Media Releases

Looking after Platys in our Patch!

Local populations of Platypus in North East Victoria are set to flourish thanks to the landmark $24 million ‘Platy Patch Project’, a four-year, statewide initiative designed to improve streambank and aquatic habitats that are critical for platypus and other threatened species.

Local projects building drought resilience

Drought is an enduring, regular feature of the Australian landscape which inflicts major financial, social, and environmental costs on farm businesses and communities. The Ovens Murray Drought Resilience Plan (the Plan) is one of 9 regional plans developed in Victoria, which aims to build social, economic and landscape resilience to drought. 

A challenging road at Lake Moodemere from sustainability to carbon neutrality

Leadership and change are not foreign to the 5 generations of the Chambers family at Lake Moodemere Estate in the Rutherglen wine region. Changing farming systems and the mix of activities in order to remain in business is critical, as are the leadership skills shown by Belinda, Michael and Joel Chambers. Lake Moodemere will soon be one of six wineries in Australia to become certified carbon neutral.

With deep family connections within the wine industry and a history of previous generations providing leadership within the broader agriculture industry this adaptation to climate change and emissions reduction was a natural step.

North East Catchment Management Authority, spoke with the Chambers family in conjunction with hosting two Wine Australia workshops exploring carbon neutral wine and grapes at Rutherglen and Oxley during December.

These workshops are part of the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, helping farmers learn how to reduce emissions, store carbon and navigate carbon market opportunities.

Markwood/Ovens investigation findings to be released

Findings from a recent technical investigation into the condition and management of a section of the Ovens River will be presented at a community forum in Milawa on Tuesday, 19 November.

The forum will be held at Milawa Hall – 181 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa between 2pm and 4pm.

In order to plan for the future care and management of the river, North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) engaged a consulting firm to investigate the condition and behaviour of the Ovens River from the Whorouly Creek – Ovens River confluence to the Hodgsons Creek – Ovens River confluence at Tarrawingee.

Omeo tree planting the final step in 'Maccas' project

Dozens of volunteers from across Victoria are preparing to spend time next month on the Livingstone Creek in Omeo Valley to plant trees in support of the endangered Macquarie perch.

The regeneration project will see 40,000 native trees and shrubs planted alongside works to rehabilitate critical habitat for aquatic species and improve waterway health.