Mallee Catchment Management Authority
Encyclopedia
The Mallee Catchment Management Authority
(CMA) region is the largest catchment area in Victoria
, Australia
, covering approximately 3.9 million hectares – almost one-fifth of the State.
the major urban centre. The north and east of the region is bordered by the River Murray, its anabranches, tributary channels, floodplains and associated wetland systems. In the south, north flowing intermittent streams, including the Yarriambiack Creek and Tyrrell Creek terminate in a number of ephemeral wetland
complexes including the Wirrengren Plain, Lake Corrong and Lake Tyrrell
.
There are over 900 wetlands in the Mallee CMA region, 14 of which are listed as ‘nationally significant’ in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia
. In addition, the wetland and floodplain ecosystems of the Hattah Lakes
and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra Islands have been recognised by the Murray Darling Ministerial Council as “icon sites” to receive environmental water under the Murray Darling
Basin Commission’s Living Murray initiative.
Land use in the Mallee is diverse with agriculture the most economically important industry and the River Murray a major influence. The region’s semi-arid climate supports primary industries including cereals, prime lambs, citrus, nuts, vegetables, vine and fruit growing activities. Many of these horticultural sectors have faced a challenging period in recent years due to the drought
.
Initiatives such as Landcare
, Waterwatch, the Frontage Action Plan Project, Environmental Action Planning, and indigenous
programs have all been instrumental in building community capacity and knowledge of regional natural resource management issues.
The voluntary involvement of over 150 local farmers in such programs as the Environmental Management Action Planning project signals a turning point in the direction of farming to include environmental considerations, while the voluntary contributions of Landcare groups, local schools and other community organisations in restoring frontages along the River Murray highlights the capacity of the community to implement environmental change.
Indigenous Cultural Heritage has become a key consideration of the Authority across all units, programs and projects. The Indigenous Cultural Heritage training program has boosted the capacity of the local indigenous community to identify key cultural heritage sites to ensure their ongoing protection. Undertaking research to inform future decisions in terms of natural resource management in the Mallee region has also been a key focus of the CMA over the past decade. With salinity
one of the most significant threats to be faced by the Mallee region over the next 20 years, the aerial mapping of over 25,500 kilometres from Nyah to the South Australia
n border will provide data essential for future decision making in this area.
The Mallee CMA plans to continue to demonstrate its commitment and ability to embrace the challenges of increased natural resource management responsibilities through its key goals of business excellence, leadership and partnership and community engagement.
Catchment Management Authority
The Catchment Management Authorities were established in Victoria, Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Originally known as Catchment and Land Protection Boards, the CMAs were changed to their present name in 1997....
(CMA) region is the largest catchment area in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, covering approximately 3.9 million hectares – almost one-fifth of the State.
Mallee Region
The regional population is approximately 65,000, with MilduraMildura, Victoria
Mildura is a regional city in northwestern Victoria, Australia and seat of the Rural City of Mildura local government area. It is located in the Sunraysia region, and is on the banks of the Murray River. The current population is estimated at just over 30,000.Mildura is a major agricultural centre...
the major urban centre. The north and east of the region is bordered by the River Murray, its anabranches, tributary channels, floodplains and associated wetland systems. In the south, north flowing intermittent streams, including the Yarriambiack Creek and Tyrrell Creek terminate in a number of ephemeral wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
complexes including the Wirrengren Plain, Lake Corrong and Lake Tyrrell
Lake Tyrrell
Lake Tyrrell is a shallow, salt-crusted depression located in the Mallee district of north-west Victoria. It covers approximately 180 square kilometres is 314 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. While much of the time it is dry, the lake is occasionally fed by Tyrrell Creek, a distributary of the...
.
There are over 900 wetlands in the Mallee CMA region, 14 of which are listed as ‘nationally significant’ in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia
A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia
A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia is a list of wetlands of national importance to Australia. Intended to augment the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, it was formerly published in report form, but is now essentially an online publication...
. In addition, the wetland and floodplain ecosystems of the Hattah Lakes
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
Hattah-Kulkyne is a national park in Victoria, Australia, 417 km northwest of Melbourne. The nearest regional centre is Mildura. It is a popular destination for bushwalkers and school camping trips.-Description:...
and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra Islands have been recognised by the Murray Darling Ministerial Council as “icon sites” to receive environmental water under the Murray Darling
Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling basin is a large geographical area in the interior of southeastern Australia, whose name is derived from its two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River. It drains one-seventh of the Australian land mass, and is currently by far the most significant agricultural...
Basin Commission’s Living Murray initiative.
Land use in the Mallee is diverse with agriculture the most economically important industry and the River Murray a major influence. The region’s semi-arid climate supports primary industries including cereals, prime lambs, citrus, nuts, vegetables, vine and fruit growing activities. Many of these horticultural sectors have faced a challenging period in recent years due to the drought
Drought in Australia
Drought in Australia is defined as rainfall over a three month period being in the lowest decile of what has been recorded for that region in the past. This definition takes into account that drought is a relative term and rainfall deficiencies need to be compared to typical rainfall patterns...
.
Program Highlights
A key focus for the Mallee CMA over the past decade has been helping communities to develop and increase their ability to engage in the process of protecting and improving the areas natural resources.Initiatives such as Landcare
Landcare (organisation)
Landcare began in Victoria, Australia in 1986 with a group of farmers near St Arnaud in central Victoria forming the first Landcare group. Since then, the Landcare concept has developed into a movement, across Australia and now around the world...
, Waterwatch, the Frontage Action Plan Project, Environmental Action Planning, and indigenous
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
programs have all been instrumental in building community capacity and knowledge of regional natural resource management issues.
The voluntary involvement of over 150 local farmers in such programs as the Environmental Management Action Planning project signals a turning point in the direction of farming to include environmental considerations, while the voluntary contributions of Landcare groups, local schools and other community organisations in restoring frontages along the River Murray highlights the capacity of the community to implement environmental change.
Indigenous Cultural Heritage has become a key consideration of the Authority across all units, programs and projects. The Indigenous Cultural Heritage training program has boosted the capacity of the local indigenous community to identify key cultural heritage sites to ensure their ongoing protection. Undertaking research to inform future decisions in terms of natural resource management in the Mallee region has also been a key focus of the CMA over the past decade. With salinity
Salinity in Australia
Soil salinity and dryland salinity are two problems degrading the environment of Australia. Salinity is a concern in most states, but especially in the south-west of Western Australia....
one of the most significant threats to be faced by the Mallee region over the next 20 years, the aerial mapping of over 25,500 kilometres from Nyah to the South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n border will provide data essential for future decision making in this area.
Future Challenges
The challenges of the vast Mallee region are both diverse and complex, demanding strong leadership, strategic planning and coordination. The future looks set to present many challenges with the continuing prolonged drought, low inflows into the Murray system, demand for water resources, rising salinity levels and climate change. Changing socioeconomic conditions, urban migration and land-use change will also present challenges for the Mallee region in the future.The Mallee CMA plans to continue to demonstrate its commitment and ability to embrace the challenges of increased natural resource management responsibilities through its key goals of business excellence, leadership and partnership and community engagement.