G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 21
Section heading
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A • 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
ANNUAL REPORT
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Contents
GlenelG Hopkins CMA Vision, Mission and Values.........................................01
Financial Performance at a Glance ............................01
Highlights ...................................................................02
About Us ....................................................................02
Our Region.................................................................02
Report from the Chairperson
and Chief Executive Officer .......................................04
Corporate Plan Activities and Performance Indicators ......................................06
CAtCHMent HeAltH Biodiversity ................................................................09
Land Health................................................................ 13
FloodplAin MAnAGeMent ...............15
WAterWAy HeAltH ..............................18
tHe CoAstAl proGrAM ......................22
ConneCtinG CoMMunities WitH environMent ............................24
Condition And MAnAGeMent report .......................28
our people, our Business Governance Structure ................................................36
Board .........................................................................36
Board Committees ....................................................37
Board Directors ..........................................................39
Organisational Structure ...........................................40
Reporting Requirements ........................................... 41
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Workforce .............................42
Legislative Compliance and Disclosures ...................43
Financial Compliance and Analysis ...........................45
Certification to the Financial Statements .................. 47
Auditor General’s Certificate .....................................48
FinAnCiAl stAteMents ......................50 Disclosure Index ........................................................78
Glossary .....................................................................79
AnnuAl report ForMAt
This Annual Report has been produced for online distribution and is available on the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority website – www.ghcma.vic.gov.auDisclaimer: While every effort is made to provide a high quality publication, Glenelg Hopkins CMA does not give any guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up-to-date nature of the information in the document and, therefore, disclaims all liability from error, loss or other consequence that may arise from reliance on this publication. ISSN 1837 - 1078© State of Victoria, Glenelg Hopkins CMA 2012. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
tHis report:
• coverstheperiodfrom1July2011to30June2012
• isthe14thAnnualReportforGlenelgHopkinsCMA
• ispreparedfortheMinisterforEnvironmentandClimateChange,theMinisterforWater, Parliament of Victoria and the community
• isapublicdocumentfreelyavailableonourwebsite,easilyaccessed,easilyunderstoodandrelevanttoreaders
• ispreparedinaccordancewithgovernmentandlegislativerequirements.ThisincludestherequirementundertheCatchment and Land Protection Act (1994) for Glenelg Hopkins CMA to submit “…a report on the condition and management of land and water resources in its region and the carrying out of its functions”
• providesanaccuraterecordoftheCMA’sperformanceandfinancesagainstitscorebusinessstrategy, the Corporate Plan, which can be accessed online at www.ghcma.vic.gov.au
• acknowledgesthesupportofourcommunity.
ABC Actions for Biodiversity Conservation
AVIRA Aquatic Value Identification and Risk Assessment
Ceo Chief Executive Officer
C4oC Caring for our Country
CMA Catchment Management Authority
CVA Conservation Volunteers Australia
DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DBCP Discovery Bay Coastal Park
DPI Department of Primary Industries
Dse Department of Sustainability and Environment
eBMP Environmental Best Management Practice
eeMss Estuary Entrance Management Support System
ePBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
eVC Ecological Vegetation Communities
eWR Environmental Water Reserve
FMCF Financial management compliance framework
FReP Flood Recovery Employment Program
GMPP Gundity Mirring Partnership Project
GWMWater Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
HeVAe High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystem
IeC Index of Estuary Condition
IeK Indigenous Ecological Knowledge
InFFeR The Investment Framework for Environmental Resources
IsC Index of Stream Condition
IWC Index of Wetland Condition
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LGnP Lower Glenelg National Park
MeR Monitor, evaluate and report
nDRRA National Disaster and Recovery Relief Arrangements
nRIP Natural Resources Investment Program
nRM Natural Resource Management
PV Parks Victoria
RCs Regional Catchment Strategy
RWMs Regional Waterway Management Strategy
RsHRW Regional Strategies for Healthy Rivers and Wetlands
sFs Sustainable Farming Systems
sPRA Securing Priority Riparian Area
tFn Trust for Nature
VCMC Victorian Catchment Management Council
VeFMAP Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring Assessment Program
VeWH Victorian Environmental Water Holder
VIF Victorian Investment Framework
VsHReW Victorian Strategy for Healthy Rivers, Estuaries & Wetlands
VVP Victorian Volcanic Plains
VWMs Victorian Waterway Management Strategy
WAP Waterway Action Plan
Glossary
Our Values
We behave towards people and conduct our business by displaying:
• Respect – towards al l individuals, the
community and the environment
• Accountability – for what we do and set out to achieve
in an ethical manner
• Teamwork – in the way we work and support each
other to strive for outstanding NRM outcomes
• Fairness and Transparency – in considering different needs
and views of stakeholders
• Honesty and Trust – in our interactions and
communications with our clients and the community
• An Outcomes Focus – that recognises the ultimate objective
of achieving positive NRM outcomes in everything we do.
Our Vision
A healthy and sustainable relationship between the natural environment and the community.
Our Mission
Improving relationships between the environment and the community to achieve wise use of our regional natural resources in partnership with the government.
1
GlenelG Hopkins CMA
Financial Performance at a Glance
Financial Summary 2007-08 to 2011-12
2012($ ‘000)
2011($ ‘000)
2010($ ‘000)
2009($ ‘000)
2008($ ‘000)
Victorian Government contributions 7,001 7,602 7,457 7,079 4,324
Federal Government contributions 3,970 4,085 2,541 3,786 7,191
Other revenue 687 954 913 1,136 977
Total revenue 11,658 12,643 10,911 12,001 12,492
Total expenditure 11,889 10,238 11,086 13,054 12,415
Surplus/(deficit) for the year (231) 2,405 (175) (1,053) 77
Current assets 7,205 7,057 4,349 4,713 5,723
Non-current assets 1,448 1,556 1,913 2,186 2,299
Total assets 8,653 8,613 6,263 6,899 8,022
Current liabilities 754 616 467 956 1,089
Non-current liabilities 292 159 164 136 73
Total liabilities 1,046 775 631 1,092 1,162
Net assets 7,607 7,838 5,632 5,807 6,860
2 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
About us And our region
Highlights
• GlenelgHopkinsCMAanditspartnersattractedinvestment of $11.6 million in 2011-12 for natural resourcemanagementinourcatchments,withsignificantcontributionsfromtheCommonwealth($3.9 million) and the Victorian Government ($7 million)
• TheCMAanditspartnersplantedmorethan300,000treesandotherplantsacrosstheregionin2011-12
• TheCMAhostedtheGlenelgHopkinsEnvironmentalAchievementAwards.TwoGlenelgHopkinsregionwinnerstookfirstprizesattheVictorianLandcareAwards
• TheVictorianGovernmentfundedeightCommunityLandcareFacilitatorpositionswithintheGlenelgHopkinsregion
• GlenelgHopkinsCMAreceivedcompetitive CaringforourCountry(C4oC)fundingof$646,000andVictorianGovernmentfundingof$646,000toundertakeaGrasslandsTenderintheVictorian Volcanic Plains
• GlenelgHopkinsRegionalCatchmentStrategy draft released for public comment
• ImplementationofaneworganisationalstructureandtheassociatedchangestotheCMA’sbusinessoperation
• GlenelgHopkinsCMAreceivedcompetitiveBiodiversityFundingfromtheAustralianGovernmenttoprotectandrevegetatekey‘biolinks’inthe Zone1ofHabitat141.H141isoneofsixkey wildlifecorridorstobeplacedunderanewWildlife Corridors Act
• 1,000kmofriparianfencingprotectswaterwaysin theGlenelgHopkinsregionagainstmajorthreats likesevereerosionandsedimentation
• GlenelgHopkinsCMAcompletedthefencingcomponentoftheNaturalDisasterRecoveryandReliefArrangement(NDRRA)with54kmofnewfencingand21kmofrepairedfencingachieved
• Approximately20GL(giga-litres)ofenvironmentalwaterdeliveredfromRocklandsReservoirtotheGlenelgRiver–thelargestannualvolumereleased forenvironmentalflowssinceRocklandsReservoir wasbuilt
• TheFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram(FREP)supportedlandholders,communitygroupsandlocalgovernmenttoclearflooddebris,fencestreams,manageweeds,andestablishandprotectnativevegetation
• MinisterforClimateChangeandEnvironment TheHonRyanSmithMPtouredtheregionin June2012,hostedbyGlenelgHopkinsCMA.
About Us
GlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthoritywasestablished in July 1997 under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.TheresponsibleMinistersduringthe2011-12reportingperiodwereTheHonRyanSmithMP,MinisterforEnvironmentandClimateChangeand TheHonPeterWalshMLA,MinisterforWater.
Theannualfinancialreportingrequirementsareembodied in the Financial Management Act 1994. GlenelgHopkinsCMAisalsoresponsibleforspecificfunctions under the Water Act 1989 and for these functionsreportstotheMinisterforWater,TheHonPeterWalsh,MLA.
Aspersection12oftheCALP Act,GlenelgHopkinsCMAisresponsible,withothers,fornaturalresourcemanagementwithintheregion.Ittakesanintegrated,whole-of-catchmentapproachbycombiningstrategicplanningwithco-ordinationformanagementofnaturalresources.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisanimportantlinkbetweencommunityandgovernment.Inparticular,itistheregionalcommunity’svoiceonissuesinvolvingland andwatermanagement.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAhas49.1full-timeequivalentemployeesandagrossturnoverof$11.6million.
Our Region
TheGlenelgHopkinsregionliessouthoftheGreatDividingRangeinVictoria’ssouthwest.Theregionisrenownedforitsscenicbeauty,dramaticcoastlineandrich biodiversity.
Itcoversapproximately26,910sqkm,extendingfromBallaratintheeasttotheSouthAustralianborderinthewest,andfromthesoutherncoastofVictoriatothetownshipsofHarrowandAraratinthenorth.
Therearefourbasinsthatoccurwithintheregion:Glenelg,Hopkins,PortlandCoastandMillicentCoast.Theboundariesoftheregionincludemarineandcoastalwatersouttothestatelimitofthreenauticalmiles. Theregionischaracterisedbyflatvolcanicplainsinthesouth,whiletheGrampians,DundasTablelands,andCentralHighlandsaredominantinthenorth.
Catchment Facts
AreaoftheRegion 26,910sqkm
AreaoftheGlenelgBasin 12,370sqkm
AreaoftheHopkinsBasin 9,897sqkm
AreaoftheMillicentCoastBasin 431sqkm
AreaofthePortlandCoastBasin 3,965sqkm
LengthofCoastline 220km
Waterways
3nm limit (coastline)
CrownLand
3
Theregionattractslargenumbersofvisitorstoitsworld-classtouristattractionsandboastsavarietyofeducationalandresearchinstitutions.AdeepwaterportislocatedinPortlandandtheregionisstrategicallylocatedwithroadaccesstoMelbourneandAdelaide.
Theregionsupportsapermanentpopulationof130,000withyear-roundtourismaddingsignificantlytothisnumber.MajorcitiesandtownsincludeWarrnambool,Hamilton,Portland,Ballarat,Ararat,Casterton, PortFairyandBeaufort.Morethan33,000oftheregion’sresidentsresideinWarrnambool,andstrongpopulationgrowthisforecastforthisarea.
TheGlenelgHopkinsregionhasarichresourcebasethatsupportsdiverseandgrowingindustry.Themaineconomicdriversareagriculture,fisheries,retail,manufacturing,healthandcommunityservices,educationandconstruction,whileagriculture,forestryandfishingarethemajoremployers.
Manufacturingintheregionisalsosignificant. Itgeneratesalmost$4billion,aheadofagricultureatnearly $2 billion annually. Four of the most important industriesinsouthwestVictoria–agriculture,fisheries,forestryandtourism–dependonmaintainingahealthynatural resource base.
SouthwesternVictoriahasarangeofnaturalassetsintheformofbiodiversity,waterways,wetlands,soils,forests and coast. These natural resources support auniquequalityoflife.TheGlenelgHopkinsregioncontains natural features of national and international significance,including:
• BudjBimNationalHeritageLandscape (MtEccles/LakeCondah/TyrrendarraArea)
• partsoftheGrampiansNationalPark
• KanawinkaGeopark(UNESCOlisted),encompassingsitesofgeologicsignificancesuchasWannonFalls,TowerHill,MtNooratandPrincessMargaretRoseCaves
• GlenelgRiver–thelowersectionoftheGlenelgRiverisheritage-listedduetoitsenvironmentalsignificance
• WesternDistrictRamsarlakes–onelakeintheregionisrecognisedasinternationallyimportantundertheRamsarConventiononWetlands
• InternationalBirdArea(IBA)betweenPortFairyandWarrnamboolandtheYambukLakes,whichsupportanon-breedingpopulationofthecriticallyendangeredOrange-belliedParrotandabreedingpopulationofthenear-threatenedHoodedPlover
• significantareasoftwoof15recognisedAustralianGovernment‘biodiversityhotspots’
• 13endangeredEcologicalVegetationCommunities
• theiconicRed-tailedBlackCockatoo,Orange-belliedParrotandendemicGlenelgSpinyCray,and173ofVictoria’sthreatenedspecies.
TheGlenelgRiveranditstributariessupportdiverseaquaticandriparianecosystemsandprovidehabitatfor a number of rare and threatened species. The lowerGlenelgisheritage-listedforitsenvironmentalsignificance.Salt-wedgeestuariesatthemouthofriversenteringtheseaareenvironmentallysignificant.
Waterisabundantandreliableinmanyparts.Numerouswetlandscomprising44percentofVictoria’stotalarespreadthroughouttheregion.Thecatchmentcontainssubstantialreservesofgroundwaterwithvaryingsalinities.Threegroundwatersystemsunderlietheregion-theOtway,MurrayandHighland-withothershallowlocalaquiferspresent.
Thecoastalareashavenoparallel.Toweringcliffs,extensivedunesystems,broadvegetationremnantsanduniquemarinehabitatsarehometodiverseandrichecosystems.Waterenvironments,togetherwithextensiveareasofpubliclandandnativevegetation,providethebasisforoneofAustralia’sbiodiversity ‘hotspots’.
YeAr in review
4 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Report from the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and staff, we are pleased to present the 14th Annual Report of Glenel g Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.
Thewidespreadrainfallofthepasttwoyearshasreplenishedsoilmoistureandwaterstoragesinourregion.Thishasbeenpositiveforouragriculturalproducers.Farmersthisyearhaveexperiencedhighlivestockandcommodityprices,alongwithstrongexport demand and so many of our producers have beenrebuildingflocksandherds.Thelong-termsustainability of rural enterprises relies on continued profitabilityaswellasincreasedknowledgeandpracticeofsustainablelandmanagementpractices.Insouthernpartsoftheregionwheredairyingisconcentrated,oursoilhealthprogramhasbeenanimportantsourceof information for landholders to improve their land managementpracticesandreducetheimpactsofsoilacidity.Thebenefitsflowthroughtolowercoststofarmers,improvedproductivityandimprovedwaterqualityinourwaterways.ThishasonlybeenpossiblethroughtheAustralianGovernment’sCaringforourCountryProgramandstrongrelationshipswithdairyindustrybodies,particularlyWestVicDairy.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAanditspartnersattractedinvestment of $11.65 million in 2011-12 for natural resourcemanagementintheregion,withsignificantcontributions from the Victorian Government ($7 million) andAustralianGovernment($3.97million).
Themajorfloodsof2010-11damagedtownships, rural areas and many natural features of the catchment. FortunatelywiththestimulusoftheVictorianGovernment’sFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram,theCMAhasbeenabletohelpmanyfarmersrepair orreplacedamagedfencing,cleanupwaterway debrisandweeds,andreplantriparianvegetation. Thisprogramhasbeenextremelywellreceivedbyfarmers and has been extended by the Government, to continue until December 2012. Further flood reparationwillalsocontinuein2013throughtheNaturalDisasterReliefandRecoveryArrangementsProgramfundedbytheVictorianandAustraliangovernments.
Whilefloodrecoverycontinuestobeaveryimportantactivityforthisregion,themajorimprovementstoincrease our preparedness for and resilience to future floodswillbeofgreatsignificance.WewelcomedtheMinisterforWater,TheHonPeterWalshMLA,whenhevisitedtheregiontoannouncegovernmentfundingfortheMiner’sRest,WickliffeandSkiptonfloodinvestigations.Floodstudiesidentifyingfloodlevelsandmitigationoptionsareproceedingforfivetownsintheregion,planningschemeamendmentsarebeingpreparedtobetterincludefloodinformationinplanning,municipalfloodplansarebeingupdated,andimprovedfloodwarninginfrastructureisbeingintroduced.AllofthesewillbepossiblethroughincreasedVictorianGovernmentsupportandwillcontinueoverthenextthreeyears,workingclosely withourLocalGovernmentpartners.
Below L-R: Minister for Climate Change and Environment The Hon Ryan Smith toured the region in June. Photo Credit: Deb Howcroft.
100ha of waterways were fenced under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements project. Photo Credit: Dion Borg.
Our natural coastal assets were promoted under the Coastal Communuity Grants program. Photo Credit: James Pevitt.
5
glenelg Hopkins CMA
Floodingin2011andhigherflowsthroughouttheregionhavedramaticallyimprovedthehealthofourriversystemsandtheirestuaries.IntheGlenelgRiverhighernaturalflowshavebeencombinedwithincreasedwaterallocationsfortheriverfromtheWimmeraandGlenelgRiversEnvironmentalEntitlement,gazettedlastyear.InmanagingthereturnofenvironmentalwatertotheGlenelgRivertheCMAhasmonitoredtheimpactofenvironmentalflowsandhasdocumentedtheimprovementstoriverhealth,althoughtheflowshavealsoenabledCarptoexpandtheirrangefurtherdownstream.Amorecost-effectiveprogramisrequiredtomanageCarpinthehighvaluereachesofthissystem.
Itisalsogoodtoseethecontinuedprotectionofwaterwayreaches,wetlandsandsignificantvegetationthroughourgrantsandincentivestolandholders.GlenelgHopkinsCMAhasdevelopedmoretargetedcommunityeducationandawarenessprogramsinrecentyearswithaclearfocusonidentifyingactivitiesthatbenefit both farm production and the environment in priority areas. This approach has successfully increased theuptakeofincentiveprogramsbylandmanagersinthese areas.
TheLandmateprogramcontinuedthisyearandachievedgoodresultsinaddressingenvironmentalthreatsonfarmsandonpublicland.RehabilitationforsomeinmatesoftheAraratandLangiKalKalPrisons,workingonsitesarrangedbytheLandcarenetworkgroupProjectPlatypus,illustrateswhatcanbeachievedwithasuccessfulcommunitypartnership.
PlanningforthefutureofnaturalresourcemanagementfortheregionisoneofthemostimportantactivitiesthattheGlenelgHopkinsCMAundertakes.TheRegionalCatchmentStrategy,theguidingNRMframeworkfortheregion,willberenewedin2012-13.ThenewRCShasbeendraftedwithinputfromourmajorpartnersandmembersofthecommunity,andwasissuedforpubliccommentduringJune.ItwillbefinalisedandsubmittedtotheMinisterforEnvironmentandClimateChangeandtheMinisterforWaterinAugust.Astheregion’sthirdRCSitwillshowhowwearetrackinginachievingourvisionanditwillprovidecleardirectionfortheCMAandotherswithintheregion,tocontinuetoimprovethestateofournaturalresourceswhilecontributingtoincreased prosperity.
Wecelebrated25yearsofLandcareinVictoriain2011,togetherwiththemanyLandcaregroupsandtheirmembers.ThissignificantmilestonewasacknowledgedinAugustbytheMinisterforWaterTheHonPeterWalshMLAattheCMA’sdisplayatSheepventioninHamilton.AnumberofLandcaregroupsandmemberswerealsoacknowledgedfortheirmanyyearsofdedicatedworkinprotectingourproductivelandscapesattheGlenelgHopkinsEnvironmentalAchievementAwardsinAugust.Itwastrulyheart-warmingtoseesuch an impressive collection of innovative and effective environmentalchampionsshowcasedinoneevening.
ThecontributionofLandcaretothemanagementof ourregion’senvironmentwasalsoenhancedthough theVictorianGovernment’sLandcarefacilitatorsinitiativewhichprovidedfacilitatorstosupportthe greatworkofeightLandcarenetworksinourregion.
InrecognitionoftheeffectivewayGlenelgHopkinsCMAgoesaboutitswork,wewerepleasedtoreceivetwomajorgrantsfromtheAustralianGovernmenttocontinueourwork.Wewillsupplementprogramstoconserve threatened habitats on the Victorian Volcanic PlainwithGrasslandsTenderfundswonthroughtheC4oCcompetitivegrantsprogram.ThesefundswereaugmentedbytheVictorianGovernmenttomakethisamajorareaofactivityfortheCMAoverthenextthreeyears.TheCMAwasalsosuccessfulinattractinginvestmentthroughtheAustralianGovernment’sBiodiversity Fund to increase and connect habitat infivemajorbiolinksintheHabitat141areainourregion’sfarwest.
