The region covers 2.2 million hectares in eastern Victoria. It contains the declared ‘Heritage Rivers’ of the Mitchell, Snowy, Bemm and Genoa River catchments, and the Ramsar listed wetlands of the Gippsland Lakes.
About 83% of the region is in public ownership, mainly as state forests and national parks, and virtually all of this retains extensive native vegetation cover. East Gippsland is the only place on mainland Australia where such continuity of natural ecosystems – from the alps to the sea – still exists.
Private land covers 17% of the region. Grazing occupies the largest area, with productive areas of irrigated horticulture and dairying on the floodplains of the Snowy and Mitchell rivers.
East Gippsland is the only place on mainland Australia where such continuity of natural ecosystems – from the alps to the sea – still exists.
The region contains a Ramsar listed wetland system (Gippsland Lakes and Lake Tyers), six declared Heritage Rivers, and many national parks and reserves. A large proportion (83%) of the region is public land, stretching from sub-alpine environments to the coast.
Our region includes most of the East Gippsland Shire and the northern part of the Wellington Shire.
The Aboriginal community is represented by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, the Registered Party and Native Title holder for areas west of the Snowy River in the region, the Bidwell people and Ngario Monero people.
Our region supports significant biodiversity values. It is one of the few places in Victoria to retain extentsive native vegetation cover.
Intact habitats support over 5,000 recorded plant and animal species.
Variability in climate across the region gives rise to droughts and floods that have an effect on our natural resources. This is likely to increase under the influence of climate change and poses the greatest threat to key values into the future.
We are leaders in integrated catchment management, partnering with our communities to enhance East Gippsland’s landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
East Gippsland’s contributions to our national NRM snapshots
