The Avoca Avon-Richardson Program area occupies a large part of the region's two western catchments. The total area of the Avoca Avon-Richardson region is just over one million ha (40% of the region's total area). Major towns include St Arnaud, Avoca, Donald, Charlton and Quambatook. The area includes high value Ramsar listed wetlands, state and nationally listed species and vegetation communities (Buloke Grassy Woodlands) and priority river reaches (including Reach 7 of the Avoca River).

The Campaspe catchment extends from the Great Dividing Range in the south to the Murray River in the north, a total distance of approximately 150 km. The catchment has an average width of approximately 25 km for a total area in the region of 4,000 km². This represents in the order of 17% of our region.

Grassy woodlands were once widespread through the Edgecombe, Greenhill, Langley, Pastoria, Pipers Creek and Sidonia districts north of Kyneton. However, they are now considered at high risk of extinction as remnants are reduced to isolated, small patches in decline. 

The Kooyoora Connections project is supporting local landowners and community groups to improve the condition and increase the area of native vegetation on private land between Kooyoora State Park, Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve and Mount Korong Nature Conservation Reserve.

Campaspe River Flows

The construction and operation of Lake Eppalock has significantly altered downstream river flows and reversed the seasonal flows of the Campaspe River.