LastOctoberwewelcomedfournewDirectorsto theBoard;RomaBritnell,MichaelCraig,VinGannonandJasonRitchie.WefarewelledNaomiPye,DougPhillipsandGrahamLeanwhofinishedtheirterms,andMarkWoottonwhoresignedfromtheBoardonFebruary1,2012.WethankthoseDirectorsfortheircontributionduringachallengingperiod,andforensuringtheCMAhasasolidfoundationforsuccess in future years.
Over the past 12 months our people have continued tobuildareputationforeffectiveandwelltargetedprojectsthatcontributetothenaturalresourcemanagementobjectivesofbothAustralianandVictoriangovernments.InaccordancewiththeFinancial Management Act 1994wearepleasedtopresenttheReportofOperationsforGlenelgHopkinsCMAfor theyearending30June2012.
Kevin WoodChiefExecutiveOfficer
Michael WaggChairperson
24thAugust2012
6 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
CorporAte plAn ACtivities And perforMAnCe indiCAtors
Ourcorebusinessispartneringandrelationshipmanagement,securinganddivestingmoneyandinvestinginourpeople.Thisissupportedbyplanning,deliveringprojectsandorganisationalcapacityandsystemstoensureeffectiveoperations.
Governance
overarching policy
performance Area
performance indicators Targets Achievement Reporting
Ou
r P
eo
ple
, O
ur
Bu
sin
ess
Board performance
Complete and submit an annual board performance assessment report,accordingtoanyMinisterialguidelinesissued
By31Augustannually ThisreportisbeingconductedexternallybySEDconsultingandwillbeendorsedattheAugust24BoardmeetingforsubmissiontoDSEbeforeAugust31
Participation by board members in development activities
Allboardmembersparticipate in development activities
AllDirectorsparticipatedinaStrategicWorkshopinFebruary2012.BoardDirectors participated in Financial TrainingforCMABoardsinJune,exceptDirectorRitchie,whoisonleavegrantedfrom1April2012 to 14 January 2013
Board charter
Develop and implement a board charterthatasaminimum:• includesarequirementfortheregularreviewoftheboard’seffectiveness
• establishesappropriateboardcommitteesincludingariskandcompliance committee
• featuresaprovisionthattheboardwillcomplywithMinisterialguidelines
• requirestheboardtomonitortheCMA’sfinancial,socialandenvironmental performance
ABoardCharter withthesefeatures wasestablishedby 31March2012
ABoardCharterwithperformanceindicatorswasestablishedinMay2010andwillbereviewedbyJune30,2013OverarchingpolicieswerereviewedinFebruaryandendorsedattheMarchBoardmeeting
Riskandfinancialmanagement
Compliancetoriskmanagementplansforeachprogram
Allprogramshaveriskmanagementplansinplace.Nil non-compliances withriskmanagementplan
Theriskregisterthatappliesforallprogramsandareasofoperationwasendorsed by the board in 2011, and is reviewedbytheBoardAuditandRiskCommitteeTherewerenonon-complianceswithriskmanagementplansidentifiedduringtheyear
Annualreviewofgovernancepoliciesand procedures
Reviewallgovernancepolicies and procedures by 30 June annually
Governance policies and procedures arereviewedinlinewiththescheduleofpolicyandproceduralreviews
7
glenelg Hopkins CMA
overarching policy
performance Area
performance indicators Targets Achievement Reporting
Ou
r P
eo
ple
,
Ou
r B
usi
ne
ss
Expenditureversusbudget
VariationofactualtobudgetedexpenditurefortheCMA
Total actual expenditure is less thanorequaltobudgetedexpenditureForeachprogram,actual expenditure iswithin+/- 10 per cent of the budgetedexpenditure
Total actual $11.88 million expenditureagainstbudgetedexpenditure $12.77 million26projectswithactualexpendituremorethan10percentbelowthebudgetexpenditure4projectswithactualexpendituremorethan10percentabovethebudgetexpenditure
Grant management
Administrationcostsofgrants are minimised
10 per cent or less of grantfundsisspentonadministration
Administrationchargeongrantsisanaverageof10percent
Co
nn
ect
ing
Co
mm
un
ity
an
d E
nvi
ron
me
nt
Grant management
Minimisetimetakentodeterminegrantapplications
Grant applications aredeterminedwithinonemonthofbeingreceived
AveragetimetoprocessPartnershipProjectsapplicationsisthreeweeks;averagetimetoprocessLandcaregrantsisonemonth.
Regulatorywaterway/waterfunctions
Numberofdaystoprocessworksonwaterwayspermits
Not more than 20workingdays
82percentofWorksonWaterwayspermitswereprocessedinunder20days.
Number of days to process referrals foranyworksonorinrelationtoadam
Not more than 20workingdays
Nil received
Number of days to process referrals fromlocalgovernmentonfloodingandcontrolsonplanningschemeamendments,andplanningandbuildingapprovals
Not more than 20workingdays
Therewere152referralsreceived,includingplanningschemeamendments. 78 per cent responded within20workingdays
Numberofdaystoprocessenquiriesfromlocalgovernmentandthecommunityonflooding
Not more than 20workingdays
88percentrespondedwithin10workingdays.12percentrespondedwithin20workingdays.Totalfloodadvicerequestsreceivedwere284Niltookmorethan20workingdaystoprocess
Number of days to process referrals forWaterUseLicencesthatdon’tmeetthestandardwater-useconditions
Not more than 20workingdays
Average10daysforcommerciallicences (four referrals in total)Niltookmorethan20workingdaystoprocess
NumberofdaystoprocessenquiriesfromRuralWaterCorporationsonirrigationanddrainageplansandseasonaladjustmentstoannualuselimits
Not more than 20workingdays
Average10daysforirrigationreferrals(11 referrals in total)Niltookmorethan20workingdaystoprocess
NumberofdaystoprocessenquiriesfromRuralWaterCorporationsissuingTakeandUseLicences
Not more than 20workingdays
Average10Days(15referralsintotal)Niltookmorethan20workingdaystoprocess
eFFiciency and orGaniSational perFormance
8 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
eFFectiveneSS and environmental outcomeS
overarching policy
performance Area
performance indicators Targets Achievement Reporting
Hea
lth
y L
an
dsc
ap
es
IntegratedRiverHealthManagement
ReviseRegionalWaterwayManagementStrategytoplanforwaterwaysinrelationtotheireconomic, social and environmental values
RegionalWaterwayManagementStrategyrevisedeveryeightyears
ThenewRegionalWaterwayManagementStrategywillbedeveloped in 2012-13, for release in late 2013
DevelopandreviseEnvironmentalOperatingStrategiesandSeasonalWateringPlanstomanagetheenvironmentalwaterreserveinaccordancewithobjectives
EnvironmentalOperatingStrategiesdeveloped or revised every five yearsSeasonalWateringPlans approved for allEnvironmentalEntitlements
TheEnvironmentalOperatingStrategieshasbeensupersededbyEnvironmentalWaterManagementPlans.FundingfortheEWMPisexpected for the 2013-14 financial yearTheSeasonalWateringPlanwasapprovedbytheBoardonApril20
Implementannualriverandwetlandhealthprogramsandactivitiestoimprove environmental values and healthofwaterecosystems
Allannualriverandwetlandhealthtargetsandworksprogramsachieved
94 per cent of annual river health targetsandworksprogramsachievedRemaining6percentpercentdelayedduetofloodingandaccessissues
RegionalCatchment Strategy(RCS)implementation
PercentageofRCSannualactionsimplemented
AllRCSannualactionsimplemented
ThedraftRCShasbeenreleasedforpublic comment
RegionalNativeVegetationPlan(RNVP)implementation
PercentageofRNVPannualactionsimplemented
AllRNVPannualactions implemented
TheRNVPisnolongercurrent,andwillbeupdated,pendingfunding
Invasiveplantand animal management
RegionalInvasivePlantandAnimalStrategiesincorporatingrelatedpriorities in all land tenures in the region
InvasivePlantandAnimalStrategiesrevised by 30 June every five years
RegionalInvasivePlantandAnimalStrategyrevisedJune2011RegionalWeedPlan2007-2012will be revised in 2013
Salinity management
ImplementationandperiodicreviewofRegionalSalinityManagementPlans(RSMP)andLandandWaterManagementPlans(LWMP)
RSMPandLWMPcompletedRSMPandLWMPperiodicallyreviewedRSMPandLWMPinclude annual actions
TheRegionalSalinityManagement Plan2005-08isnolongercurrentItisincludedinthedraftRCS(2012-18)as an action to be updated
Progressagainstannualactiontargets AllannualRSMPandLWMPactionsandtargetsachieved
TheRegionalSalinityManagement Plan2005-08isnolongercurrentItisincludedinthedraftRCS(2012-18)as an action to be updated
Co
nn
ect
ing
Co
mm
un
ity
an
d E
nvi
ron
me
nt Regional
and statutory planning
Provide advice on dryland salinity, irrigationmanagement,soilerosion,oranyotherlandmanagementissueidentifiedinthelocalMunicipalStrategicStatementasthereferralbody
100 per cent of referral responses provided for each issue
100 per cent response for sixirrigationreferrals
RegionalLandcaregroups,networksandother community groups
DelivertheRegionalLandcareSupportStrategy,including co-ordinationofLandcareataregionalscale
Evaluateandrevisethestrategyevery five years
The2007-12strategywillbeevaluatedand revised by December 31, 2012
glenelg Hopkins CMA
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regionAl biodiversitY proteCtion And MAnAgeMent
Key Objective:
To improve the quality of native vegetation on private land and improve protection and management of significant biodiversity assets.
Highlights
• TheHonPeterWalsh,MinisterforWaterMLAlaunchedtheGlenelgHopkinsRegionalInvasiveAnimalStrategyatSheepvention,August2011
• Morethan250,000plantsandtreeswereplantedacrosstheregionin2011-12,withthefloodrecoveryprogrammakingamajorcontribution
• NewpopulationsoftheCorangamiteWaterSkink(Eulamprus tympanum marnieae) werefoundon the Victorian Volcanic Plains.
Woodland Protection
TheWoodlandProtectionProjectaimstoprotectremnantvegetationonprivatelandbyincreasingawarenessandknowledgeofbiodiversityvaluesandadoptingsustainablefarmpractices.Thefocusin 2011-12forthisfour-yearC4oC-fundedproject, hasbeenonlandscape-scaleRedGumprotectionin thePanyyabyr(Dunkeld/VictoriaValley)andWandoRiver(WandoVale/Nareen)Landcaregroupareas.
Bothgroupswereselectedduetotheirlargemembershipandpreviouson-groundactivities.
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• Adaptingcommunicationmethodstosuitthegroups,withPanyyabyrLandcareGroupusingtheirstrongemailnetworkandWandoRiverLandcareGroupmailingoutaflier
• Well-attendedfielddaysincludedaRedGuminformationnightandfieldday,andaBlackberrycontrol information session
• 157haofremnantvegetationprotectedand 80harevegetation.
Partnership Projects
During2011-12thePartnershipProjectSchemewas theprimarydeliverymechanismforthefollowingnaturalresourcemanagementinvestmentprograms:
• Woodlands(C4oC)
• CoastalCommunityGrants(NRIP)
• LowerSouthWest(NRIP)
• LowerGlenelgHEVAE(C4oC)
•MidG3WaterwayActionPlan(WAP)Implementation
•NRFloodProject(NRIP)
• C4oCFloodProject(C4oC).
ThePartnershipProjectsSchemedeliveredtwowaterwayactionplans,individualpropertymanagementplans,coastalcommunitygrouppriorities,whilealsosupportingfloodrecoveryeffortsincludingtheGlenelgHopkinsCMAFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram.
ThePartnershipProjectSchemeisadevolvedgrantprogramthataimstoprovideindividuals,communitygroupsandindustrywithtechnicaladviceandfinancialassistancetoprotecttheregion’sbiodiversityassetsandimprovewaterwayhealth.Theoverridingprinciplesaretocreatepartnershipsanddevelopskillsoflandmanagersthatwillresultinimprovedconditionofbiodiversity and river health areas.
Generallyfundingisdollar-for-dollar,withtheCMAofferingtechnicalassistanceandfundingforprojectmaterials,whilelandmanagersprovidein-kindlabourandongoingsitemanagement.
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• 97.6kmofwaterwaysfencedforstockexclusion
• 188.2kmofbiodiversityfencingerected
• 580haofremnantvegetationprotected
• 220,650seedlingsplanted
• 477haofrevegetation
• 69.3haofweedcontrol
• 954haofperennialpastureestablished
• 2183haoflandmanagementprojects
• 158landholderagreementsestablished.
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Threatened Species Recovery Plans
TheThreatenedSpeciesRecoveryPlansprojectenhances the condition, connectivity, resilience and knowledgeofpopulationsandhabitatsofthreatenedspeciestoreducecriticalthreatsthroughspecific high-priorityactionsacrossthecatchment.
Theseactionswillprovideinformationonspeciespopulation,habitatandthreatsthroughBayesianBeliefNetworks,enablingtheCMAtoincludethreatenedspecies in its analysis of catchment condition.
The Victorian Government provided $292,550 and $163,000camefromtheAustralianGovernment’sCaringforourCountry(C4oC)program.
coranGamite Water Skink
GlenelgHopkinsandCorangamiteCMAsconductedtheCorangamiteWaterSkinkprojectwithfundingfromCaringforourCountry.
GroWlinG GraSS FroG
The‘DamstoHabitat’projectisinvestigatinghowtoincreaseGrowlingGrassFrogpopulationsbyenhancingfarmdams.LandownersandDSEarecollaboratingtoimprovethehabitatindamsclosetoknownGrowlingGrassFrogpopulations.
SouthWeSt Striped leGleSS lizard
TheSouthwestStripedLeglessLizardprojectleadbyDSE,isworkingtosavethethreatenedLizard(Delma impar)byidentifyingpopulationsandimplementingactionstomanageandrecoverthespeciesanditshabitat.ItisintoitssecondphasefollowingsevenyearsoftargetedsurveysacrosssouthwestVictoria.
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• InpartnershipwithDSEandBirdsAustralia,theprojectdeliveredThreatenedSpeciesRecoveryPlansfor49floraand10faunaspeciesathigh-prioritylocationsacrosssouthwestVictoria
• SeveralnewpopulationsoftheCorangamiteWaterSkink(Eulamprus tympanum marnieae) werefound on the Volcanic Plains.
BushTender
GlenelgHopkinsCMABushTenderhasmanagementagreementswith28landholders,committing$1.747milliontowardlandholderpaymentsoverafive-yearperiod.Thelandholdershavecommittedtoimprovingthequalityofnativevegetation,includingretention ofnativetrees,logsandorganiclitter,stockexclusion,fencingandtargetedweedcontrol.
Agreementscover43EcologicalVegetationClasses(EVCs)acrosssixbioregionsandincludevegetationtypessuchasgrasslands,wetlands,woodlandsandforests.
Ninerareandthreatenedfloraspecieswererecorded intheinitialsurvey.Actualorpotentialhabitatfor 50rareandthreatenedfaunaspecieswerediscovered at various sites.
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• BushTenderagreementscover78sitesencompassing2,800haofnativevegetation
• 1,982haor71percentofthetotalarea,compriseendangeredorvulnerableEVCs
• TheBushTenderagreementsareenteringtheirfifthandfinalyear.Complianceratesarehigh,withabout80percentoflandholderscompletingtheactionsintheirmanagementplansontime
• Twelvelandholderscontributedtothereport“OutcomesandStoriesofChangefromWetlandTenderandBushTender”.Thefindingsofthisreportwillbeusedtoimprovelandholderengagementinfuturetenderprojects.
Trust for Nature
TrustforNaturestewardshipprograms’experttechnicaladvicehasbeenprovidedonspecies,grasslandsandwetlandmanagement.
Agreedmanagementplanscovering541hahavebeeneithercompletedorreviewed.
ThePlainsTenderProgramandothertenderprograms,haveprovidedgoodincentivesforlandholderstoconserveremnantnativevegetationandhaspositivelyinfluencedtheirlandusechoices.Additionally,theresourcesprovidedhaveenabledimprovedgrasslandmanagementwhichwouldnothaveoccurredotherwise.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• 363.7haconvenantedwithnewmanagement planswritten
• Sixcovenantagreementcoveringgrasslands, wetlandsandriparianzones
• Revisedmanagementplansfor150ha.
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Wetland Tender
WetlandTenderhastargetedwetlandsandadjacentremnantvegetationonprivatelandforthelastthreeyears.
ThethirdroundofWetlandTender(2011-12)receivedmoreexpressionsofinterestfromlandholders,whichcamethroughwordofmouthfrompastparticipants,demonstratingthevalueofbuildingandmaintainingrelationshipsandrunningtheprojectoveranumber of years.
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• Allsevenlandholdersfromroundonewerecompliantandreceivedtheirfirstyear’spayments
• ThefirsttworoundsofWetlandTender(2009-10and2010-11)resultedin12landholdersmanaging328haofnativevegetation,including217haofwetlands-mostofwhichwereshallowandatriskofbeingdrained
• Landholdersmanaging111haofterrestrialvegetationsurroundingorjoinedtothewetland.
Habitat Connectivity in the Glenel g Basin
ThehabitatconnectivitydevolvedgrantsprojecthasprotectedvegetationandimprovedvegetationcorridorsfornativeanimalsintheGlenelgBasin.
WorkswereundertakenaroundtheLindsay-WerrikoowetlandsystemandtheArdnowetlandchainwestoftheGlenelgRiverandsouthwestofCasterton.Theseareascontainsignificantbiodiversityaswellasrareandthreatened flora and fauna.
Theprojectestablishedagreementswithsixlandholderstoachieve:
• 20.1haofwetlandsprotected
• 20.2haofweedcontrolinremnantvegetation
• 3kmofwaterwayfrontagefenced
• 2,900nativeplantsestablished.
Invasive Animal Strategy
TheGlenelgHopkinsRegionalInvasiveAnimal StrategywascompletedinJune2011andlaunched byTheHonPeterWalsh,MinisterforWateratSheepvention,August2011.
Thestrategyratesassetsintheregionaccordingtotheirriskofimpacts.Itguidesstakeholdersandthecommunityontacklinginvasiveanimalsandoutlines theprinciplesbehindgovernmentinvestmentand thecostsandbenefitsofimplementingstrategies.
Thekeystrategiesformanagementofinvasive animalsare:
• preventionofestablishment
• earlyinterventionanderadicationandcontainment
• asset-basedprotection.
Below L-R: Grasslands Management Plans were conducted across the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Photo Credit: Leeanne Fairbairn.
More than 300,000 plants and trees were planted in 2011-12. Photo Credit: James Pevitt.
Limestone Spider orchid (Caladenia bicalliata) from Discovery Bay Coastal Park. Photo Credit: David Pitts.
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Second Generation Landcare Grants
GlenelgHopkinsCMAreceived$330,000throughtheVictorianLandcareGrantsprogramin2011-12toassistLandcaregroupsandnetworksprovidefundsforlandholderstoprotectprioritywetlands,riparianareasandterrestrialvegetation,asidentifiedthroughstateandregionalpriorities.TheLandcarecommunitycontributed an additional $390,000 to complete projects.
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• Riparianplantings
- 14.2kmfencing
- 7.8kmofriverprotectedorenhanced
- 25,679 trees planted
- 19.3kmdirectseeding
- 53.7harevegetated
• Biolinkplanting
- 25.8kmfencing
- 29,471 trees planted
- 128.5kmdirectseeding
- 69.7harevegetation
• Pestplantandanimals
- 103ha of invasive plants sprayed
- 30.4harabbitwarrenripping
• Administrationgrantstogroups
- 38groupsassistedwithgrants
- 13 field days/information sessions.
Victorian Volcanic Plains project
TheVictorianVolcanicPlains(VVP)projectaimstoimprovetheconditionoftargetEcologicalVegetationCommunities(EVCs)withintheNaturalTemperateGrasslandsandGrassyEucalyptWoodlandsoftheVVP.Bothoftheseecologicalcommunitiesarelistedasthreatened under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999.
In2011-12theCMAadapteditswaterwayactionplanningprocesstothisproject.Twenty-sixsiteswereassessedbyecologistsfortheirbiodiversityvaluesinMay2012,whichequatestoapproximately905haoftargetEVCswithinthetwoEPBC-listedcommunities. AlllandholderswillreceiveGrasslandsManagementPlansandfloraandfaunasurveyswillbeconductedinSpring-Summer2012.Landholderswillbeofferedapaymenttomanagetheirgrasslandsandgrassywoodlandsforbiodiversityforthreeyears.
