Abstract 1: Landscape scale change – 25 years of river rehabilitation
Victorian CMAs have been undertaking long-term catchment scale river rehabilitation for over 25 years. The living examples speak for themselves, including the Genoa, Cann and Snowy Rivers. The story includes bringing community along on the journey; dealing with extreme events; never taking your finger off the pulse (ongoing monitoring and maintenance) and showing that dedication and commitment will win the race (long-term).
Many rivers have different challenges, from erosion and sedimentation, pest plants and animals reduced flows, just to name a few. However, the concept and process doesn’t really change. This can be done, and we have proof!
Speaker: Bec Hemming
Abstract 2: Advancing catchment resilience through strategic partnerships
A long-term strategic partnership between Healthy Land & Water and Seqwater initiated in 2019, has been instrumental in promoting positive growth and resilience across South East Queensland’s waterways. These catchments, essential for supplying drinking water to the region, have benefited from targeted actions aimed at enhancing natural buffers, mitigating erosion, reducing pollutants, and safeguarding native vegetation.
Collaborative efforts with landholders and local conservation groups have led to significant improvements in water quality and catchment health. Focused work on major areas such as the Mid Brisbane River, Lockyer Creek, Logan River, and North Pine River has reduced sediment levels, controlled invasive species, and strengthened ecosystem resilience. Large streambank civil works, extensive revegetation projects, and sustainable agricultural practices have further contributed to these positive environmental achievements.
The distinctive approach integrates multiple waterway improvement efforts into a cohesive strategy. What distinguishes this initiative is its collaborative nature. By partnering with landholders and local groups across various waterways and catchments – areas that were frequently addressed in isolation – we can achieve comprehensive and significant results. Working together enables us to amplify our efforts and achieve a greater impact across our region.
The partnership brings concerted action to proactive source protection in addressing immediate and long-term risks to raw water quality. By prioritising turbidity and pathogen management while fostering landscape resilience, the partnership demonstrates the critical role of collaboration in sustainable catchment management and reducing water treatment costs. The shared commitment to preserving waterways is testament to the transformative impact of strategic environmental partnerships.
Speaker: Jørgen Schmidt
Abstract 3: Heartwood of the WA Wheatbelt: Conserving our Regions Ecological Core
At NACC NRM we have embarked on a series of strategic projects and though they vary in their immediate objective, they all have the same overarching outcome: the protection and restoration of the Eucalypt Woodlands of the WA Wheatbelt. Critically endangered the WA Wheatbelt Woodlands exist as fragmented isolated patches susceptible to a broad range of threatening processes including the increasing impacts of a warming and drying climate.
NACC NRM’s Biodiversity projects are diverse and include a range of conservation strategies, including revegetation, invasive species management, habitat augmentation, monitoring and community engagement. While each of these projects may target specific species or environmental events, they are all inherently protecting the woodlands. Collaboration with communities, First Nations peoples, and industry partners helps us to deliver a holistic, landscape-scale approach and protect our iconic woodlands and at the same time save our native fauna for future generations.
Speaker: Jarna Kendle
Abstract 4: Kanamaluka/ Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan – Catchment Works Program
Implementing a large-scale multi-year waterway fencing program with joint State and Australian government funding across two industries has had it challenges. However, the program has also had it’s wins, with a reduction in the median pathogen concentration in the estuary of more than 150% of the target was a great result. We will share our challenges and wins over the (7-year) life of the program from 2018 to 2025 including how we continued to deliver through large flooding in the catchment, Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent market inflation that followed.
The program delivered a balance between public health, ecological health, the local economic, and recreational amenity. It is widely considered to be a successful program delivery model and could be rolled out or scaled up in other catchments across Tasmania and/or Australia.
Speaker: Jesse Webster
