Victorian waterway restoration project set to bolster catchment health

Managing and protecting catchments is fundamental to maintaining water quality, a benefit to water managers, the community and the environment, and one regional Victorian partnership is focusing on tributaries leading into the Moorabool River to tackle water concerns.

Barwon Water has committed $353,600 to support the Moorabool Catchment Restoration Program (MCRP), a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing water quality and riverside vegetation within the Moorabool Catchment.

The Moorabool River flows through Wadawurrung Country, southward from the Central Highlands between Ballarat and Ballan, joining the Barwon River at Fyansford. 

The river is a highly regulated waterway with three major water storages – the Moorabool, Bostock, and Lal Lal Reservoirs. The catchment is heavily farmed, with the Moorabool River one of the most stressed rivers in the state.

The MCRP represents a partnership between Barwon Water, the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group, private landholders and community stakeholders, and aims to improve the health of the catchment and waterways for everyone in the region.

Barwon Water General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the initiative is an important step in the ongoing protection and improvement of water quality in the region.

“Barwon Water understands that managing and protecting the catchments in our region is essential to maintaining high quality, safe drinking water for our community,” he said. 

“We are pleased to see Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group’s commitment to protecting the local environment and public health within the Moorabool River catchment through this program, which is set to benefit the local environment and community.”

Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group Coordinator Jackson Cass said he is excited about the project’s potential impact and thanked Barwon Water for their funding commitment.

“We’re very excited to launch the Moorabool Catchment Restoration Program, an initiative aimed at improving water quality and waterway vegetation,” he said. 

“By collaborating with Barwon Water, private landholders, and community stakeholders, we aim to create a sustainable future for the Moorabool River catchment.”

Protecting the Moorabool

The MCRPs funding agreement commenced on 30 June 2024, with works set to be completed by 30 June 2028, with key deliverables including stock exclusion fencing, weed control, pest animal management and extensive revegetation efforts.

These initiatives aim to improve water quality, promote riparian vegetation health, but also to help increase awareness of sustainable land management among the local community and stakeholder groups. 

Butcher said contributing to landcare efforts with partnership and funding support is an important step for Barwon Water in meeting its aims around source water protection.

“Our catchment risk assessment process has identified the Moorabool River Catchment as a priority catchment,” he said. 

“It’s been recommended that effective catchment management and source water protection practices be implemented to protect and improve source water quality. 

“This project enables us to address those recommendations and improve catchment health and water quality.

“Specifically, the implementation of stock exclusion fencing and riparian vegetation restoration will protect water quality within the Moorabool River Special Water Supply Catchment area, minimising sedimentation, nutrient and pathogen runoff into the Moorabool River and its tributaries."

While water quality improvements are one aim, Cass said the program also aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among local residents while addressing critical environmental issues.

“This project would not be possible without the support of our Landcare community. All works will be completed on private land, giving us access to some amazing sites,” he said.  

“Without their support, these waterway improvements would not be possible.

“Our community is deeply invested in the health of the Moorabool River catchment. This project not only addresses critical environmental issues but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among local residents.”

Benefiting the region

The MCRP builds on previous works by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Barwon Water and the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group.

“As part of their project proposal, Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group committed to close collaboration with private landholders, community groups, water authorities, public land managers and First Nations representatives,” Butcher said. 

“They are facilitating collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation by collaborating with the Gobata Dja (Healthy Country) and Wynn Murrup (Cultural Burning) teams to build natural resource management capacity.

“They will involve Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in the delivery of the program through consultation, on ground works and traditional land management practices.”

Cass said a unique yet crucial aspect of the MCRP is its focus on restoration along the tributaries that lead into the Moorabool River.

“The MCRP has allowed us to target tributaries in the Moorabool River catchment which were not eligible for funding previously but still play a very important part in the health of the river system as a whole,” he said.

Barwon Water's substantial funding contribution underscores the utility’s commitment to regional environmental sustainability and community health, with the partnership expected to make a lasting positive impact on the Moorabool River catchment and its surrounding communities.

The program will also further support current initiatives delivered as part of the Corangamite CMA’s Living Moorabool Flagship Waterway project, and Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut project.

Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut (places of many stories) is an initiative to connect the community to the Lower Moorabool and Lower Barwon River corridor by balancing public access, economic opportunities and education while enhancing unique cultural and environmental values.