Theultimatechallengewithagrasslandsprojectisfindingsuitablesites.Aerialandsatelliteimagerydoesnotpickupnativegrasslandsverywell,sotheonlyreliablewaytopopulatedatabasesisbycostlyandtimeconsuminggroundtruthingofsites.Usingavarietyofmethods,theCMAhasfoundsitesfortheproject.
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• Abrandedcommunicationsandengagementcampaignincludingabrochuredirectmailedto 2,900landholders,printmedia,Landcareand CMAwebsitesandsocialmedia
• UsingpreviousresultsmorepotentialsiteswerefoundthroughtheEVCgroundtruthingproject
• RaisingtheprofileofNaturalTemperateGrasslandsandGrassyEucalyptWoodlandcommunities
• Afielddayattendedby32landmanagersshowcasingDPI’stwoyearsofpasturemeasurementfieldworkandtheCMA’sGrasslandGrantsprojectandtheGrasslands Tender.
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Key Objective:
Maintain healthy and stable soils by addressing threats such as erosion, acidification and salinity.
Highlights
• Thirteenbiologicalfarmingandcompostingworkshopswereattendedby632participantshighlightingtheincreasinginterestinfarmingalternatives
• Nurturingpartnershipswithruralindustrygroups,particularlytheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries(DPI),WestVicDairyandSouthernFarmingSystemshasenabledGlenelgHopkinsCMAtosupportfarmmanagementpracticechangeinareasaffectedbyacid soils and salinity.
TheLandHealthprogramhasbeenunderpinnedbyfourprogramsin2011-12,partneringwithDPI,WestVicDairy,SouthernFarmingSystemsandcommunityLandcareandproductiongroups.Theprogramhasprovidedindustry-relevanttraining,cateringforincreasinginterestininnovativefarmingpractices.
Reducing the Risk of Soil Acidification
SoilacidificationisidentifiedbytheAustralianGovernment’sCaringforourCountry,astheprioritythreattosustainablefarmproductionintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.
2011-12wasyearthreeofthefour-yearC4oCprojecttoincreasefarmers’knowledgeandskillsinfarmingpracticesthatreducetheriskofsoilacidification.TheCMAhasengagedwithmorethan1,200farmerstoincrease capacity and supported 200 farmers to adopt improvedsoilmanagementmethodscovering5,600hathroughpartnershipswithDPI,industrybodies(WestVicDairy,SouthernFarmingSystems),Landcareandproductiongroups.
RoyalMelbourneInstituteofTechnology(RMIT)independentlymonitor,evaluateandreportonprojectachievement.
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• 823farmersattended21workshopsandtwo field days
• 80dairy,croppingorgrazing(meatandwool)farmersdemonstrated adoption of farm practices to reduce soilacidificationrisks
• Basedonsurveyresponses,farmerswillbeimplementingimprovedfarmingpracticesover more than 200,000ha
• 632farmersandserviceprovidersattended 13SoilHealtheventscoveringsoilbiology,composting,perennialpastures,biologicalfarmingpractices and alternative soil ameliorants.
lAnd HeAltH - prepArAtion for eMerging tHreAts
Below L-R: The DAFF Regional Landcare Facilitator presented at Carbon Farming Initiative workshops to more than 500 people. Photo Credit: DemoDAIRY.
Over the year 632 people attended biological farming and composting workshops. Photo Credit: Gill Fry.
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 214
DAFF Regional Landcare Facil itator
ThethreeyearRegionalLandcareFacilitator(RLF)position,nowinitssecondyear,wasinitiatedbytheAustralianGovernmenttoimprovetheuptakeofsustainablelandmanagementpractices.TheRLFisalinkbetweenregionalnaturalresourcemanagementandagriculturalgroupsincludingproducergroups,agribusinessgroups,Landcaregroups,governmentagenciesandNRMprograms.
The facilitator has developed partnerships and identified opportunities for collaboration, supported C4oC-funded projectsandpromotedfederalfundinginitiatives.TheCMAhasconducted15CarbonFarmingInitiative(CFI)seminarsthroughoutthecatchmentspeakingtoalmost500 primary producers.
CollaborationwithDemoDAIRYandmajordairycompanieswithintheregionresultedincontributionstoworkshopsandfielddaysaimedatnaturalresourcemanagementactivitiesandthroughtheGreenTriangleForestryPlantationNRMsubcommittee,theCMAhasassistedrevisingbuffersandsetbacksforwetlands,remnantvegetationandriparianareas.
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• 15CarbonFarmingInitiativepresentationstoover500 people
• Contributedtoareviewofforestrysetbacksandbuffersfromnativevegetationandwaterways
• SignificantcontributionstowardstheNRMand landhealthextensionprogramofDemoDAIRY.
Whole Farm Planning
GlenelgHopkinsCMAandtheDPIprovidedfarmextensionandwholefarmplanningservicesthisyear.Farmplanningusinganaerialphotographorcomputerimage,helpsfarmerstodeterminelong-termgoals,recogniseinformationgapsanddeveloppriorityactionplanstoadapttoachangingoperatingenvironment,improveproductivityandnaturalresourcemanagement.
TheFarmPlan21course,asafarmplanningtool,isastructuredtrainingprogramdeliveredbyspecialistfacilitatorsfromDPI.TheiFarmGISmappingtool,linkedwithFarmPlan21,hasenabledfarmerstocreatedetailedmapsofexistingfarminfrastructureandproposedimprovements.
TheflexibilityofiFarmmappingandprioritisedactionsallowsfarmerstomodifytheirplaninresponsetoneedandopportunity.ImprovedelectronicrecordingofproposedactionsenhancesDPI’scapacitytoremainconnectedwithparticipatingfarmersforfollow-upopportunities.
Farmmanagementplansoutputtargets,under2011-12VictorianInvestmentFrameworkLandHealthprojects,weretodevelop50newplansusingFarmPlan21covering26,600haandsupport30farmersintheimplementationofexistingfarmmanagementplansover16,650ha.DPIdeliveredtheseactivitiesasprojectpartners.
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• 89farmersproducedwholefarmplanscovering44,867hawithFarmPlan21andiFarmGISmapping
• 55farmersprogressedtheimplementationofexistingfarmplanscovering27,672ha.
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Below L-R: Soil biology workshops were well attended in 2011-12.Photo Credit: Graeme Hand.
Grassmere dairy farmers Kim and Liam Ryan won the Great South West Dairy Award Natural Resource and Sustainability Managers, sponsored by Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite CMAs. Photo Credit: WestVic Dairy.
Extreme rainfal l events which occurred in the Glenel g Hopkins region from August 2010 to January 2011 resulted in various levels of f looding, causing damage to property and infrastructure. Extensive agricultural areas were inundated resulting in erosion and damage to fencing, pasture, crops and creek crossings.
TheCMA,withfundingassistancefromtheAustralianandVictoriangovernmentsisundertakinganextensiveprogramofworksinresponsetothedamagecaused by floods.
FloodRecoveryisfundedthroughinitiativessuchas$2.5 million over three years from the Natural Disaster ReliefandRecoveryArrangements(NDRRA),$400,000fromCaringforourCountry(C4oC)and$375,000fromthe Victorian Government.
ThemajorityoffloodrecoveryprojectsinGlenelgHopkinsareexpectedtobecompletedby December 2013.
FloodRecoveryworksinvolveremediatingdamagecausedbyfloodwaterssuchas:
• erosion
• damagetofencing
• damagetoerosioncontrolstructures
• debrisbuildup.
Flood Recovery Assistance
InadditiontotheNDRRAprogram,theVictorianGovernmentprovided$1.5milliontotheGlenelgHopkinsregionFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram(FREP),tosupportflood-affectedindividualsandassistpeopletostayinregionalcommunities,keepfarmersonthe land and alleviate stress and other health issues.
Theprogramaddressednaturalresourcemanagementissuesarisingfromthefloodssuchasgullyerosion,reactivatedlandslipsandemergingweedissues. Theworkswillcontinuetospringof2012concentratingonriparianrevegetationprojects.
In2011-12theprogramemployedupto20peopleinfourcrews,whichwerebasedinHamilton,WarrnamboolandArarat.
Afurther$375,000wasprovidedbytheVictorianGovernmentformaterialsforlocallandmanagers,primarilyfencingmaterialsandindigenousplantstorepairnewerosionpointsorreplacedamagedriparianvegetation.
FREPassisted121landholders,andcouncilsandcommunitygroupsintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.Mostassistancehasbeenprovidedtoflood-affectedmunicipalities–AraratRuralCity,andSouthernGrampians,CorangamiteandMoyneShires.
Flood recovery employment proGram achievementS to June 30, 2012
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FloodplAin MAnAGeMenT
Fencing–clearedandrepaired 158km
Fencing–new 107km
Weedremoval 366ha
Areaofrevegetation 80ha
Below: (Right) Maroona farmer Trevor Perry was assisted by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA flood recovery crew (pictured Left) to reinstate fences destroyed by floods. Photo Credit L-R: David Nichols, Dion Borg.
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 216
floodplAins MAnAgeMent
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA)
TheNaturalDisasterReliefandRecoveryArrangements(NDRRA)projectbeganinJuly2011.ItwasfundedbytheAustralianGovernmentandadministeredbyDSEtoassistfarmersandotherlandmanagersinrecoveringcostsassociatedwithrepairingflood-damagedCMAandpublicinfrastructure,includingCMA-fundedfencesconstructedalongwaterways.
Therewere51erosioncontrolandstructurerepairsitesapprovedforfundingwith20completed,includingrepairandremediationof:
• 7leveeanderosionworks
• 1rockchute
• 1fishway
• 2fishpassages/crossings
• 5tricklepipesandassociatederosionworks
• 1dropstructure
• 1bridge
• 2crossings
• 23sitesarecurrentlyinthedesignphase withon-groundworksplannedfortheupcomingconstruction season.
Flooddebrisremovalhasalsobeenundertakenatfivesites.AsignificantnumberoflandholdershadpreviouslyundertakenCMAwaterwayprotectionprojectsinthefloodimpactareas.Theselandholderswerecontacted,resultingin39individuallandholdersexpressinginterestforassistance.Projectinquiriesvariedsignificantly fromsmallscalefencecleanupjobs(upto$2,000), tocompletefencereplacementscostingover$40,000.
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• Morethan120landholderscontactedand 60 sites visited
• 38propertyprojectssubmitted
•29propertieswithre-establishmentofprojectworksthroughNDRRA
• 14projectshavecompleted54kmofriparianfencing
• 21kmfencingrepaired
• 41.5kmwaterwaysfenced
• 100haofwaterwaysfenced
• 10harevegetated.
Flood Investigations
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisundertakingfourfloodinvestigations,inpartnershipwiththeVictorianGovernmentandlocalgovernment.
• WickliffeFloodInvestigation(RuralCityofArarat)
• HamiltonFloodInvestigation (Southern Grampians Shire)
• SkiptonFloodInvestigation(CorangamiteShire)
• BurrumbeetCreek(BallaratCityCouncil).
TheMinisterforWater,TheHonPeterWalshMLAvisitedWickliffe,SkiptonandMinersRestin2011toannouncethefundingforthosefloodinvestigations.
Hamilton Flood investigation received $44,000 from theAustraliaGovernment,$44,000fromtheVictorianGovernment, $22,000 from Southern Grampians Shire Counciland$22,000in-kindprojectmanagementfromtheCMA.CARDNOPtyLtdwasappointedtoconducttheinvestigationinJuly2011.
TwocommunityconsultationsessionswereheldinAugust2011andMay2012.Thefirstinvolvedmeetingmembersofthecommunityandcapturinginformationregardinghistoricpeakfloodheightsandextents.
AtthesecondcommunitymeetinginMay2012thecommunityviewedthepreliminaryfloodextentsandprovidedfeedback.
TheinvestigationhasproduceddetailedhydrologicalandhydraulicmodelsofthestudyareaforkeyfloodinformationfortheHamiltoncatchment.
The models have been used to assess and predict a rangeofhistoricfloodanddesignfloodeventsandgeneratefloodmaps.
Acostbenefitanalysisoffloodmitigationoptionswasalsoundertaken.ThefloodmapswillassisttheSouthernGrampiansShiretoamendtheplanningschemezonesandoverlays.TheinvestigationalsolookedatpossiblewaystoimprovethefloodwarningsystemforHamilton.TheprojectisexpectedtobecompletedbyJuly2012.
Wickliffe Flood investigation received $7,408 from theAustralianGovernment,$85,192fromtheVictorianGovernment,$26,900fromAraratRuralCityCounciland$19,400in-kindprojectmanagementfromtheCMA.CARDNOPtyLtdwasappointedthroughatenderprocessinNovember2011toconducttheinvestigation.
TheinitialcommunitymeetingtointroducethestudyandgathercommunityfloodinformationwasheldinDecember 2011.
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floodplAins MAnAgeMent
Theinvestigationhasgatheredinformationfromthecommunityandagenciesandexaminedhistoricalrainfall events, flood levels and extents to produce a rangeofrainfallmodellingscenarios.Thenextstepistoreproducefloodeventsthrougharangeoffloodmodellingscenarios.Thisinformationwillbeusedtoimproveplanningforbothdevelopmentandemergencyresponse.
KeyfindingsarethattheJanuary2011floodeventinWickliffeisthelargesteventonrecordatthispointontheHopkinsRiversincemeasurementsbeganinthe1920s.Theinvestigationisexpectedtobecompletedby November 2012.
skipton Flood investigation received $7,408 from theAustralianGovernment,$85,192fromtheVictorianGovernment,$27,500fromCorangamiteShireCounciland$18,800in-kindprojectmanagementfromtheCMA.WaterTechnologyPtyLtdwasappointedthrougha tender process in November 2011 to conduct the investigation.
TheinitialcommunitymeetingtointroducethestudyandgathercommunityfloodinformationwasheldinDecember 2011 and attended by 27 residents. This year theinvestigationhasgatheredallrequiredinformationbothfromthecommunityandagencies,andexaminedhistorical rainfall events, flood levels and extents to producearangeofrainfallmodellingscenarios.
Theprojectwillreproducefloodeventsthrougharangeoffloodmodellingscenarios.Thisinformationwillbeusedtoimproveplanningforbothdevelopmentandemergencyresponse.Theinvestigationisexpectedtobe completed by November 2012.
Burrumbeet Creek Flood investigation received $12,768fromtheAustralianGovernment,$146,832from the Victorian Government, $57,400 from Ballarat CityCounciland$22,400in-kindprojectmanagementfromtheCMA.WaterTechnologyPtyLtdwasappointedthroughatenderprocessinNovember2012toconducttheinvestigation.
AcommunitymeetingwasheldinMarch2012to launch the study and collect local information and photosregardingrecentfloodevents.Themeeting wasattendedbyapproximately120people.
Thisyeartheinvestigationhasgatheredallrequiredinformationbothfromthecommunityandagencies,examined historical rainfall events, flood levels and extentstoproducearangeofrainfallmodellingscenarios.Theprojectwillreproducefloodeventsthrougharangeoffloodmodellingscenarios. Thisinformationwillbeusedtoimproveplanning forbothdevelopmentandemergencyresponse. TheinvestigationwillbecompletedbyApril2013.
Floodplain Management
WorkS on WaterWayS permittinG proceSS For 2011-12
planninG reFerralS
Number of referrals received (sections 55 and 52) 135
Percentagerespondedbyduedate 78%
Numberoffloodlevelenquiries 284
Percentagerespondedbyduedate 82%
Number of certifications of plans (subdivision) 4
Percentagerespondedbyduedate 100%
Overall response 78%
Number of applications received 160
Number of applications approved 140
Numberofapplicationsrejected 1
Numberofinvestigations(drainageenquiries) 33
Numberofillegal/unauthorisedworks 2
Number of field/site inspections 78
Number of permits inspected on expiry 33
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 218
WATeRWAy HeAlTH
River Health Resil ience – Waterway Planning GlenelgHopkinsCMAinconjunctionwithDSEandotherCMAshasbeenworkingonthedevelopmentofthenewVictorianWaterwayManagementStrategy(VWMS)whichwillbereleasedin2013,toimprovethemanagementframeworkofaquaticecosystemsforthenexteightyears.
TheVWMSwill:
• integratethemanagementofrivers,estuariesandwetlands
• describethenewadaptiveapproachtomanagementunderdroughtandclimatechange
• focusontheprotectionofhighvaluesites
• incorporaterecentVictorianGovernmentlegislationamendments and policy
• setstate-widetargetsforriver,estuaryandwetlandhealth.
Inconjunction,theCMAisdevelopingaRegionalWaterwayManagementStrategy(RWMS)toprovidearegionalplanningdocumentandworkprogramforriver,estuaryandwetlandmanagement.Itwillbedevelopedinpartnershipwithregionalagencies,localcommunitiesandkeystakeholders.ThestrategywillidentifykeywaterwayassetsandthethreateningprocesstothoseassetswhichwillbeanalysedusingtheAquaticValuesIdentificationandRiskAnalysis(AVIRA)tooltosetprioritiesfortheregionalworkplan.Theworkprogramswilloutlineprioritymanagementactions,managementactivitiesforhighvaluewaterwaysandthedeliveryandmanagementofenvironmentalwater.
Key Objective:
Maintain and enhance the ecological health of the region’s water resources and waterways while maintaining economic and social development.
Highlights
• GlenelgHopkinsCMAhostedthe23rdAnnualVictorianWaterwaysFieldStaffConferencein Port Fairy attended by 70 field staff from natural resourcesmanagementagenciesacrossVictoria
• Approximately20GL(giga-litres)ofenvironmentalwaterdeliveredfromRocklandsReservoirtotheGlenelgRiver–thelargestannualvolumereleasedforenvironmentalflowssinceRocklandsReservoirwasbuilt in 1953
• RiverTenderManagementAgreementssignedwith 15landholdersfor16sites,18kmofriverfrontageand206ha of riparian land
• EstuaryperchhavebeencapturednearHarrowforthefirsttimeinseveraldecades,thoughttobearesponsetoenvironmentalflowsimprovingwaterquality.
Below L-R: The Large Scale River Restoration project was completed in 2012, with good results, such as a tributary of Mathers Creek, in 2009 and following works, in 2012. Photo Credit: Rob Addinsall.
Opposite Page L-R: The Grange Burn project will exclude stock from 74 per cent in a 7km reach. Photo Credit: Sophie Cameron.
176 carp were caught in the Glenelg River during the monitoring program. Photo Credit: Stephen Ryan.
Greater Grampians Flagship Wetland Protection Project
TheGreaterGrampiansFlagshipWetlandProtectionProjectbeganin2010.Severalwetlandswereassessedforenhancement,inwhichmosthadbeenmodifiedduetodrainageforagriculturalpurposes.
Thewetlandsincludedintheprojectwere:
• Brady’sSwamp
• Bryan’sSwamp
•GooseneckSwamp
• LakeMuirhead
•NekeeyaSwamp
•MtWilliamSwamp.
Basedonhistoricalinformation,potentialprojectsforthesewetlandswereassessedthroughtheInvestmentFrameworkforEnvironmentalResources(INFFER)process.AdditionalsurveyandmodellingworkonGooseneckSwampstrengthenedtheprojectassessment.LakeMuirheadandMtWilliamSwamprecordedapositivecost-benefitwhenconsidering landpurchasetoprotectthewetlands.
GooseneckSwamphadapositivecost-benefittocompletedrainblocking,whichcouldenhancebreedinghabitatformanywaterbirdsandprovidebetterconditions for the rare Callistemon wimmerensis found atthesite.Theinformationfromthisproject(includingtheINFFERassessments)willbeusedtohelpseekfundingtocompletetheprojectsandenhancesomeofthewetlands.
Environmental Water Reserve
TheCMAdeterminestheenvironmentalwaterrequirementsofwaterwayswithintheregionandadvocatesfortheenvironmentduringnegotiations forwaterdiversionandextractioncaps.EnvironmentalwaterrequirementsarealsousedtoguideenvironmentalflowreleasesfromRocklandsReservoirintotheGlenelgRiver.
EnvironmentalwatermanagementhasimprovedconditionsintheGlenelgRiverdownstreamofRocklandsReservoirthisyearasevidencedbysignificantrecruitmentofnativefishandregenerationofin-streamandriparianvegetation.
In2012-13theCMAwillworkwiththeVictorianEnvironmentalWaterHolder(VEWH)andWimmeraCMAtoinvestigateoptionsforsplittingtheWimmeraandGlenelgRiversenvironmentalentitlementbetween thetwosystems.
achievementS
• EstuaryperchcapturednearHarrowforthe first time in several decades
• CommunicationsthroughtheCMAwebsite, socialmediaandSMSalertsimprovedpublicaccesstoenvironmentalwaterplanninganddeliveriesinformation
• Nine“TakeandUse”licencereferralswereassessedforecologicalimpacts
• StorageoperationruleshavebeendevelopedtosecureaccesstooutletcapacityatRocklandsReservoirforenvironmentalreleases.
