CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WATER

Land use Management

Central Highlands Water (CHW) is responsible for the management of approximately 6,000 hectares of land within its 15 water supply catchments. This land contains a wide range of assets and is utilised for many different purposes, including:

• forestry
• grazing leases
• cropping leases
• biodiversity reserves including
  - waterways and wetlands
  - areas of remnant vegetation
  - areas of land under regeneration
• fire breaks
• community amenities such as parks and gardens
• water resource infrastructure such as reservoirs, channels, tanks, pipelines
• associated infrastructure such as fences, roads, tracks, and communication facilities

A number of actions are implemented to increase the productivity of our land assets, protect natural ecosystems and maintain biodiversity. Pests such as foxes and rabbits are continually managed through the annual Pest Animal Management Program.

Willow trees are listed as a weed of national significance and are a key threat to the condition of our catchments. They reduce water quality and flow and are a major threat to native vegetation and aquatic ecology. An annual control program targeted towards ongoing willow control. Other perennial and woody weeds were also removed. This was concentrated in the Upper West Moorabool and Lal Lal Catchment water supply systems.

Significant revegetation is also conducted particularly on grazing land adjacent to river habitat, in order to increase river health and biodiversity. Other projects such as soil erosion control and refurbishment of surface drainage lines also work to maintain water losses and improve water transfers.

Biodiversity

CHW has an established Biodiversity and Land Protection Program. The program is built upon our knowledge of the natural assets, both flora & fauna and ecosystems found within our water supply catchments.

The aim of the program is to safeguard natural assets and seek opportunities to restore them to their natural state. There is a strong focus on regularly assessing land condition within each water supply catchment and improving the effectiveness of management activities.

Key initiatives of the program are:

• maintaining a biodiversity asset register that describes the current condition of assets and identifies threats to biodiversity;
• updating the register as required, with a complete review every 2 years;
• reestablishing native vegetation on areas of land impacted by CHW activities;
• managing indigenous seed sources to facilitate remnant vegetation propagation on local land;
• seasonal assessment reports for pest plant infestations and pest animal populations;
• establishing impact based priorities for controlling pest plants and animals;
• providing net gain biodiversity offsets where removal and reinstatement of vegetation is required for works projects; and
• a process for developing endangered species management plans for any identified species to prevent the decline of any rare species or ecological community.

River Health

River and aquifer health is about improving the health of our waterways, wetlands and groundwater assets. It includes activities such as restoring river bank vegetation, removing and controlling weeds, reducing the impact of works on waterways, protecting and monitoring the health of water systems, and working with Catchment Management Authorities to help maximise ecological benefits.

For many years, CHW have been involved in monitoring and conducting works to improve catchment conditions and maintain assets. In recent times, alterations to works programs have been required in response to the increasing importance placed on river and aquifer health. CHW now has a well established River and Aquifer Health Program, with a primary focus on implementing “on the ground” works programs to deliver tangible improvements to catchment health.

Water Source Quality

Source water quality protection is about ensuring that the water in CHW’s catchments, rivers, and groundwater reserves is of the highest quality practicable. It is the first step in providing a multi-barrier approach in protecting water quality in its journey from the catchment to the customer’s tap. It involves activities such as:

• regular catchment inspections and hazard reports;
• reviews of potential risks to source water;
• responding to emergency incidents that pose contamination risks;
• remote sensing;
• catchment modelling;
• minimising stock access to source water;
• controlling public access to source water;
• providing appropriate signage;
• conducting patrols;
• fire prevention and fire suppression activities;
• consideration for sediment and nutrient impacts in land use management decisions;
• assessing risks associated with biocides; and
• incorporating water quality considerations into catchment planning and policy.
  

CHW’s program for Source Water Quality Protection has a strong focus on proactive management. In particular, a key feature of the program is the establishment of well formulated procedures and practices that ensure adequate monitoring, protection, risk identification and response measures are in place.