Waterways projects
Glenelg Freshwater Mussel project
This $490,000 two-year project funded through the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program will improve the habitat and understanding of the critically endangered Glenelg Freshwater Mussel. It will also support a captive breeding program.
Rivers of Warrnambool Flagship Project
This $1.02m Flagship Water project will be delivered over four years and funded by the Victorian State Government through the Waterway Health Funding program. The project will benefit social and recreational users of the rivers and supports landholders and the community by providing technical and financial support to rural and semi-rural landholders to improve the condition of riparian zones and water quality through revegetation, fencing and weed control.
Bromfield Street Weir removal
This project will begin in 2022 and will remove the weir on the Merri river in Warrnambool which was constructed in 1907 and is now a redundant asset and poses a safety risk to the community as well as hindering the natural flow of the waterway. Removing the weir will have significant public benefits for the community of Warrnambool, including lifestyle and tourism benefits and restore the river’s natural flow which will boost animal populations, including recreational fish species.
Australian Grayling
The Australian Grayling Fish was found in the Glenelg River in 2019 for the first time in over 100 years. It was an exciting find for the team at the Arthur Rylah Institute and all of us at the Glenelg Hopkins CMA as it reflects the importance and benefit of the many healthy river projects the Glenelg Hopkins CMA undertakes.
Budj Bim Connections
In 2010, Lake Condah was restored and the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners are now focusing on protecting and restoring other waterways in the landscape. Glenelg Hopkins CMA is working collaboratively with public and private landholders, and community to assist in the protection of the Budj Bim landscape.
Glenelg River Restoration
This project delivers major river and soil health improvements to the upper Glenelg River. Part of the Glenelg Works Program, the Glenelg River Restoration Project aims to improve waterway condition and biodiversity values in priority reaches of the Glenelg River and its tributaries.
Grange Burn Restoration Project
Activities of this project have focused on removing large sections of woody weeds, maintenance of existing vegetation, laying down mulch and the planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses. To date, over 21,300 plants have been established.
Merri River Restoration
As part of the restoration of the river, Glenelg Hopkins CMA is working with landholders and community groups in Warrnambool to improve river health through riparian and instream habitat improvement.
Mt Emu Creek
This project focuses on protection of priority reaches in the mid and upper catchment. Mt Emu Creek is 271km in length, is the main tributary to the Hopkins River and provides habitat to threatened species including the Growling Grass Frog, Corangamite Water Skink and Striped Legless Lizard.