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20 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Carp
HigherflowsintheGlenelgRiveroverthelasttwoyearshavemadetheRivermoreconducivetoCarpbreeding.CarpmonitoringdownstreamofRocklandsReservoirhasshownthatpopulationsremainsmall,howeverdownstreammovementhasbeendetectedwithCarpfoundforthefirsttimebelowHarrow.
ThroughtheLargeScaleRiverRestorationProjectCarphavebeenmonitoredupstreamofHarrow,butthishasbeenextendeddownstreamsincethemostrecentidentifications.Thismonitoringinvolveselectrofishingandnettingateightwaterholes.
IfCarparefoundintheRiver,controlmeasuresareimplemented.PreliminaryresultsfromCarpmonitoringinFebruary2012showedcaptureshaveincreased. 176Carpwerecaughtusingboatelectrofishing,gillnets,andFykenetsfromeightsites.CluniesHole(southofHarrow)and5-milehole(northofBalmoral)asin previous years, seem to hold most fish - 54 and 62 respectively.Thesesiteswillbetargetedduringspring2012.AllfishcaughtwereintheupperreachesandnofishwerecaughtdownstreamofDergholm.
achievementS
• Testingoftagsandtelemetrystationscomplete andsuccessfulfortrackingprogram
• Technicalpaperwasproduced-“GlenelgRiverAcousticRangeFindingExperiment.ATechnicalReportfortheGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthority”
• Carpmonitoringfieldworkcompleted
• 176Carpremoved.
Securing Priority Riparian Areas
SecuringPriorityRiparianAreas(SPRA)isa$4.4millionthree-yearpartnerprojectbetweenDSE,Victoria’s 10CMAsandMelbourneWatertoimproveandprogressthemanagementofthestate’sriparianareas.
Theprojectdevelopssystemsandknowledgetounderpinthereviewofriparianareas,tosupportstafftoinspectanddevelopmanagementplansandagreementsforupto3,000riparianpropertiesacrossVictoria.TheprojectisfundedthroughNRIP.
Thesecondyearofthepartnership(2011-12)saw 96riparianmanagementagreementsdevelopedintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.Aspartofthesenegotiationslandholdershaveagreedtoeithertakeuplicencesorchangetheconditionsoftheexistinglicencesonsixoccasions.Thiswillensureimprovedlong-termmanagementoftheseriparianCrownfrontages.
Grange Burn
During2011-12theCMAhassupportedtheenvironmentalimprovementoftheGrangeBurnandLakeHamiltonthroughtheurbanandsurrounding areasofHamilton,whichhavehighsocialandrecreational value.
TheCMAstartedtoimplementactionsfromtheImprovementofWaterQualityofLakeHamiltonreport,commissioned by Southern Grampians Shire. The report identifiedriparianprotectionoftheinflowingwaterstotheLakeasakeyactivity.
achievementS
• TheFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram(FREP)removedpoplarandelmsuckersandplantedindigenousgroundcovers,treesandshrubsalong theGrangeBurn.Theseworkshaveaugmented theeffortsofConservationVolunteersAustraliaoverrecent years
• Streamsurveying,landholderengagementand on-groundworkscommenced.Whenworksarefinishedtheywillresultineffectivestockexclusion to74percentoftheGrangeBurnina7kmreach, upfrom47percent12monthsago.
River Tender
RiverTenderaimstoprotectandconnectremnantriparianandfloodplainvegetationandimprovewaterwayhealth.Eligiblelandholdersareprovidedwiththeopportunitytocompetitivelybidforfinancialassistancetomanageriparianandfloodplainareasontheirproperties.TheCMAsignedManagementAgreementswith15landholders,committing $356,828foron-groundworksandlandusechanges.
achievementS
• Agreementsfor16sites,encompassingmorethan18kmofriverand206haofriparianland
• Agreementscover11ecologicalvegetationclasses(EVCs)acrossthreebioregionsand199ha (97percentofthearea)containsvegetationthat isclassedasEndangeredorVulnerable.
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The Glenel g Al l iance
TheGlenelgAllianceisafour-yearprogramwhichbeganin2009toaddresskeyprioritypestplantandanimal threats on 34,603ha of public and private landaroundthelowerGlenelgRiverHighEcologicalValueAquaticEcosystem(HEVAE)region.Namedinrecognitionofthecollaboration,theGlenelgAlliancehasseenaconcertedeffortbyagenciesandlocallandholderstomapandtreatweedsandprotectwaterwaysinsouthwestVictoria.
ThealliancecomprisesGlenelgHopkinsCMA,AustralianGovernment,DSE,ParksVictoria,DPI,GlenelgShireCouncil,ConservationVolunteersAustralia,GunditjMirringTraditionalOwnersandlandholders.Asteeringcommitteehasguidedthestrategicdirectionoftheproject.
During2011-12,aWaterwayActionPlanwaspreparedfortheGlenelgRiverbetweenitsconfluencewiththeStokesRiverandthenorthernborderoftheLowerGlenelgNationalPark.PriorityworksonprivatelandwithintheUpperHEVAEareawereidentifiedandpinewildlingworksforDSEandParksVictoriawerecompleted.
achievementS
During2011-12(yearthreeofafour-yearprogram):
• DSEundertook:
- treatment for foxes and cats across 4,000ha of land at Discovery Bay
- 53hanewweedareastreated
- 143haweedareasretreated
- pinewildlingsremovedover40ha
• ParksVicundertook:
- pinewildlingremovalover200ha
- pigcontrolover70ha
- blackberry/bridalcreepertreatedover65ha
• 47propertieswerevisited
• Findingspresentedto25peopleat Dartmoorpublicmeeting
• 200haofpinewildlingsand1,619maturetrees werefelledalonga20kmsectionoftheGlenelgRiver (both sides of river).
Wetlands of the Wannon
TheWetlandsoftheWannonpilotprojectaimstomaximisethefilteringcapacityprovidedbytheWannonRiver’sfloodplainwetlandsandrestorethemasthe‘kidneys’oftheGlenelg/Wannonsystem.Italsoaimsto reduce nutrient and saline inputs to the river from surroundingagriculturallandthroughimprovedfarmingpractices.
During2011-12thethirdannualgrazingexclusionperiodwasimplementedandthethirdroundofecologicalandagriculturalmonitoringwasundertaken.
achievementS
• 465haareunderconservationagreementandgrazedinaccordancewithtrialrequirements
• Ecologicalmonitoringatfoursitesshowsincreasednativeplantregenerationandreducedweedswheregrazinghasbeenreduced
• Ecologicalsurveysacross19sitesshowedthatnativewetlandvegetationisinfluencedbylanduse,andwetlandhealthcanbeimprovedbychanginglandmanagementpractices
• Agriculturalmonitoringfollowingtheextremelywetperiod of 2010 and early 2011 indicated increased summerpastureinareaswheregrazinghasbeenseasonally excluded.
Large Scale River Restoration Project
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisfinalisingitseight-yearLargeScaleRiverRestoration(LSRR)projectintheupperGlenelgBasin.
TheprojectaimedtoimprovethehealthoftheGlenelgRiverandinwardsrunningstreamsbetweenRocklandsReservoirandtheWannonRiverconfluence,withthetwomajoremphasesonCarpcontrolandstreamrestorationthroughtheexclusionofstockfromwaterways.
In2011-12thelastoftheWaterwayActionPlanswascompletedfortheprojectarea,withaplanbeingdevelopedfortheWandoRiverandsurrounds. Therewasstronguptakeofriverfencingworksfrom thepreviousyear’sWAPwith24landholdersparticipating.
achievementS
• WaterwayActionPlanforWandoRiverandsurrounds
• 42kmofwaterwaysintheDergholmareaprotectedwith74kmoffencingandmorethan110harevegetationand260haofremnantprotection.
Key Objective:
Protect and enhance the coastal areas of the catchment while providing opportunities for sustainable use and development along the coast.
Highlights
• DSEandGlenelgHopkinsCMA,onbehalfof theothercoastalCMAsdevelopedmarineenvironmentprojects
• 13.8hakeyenvironmentalassetsprotectedandenhancedthroughsixprojectsinpartnershipwithlocallandholders,landmanagersandcommunitygroups.
Estuary Management and Monitoring
TheCMA’sEstuaryManagementandMonitoringprogramhassupportedtheco-ordinationofestuaryentrancemanagementandthemonitoringofphysicochemicalparametersacrosstheregion’ssixintermittently-closedestuaries.Theyaretheheritage-listedGlenelgRiver,Surry,Fitzroy,YambukLake,MerriandHopkinsestuaries.
Thisprogramhasresultedintheregulationandadministrationofartificialrivermouthopenings,implementationofmanagementactionswhereneededandidentificationofemergingissuestoestuaryhealth.TheCMAhastakenaproactiveapproachtocommunityandagencyconsultationandincreasedlocalknowledgeandcommunicationbetweenkeystakeholders.
Managementoftheintermittently-closedestuarinesystemshasbeentopical.Balancingenvironmental,social and economic assets can be complex and controversial;highlightingtheneedforaccurateanddetailed information to understand the physical and biologicalprocesseswithinourestuaries.
achievementS
• Waterqualitymonitoringdatahasbeenaddedtoalong-termdata-setfortheregion’sestuaries,throughtheEEMSS(EstuaryEntranceManagementSupportSystem)database.Thisdataisusedwhendeterminingtrends in potential estuary condition measures and usedinresearchprojectsincludingthetrial‘IndexofEstuaryCondition’
• Hydroshare(remotemeasurementandreportingofinformation)hasimprovedknowledgeoneachestuarinesystem,particularlyinregardtofluctuatingwaterlevelsduringtimesofintermittentopeningsandextremeweatherevents
• Estuarinewaterqualityresultsandobservationshavebeenincorporatedinto12editionsoftheCMA’s‘CoastalConnections’e-newsletter.
THe CoAsTAl pRoGRAM
22 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Below: Glenelg Hopkins CMA hosted the 23rd Annual Victorian Waterways Field Staff conference at Port Fairy. Photo Credit: Leonard Cooper.
tHe CoAstAl progrAM
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Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS) TheEstuaryEntranceManagementSupportSystem(EEMSS)guidesthedecisionwhetherornottoartificiallyopenanestuary.Itensuresallassetsareconsideredandopeningsoccursafelyandeffectively.
Toensureitsintegrity,theEEMSSdatabaseispopulatedwithkeysocio-economic,environmentalandculturalassetssuchasroads,walkingtracks,publicamenities,agriculturalland,fishandplantcommunitiesandsitesofculturalandEuropeanheritage.Informationiscollectedthroughresearchprojects,waterqualitymonitoringprogramsandcommunityinformationsessions.
EEMSSisabletoconstantlyevolve,storingnewandemerginginformationonanon-goingbasis,ensuringcontinuousimprovementinestuaryentrancemanagementdecisions.
achievementS
• Co-ordinatedreviewandupgradeoftheEEMSS inpartnershipwithotherCMAs
• PopulatedtheEEMSSwithinformationaboutthesocioeconomic, environmental and cultural assets of each estuary
• On-goingmonitoringsitesacrossourregion’ssixintermittentlyclosedestuaries(Hopkins,Merri,YambukLake,Fitzroy,SurryandGlenelg).
Coastal Community Grants
TheCoastalCommunityGrantsprogramprovidesopportunitiestolandholders,landmanagersandcoastalcommunitygroupstoprotectandenhancewetlands,riversandvegetationcommunitiesthroughoutthecoastalregion.ThishasbeenthethirdandfinalyearoftheprogramfundedthroughtheAustralianGovernment’sCaringforourCountryinitiative.
Grantswereprovidedforactivitiessuchascommunityrevegetationdays,fencing,weedcontrolandculturalheritageinformationandengagementactivities.
achievementS
• 13.8hakeyenvironmentalassetsprotectedandenhancedthroughsixprojectsinpartnershipwithlocallandholders,landmanagersandcommunitygroups
• 3hapriorityweedtreatment,4.25harevegetationand0.45kmofwaterwayfrontageprotectedthroughstockexclusionfencing
• Communityawareness-raisingofournaturalcoastalassetsthroughthree‘CoastalConnections’communityinformationsessionsandmonthlye-newsletter.
Marine Assets Project
TheCMAandDSEhavedevelopedamapofmarineassetareasinwesternVictorianwaters(hightideto3nmlimit).TheprojectusedanapproachandcriteriadevelopedbyDSEtoidentifymarineassetsthatareimportantatastateorbioregionallevelformarinebiodiversityand/orecologicalprocesses.
TheassetmapswillhelpNRMplanningandinvestmentprocessesstate-wideandhavebeenincorporatedintotherelevantregionalcatchmentstrategies.Thisisa‘first-pass’assessmentandthereforethefirststepinidentifyingmarineassetsanddevelopingaprocessforassessingriskandprioritisingworksinthemarineenvironment.ThisprojectimplementedactionsfromtheVictorianCoastalStrategy(2008)whichsupportdevelopmentofastate-widemarineassetconditionprioritisationandmonitoringframework.
Marine Vulnerability Project
GlenelgHopkinsCMAandDSE,onbehalfoftheothercoastalCMAs,developedaclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentforVictoria’smarineenvironment.
AnexposurestudybyWaterTechnologyfocusedonlikelychangestothephysicochemicalparameters;meansea level, sea surface salinity, sea surface temperature, tides,oceancurrents,wavesandupwellingevents. The report collated information and summarised predictedtrendsforWesternVictoria,CentralBassStrait,EasternVictoriaandmajorembayments(PortPhillipBay,WesternportandCornerInlet).
The study provided a foundation for the sensitivity and vulnerabilityassessmentswhichdocumentedthelikelyimpactofthepredictedphysicochemicalchangesonmarinemammals,fishandbiotaassociatedwithrockyreefsandseagrass.Eachchapterwaswrittenbyanexpertintherelevantfield.Theprojectwillprovideinformationtosupportfutureriskassessmentsandmanagementactions.
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 224
ConneCTinG CoMMuniTies WiTH enviRonMenTKey Objective:
Strengthen community capacity in natural resource management by developing and maintaining key regional relationships.
Highlights
• MinisterforClimateChangeandEnvironment TheHonRyanSmithMPtouredtheregionin June2012,hostedbyGlenelgHopkinsCMA
• CarbonFarmingInitiativepresentations deliveredto14groups
• MinisterforWaterTheHonPeterWalshMLAlaunchedthe25YearsofLandcarecelebration atSheepvention,August2011
• Ofthe20inspiringrolemodelsinductedtotheinauguralIndigenousHonourRoll,fivehavefamily tiestotheGunditjmaranation
• RegionalCatchmentStrategy2012-2018,draftreleasedforcommunityfeedback
• LandholdersrespondpositivelytotheLandmateprogramdeliveredinpartnershipwithDepartment ofJustice–CorrectionsVictoriaandProjectPlatypus.
Strong PartnershipsRelationshipsandcommunicationwithourcommunityarecentraltotheGlenelgHopkinsCMAethos.Accordingly,closeworkingpartnershipswithresidents,landholdersandinvestorsthreadthroughallCMAobjectives.
IntegralandrespectedrelationshipshavedrivenengagementbetweentheCMAandthesouthwestVictorian community for more than 14 years.
Activitiesinpartnershipwithourcommunityhaveincludedtreeplanting,revegetation,farmplanning,soiltesting,catchmenthealth,faunaprotection,floodrecovery,Landcareandfundingassistance.ThisyearthedevelopmentoftheRegionalCatchmentStrategyhadastrongcommunityengagementfocus,andwaspreparedincloseconsultationwiththeregionalcommunity,local,stateandfederalgovernmentrepresentativesandotherstakeholders.
StrongpartnershipsalsohavebeenforgedwithorganisationsinthepublicandprivatesectorsandassistedtheCMAinfulfillingitsnaturalresourcemanagementresponsibilities.
Regional Catchment Strategy
GlenelgHopkinsCMAiscurrentlydevelopinganewRegionalCatchmentStrategy(RCS)accordingtoguidelinesfromtheVictorianCatchmentManagementCouncil and other specified standards provided by the VictorianDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment.
TheGlenelgHopkinsRCS2012-2018willbetheprimaryplanningframeworkforland,waterandbiodiversitymanagementwithintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.TheRCSwillaimtoprovideaframeworkfortheco-ordinatedmanagementofcatchments,whichwillmaintainandenhancelong-termproductivitywhilealsoconservingtheenvironment.Thiswillensurethatthequalityoflandandwaterresourceswithintheregionand their associated plant and animal life are maintained and enhanced.
TheRCSisastrategythatbelongstotheregion –tothepeopleofGlenelgHopkins.Thestrategyisbeingdevelopedbypeoplelivingandworkinginthearea,incloseconsultationwiththeregionalcommunity,local,stateandfederalgovernmentrepresentativesandotherstakeholders.
Partnershipswithcommunity,individualsandorganisationswithintheregionwillbethefoundationforeffectivedeliveryoftheRCS.TheRCSencouragesand supports the participation of the community, landholdersandresourcemanagersinlandprotectionandcatchmentmanagement.
TheRCSwillprovideanintegratedframeworkforinvestinginandprioritisingon-groundworksandprojectswithintheregion.ItwillcontinuetobuildonthesuccessofearlierworkwithinthecatchmentandimplementinitiativesthatwillbeimportantdriversinachievingtheRCSvision.
TheGlenelgHopkinsRCS2012-2018willbesubmittedtotheMinisterforEnvironmentandClimateChangeandtheMinisterforWaterinOctober2012.
In Our Community2011-12communityengagementactivitiesincluded:
• draftRCS(2012-2018)communityworkshops
• Landcare25thbirthdaycelebrations
•GlenelgHopkinsEnvironmentalAchievementAwards
• LakeBolacEelFestivalandSheepvention
• environmentalandfloodrecoveryprojectsinpartnershipwithConservationVolunteersAustralia
• supportVicSEStopromoteFloodSafeawareness andFloodSafeWeek
• fielddaysandenvironmentalsponsorships
• Regulare-news.
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Community Advisory Groups TheGlenelgHopkinsCMACommunityAdvisory GroupsprovideadvicetoCMAmanagementand,throughthem,totheBoardonthedevelopmentofregionalstrategiesandplans,emergingcommunityconcernsandissuesandthreatsthatimpactonNRMassetsacrosstheregion.ThetwoadvisorygroupsaretheBiodiversityandLandHealthAdvisoryGroupandtheRiverandWetlandHealthAdvisoryGroup.Atthebeginningofthefinancialyearwewelcomedanumberofnewandcontinuingmembersonboththesegroupswhowillbeinplaceforthenexttwoyears.
CommunitymembersfortheBiodiversityandLandHealthAdvisoryGroupareMichaelWaite(chair),RodMarshall,Prof.MartinWestbrooke,DonRowe,RobinJackson,andKayeScholfield.AgencymembersincludeMarkFarrer(DPI),AndyGovanstone(DSE),RalphCotter(DPI)andMichaelMcCarthy(localgovernment).TheBoard nominee is Director Debbie Shea.
CommunitymembersoftheRiverandWetlandHealthAdvisoryGroupareMichelleCasanova(chair),RodBird,BrianMurrell,JanBarton,IanRossandLisetteMill.AgencymembersincludeAngusRamsay(SouthernRuralWater),RaeleneMibus(localgovernment),JodieHonan(DSE)andCraigMurdoch(DPI).TheBoardnomineeisDrJohnSherwood.
Overtheyear,bothAdvisoryGroupshaveprovidedextensiveinputandfeedbackonthedevelopment oftheregion’sthirdRegionalCatchmentStrategy(2012-2018).KeyareasoffocusincludedtheprovisionofadviceontheregionalvisionfortheRCS,andassociatedobjectivesandactionsforcatchmentassets.Feedbackwasalsoprovidedonassetprioritisation,condition and threats.
TheBiodiversityandLandHealthAdvisoryGrouphasalsoprovidedadviceontherenewaloftheRegionalLandcareSupportStrategy;whiletheRiverandWetlandHealthAdvisoryGrouphasprovidedadviceandfeedbackoncommunityengagementmethodssurroundingEnvironmentalWateringandisinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheRegionalWaterwayManagementStrategy.
Environmental Achievement Awards
TheGlenelgHopkinsEnvironmentalAchievementAwardswereheldinAugust2011.Theyareheldbiannuallytorecognisecontributionstoimprovingtheregion’senvironment.Therewere41entriesineightcategories,withthewinnersselectedbyanindependentjudgingpanel.
