The 2016/17 Gippsland Lakes Annual Report is now available highlighting key works, achievements and investment into the Ramsar Listed Gippsland Lakes.
Gippsland Coordinating Committee Co-Chair, Dr Peter Veenker, said the report provided a snapshot of works completed over the last 12 months.
“Twenty-three partner organisations have worked on projects across the Gippsland Lakes,” said Dr Veenker.
“These projects have covered a range of activities from controlling pest plants and animals to protect important native plant and animal species right through to researching the Burrunan Dolphin and investigating barriers to fish migration.”
The report is structured in seven key areas, outlining the total investment in each. These are
- Improving the condition and connectivity of Lake Wellington and its wetlands ($1.3 million total investment).
- Improving the wetlands of Jones Bay ($1.4 million total investment).
- Protecting and enhancing alpine ecosystems ($810,000 total investment).
- Understanding and improving aquatic habitats and ecosystems ($430,000 total investment).
- Improving the condition of the East Gippsland catchments ($2.5 million total investment).
- Protecting the Traditional Owner country of the Gippsland Lakes Outer Barrier ($320,000 total investment).
- Improving the condition of the West Gippsland catchments ($3.9 million total investment).
“The Report features the locations of works on a map of the region showing where each of the actions have been completed,” continued Dr Veenker.
“Two case studies are included in the report. One features Traditional Owner involvement and the other features collaboration on the wetlands projects coordinated by Greening Australia.
“As a result of the program, the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) has employed three new full-time crew members to complete on ground works,” continued Dr Veenker.
The Victorian Government has provided $12.5 million for the Gippsland Lakes over four years as part of Water for Victoria. This funding is leveraged by other complementary programs plus many hours of volunteer labour.
The successful delivery of these projects is being achieved by fostering cooperation between Traditional Owners, land and waterway managers, community groups, individual landowners and other regional partners.
For a full copy of the report or more information on the projects included in it please visit www.loveourlakes.net.au.
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