflows. 

High flows down the Murray River have reached levels that are seeing water push through low points onto the floodplain.

These natural flows will combine with the water for environment already on the floodplain to create ideal conditions for the forest.  

“This is a great outcome for the forest and everything that relies on it to survive and thrive,” North Central CMA Acting Chief Executive Officer Rachel Murphy said.

“The climatic cues that come with high rainfall and natural inflows signal to waterbirds that there will be an abundance of food. Given the number of waterbirds, particularly young juveniles, in the region, this is great news.

“With the current flows from the Murray, we will taper the Hipwell Road inflows accordingly. This may mean they stop for a while and then start up again as needed, in response to seasonal conditions.”

Ms Murphy said the Murray inflows are reaching some parts of the forest environmental water can’t get to.

“This combination flow is one of the scenarios we plan for, and we are adapting water for the environment deliveries to complement these natural inflows,” she said. 

“It’s great news for the forest which is still recovering from the Millennium drought and needs regular water to recover and thrive. Prior to river regulation the forest would have seen inflows in most years, so a follow-up watering is nothing new. 

“Water for the environment has played an important part and has primed the forest and the wetlands, starting in early June, which is when natural inflows would have started without river regulation.

“When water for the environment and Mother Nature work together, it is the cherry on the cake for Gunbower Forest.”

Ms Murphy said the hybrid flow will not increase the flood risk to the community.

“About 8GL of water for environment has been delivered so far, and the amount of water going over Torrumbarry Weir is close to 30GL a day,” she said.

“If Mother Nature can do the job for us in the next month or so, that’s a great outcome. Water for the environment can then piggy-back on these flows to achieve the duration it needs and create something very special. 

“We’re regularly meeting with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water, and land managers to keep an eye on things, and we’ll adjust environmental flows as needed, while monitoring water quality, flora and fauna response, and the extent of the inundation,” 

The North Central CMA manages environmental flows on behalf of the VEWH. They are authorised by VEWH in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan. 

The Plan is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updates posted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au.

The Gunbower Island water for the environment project is part of The Living Murray program, a joint initiative of the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian and the Commonwealth governments, coordinated by the Murray Darling Basin Authority. 

For detailed information about forest access and track closures during the flows, follow the DEECA Loddon Mallee Facebook page, visit www.ffm.vic.gov.au/permits-and-regulations/closures-of-parks-and-forests or contact DEECA on 136 186 or Parks Victoria 131 963.