ThecategorieswereCoastcare,Education,Rivercare,PrimaryProducer,LandcareandCommunityGroup,IndigenousGroup,IndividualorPartnershipAchievementandBusinessandGovernmentPartnerships.Theawardswereattendedby120people,andtheguestspeakerwasAustralia’sfirstLandcarefacilitatorProfessorAndrewCampbell.Theevent alsocelebrated25yearsoftheLandcaremovement in Victoria.
TwocategorywinnersfromtheGlenelgHopkinsawardswentontosuccessattheVictorianLandcareAwards.ShaunandLisaMcIntyrewontheAustralianGovernmentIndividualLandcarerAwardandTheFriendsoftheGreatSouthWestWalkwontheAustralianGovernmentCoastcareAward.
ConneCting CoMMunities witH environMent
Below L-R: VicSES and Glenelg CMA raised community awareness around keeping safe in floods. Photo Credit: Johanna Theilemann.
The Glenelg Hopkins Environmental Achievement Awards were held in August 2011. Photo Credit: Naomi Annett.
ConneCting CoMMunities witH environMent
26 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Victorian Landcare GatewayTheVictorianLandcareGatewayisawebsiteforLandcareandNRMgroupstocommunicatewithmembers and non-members. Groups promote activities and source information about activities, photos, history, achievementsandoperationalmethodsofothergroups.
There has been a 62 per cent increase in visits to the GlenelgHopkinsGatewayportalovertheprevious 12monthswitheventsandgrantsthemostpopularpages.TengroupshaveactivelyusedtheirGatewaywebsitethisyear.
Local Government Liaison
GlenelgHopkinsCMAcovers11municipalities.LocalgovernmentpartnershipsaimtostrengthenrelationshipsandlinksbetweenlocalgovernmentcommunitiesandtheCMA.
Localgovernmentinvolvementinnaturalresourcemanagementisseenasakeystrategicalliancethat:
• recognisesthecontributionoflocalgovernmentinNaturalResourceManagement
• supportslocalgovernmentandpartneragenciesinthecontinuousreviewofplanningschemes
• developsanunderstandingofcommongroundbetweenlocalgovernmentandGlenelgHopkinsCMA
• buildsnewandexistingrelationshipsconducivetoasharedrespectforeachothers’rolesandresponsibilities
• assistsinlocalgovernmentNaturalResourceManagementbyprovidingadviceandsupport.
The anticipated outcome is collaborative partnerships betweentheCMAandregionalmunicipalities.Thiswillencompassintegratedandco-ordinatedworkingarrangements,improvedcommunications,ashareddecision-makingforumandamoreproductiveplanningandimplementationenvironmentforNRM.
During2011-12,CEOKevinWoodmetwithseniorstafffromGlenelgShire,BallaratCity,CorangamiteShire,SouthernGrampiansShireandAraratRuralCity.Floodswithintheregionrequiredcloserrelationswithlocalgovernment,particularlyintheupgradingofwarningsystems,sourcingoffundingandmanagementofremedialworks.Theseactivitiesareprogressing.
Flood Awareness Partnership
TheFloodAwarenessandEducationModelreceived$40,000 from the Victorian Government under the VictorianEmergencyManagementGrants.Afurther$40,000in-kindcontributionisattributedtotheGlenelg,WarrnamboolandMoynecouncils,theSESandtheCMA.TheprojectwhichwasmanagedbytheCMAhadastrongemphasisonincreasingcommunityawarenessandunderstandingofthefloodingriskinthelocal area.
Deliveryofthisprojectsawtheinstallationofeightcommunityfloodeducationsignswhichexhibitlocalfloodphotographs,floodlevelsandgeneralfloodplaininformation.TheCMAandtheSESdeliveredFloodSafeprogramsforbothWarrnamboolandPortFairy.TheinvestigationwascompletedinJune2012.
Indigenous Relations
TheGunditjMirringPartnershipProject(GMPP)isacollaborationbetweentheGunditjMirringTraditionalOwnersAboriginalCorporationandGlenelgHopkinsCMA.TheprojectisfocusedonenhancingGunditjMirring’scapacitytorecorditsindigenousecologicalknowledgeandtoapplythisknowledge,whereappropriate,tonaturalresourcemanagement.
TheGMPPisinyearthreeofafouryearproject,fundedbytheAustralianGovernment’sC4oC.TheprojectprovidestheGunditjmaracommunitywiththecapacity to identify, collect, analyse and practice advice intraditionalandcontemporarylandmanagementpracticesandIndigenousEcologicalKnowledge(IEK) tootherlandowners,communitygroupsandgovernmentagencies.
AnextensionprogramaspartoftheGMPPhasbeeninitiatedthroughpartnershipandsecondmentwithRMITHamiltontoundertaketrialsiteactivities,landownersurveysprocesses,collateextensivedataandknowledgefortoolkitdevelopmentandinvolveexternalconsultantsinresearchandNRM.
achievementS
• IncorporatingIndigenouscommunities’interestsintheredevelopmentofthedraftRegionalCatchmentStrategy
• InterpretativesignageatHarrow’sGlenelgRiverwalk
• BudjBimRangersnominationforVictorianStatewideLandcareawardforasecondtime
• TheIndigenousEcologicalKnowledgePartnershipProjecthasengagedanIndigenousresearchertoassistwiththeproject’sMER
ConneCting CoMMunities witH environMent
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• Auser-friendly‘UteGuide’,acomponentoftheIndigenousEcologicalKnowledgePartnershipProjecttoolkit,isaquickreferenceforuseinthefield
• InitiatingtheIEKextensionprogramaspartof theGunditjMirringpartnershipproject
• StaffsecondmentstoenhancepartnershipsbetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousorganisations
• Recognitionandacknowledgementfrom state-wideIndigenousNRMstaffoftheGunditjMirringpartnershipproject.
Events
GlenelgHopkinsCMAsupportskeyenvironmental-focusedeventsinthesouthwestregionthroughsponsorship,personnelormaterials.In2011-12, theCMAsponsoredNationalWaterWeekcommunityawarenessinpartnershipwithWannonWaterandSouthernRuralWater,TreeTalesArtCompetition,GreatSouthWestDairyAwards-NaturalResourceandSustainabilityManager,andtheLakeBolacEelFestival.TheCMAattendedSheepvention(Hamilton)andthe EelFestival.Communityengagementalsooccursthroughfielddays,whichareorganisedbyCMAstaff orsupportedthroughCMAprograms.
Media
Themedia,particularlyprint,communitynewslettersandregionalradio,isaprimarytoolindeliveringtheCMAmessagetothewidercommunity.WhiletheCMAunderstands the important role print and electronic mediaplaysinconnectingitwiththecommunity,greatereffortisbeingdirectedtowardcommunicationthroughourwebsiteandsocialmedia.
DPIandtheCMApublishaweeklycolumnintheHamiltonSpectator,helpingtoreinforcetheconnectionbetweentheCMAandenvironmentalmanagementanditspartnershipwithagriculture.
Throughregionalnewspapers,theCMAhasstronglypromoted many events and received favourable coverageofactivitiesacrosssouthwestVictoria.
Landcare Group Health Survey
During2011-12,theCMAconductedaGroupHealthSurveyonthe125activeLandcareandNRMgroupsacrosstheregion.Ofthe125groups,35responded tothesurveyandappliedfortheAdministrationSupport Grant.
Landcaregroupsself-assesstheirhealtheachyearwhichformsaLandcaregrouphealthscoreandprovidestrendinformationonLandcare.
Thesurveyindicatedthatgroupsweremoreactiveandfeltmoreconfidentwiththeiroutput.TheCMAwillcontinuetoencouragegroupstocompletetheGroupHealthSurvey,toassistinidentifyingissuesandrequiredsupport.
ThefollowingscoresrepresenttheaveragegrouphealthscorefortheGlenelgHopkinsregion.DataiscollectedviaasurveyundertakeninAugust–Novemberoverthepast four years. 1=grouphasstalledupto5=groupthriving:
• 2008-09–2.94
• 2009-10–3.41
• 2010-11–3.15
• 2011-12–3.48
Landcare Group Health Survey for 2011-2012
Group Health element
strong to Thriving
(%)ok(%)
surviving to stalled
(%)
OverallHealth 45 42 11
Landcare Administration Grants
Administrationgrantstotaling$20,750wereallocatedto38LandcareandNRMgroupsandfivenetworkstoassistwithinsuranceandadministrationcosts.Thefundingassistedgroupstocontinueoperating,initiateprojectsandprovideinformationandmotivationtoimprovegrouphealth.
Email, Print and Web Newsletters
Thisyear,theCMAsentitsMonthlyUpdateviaanemaildatabasetostakeholdersandpartners,enablingtheCMAtocommunicateitsactivitiesinabrief,easy-to-read format.
Landlifeisaregion-widepublicationwhichhighlightsnaturalresourcemanagementachievementsintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.Thee-magazinewasdistributedquarterlyin2011-12,withcontributionsfrompartnerorganisationsbroadeningthecontent.Landlifeisavailableonlineinkeepingwithenvironmentalpracticesandreducingcostsandresources.
TheLandcareteamhasimprovedcommunicationwithLandcareandNRMgroupsandthewidercommunitythroughitsmonthlyLandcarenewsletterwhichprovidesasnapshotofnews,grantsandenvironmentalandsustainableagriculturalactivities.Activitiesarepromotedfromarangeoforganisations,includingtheCMA,DPI,LandcareandNRMgroups.
28 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
CondiTion And MAnAGeMenT RepoRT
Condition and management highlights are reported against six headline themes in accordance with DSE guidelines:
• Biodiversity
• Inland aquatic ecosystems
• Marine and coastal
• Land health
• Community capacity
• Environmental stewardship
It should be acknowledged that while management highlights have been attributed to a particular headline theme, many address multiple themes – thereby achieving multiple benefits.
overview
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• theWetlandsoftheWannonseasonalgrazingtrialcontinuedsuccessfullywith465haoffloodplainwetlandsbeingmanagedwithachangedgrazingregime
• theCoastalCommunityGrantsprogramhasledto the protection and enhancement of 13.8ha of prioritycoastalland.Thisprojecthasalsoincreasedthecommunity’sunderstanding,involvementandappreciation of the coastal environment
• wholefarmplanshavebeenproducedby89farmerscoveringanareaof44,867ha.Theseplansincorporatenaturalresourceandeconomicfactorstoassistwithfarmmanagement,improveproductivityandincludeecologicalissuesindecisionmaking
• permanentprotectionof363.7haofwetlands,terrestrialandriparianvegetationthroughtheestablishmentofsixlegalagreements.
Therewerealsoanumberofchallengesinthereportingyearincluding:
• projectdeliverywasoftenaffectedbyseasonalconditions.Duetothenatureoffundingcyclesandprojectdelivery,projectsoftenneedtobevariedtoalignwithSpringplantingswhichoccurafter30June
• compliancewithstatutorytimelinesinthefirsthalfof2011-12wasachallenge.Thiswascausedbyreducedstaffinglevelsandadditionalworkloadsfromthe2010-11 flood events.
Figure 1: Location of management activities in the Glenelg Hopkins region for 2011-12
Figure1showsthemajorityofprojectlocationsforthe2011-12year.Highlightsforthereportingyearinclude:
• implementationoftheWaterwayActionPlanforthemidG3sub-catchment.Implementationwashighlysuccessfulandexceededoutputtargetswiththefencingof264haofremnantvegetation
• landcaregroupscontinuetoplayastrongroleintheregionwithgroupsundertaking40,130metresoffencing,55,150treesplanted,123.43haofrevegetationundertakenand147,835metresofdirectseedingwithfundingthroughLandcaregrants
• thehighestannualcountoftheRed-tailedBlackCockatoorecordedtodatewith1,468birdssighted
• firstconfirmedsightingoftheOrange-belliedParrotinthreeyearswithintheGlenelgHopkinsregion
• theVictorianVolcanicPlainsprojectledto2,784haofbiodiversity protection and condition improvement throughthedevelopmentofgrasslandmanagementplansandtheprovisionofmanagementpayments
• theremnantwoodlandsprojectinitiated21fundedprojectswithfarmerstoadoptbiodiversityprotectionpractices
• theGlenelgAllianceprojectcontinuestoproduceanumberofongroundachievementsfortheLowerGlenelgareaincluding1,752haofpestplantcontroland 10,020ha of pest animal control
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Implementationofthered-tailed Black cockatoo recovery plancontinued.ThekeyachievementoftheRed-tailedBlackCockatooRecoveryTeamwasthesuccessfulannualcountwithatotalof1,468birdssighted.Thisisthehighestcountsincerecordingcommencedandinvolved160volunteersover2,735km².Otherkeyachievementsincludehabitatimprovement,includingpine-wildlingremovalon93haand8haofrevegetationatCastertontoenhancehabitatquality.
HabitatenhancementsfortheGrowling Grass Frog ‘dams to habitat’ project weresuccessfulatthreeofthefourenhancementsites.ThefourthsitewasnotsuccessfulbecausenoGrowlingGrassFrogsweredetected.Ahabitatenhancementfactsheetgeneratedinterestfromlandholdersaboutmodifyingfarmdamstoprovidehabitatforfrogs.
orange-bellied parrot monitoringresultedinthefirstconfirmedsightingoftheparrotintheGlenelgHopkinsregioninoverthree years.
ExtensivehabitatenhancementworkswereconductedatkeyStriped legless lizardsites.Alargenumberofindividualswerecaptured.Thishassignificantlyincreasedknowledgeonthespecies’populationdemographics.
AbiannualhealthcheckoftheBrush-tailed rock Wallaby populationintheGrampiansNationalParkwasconducted. Thefourremaininganimalswerefoundtobeinexcellenthealthwiththefemalecarryingoneweekoldpouchyoung.
The threatened Flora projectcontinuedtheworkofprotectingthreatenedfloraspeciesandtheirhabitatsfromcriticalthreatssuchaspestplantandanimalinvasionsandinappropriatedisturbances,aswellasidentifyingappropriatemanagementmeasures.TheprojectcontinuedtheimplementationofNationalRecoveryPlans,ActionStatementsandassociatedactionsfromtheActionsforBiodiversityConservationdatabase.
The victorian volcanic plain (vvp) projecthasledto2,784haofbiodiversityprotectionandconditionimprovementthroughthedevelopmentofgrasslandmanagementplansandtheprovisionofmanagementpayments.Inaddition26sitescovering905haofnativegrasslandhavebeenassessedandhavehadgrasslandmanagementplansdevelopedforthem.Providinglandholderswithmanagementplansandmanagementpaymentswillleadtobothbiodiversityprotectionandconditionimprovementofthegrasslandandgrassywoodlandsitesunderagreement.
AsacomponentoftheVVPproject,theDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment(DSE)continuedtoimplementhabitatenhancementactionsfor17EPBC-listedthreatenedspeciesacrosstheVVP,raisingawarenessatalllevelsaboutthesignificanceofthesespeciesandtheirhabitat.
The remnant Woodlands projectinitiated21fundedprojectswithfarmers,whichwillleadtotheadoptionofbiodiversityprotectionpracticestoprotectandenhancewoodlandvegetationandthecreationoflinkagesbetweenremnants.Outputsincludetheprotectionof273haofremnantvegetation,establishmentof32,000plantstoenhanceexistingwoodlandhabitat,5kmofdirectseedingand30kmoffencing.
landcare activitieshavemadeanumberofcontributionstoregionalbiodiversityincludingthefollowingkeyachievementsinnon-riparianareas:
• 25,880metresoffencingtoprotectremnantvegetationandnewtreesplanted
• 29,471treesplanted • 69.72haofrevegetation
• 128,520metresofdirectseeding • 37.6haofweedspraying.
Condition statement
Theecosystemsthatprovidehabitattothreatenedfloraandfaunaspeciesandcommunitiesrangefromhighlyfragmented(VolcanicPlain)tolargelyintact(Grampians)andoccuracrossprivateandpublicland.Since2003,DSEandGlenelgHopkinsCMAhaveimplementedarecoveryprogramfor57nationallyand/orstate-listedthreatenedspecies(47floraand10fauna)acrosstheGlenelgHopkinscatchment.Thesespeciesrangefromthewell-knownBrush-tailedRockWallaby,Eastern-barredBandicoot,Orange-belliedParrotandRed-tailedBlackCockatoo,tothelittleknownCorangamiteWaterSkink,SouthernBent-wingBat,BasaltGreenhood,PortlandLong-tongueShellOrchid,SquareRaspwortandtherecentlydiscoveredDrunkenTussock-grass.
CentraltothedeliveryoftherecoveryprogramhasbeentheActionsforBiodiversityConservation(ABC)database –aweb-basedinformationsystemadministeredbyDSEasarepositoryforknowledgeaboutthreatenedspeciesandcommunitiesinVictoria.Ittrackstheprogressofmanagementactionsdocumentedinactionstatementspreparedunderthe Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act and in recovery plans prepared under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.TheABCsystemisavitalreportingtoolthatenablesDSEtodeliverdetailed,qualitativereportstotheCMAandinvestors,whileprovidingatooltomonitorandmanagedeliveryoftherecoveryprogram.
Priorityactionssuchasthreatabatement,habitatmanagementandenhancement,andinsomecasesspeciesreintroduction,havebeenimplementedaspartoftheGlenelgHopkinsthreatenedspeciesrecoveryprogram.Overthepastsevenyearstheseactionshavestabilisedthedeclineandledtoagradualrecoveryofmostofthethreatenedspeciescoveredbythisprogram.
Partnershipsandcommunityinvolvementhaveplayedasignificantroleinthesuccess,withover5,500communitymembers,landholdersandvolunteersparticipatinginon-groundactionssuchassurveys,threatassessment,seedcollection,weedingandhabitatrevegetation.Theprogramhasbridgednumerouskeyknowledgegaps,suchasspeciesdistributions,habitatrequirements,lifehistoriesandbehaviours.Thisknowledgeisnotonlybeingusedtoboostspeciesrecoveryandhabitatmanagement,butiscontributingtootherbiodiversityprograms,includingfireandnativevegetationmanagement,majorprojectdevelopments,andwaterwaysandwetlandprograms.
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Delivery of the Waterway action plan (Wap) forthemidG3sub-catchmentexceededalloutputtargetswiththefencingof261haofremnantvegetation(27kmofriver),110haofrevegetationwithindigenousplantspeciesandtheestablishmentof34off-streamwateringpoints.
The Glenelg alliance high ecological conservation value aquatic ecosystem (hevae) projectisruninpartnershipwithDSE,ParksVictoriaandtheCMA.In2011-12theprojectresultedin1,752haofpestplantcontrolincludingthetreatmentofkeypestspeciessuchasBlackberry,BridalCreeper,GorseandPineWildlings.Treatmentofpestanimalsoccurredover10,020haandtargetedfoxes,catsandpigs.Inadditiontotheseon-groundachievements,theCMAproducedanactionplanforprivatelandwithintheCrawfordRiver,StokesRiverandasectionoftheGlenelgRiver.Theplanincludesrecommendationsforhighprioritymanagementactionsonprivateproperties.
The Wetlands of the Wannon seasonal grazing trial continuedsuccessfullythisyearwith465haestablishedunderagrazingregimechange.Seasonalgrazingexclusionhasbeenfoundtohaveapositiveinfluencewithreducedgroundcompaction,morenativevegetationandlessexoticvegetationpresentinthetrialsites.Intermsofbenefitstoagriculturalproduction, theresultsarenotyetclear.Therearepotentialbenefitsarisingthroughreducedsoilcompactionandthetrialhasbeenusefulinassessingthepracticalityofseasonalgrazingexclusion.
carp monitoringcontinuedin2011-12.Capturesofcarphaveincreasedfromthepreviousyearwith176caught.AllfishcaughtwererestrictedtotheupperreachesoftheGlenelgRiver.Resultsfromthesemonitoringactivitieswillbeusedtofocusfuturecarpremovaleffortsontheprimaryspawningandrefugesites.
landcarehascontributedtoimprovinginlandaquaticecosystemsthoughanumberofactivitiesinriparianareas.Somekeyachievementsinclude:
• 14,250metresoffencingtoprotectvegetationalongwaterways
• 25,679treesplantedtoenhancenativevegetationalongwaterways
• 53.71haofrevegetationtoenhancenativevegetationalongwaterways
• 19,315metresofdirectseedingtoenhancenativevegetationalongwaterways.
Flood recovery effortshavebeenongoingsincethefloodeventsofAugust2010toJanuary2011.Theseeffortshavebeenfundedbyboththestateandfederalgovernmentsandhaveinvolvedremediatingfloodimpactssuchaserosion,damagetofencing,damagetoerosioncontrolstructuresanddebrisbuildup.TheFloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram(FREP)supportedlandholders,communitygroupsandlocalgovernmenttoclearflooddebris,fencestreams,manageweeds,andestablishandprotectnativevegetation.FREPassisted121landholders,andcouncilsandcommunitygroupsintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.Mostassistancehasbeenprovidedtoflood-affectedmunicipalities–AraratRuralCity,andSouthernGrampians,CorangamiteandMoyneShires.
Condition statement
The2004IndexofStreamCondition(ISC)assessmentindicatedthatmostriverreachesintheGlenelgHopkinsregionareinmoderatetoverypoorcondition.Thisisgenerallyduetomodifiedflowregimes,degradedriparianvegetation,poorbankconditionandlowwaterqualityfromelevatednutrientsandsalinity.SomeriverreachesintheGlenelgandPortlandbasinswereassessedasbeingingoodcondition.UpdatedISCdataisduetobereleasedinlate2012.Despitelowflowsinunregulatedwaterwaysoverthesummer,waterqualityintheregion’sriversandestuariesin2011-12wasstillbenefitingfrom2010-11 floods.
ThereweretwoconfirmedbluegreenalgaeoutbreaksintheregionatLakeHamiltonandLakeLearmonth.
EnvironmentalflowtargetsfortheGlenelgRiverhavebeenmetandexceededthisyear.
TheIndexofWetlandCondition(IWC)revealsthat64percentoftheregion’swetlandswhichweresurveyedareingoodtoexcellentconditionwith21percentbeingpoor.InferencesfromtheIWClikelyoverstatetheproportionofregionalwetlandsthatareingoodconditionastheassessmentstendtoonlyfocusonhighervaluewetlandsorthosewithperceivedconservationvalue.Themajorityofwetlandsidentifiedasbeinginpoorconditionweremeadowswhicharehighlysusceptibletostockaccessandhydrologicalmodificationthroughdrainage.Amajorityoftheregion’swetlandsaremeadowsandthisobservationisconsistentwithawidertrendwherebytheextentoftheregion’swetlandshasdeclinedbyapproximately50percentsinceEuropeansettlementthroughdrainageandconversiontoagriculture.
AVictorianIndexofEstuaryCondition(IEC)isindevelopment.TheIECwillidentifypotentialmeasuresforuseinaconsistent,systematicassessmentofestuarineecologicalcondition.Thisdata,togetherwithinformationaboutthesocial,economicandculturalvaluesofeachestuary,willcontributetoacomprehensiveriskassessmentthatidentifiesthevaluesandthreatstoeachoftheestuariesinthisregion.
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Aspartoftheland health programmultipleoutcomeswereachievedfrommanagementactivities.Inthesouthwestoftheregion,habitatwasimprovedforbiodiversitythroughthefencingof138haoflandfornaturalregenerationofnativegrassesandtrees,6haofindigenousvegetationwasestablishedonprivatelandand10haofwetlandswerefenced.
Toreducetheriskofdrylandsalinitydegradinglandandfreshwaterassets,1,205haweresowntonon-indigenousvegetation(perennial pasture).
Landmateworkcrewsplantedover300haofprivatelandtoindigenousvegetation,eradicatedrabbitinfestationsfrom24haandtreatedover26hatoeradicateregionallycontrolledweeds.
DPI’simplementationofthespecies-led approach to invasive plants and animalshasfurtherminimisedtheriskofhighriskinvasiveplantsandanimalsfromestablishingandadverselyimpactingonregionalenvironmental,economicandsocialassets.Achievementsfromthisapproachinclude:
• 30infestationsofStateProhibitedWeedshavebeenmonitoredand/orsuccessfullytreatedtowardseradication
• seven(ofthe30)StateProhibitedWeedinfestationshavebeeneradicatedintheregion
• DPIcomplianceoperationsensuredallknown121infestationsofRegionallyProhibitedweedshavebeenmonitored,successfullytreatedandpreventedfromspreading.SpeciesincludeSerratedTussock,GoldenThistle,Amsinkia, SilverLeafNightshadeandSpinyBurrGrass.
DPI’simplementationoftheasset-basedprotectionandimprovedenforcementprogramhascontributedtotheprotectionofseveralhighpriorityregionalassetsandsupportofsustainedcommunityledactiononpests.Achievementsfromthisprograminclude:
• WarrnamboolCoastrabbitcomplianceaudit–protectingtheGlenelgHopkinscoastalzonefromtheadverseimpacts ofrabbitsonvegetation,threatenedspecieshabitatandsoil
• Glenbraerabbitcomplianceproject–protectingtheBeaufort(MtEmuCreek)WatershedZoneassetfromtheadverseimpactsofrabbitsonvegetation,soilandwaterquality
• MacarthurRagwortcomplianceproject–supportingsustainedcommunity-ledactioninRagwortmanagementandtheprotectionofagriculturalassets
• implementationofthefoxbountytosupportsustainedintegratedfoxmanagement.
Condition statement
Toformaconditionstatementforlandhealth,twoaspectsmustbeconsidered–soilhealthandtheprevalenceofpestplants and animals.
Soil health
SouthwestVictoriaisrecognisedashavingsomeofthemostfertileandproductivesoilsinAustralia.Historicalwidespreadremovalofindigenousvegetation,rabbitinfestationsandagriculturalproductionhaveeachcontributedtoadeclineinsoilhealth.Lossinsoilandenvironmentalhealthcontinuestodayunderpoorlandmanagementpractices.
Thelonghistoryofagricultureintheregionandincreasingeconomicpressureonproducershasmeantthatnutrientdecline,soilacidificationandlossofsoilstructureremainprioritythreatstosoilhealth.Declineofsoilorganicmatterisanemergingthreatthatislinkedtodryingconditionsassociatedwithclimatechange.
A2008reviewoftheGlenelgHopkinsSalinityPlanidentifiedsignificantgainsmadeinsalinitymitigationandincreasedlandholderawarenessofsalinityprocessesandmanagementskills.Adecadeoflowerthanaveragerainfallandfuturepredictionsofreducedmeanannualrainfallshavereducedconcernforsalinityasalong-termthreat.Anyrecurrenceofsalinityintheregionplaceshighvalueassetsatconsiderablerisk.
Recenthighrainfallandfloodingeventsduringseasonalperiodsoflowgroundcoverhasresultedinincreasederosionanddemonstratedtherisksofchangingrainfallpatternsfromclimatevariation.Reducedsoilhealthincreasessusceptibilityofsoilstoerosionwithsignificantoff-farmimpactsonwaterways.
Occurrencesofcoastalacid-sulphatesoilshavebeenidentifiedwithintheregion.Theseareashavebeenmappedandthisinformationisusedtoinformlocalgovernmentplanningprocesses.
prevalence oF peSt plantS and animalS
Invasiveplantsandanimalsposesomeofthemostsignificantthreatstoregionalassets.InvasiveanimalsdeclaredundertheCatchment and Land Protection Act 1994,suchasrabbitsandfoxes,arewellestablished.Inaddition,feralgoats,carpandpigsarepresentinsmallerisolatedpopulations.Thesepestanimalshavecausedwidespreadeconomicandenvironmentaldamageandhavesignificantpotentialforfurtherimpact.
TheGlenelgHopkinsRegionalWeedPlan2008-2012describesweedsasamongthemostseriousandcostlythreattoprimaryproductionandnativebiodiversity.Only13percentoftheregionsupportsremnantvegetation,andenvironmentalweedsarethoughttoaffectmostoftheseremnantstovaryingdegrees.
TheDPIspecies-ledapproach(preventionandearlyintervention)hasminimisedtheriskofhighriskinvasiveplantsandanimals.DPI’simplementationoftheasset-basedprotectionapproachtoinvasiveplantsandanimalshascontributedtotheprotectionofseveralhighpriorityregionalassets.
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TheEstuaryManagementandMonitoringProgramhassupportedtheco-ordinationofestuaryentrancemanagementandtheongoingmonitoringofphysiochemicalparametersacrossallsixoftheregion’sintermittentlyclosedestuaries(Glenelg,Surry,Fitzroy,Yambuk,MerriandtheHopkins).Thishasbeenachievedbydeliveryofthefollowing:
• estuarywaterqualityprofilingforsixestuariesonamonthlybasis
• operationandmaintenanceofsixestuarytelemetrystations
• fourauthorisedartificialrivermouthopenings.
InformationobtainedthroughestuarywaterqualitymonitoringhasenabledtheCMAtosuccessfullyregulateandadministerartificialrivermouthopenings,implementmanagementactionwhereneededandidentifyemergingissuestoestuaryhealth.
Waterqualitymonitoringdatahasbeenaddedtoalong-termdatasetthroughtheEstuaryEntranceManagementSupportSystem(EEMSS)database.
The coastal community Grants programhasledtothedevelopmentofsixon-groundworksprojects.Projectshavetargetedkeyestuariesandcriticalcoastalareas.Keyachievementsofthegrantsprograminclude:
• theprotectionandenhancementof13.8haofprioritycoastallandthroughstockexclusionfencingandindigenousrevegetationworksalongkeycoastalwaterwaysincludingtheMerriRiveratDennington,theShawRiveratYambukandtheGlenelgRiveratNelson
• 3haofpriorityweedtreatment,including1haofAfricanBoxthornatGriffithIslandPortFairyand1haofAfricanBoxthorn,Pines,ItalianBuckthornandWillowsalongtheShawRiveratYambuk
• 4.25haofindigenousrevegetation
• 0.45kmofwaterwayfrontageprotectedthroughstockexclusionfencing.
Amonthly‘CoastalConnections’e-newsletterprovidesinformationonengagementactivities,grantopportunities,coastalasset condition and estuarine status updates.
The Glenelg alliance high ecological conservation value aquatic ecosystem (hevae) projecthasdeliveredmanagementactivitiesrelevanttoanumberheadlinethemes.Actionsthatareofbenefittothecoastalzoneincludetrappingoffoxesandcatsin400haadjacenttoLongSwampintheDiscoveryBayCoastalPark.
The Southern right Whale programsupportstheWarrnamboolwhalewatchvolunteerprojectwhichcomprises 22volunteerswhospendtwohoursadaynotingwhalesightings,numbers,numberofcalvesandarrivalanddeparturedates.Twophotoidentificationflightswereconducted,resultingin20newandtwoknownSouthernRightWhalesbeingidentified.
Condition statement
Thecoastalzoneencompassesanumberofvaluesincludingestuarinehealth,wetlandhealth,extentofnativevegetationand the presence of threatened species. Based on these considerations, it could be determined that, overall, the coastal environmentisunderextremepressureandmaybeconsideredtobeinmarginalcondition.Somespecificassetareasmaybeconsideredtobeinmarginaltogoodconditionbutgenerallythiswouldberelatedtotheprotectionthatisaffordedtothem(forexample,areasofnationalpark).Akeychallengeforimprovingormerelymaintainingtheconditionofthecoastalzoneiscoastaldevelopment.Whereareasofthecoastlineareunderhighdemandandaresubjecttodevelopmentpressures,coastalhabitatstendtograduallyfragmentorarelost.Inaddition,muchofthecoastalareaishigh-valueagriculturalland,particularlydairy;thereisachallengetomanagethislandforproductionandenvironmentalbenefits. Thelikelyimpactsofclimatechangewilladdfurtherchallengesandposeseriousimpactsonbiodiversityandecosystemhealth.
TheGlenelgHopkinsmarineenvironmentprovidesarangeofecosystemservicesandiscriticalhabitatforanumberofrareandthreatenedspecies.KeymarineassetareasandassociatedthreatswererecentlyidentifiedforwesternVictoriaaspartoftheWesternMarineAssetsIdentificationProject.Thisworkprovidesafoundationforfutureinvestigationsofmarinecondition.However,thereareclearlychallengesindescribingandmonitoringmarineconditiongiventhehighlydynamicnatureoftheenvironment,understandingofmarinebiotaanditslikelyresponsetovariousthreatsthatoftenactoverlargespatialscales.Forthesereasonsitisalsochallengingtomeasuretheeffectivenessofregulationsinplacetomitigatetheimpactofthreateningactivitiesonthemarineenvironment.
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The landcare programprovidesimportantsupporttoLandcaregroupsacrosstheregionintermsofco-ordination,strategicadviceandthemanagementofthegrantsprogram.Thegrantsprogramforthe2011-12yearwaswellsupportedbytheLandcarecommunity.Grantapplicationsexceededfundsthatwereavailable.
The coastal community Grants programhasincreasedthecommunity’sunderstanding,involvementandappreciation ofourcoastalenvironmentthroughthedeliveryof:
• on-groundworksprojectsandcommunityengagementactivities
• ‘CoastalConnections’e-newsletters
• directengagementwithvariouscommunitygroups,landholdersandagencies.
The Gunditj mirring partnership projectprovidesresourcestoallowtheGunditjmaracommunitycapacitytoidentify,collect,analyseandpracticeadviceinlandmanagementpracticesandIndigenousEcologicalKnowledge(IEK).Theadviceandknowledgeisavailabletootherlandowners,communitygroupsandgovernmentagencies.
Aspartoftheland health program,DPIhasworkedwithfarmerstodevelopwholefarmplanscoveringanareaof44,867ha.Existingfarmplansovermorethan24,000hawereprogressedtowardsimplementationwithDPIassistance.StructuredFarmPlan21courseshaveplacedemphasisonsoilmanagement,resultinginasignificantincreaseinthearea oflandmanagedforsoilhealthimprovementto32,767ha.DPIprovided42workshopsandpresentationsworkingwith 16Landcaregroups.29newslettersandmediareleaseswereproducedand303farmersreceivedtechnicaladvicethatwillsignificantlyimprovetheircapacitytomanagetheirlandsustainably.
DPIhascontinuedtomonitorvegetationandsoilcharacteristicsaspartoftheWetlands of the Wannon project. To maintain currentdataonsalinitytrends,DPIhasmaintainedmonitoringofkeyboresintheGlenelgcatchment.ThisdataisessentialtoenableGlenelgHopkinsCMAandpartnerstoevaluatesuccessofexistingprogramsandmakeinformeddecisionsonsalinitymitigation.
AWaterway action plan (Wap),identifyingpriorityactionswascompletedfortheLowerG3sub-catchment.Thisplaninvolvedtheassessmentof222sitesunder37propertyowners,along223kmofstreamfrontage.Communitymeetingswereheldduringplandevelopmentwithanadditionalmeetingtopromotethefindings.
AWap for the lower Glenelg areahasprovidedanoverviewofthecatchmentoftheLowerGlenelg,CrawfordandStokesrivers.Thishasidentifiedknowledgegapsandputforwardamanagementstrategyfortreatingthreatstooverallriverhealth.TheplancontributestofillinganinformationvoidforthisimportantpartoftheGlenelgHopkinsregion.
The development of the draft Glenelg hopkins regional catchment Strategy 2012-2018wasundertakenincloseconsultationwithadvisorygroups,keypartnersandtheregionalcommunity.AnumberofimportantengagementeventsandworkshopswereheldtodraftkeyRCScontentareasandtotestthestrategy’slogic.
Flood studiesidentifyingfloodlevelsandmitigationoptionsareproceedingforfivetownsintheregion,planningschemeamendmentsarebeingpreparedtobetterincludefloodinformationinplanning,municipalfloodplansarebeingupdated,andimprovedfloodwarninginfrastructureisbeingintroduced.
Condition statement
TheGlenelgHopkinscommunityplaysanintegralroleinthedeliveryofnaturalresourcemanagementactionsandthemaintenanceandimprovementofnaturalassets.Thereisastrongcommunityandlandmanagercommitmenttoimprovenaturalresourceoutcomesacrosstheregion.Thisisclearlyevidentwiththeuptakeinpartnershipprojects,Landcareandparticipationatcommunityforumsandfielddaysoverthelastdecade.TheStatewideSocialBenchmarkingresultsforwaterwaysshowedthattheHopkinsbasinhadthehighestscoreacrossallthestatebasinsforpeoplethatareinvolvedwithrehabilitatingnativehabitat.
Landmanagerswithintheregionarecharacterisedbytheirstronglandstewardship,withthemajorityaspiringtopassontheirpropertytofuturegenerationsinbettercondition.ThisaspirationisillustratedbythestrongLandcarenetworkandvolunteerismwithintheGlenelgHopkinsregion.Programsconductedbyarangeofnaturalresourcemanagementorganisationsattractvolunteersthatplayasignificantroleindatacollection,on-groundworksorfeedbackonissueidentification.
Landcaregroupswithintheregionself-assesstheirhealtheachyear.ThisformsaLandcaregrouphealthscore, whichprovidestrendinformationonLandcareovertime.Thefollowingscores(outoffive)havebeenrecordedfor thepastfouryears:
2009–2.94
2010–3.41
2011–3.15
2012–3.48
Awiderangeofprogramscentredonculturalheritage,culturallysustainabledevelopmentandIndigenousEcologicalKnowledgeareworkingtowardsmaintainingandimprovingpartnershipsandoutcomesforcommunitywithintheregion.OfnoteistheGunditjMirringPartnershipProjectwhichbuildsonrelationshipswithTraditionalOwnerstocollatetraditionalIndigenousEcologicalKnowledgeandtotrialpracticeswithinacontemporarysetting.Theimportanceofintegratingtraditionalknowledgeandpracticesintolandmanagementisrecognisedintheregion.Thecollaborativenatureoftheprojecthasresultedinalargenetworkoforganisationscontributingtotheoutcomes,includingagencies,universities,Indigenouscorporationsandcommunity.
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Environmentalstewardshipactivitiesincludeconservationcovenantsandpropertymanagementplans. Themainstewardshipactivitiesthatwereundertakenduring2011-12weretheTrustforNature(TFN)stewardshipandcovenantingprogram,WetlandTenderandwholefarmplans.
Wetland tender 3willincreaseprotectionandmanagementofwetlandsonprivatelandanddeliverinvestmentprioritiesforhigh-prioritynativevegetationwetlandsover210ha.Theareathathascurrentlybeenassessedforprotectionsurpassestheaimsoftheproject.
Apermanent protection and stewardship projectdeliveredbyTrustforNaturesoughttoaddressthelossofandincreasingfragmentationofnativevegetationandwetlandsontheVictorianVolcanicPlain(VVP).Thiswasundertakenthroughtheprovisionofinperpetuitylegalagreementsontitlewithprivatelandholders,aspartofthePlainsTenderProgram.Sixagreementscovering363.7haofwetlands,terrestrialandriparianvegetationhaveensuredpermanentprotection.VegetationcommunitiesprotectedarePlainsGrasslandandStonyKnollShrubland,bothofwhicharetargetEVCswithin theEPBC-listedcriticallyendangeredNaturalTemperateGrasslandcommunity.Someofthesitescovenantedadjoinexistingcovenants,buildingonpreviousworkresultingingreaterenvironmentalbenefits.
ViatheTrustforNaturestewardshipprograms,experttechnicaladvicehasbeenprovidedonspecies,grasslandsandwetlandmanagement.Agreedmanagementplanscovering541hahavebeeneithercompletedorreviewed.
TrustforNaturenotesthatthePlainsTenderProgramandothertenderprograms,hasprovidedgoodincentivesforlandholderstoconserveremnantnativevegetationandhaspositivelyinfluencedtheirlandusechoices.Additionally, theresourcesprovidedhasenabledimprovedgrasslandmanagementwhichwouldnothaveoccurredotherwise.
Wholefarmplanshavebeenproducedby89farmerscoveringanareaof44,867ha.55farmershaveprogressedtoimplementationofexistingfarmplanscoveringanareaof27,672ha.Implementationoftheseplansleadstoimprovednaturalresourcemanagementandfarmproductivity.
Condition statement
Environmentalstewardshipreferstothelevelofparticipationbypublicandprivatelandmanagerstoprotecttheregion’snaturalresources.Therearenotargetsormeasuresavailabletoguideaconditionassessmentforenvironmentalstewardship.Therearehoweveranumberofobservationsthatcanbemadetoprovideanindicationoftheeffectivenessofstewardshipactivities.
AsatDecember2011,TFNhad3,568.636haofprivately-ownednativevegetationandwetlandsintheGlenelgHopkinsregionunderlegalagreement.ByJune2013,TFNwouldhaveengagedwithhundredsoflandholdersviatheConservation,CovenantingandStewardshipProgram,raisingawarenessofthebenefitsofon-titleagreementsandotherNRMmanagementactivities.
BushTenderisavoluntarytender-basedincentiveprogramdesignedtohelpimprovemanagementandprotectionof nativevegetationforbiodiversityonprivateland.Itensuresthatprioritynativevegetationonprivatelandistargetedin acost-effectivemannerandprovideslandholderswithanopportunitytogenerateincomefromtheirnativevegetation. SinceitbeganintheGlenelgHopkinsregionin2007,38conservationagreementshavebeenestablished,covering2,800ha. Anumberoflandholdershaveoptedtopermanentlyprotecttheirsitesinadditiontothestandardfiveyearmanagementagreement,resultinginover600haofnewpermanentlyprotectedremnantvegetationonprivateland.Themajorityoflandunderagreementisendangeredorvulnerable.
Manyoftheregion’swetlandsoccuronprivatelandwherelandmanagersoftendonothavetheeconomicincentivetoconservethem.Recognisingtheimportanceofconservingwetlandswithintheregion,GlenelgHopkinsCMAhasimplementedtheWetlandTenderprogram.
WetlandTenderhasbeenrunningintheGlenelgHopkinsregionsince2009-10andaimstohelplandholdersbetter protecttheirwetlandswiththeprovisionofamanagementplanandfunding.IntwoyearsWetlandTenderhasresultedin 12conservationagreementscovering328ha.Managementactionsonthislandcanincludefencing,revegetation,vegetationenhancement,wetlandrestorationandpestplantandanimalcontrol.
PubliclandintheregionisdominatedbyNationalParks,coveringover220,000ha.StateParks,CoastalParksandReferenceAreascombinetocomprisealmost35,300hathroughouttheregion.
Farmplanninghelpsfarmerstodeterminelong-termgoals,recogniseinformationgapsanddeveloppriorityactionplanstoadapttoachangingoperatingenvironment,improveproductivityandnaturalresourcemanagement.Since2009-10,whentheVictorianInvestmentFrameworkLandHealthprojectscommenced,therehasbeen168,064haoflandcoveredbywholefarmplanningwith133,815hacoveredbyimplementedwholefarmplans.
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 236
ouR people, ouR Business
governAnCe struCture
Board
ABoardofninecommunityrepresentativesgovernsGlenelgHopkinsCMA.Directorsareappointedby theMinisterforClimateChangeandEnvironmentandtheMinisterforWaterfollowingapubliccallforpeoplewithskillsandcatchmentexperience.ThepreviousBoardappointmentswereextendedtoSeptember30,2011andnewBoardappointmentswereeffective October 1, 2011.
TheChairpersonMichaelWaggwasappointedon July 1 2011.
The Board is responsible and accountable for the goodgovernance,strategicdirectionandeffective andefficientoperationoftheorganisation.
KeyobjectivesfortheBoardareto:
• representtheinterestsofthecommunityin naturalresourcemanagement
• achieveintegratedcatchmentmanagement (as measured by improvement in resource condition)
• actasastewardforthenaturalresourcebase
• createeffectivepartnerships
• developappropriateactionplansandsupporttheirimplementation,includingdevelopmentoftargetsand measurement of achievement
• provideregionalleadershipinnatural resourcemanagement.
Governance
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisgovernedbyarangeofrequirementsstatedinlegislation,includingtheWater Act 1989, the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, the Financial Management Act 1994 and the Public Administration Act 2004.
TheBoardreportstotheMinisterforEnvironmentandClimateChange,TheHonRyanSmithMP,andtotheMinisterforWater,TheHonPeterWalshMLA.MinistersareaccountabletoParliamentandthecommunity.AccountabilityisfurtherstrengthenedbytheAuditor–GeneralandDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment.
GovernanceinvolvestherelationshipsbetweentheVictorianGovernment,theBoard,ExecutiveTeamandstakeholders.
GovernanceinGlenelgHopkinsCMAencouragesstrongperformanceandprovidescommunityconfidenceintheorganisation.ThisallowstheCMAtooperateefficientlyandeffectivelyaswellasrespondingstrategicallytochangingdemands.
TheChiefExecutiveOfficeristhemainconduitbetweentheBoardandstaff.TheChiefExecutiveOfficerisresponsiblefordailyoperationalmanagementoftheCMAinaccordancewiththelaw,decisionsoftheBoardandgovernmentpolicies.
PlanningwithinsouthwestVictoriabeginswiththeRegionalCatchmentStrategy.ThestrategyformstheframeworkfornaturalresourcemanagementactionwithinthecatchmentandassistsStateandFederalgovernmentstodirectfundingintotheregionfor this purpose.
TheAnnualReportprovidesinformationonachievement of business results and the implementation of the Corporate Plan.
The 2011-12 to 2015-16 Corporate Plan reinforces theorganisation’scommitmenttosustainability,adaptivemanagementandresponsibleenvironmentalstewardship.Itcallsforinnovationandcontinuousimprovementwhilemeetinglegislativeandcorporategovernancerequirements.
AframeworkisprovidedfortheCMAtobestfacilitateworkstowardahealthiercatchment,sustainableproductionandprotectionofournaturalheritage.
Thethreespecificfocusareasareachievingnaturalresourcemanagementresults,partnerships/regionalcapability and internal capability.
TheseareencapsulatedintheGlenelgHopkinsCMA’sthreeoverarchingpolicies:
• HealthyLandscapes
• ConnectingCommunityandEnvironment
•OurPeopleOurBusiness.
Board memBer meetinG attendance
37
namenumber of
Meetings out of 11explanatory note
Michael wagg 11 of 11
dr John sherwood 9 of 11
roma britnell 4 of 8director since october 2011 - leave granted for 26 March 2012 to 3 June 2012
Coralie Coulson 10 of 11
Michael Craig 7 of 8 director since october 2011
vin gannon 7 of 8 director since october 2011
Jason ritchie 5 of 8director since october 2011 - leave granted for 1 April 2012 to 14 January 2013
debbie shea 10 of 11
Mark wootton 6 of 6 resigned 1 february 2012
graham lean 2 of 3 director from 1 July 2011 to 30 september 2011
doug phillips 1 of 3 director from 1 July 2011 to 30 september 2011
naomi pye 3 of 3
Apologies from directors for non-attendance at meetings are received by the Chair prior to the meeting and approved by the board.
our people, our business
boArd CoMMittees
Audit and Risk Committee
TheAuditandRiskCommitteemetfourtimesin the2011-12yearasrequiredbyitscharter.
Thecommittee’sprimaryobjectiveistoassisttheBoardtofulfillitscorporategovernanceandoversightresponsibilities(includingdecisionmaking)inrelation tofinancialreporting,managementofrisk,maintainingareliable system of internal controls, internal and external auditfunctionsandfacilitatingethicaldevelopment.
The main focus of the committee for the 2011-12 yearwasto:
• assisttheBoardinfulfillingitscorporategovernanceandoversightresponsibilitiesinrelationtotheorganisation’sfinancialreporting,managementofrisk,system of internal controls, internal and external audit responsibilities and ethical development
• developaformat,assessandreporttheperformanceofthecommitteeagainsttheAuditandRiskCommittee Charter
• clarifythepolicyreviewrolewithinthecharterandestablisharenewedscheduleandguidelinesfor thereviewofpolicywiththemergernotproceeding.
WhiletheReportingCommitteeoversawthedevelopmentofthedraftRegionalCatchmentStrategy,theAuditandRiskCommitteealsoassumedtheresponsibilityofoverseeingthereportingframework oftheorganisation.
ThecommitteecomprisestwoBoardDirectorsandtwocommunityrepresentatives,onebeingtheChairoftheAuditandRiskCommittee,GrahamShiell.
BoardrepresentativesareMichaelCraigandMikeWagg.Non-votingstaffmembersareBusinessandFinanceProgramManagerMarieMcDonaldandexecutiveofficer(non-voting)-StrategyandInvestmentManagerPhilPerret(1July2011–7June2012)andPartnershipandInvestmentProgramManagerMichaelRees(8June2012–30June2012).
G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 238
our people, our business
boArd CoMMittees
Remuneration and Performance Committee
TheChairoftheRemunerationandPerformanceCommitteeisBoardChairpersonMikeWaggandincludesBoardDirectorsDrJohnSherwoodandMarkWootton.DirectorWoottonresignedfromtheBoard on1February2012andwasnotreplaced,however thiscommitteehasnotmetsincehisresignation.
Thecommittee’sprimaryobjectiveistoadvisetheBoard on senior staff appointments, remuneration and performance evaluation.
Inparticular,thecommitteeadvisestheBoardon:
• staffremunerationandperformanceevaluationpolicy
• appropriateexecutivelevelremunerationandemploymentagreements
• specificationofCEOperformancemeasures
• evaluationofCEOperformance
• awardingofCEOperformancebonus
• successionplanning.
Theexecutiveofficer(non-voting)isBusiness andFinanceProgramManagerMarieMcDonald.
Reporting Committee
From1July2011to17November2011,theReportingCommitteeincludedBoardDirectorsMichaelWaggandDebbie Shea. Directors Debbie Shea (Chair), Coralie CoulsonandRomaBritnellwereappointedtotheReportingCommitteeonNovember18,2011.DirectorBritnellwasgrantedleaveinFebruary2012andDirectorVin Gannon assumed membership of the committee.
ChairoftheBiodiversityandLandHealthAdvisoryGroupMichaelWaiteandChairoftheRiverandWetlandHealthAdvisoryCommitteeDrMichelleCasanovaweremembersoftheReportingCommitteefor 2011-12.
CMAexecutiveofficer(non-voting)onthecommitteewereStrategyandInvestmentManagemerPhilPerret(30June2011–7June2012)andPartnershipandInvestmentProgramManagerMichaelRees(8June2012–30June2012).
Thecommittee’sprimaryrolethisyearwastomonitor,reviewandendorsethestageddevelopmentofthe2012-2018RegionalCatchmentStrategydraftinlinewithrequirementsfromtheVictorianCatchmentManagementCouncilandDSE.
ThepreviousroleofmonitoringandevaluatingthereportingframeworkoftheorganisationwastransferredtotheAuditandRiskCommitteeduring2011-12.
Investment and Funding Committee
TheInvestmentandFundingCommitteeChairisDirector Coralie Coulson and includes Board Directors VinGannonandJasonRitchie.Theexecutiveofficer isChiefExecutiveKevinWood.
ThecommitteesupportsGlenelgHopkinsCMA’sinvestmentprocessesthroughaforumthatprovidesstrategicleadership.ThecommitteeadvisestheBoardon:
• developinghigh-levelstrategicinvestmentprocessesthat define investment priorities
• providingleadershipanddirectionforGlenelgHopkinsCMAinvestmentplanningandadvice tothestaffStrategicInvestmentGroup
• reviewingtheannualinvestmentplan.
39
our people, our business
Chairperson
Mr Michael WaggholdsaDegreeinAgriculturalScience,DiplomainProjectManagementandisagraduateoftheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors.ConcurrentwithrunningsheeppropertiesnearCavendishandChetwyndfor25years,hehasworkedinvariousnaturalresourcemanagementandcommunityengagementpositionswithgovernmentagencies.HeisnowaDirectorwithJarrapoolProjectManagementandConsultingPtyLtd,workingmainlywithruralresearchanddevelopmentorganisations.
Deputy Chairperson
dr John sherwoodholdsqualificationsinscience,philosophy, education and environmental studies, withextensiveexperienceasaresearchscientistinfreshwater,marineandestuarinesystemsandenvironmentalmanagement.
HeisHonoraryAssociateProfessorintheSchoolof LifeandEnvironmentalSciencesatDeakinUniversity inWarrnambool.
Mrs Roma Britnell istheownerandmanagerofthreedairypropertiesinWesternVictoria.ShehasanAdvancedDiplomaofAgricultureandisaGraduateoftheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors.Romaisanactiveadvocateforagricultureandisoncommitteesforagriculturalinareassuchaseducation,extensiontoregionalplanningfortheindustry.SheistheregionalrepresentativefortheUnitedDairyFarmersofVictoriaandisalsoboardmemberoftheNationalorganisation -AustralianDairyFarmers.
Ms Coralie CoulsonholdsqualificationsinHealthSciences (Orthoptics) and is involved in community services and development. She has extensive experience instrategicandbusinessplanning,includinginbusinessmanagementandlocalgovernment.ShehasgrassrootsinvolvementinnaturalresourcemanagementandisagraduateoftheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors.
Mr Michael CraigholdsadegreeinCommerce/InternationalBusinessandaDiplomainFinancialMarkets.Heisaself-employedfarmeratHarrow,alongtheGlenelgRiver.HeisVicePresidentoftheVictorianFarmersFederationLivestockCouncil,TreasureroftheSouthWestSireEvaluationSchemeandontheSheepmeatCouncilofAustralia.(BoardDirectorfromOctober 1, 2011).
Mr vincent Gannon is a self-employed primary producer,withexperienceinfisheriesandmarineresourcemanagementandcommunityengagement.HeistheGeneralManagerofOperationsWinda-MaraAboriginalCorporation,memberoftheMinisterialFisheriesCostRecoveryStandingCommittee, adirectorofSeafoodIndustryVictoriaandadirector ofCobbobooneeHorseRiding.Heisagraduateof theAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors. (Board Director from October 1, 2011).
dr Graham leanholdsqualificationsinVeterinaryScience and has extensive experience in farm managementconsultancy,landmanagementandfinancialadvice.Heisself-employedasPrincipalConsultantofGrahamLean&Associates.HehascompletedtheAustralianInstituteofCompany Directors course. (Board Director from July 1 to September 30, 2011).
Mr doug phillips has extensive experience in natural resourcemanagementandisManagerofGreeningAustralia,Victoria’sSouthWestSeedbankandRevegetationCentre.MrPhillipshasbeenaBoardmember since 2006. (Board Director from July 1 to September 30, 2011).
Ms naomi pyeholdsqualificationsinagricultureandprimaryeducationandhascompletedtheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectorscourse.Shehasextensiveexperienceinruralbusinessmanagement,landmanagementandeducationandisinvolvedinseveraladvisorygroupsandsteeringcommitteesacrosstheregion.ShehasbeenaBoardmembersince2006.(Board Director from July 1 to September 30, 2011).
Mr Jason RitchieholdsadegreeinMechanicalEngineering.Heisaself-employedfarmerat“Blackwood”,oneofthelargestcroppingoperationsinsouthwestVictoria.(BoardDirectorfromOctober1,2011).
Ms debbie sheaholdsarangeofqualificationsinprimaryindustryandbusinessmanagementandhashadextensiveexperiencemanagingalarge-scalewoolenterpriseatherproperty,balancingproductionandconservationissues.SheisactiveinseveralArarat-regioncommunitygroupsandisagraduateoftheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors.
Mr Mark WoottonholdsaBachelorofArtsandaGraduateDiplomainEducation.Hehasbeentheprincipal/managerofJigsawFarmssince1996.HeisamemberoftheMinisterialReferenceCouncilforClimateChangeAdaptationandChairoftheClimateInstitute.HeisamemberoftheAustralianInstituteofCompanyDirectors. (Board Director from July 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012).
boArd direCtors
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40 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
orgAnisAtionAl struCture
Minister for environMent and CliMate Change
The Hon Ryan Smith MP
Minister for Water
The Hon Peter Walsh MLA
• AuditandRisk
• Reporting
• RemunerationandPerformance
• InvestmentandFunding
Board SuB committeeS
• Strategy
• Policy
• Monitoring
• Accountability
cma Board
internal audit
chieF executive
oFFicer
Kevin Wood
• BiodiversityandLandHealth
• WetlandandRiverHealth
adviSory GroupS
Responsibilities:
• Floodplainmanagement
• Worksonwaterwaysanddrainageregulationwithintheregion
• MaintenanceoftheEnvironmentalWaterReserve
Statutory Water proGram manaGer
Brad Henderson
Responsibilities:
• Businesssupportfor the Board, Chief ExecutiveOfficerandtheorganisation
• HumanResources
• FinancialManagement
BuSineSS and Finance proGram
manaGer
Marie McDonald
Responsibilities:
• Develophigh-levelstrategies
• Co-ordinationofregionalNRMinvestment
• Co-ordinatelandhealthand biodiversity service delivery,includingsupportfortheregionalLandcareprograms
• Publicrelationsandcommunityengagementsupport
• Indigenouspartnerships
partnerShipS and inveStment
proGram manaGer
Michael Rees
Responsibilities:
• Co-ordinateregionalstream,wetlandandcoastal health
• Maintenanceof relationswithkeycatchment health and waterwaystakeholders
WaterWay and catchment health proGram manaGer
Adam Bester
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41
reporting requireMents
Program Definition
partnerShip and inveStment:
Strategyandinvestment.Sustainableandintegratedmanagementofsoils,floraandfauna,pestplantsandpestanimalsthroughpartnershipstoachieveahealthyecosystem.Engagementanddeliveryofcommunity-basedworks,monitoringandreportingofintegratedcatchmentmanagementacrossthewholeregion. Policyandstrategicdirectionsetting,consultation andpartnershipswithcommunityandgovernment.Public affairs.
WaterWay and catchment health:Sustainableandintegratedmanagementofwaterways,wetlands,terrestrialhabitatsandbiodiversity.Preserveandenhancetheecologicalhealthoftheregion’swaterwaysandterrestrialsystemswhilemaintainingeconomic and social development. Protect and enhance thecoastalareasofthecatchmentwhileprovidingopportunities for sustainable use and development alongthecoast.Deliveryofdevolvedgrantand tenderprojects.
Statutory Water:Statutoryservicesincluding:flood,waterwayandwaterresourceadviceandworksandactivitiesonwaterwayslicensing.Floodplainmanagementincluding:strategicandstatutoryplanning,floodresponseplanning,floodinvestigationsandfloodrecoveryprograms.
WaterResourcesPlanningincluding:regulatedandunregulatedwaterplanning,environmentalflowsmonitoring,surfacewatermonitoringandCarpmanagement.
BuSineSS and Finance:Finance and business, human resources, administrationandinformationtechnology.
Values and Behaviours
Staffconductstronglyreflectspublicsectorvaluesasprescribed in the Public Administration Act, 2004. Thevaluesandbehavioursarereportedagainstperformancereviewsaspartofemployeereviewanddevelopment. The benefit of this approach is toencourageindividualbehaviourstowardadesiredorganisationalculture.
Human Resource Management
GlenelgHopkinsCMAhascontinuedtoimproveemploymentrelationsthroughthefollowingactions:
•WorkplaceObligationsTraining
• continuousimprovementofHRprocedures.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAsubmittedthemanagementlogforthenewEBAinOctober2011.Asthemanagementloghasnotyetbeenapproved,theCMAisunabletostartnegotiations.AsaresulttheCMAstillfollowstheWorkplaceAgreement(2010-11),withanintentiontoimplementanewthreeyearagreement.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAsupportsaStaffManagementWorkGroup,whichmeetsquarterlytodiscussimprovementstotheworkenvironment,promotesocialinteractionandinitiatesaferworkpractices.
Occupational Health and Safety
GlenelgHopkinsCMAiscommittedtoensuringalllegislativerequirementsundertheOH&S Act 2004 are beingmetandthatasafemanagementsystemisinplacetoprovideapreventativeapproachtoOH&S.
AnOccupationalHealthandSafetyManagementSystem has been implemented. The main focus is to provideasafeworkplaceandincreaseawarenessforallstaff.Thisisparticularlyrelevantforfieldstaffoperatingin remote locations.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAhascontinuedtoimprovehealthandsafetythrough:
• OH&SCommitteetraining(Worksafe-accredited)
• independentreviewofpoliciesandprocedures
• internalreviewandupdateinductionofpolicies and procedures
• workplaceinspections
• upgradingfirst-aidfacilitiesforallbuildings, vehicles and field staff
• first-aidtrainingforallstaff
• defensivedrivertrainingforallstaffrequiredtouseaCMAvehicleorsalary-packagedvehicleaspartoftheir duties
• specifictrainingforallstaffrequiredtouse a4WDvehicle,includingtheuseofsafety recoveryequipment
• installationofariskassessmentprocessusing aSafeWorkMethodStatementTemplatetool
• ReturntoWorkguidelines.
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42 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
AllexternalcontractorswhoundertakeworkfortheGlenelgHopkinsCMAareprovidedwithaContractorInduction.TheyarerequiredtoproduceevidenceoftheirWorkCoverstatusbeforestartingworkaswellasaSafeWorkMethodStatementthatmustmeetalevelofcompliancethatequals,asaminimum,therequirementsinourownRiskAssessmentfortheproject.
AllOH&SpoliciesandproceduresareavailabletostaffthroughanelectronicshareddocumentspointontheCMAintranet.
ThereweretwonewWorkCoverclaimsfor2011-2012.
Merit and EquityGlenelgHopkinsCMAstaffareappointedfollowing a comprehensive selection process. People are selected for vacancies and other employment opportunities solelyontheirmerit.Meritischoosingpeoplefortherightreasons:
• attractingqualifiedpeople
• objectiveassessmentagainstfaircriteria
• selectionforemploymentopportunitieson individual ability.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAselectsonmeritforanyopportunitiesthatgiveonepersonanemploymentadvantageoverothers,forexample:
• selectingstaffforappointment,transferorpromotion
• fillingplacesondevelopment/trainingprograms
• determiningstaffprojects
• rewardinggoodstaffperformance.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAiscommittedtothe EqualEmploymentOpportunityprinciples.
WomenarestronglyrepresentedinmanagementroleswithintheCMA.OneoffourProgramManagersandthreeoffourseniormanagementrolesareheldbywomen.TheCMAemploysfourfemaleEnvironmentalEngineers.TheBoardandtwoAdvisoryGroupshavewomenrepresentingtheinterestsofthecommunityinnaturalresourcemanagement.TheCMAemploysanIndigenousCommunityCo-ordinator.
Staff Technology SupportAnincreasingnumberofGlenelgHopkinsCMAstaffliveintheWarrnamboolarea,whichhasresultedinincreasedtravelofstafftoourHamiltonmainoffice. ToreducethetravelcoststoHamilton,stafffrom theWarrnamboolareacannowworkfromtheWarrnambooloffice.
ThepreviousITinfrastructurewasnotadequatetosupporttheincreasednumberofstaffworkingfromWarrnambool.TheCMAhasinstalledanewADSL2connectioninHamiltontoimproveconnectivity,betweentheHamiltonandWarrnamboolsites.
GlenelG hopkinS cma WorkForce (Fte) aS at June 30 2012
2011-12 2010-11
ExecutiveOfficers 5 3
SeniorManagers 4 7
AdministrationStaff 8 13
Field Staff 29 32
Total 46 55
Male 27.8 29
Female 21.33 26
Total 49.13 55
Workforce Data
GlenelgHopkinsCMAemployed49.1full-timeequivalent(FTE)staffin2011-12comparedto55FTEstaff in 2010-11.
executive oFFicer data
TheAnnualisedEmployeeEquivalentfor2011-12 was2.2.
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43
CoMpliAnCe And disClosures
National Competition Policy
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisnotcomprisedofbusinessunits and its operations do not restrict competition. Noallegationsofnon-compliancewithgovernmentpolicywerelodgedwiththeorganisationin2011-12.
Freedom of Information
operation
GlenelgHopkinsCMAisconsidereda“GovernmentAgency”underthetermsoftheFreedom of Information Act 1982.Accordingly,GlenelgHopkinsCMAcomplieswiththeproceduresprescribedunderwhichmembersofthepublicmaygainaccesstoinformationheldbyagencies.
RequestsforinformationshouldbeforwardedtotheFreedomofInformationOfficer,
michelle dahl, POBox502or79FrenchStreet,Hamilton,3300,accompanied by an application fee of $25.10.
application
GlenelgHopkinsCMAreceivednorequestsforinformationduring2011-12undertheFreedom of Information Act 1982.
Whistleblowers Protection Act
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 came into effect on January 1, 2002. The ActisdesignedtoprotectpeoplewhodiscloseinformationaboutseriouswrongdoingwithintheVictorianpublicsectorandtoprovideaframeworkforinvestigationofthesematters.
GlenelgHopkinsCMABoardadoptedtheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentWhistleblowers Protection Act 2001proceduresonMarch20,2002 -ResolutionNumber0270.00.
TherehavebeennodisclosuresmadetoGlenelgHopkinsCMAsincecommencementofthisAct.
DisclosuresofimproperconductbyGlenelgHopkinsCMAoritsemployeesmaybemadetothefollowing:
marie mcdonald Protected Disclosure Co-ordinator, GlenelgHopkinsCMA, 79FrenchStreet,Hamilton,Vic3300 Telephone:(03)55712526 Email:[email protected]
the ombudsman victoria Level3,459CollinsStreet,Melbourne,Vic3000 Telephone:(03)96136222 Tollfree:1800806314
availaBility oF other inFormation
GlenelgHopkinsCMAhasavailablethefollowingdocuments as specified in the Financial Management Act 1994,subjecttotheFreedom of Information Act 1982:
• publicationsproducedbyGlenelgHopkinsCMA andtheplaceswherethepublicationscanbeobtained
• relevantofficershavedulycompleteddeclarations of pecuniary interests. These are treated as confidential documents
• majorexternalreviews
• changesinprices,fees,charges,ratesand leviescharged
• majorresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesundertaken
• overseastravelundertaken,includingasummary oftheobjectivesandoutcomesofeachvisit
• majorpromotional,publicrelationsandmarketingactivitiesundertakenbytheCMAtodevelopcommunityawarenessoftheorganisationanditsservices
• assessmentsandmeasurestoimprovetheOH&S of employees
• StatementofIndustrialRelationswithintheCMA,includingtimelostthroughindustrialaccidentsanddisputes
• listofmajorcommitteessponsoredbytheentity, the purposes of each committee and the extent towhichthepurposeshavebeenachieved.
community incluSiveneSS
GlenelgHopkinsCMAiscommittedtopolicies,programsandstrategiesdeliveringculturallyappropriate services to the Victorian community. Currentpracticesofinclusiveandthoroughpublicconsultationensureallpeoplewhohaveaninterestininvestigationsarekeptinformedandhavetheopportunitytohaveaninputintotheorganisation’sdeliberations.
ThisalsoincludestheworkcarriedoutbyourIndigenousCommunityFacilitator.InformationandguidelineshavebeendevelopedtoassistGlenelgHopkinsCMAstaffinteractorengagewithindigenouspeopleandorganisations.
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44 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Consultant purpose of Consultancy start date end date
Total Approved project Fee (excl. GsT)
expenditure 2011-12
Future expenditure(excl. GsT)
EnvironousPty Environmentalflowsandfishmonitoring 3/01/2011 31/10/2011 75,540 30,216 nil
Thiess Services EstuaryManagementandMonitoring 1/07/2011 30/06/2012 71,137 62,664 nil
Charophyte Services
Springsurvey -EcologicalMonitoring 1/10/2011 30/06/2012 33,000 33,000 nil
KnowledgeOneCo TechnicalConsultancyandRecFind6UpgradeConsultancy 26/09/2011 31/05/2012 11,679 11,679 nil
RMITUniversity ReviewandupgradeextensiontoolkitfortheGunditjMirringParnershipProject 1/08/2011 30/06/2012 34,120 28,160 5,690
Cardno Victoria HamiltonFloodInvestigation 20/07/2011 31/12/2012 103,020 96,260 6,760
EcologyAustralia FloraandFaunasurveysforHawkesdaleRacecourseandRecreation 7/11/2011 26/06/2012 18,640 18,640 nil
WaterTechnology GreaterGrampiansFlagshipWetlandsProtection 5/12/2011 30/06/2012 26,650 20,092 6,558
SinclairKnightMertz
NDDRAFlood ProjectAdministration 28/02/2011 28/07/2011 67,740 67,740 nil
WaterTechnology BurrumbeetCreekFloodInvestigation 5/12/2011 31/03/2012 175,535 21,720 153,815
WaterTechnology SkiptonFloodInvestigation 5/12/2011 30/09/2012 99,715 44,447 55,268
MayfairGroupManagement
FacilitatorfortheBoardStrategicWorkshop 20/01/2012 9/03/2012 11,710 11,710 nil
PIRSACorporate Carpmonitoringandcontrol 30/10/2011 30/11/2011 10,894 10,894 nil
WaterTechnology MarineClimateChangeVulnerability 7/11/2011 28/02/2012 27,270 21,232 6,038
EnvironousPty FishVEFMAPdataanalysis 1/01/2012 30/06/2012 79,600 79,600 nil
Cardno Victoria WickliffeFloodInvestigation 8/12/2011 1/09/2012 96,539 38,110 58,429
AlluviumConsulting Geomorphreportinganddataexchange 1/03/2011 30/06/2012 24,400 24,400 nil
AlluviumConsulting WaterwayActionPlanning 13/03/2011 30/06/2012 109,995 98,354 11,641
AustralianEcosystems Grantsforgrasslandimprovement 1/03/2012 30/06/2012 49,440 49,440 nil
DeakinUniversity MarineClimateChangeVulnerability 4/04/2012 27/06/2012 15,000 15,000 nil
Department of PrimaryIndustries MarineClimateChangeVulnerability 16/04/2012 30/06/2012 10,000 10,000 nil
LitePCTechnology 2011-12PopulatingEEMSS 1/05/2012 30/06/2012 12,000 12,000 nil
NatureGlenelgTrust 2011-12PopulatingEEMSS 1/06/2012 31/12/2012 13,000 10,400 2,600
EnicsSolutions EVCGroundtruthing 1/06/2011 28/02/2012 58,990 58,990 nil
AlluviumConsulting NDRRAfloodprojectContract 1/04/2012 31/12/2012 16,500 11,807 4,693
CatchmentHealthEngineering NDRRAandworksonwaterways 1/07/2011 30/06/2012 65,157 65,157 nil
PSIAsiapacificPtyLtd Projectsprobityadvice 1/07/2011 30/06/2012 11,732 11,732 nil
Consultancies
Therewere57consultanciestoatotalvalueof$1,052,445.Therewere20exceeding$10,000during2011-12.
In2011-12GlenelgHopkinsCMAengaged37consultancieswherethetotalfeespayabletotheconsultantswere lessthan$10,000,withatotalexpenditureof$89,001(excl.GST).
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45
maJor chanGeS or FactorS aFFectinG perFormanceNomajorchangesimpactedontheperformance ofGlenelgHopkinsCMAduring2011-12.
SiGniFicant chanGeS in Financial poSitionIn2011-12,therewerenosignificantchangesin financialposition.GlenelgHopkinsCMA’sbudget was$15.05millionandexpenditureachievedwas $11.88million.Thenetlosswas$231,000compared toanetprofitof$2.2millionduring2010-11.
eventS SuBSequent to Balance dateTherewerenosignificanteventssubsequenttothebalancedatethatwouldhaveamaterialimpacton theoperationsofGlenelgHopkinsCMA.
maJor contractS
TherewerenomajorcontractsenteredintobyGlenelgHopkinsCMAduring2011-12.
accountaBle oFFicer diScloSureSRemunerationreceivedorreceivablebytheAccountableOfficer,inconnectionwiththemanagementoftheAuthority,wasintherange:
2011-12:$170,000–$179,999
2010-11:$160,000–$169,999
compliance With BuiLding ACt 1993
Duringthereportingperiod,allbuildingsmettherelevant compliance provisions of the Building Act 1993 exceptfortheMaintenanceofEssentialSafetyMeasures,Section1214ontheBuildingRegulations2006.TheCMAwillprepareanannualreportofEssentialSafetyMeasuresin2012.GlenelgHopkinsCMAistheownerofbuildingsat79and84FrenchStreet,Hamilton,andleasesabuildingat241LavaStreet,Warrnambool.
ViCtORiAn industRy PARtiCiPAtiOn POLiCy ACt 2003
Therewerenotendersover$1,000,000enteredinto byGlenelgHopkinsCMAduring2011-12.
Objectives, Functions, Powers and Duties
TheObjectives,Functions,PowersandDutiesof theGlenelgHopkinsCMAarelargelycontainedwithinthefollowingActs:
•Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
•Water Act 1989
• Financial Management Act 1994
•Audit Act 1994
• Freedom of Information Act 1982
• Information Privacy Act 2000
• Public Administration Act 2004.
Risk Management Compliance Attestation
I,MichaelWagg,certifythatGlenelgHopkinsCMAhasriskmanagementprocessesinplaceconsistentwiththeAustralian/NewZealandRiskManagementStandard AS/NZISO31000-2009(oritssuccessor)andaninternalcontrol system is in place that enables the executive to understand,manageandsatisfactorilycontrolriskexposures.Aspartofitscontinuousimprovementprocess,theGlenelgHopkinsCMAriskmanagementframeworkwillbereviewedinthecomingyearwithafocusonaddressingimprovementopportunitiesidentifiedwithintheVMIARiskFrameworkQualityReview.
TheauditandriskcommitteeverifiesthisassuranceandconfirmsthattheriskprofileofGlenelgHopkinsCMAhasbeencriticallyreviewedwithinthelast12months.
Michael WaggChairperson 24thAugust2012
Total Revenue and Expenditure 2011 - 2012
-2,000
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
2008
($000’s)
Year
Total Revenue Total Expenditure Surplus (Deficit)
2009 2010 2011 2012-2,000
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
our people, our business
46 G l e n e l g H o p ki n s C M A An n u a l Re p o r t 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Environmental Report – Reducing Our Environmental Impact
DuetoareductioninstaffnumberstheGlenelgHopkinsCMA’sresourcesmartplanhasnotbeenmonitoredduringthisfinancialyear.However,consideringthislimitationstaffhavebeencommittedtoreducingtheirenvironmentalimpactonadailybasiswiththebelowobjectivesinmind:
objective Measureuse for 2010-11
(55 FTe)use for 2011-12
(49.1 FTe)difference
%
ReduceEnergyUse(Electricity)
kWhusedperannum(x3offices) 96,860kWh 96,175kWh 0.01% Decrease
kWhusedperFTEperannum (x3 offices) 1,761.09kWh 1,957.6kWh 0.11%Increase
ReducePaperUse
WhiteA4reamsperannum 610 reams 270 reams 56% Decrease
WhiteA4reamsperFTEperannum 11.1 reams 0.92 reams
WhiteA3reamsperannum 17 reams 18 reams 0.06%Increase
WhiteA3reamsperFTEperannum 0.31 reams 0.4 reams 0.22%Increase
Changefromstandardcopy paper to Carbon Neutral Paper
WhiteA4andWhiteA3reams 100% 100% 100%Changeover
PaperRecyclingLitresusedperannum 28-250Lbins 38–250Lbins 0.26%Increase
LitresusedperFTEperannum 0.51-250Lbins 0.8–250Lbins
TonerCartridges
TonerCartridgesReceivedperannum 91 78 14% Decrease
TonerCartridgesReceiver perFTEperannum 1.65 1.6
ReduceFuelUse
Litresperannum(fleetx12) 25,673 litres 47,770 litres 36%Increase
Litresusedpervehicle 2,139 litres (x12 vehicles)
2,985 litres (x16 vehicles)
28%Increase (IncreasedFREPCrewsitevisits)
FlightstoMelbourne
NoFlightstoMelb. per annum 161–oneway 111–oneway 31% Decrease
NoFlightstoMelb. perFTEperannum 2.9–oneway 2.3–oneway
ReducedWaterConsumption
kl used per annum:
241LavaStreet,Warrnambool 21Kl 21Kl Nochange
79FrenchStreet,Hamilton MeterinstalledinMay2011 107 Nobasefigure
84FrenchStreet,Hamilton 64KI 127KI 50%Increase (suspectedleak)
• FTE=Averagestaffthroughoutthereportingperiod:FTE:2010-11=55staff2011-12=49.1staff• Offices(x3)=79and84FrenchStreets,Hamiltonand241LavaStreet,Warrnambool• FREP=FloodRecoveryEmploymentProgram
WecertifythattheattachedfinancialstatementsofGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthority,havebeenpreparedinaccordancewiththeFinancial Management Act 1994,applicableAustralianAccountingStandardsandothermandatoryprofessionalreportingrequirements.
Wefurtherstatethat,inouropinion,theinformationsetoutintheoperatingstatement,balancesheet,statementofchangesinequity,cashflowstatementandnotestoandformingpartofthefinancialstatements,presentsfairlythefinancialtransactionsduringtheyearended30June2012andthefinancialpositionofGlenelgHopkinsCatchmentManagementAuthorityasat30June2012.
Wearenotawareofanycircumstancesthatwouldrenderanyparticularsincludedinthefinancialstatementstobemisleadingorinaccurate.
SignedinaccordancewitharesolutionoftheBoardofManagement24thAugust2012.
Michael Wagg kevin WoodChairperson ChiefExecutiveOfficer (AccountableOfficer)
Marie Mcdonald
BusinessandFinanceProgramManager
24thAugust2012
47
CertifiCAtion to tHe finAnCiAl stAteMents
48
49
50 F i n a n c i a l S ta te m e n t s Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note
2012$
2011$
revenue from operating activities
victorian government Contributions 3(a) 7,000,915 7,602,504
Commonwealth government 3(a) 3,970,218 4,085,000
other income 3(a) 349,463 722,950
total revenue from operating activities 11,320,596 12,410,454
revenue from non-operating activities
interest 337,156 210,591
net profit/(loss) on disposal of non-Current Assets 3(b) 472 22,115
total revenue 11,658,224 12,643,159
expenses from operating activities
depreciation 3(c) 123,490 119,463
employee benefits 3(c) 4,682,433 4,049,397
repairs & Maintenance expenses 3(c) 80,446 40,607
suppliers 3(c) 6,597,132 5,743,766
other 3(c) 406,407 284,797
11,889,908 10,238,030
net reSult For the period (231,684) 2,405,130
other comprehensive income
gain/(loss) on revaluation of property, plant and equipment - (198,800)
comprehenSive reSult (231,684) 2,206,330
CoMpreHensive operAting stAteMentFor the reportinG period ended 30 June 2012
TheaboveComprehensiveOperatingStatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeaccompanyingnotes.
51
bAlAnCe sHeetaS at 30 June 2012
TheaboveBalanceSheetshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeaccompanyingnotes.
note
2012$
2011$
current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 4 7,109,882 6,882,772
receivables 5 87,093 152,858
prepayments 6 7,868 22,313
total current assets 7,204,843 7,057,943
non-current assets
property, plant and equipment 7 1,448,736 1,556,024
total non-current assets 1,448,736 1,556,024
total aSSetS 8,653,579 8,613,967
current liabilities
payables 8 326,871 284,898
employee benefits 9 427,835 331,783
total current liabilities 754,706 616,681
non-current liabilities
employee benefits 9 292,075 158,805
total non-current liabilities 292,075 158,805
total liaBilitieS 1,046,781 775,486
net aSSetS 7,606,798 7,838,482
equity
Contributed Capital 10 3,156,946 3,156,946
reserves 11 495,624 495,624
Accumulated funds 12 3,954,228 4,185,912
total equity 7,606,798 7,838,482
52 F i n a n c i a l S ta te m e n t s Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
stAteMent of CHAnges in equitYFor the reportinG period ended 30 June 2012
TheaboveStatementofChangesinEquityshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeaccompanyingnotes.
contributed capital
$
accumulated Funds
$reserves
$total
$
balance at 1 July 2010 3,156,946 1,780,782 694,504 5,632,232
net result for the period - 2,405,130 - 2,405,130
revaluation decrement - - (198,880) (198,880)
Balance at 30 June 2011 3,156,946 4,185,912 495,624 7,838,482
net result for the period - (231,684) - (231,684)
Balance at 30 June 2012 3,156,946 3,954,228 495,624 7,606,798
CAsH flow stAteMentFor the reportinG period ended 30 June 2012
TheaboveCashFlowStatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeaccompanyingnotes.
note
2012$
2011 $
cash Flows from operating activities
receipts
interest received 315,556 199,815
gst received from Ato 261,148 143,365
government Contributions 10,790,441 11,898,896
other Contributions and Charges 356,373 724,425
payments
payments to suppliers (6,926,659) (5,983,754)
employee benefits (4,487,096) (3,990,708)
financial institution Charges (1,643) (1,361)
gst paid to Ato (65,280) -
net caSh provided By operatinG activitieS 18 242,840 2,990,678
cash Flows from investing activities
payments for property, plant & equipment (16,202) (18,005)
proceeds from property plant & equipment 472 79,157
net caSh (uSed in) inveStinG activitieS (15,730) 61,152
net increaSe / (decreaSe) in caSh and caSh equivalentS 227,110 3,051,830
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 6,882,772 3,830,942
caSh and caSh equivalentS at the end oF the Financial year 4 7,109,882 6,882,772
53
1(a) Basis of Accounting
General
ThisfinancialreportoftheGlenelgHopkinsCMAisageneralpurposefinancialreportthatconsistsofa,ComprehensiveOperatingStatement,BalanceSheet,StatementofChangesinEquity,CashFlowStatementandnotesaccompanyingthesestatements.ThegeneralpurposefinancialreportcomplieswithAustralianAccountingStandards(AAS),InterpretationsandotherauthoritativepronouncementsoftheAustralianAccountingStandardsBoard,andtherequirementsofthe Financial Management Act 1994 and applicable MinisterialDirections.Whereapplicable,thoseparagraphsoftheAAS’sapplicabletonot-for-profitentities have been applied. This financial report has beenpreparedonanaccrualandgoingconcernbasis.
TheannualfinancialstatementswereauthorisedforissuebytheChiefFinanceOfficeron24August2012.
accountinG policieS
Unlessotherwisestated,allaccountingpoliciesappliedareconsistentwiththoseoftheprioryear.
Functional and preSentation currency
ThefinancialstatementsarepresentedinAustraliandollars,whichisGlenelgHopkinsCMA’sfunctionalandpresentation currency.
claSSiFication BetWeen current and non-current
Inthedeterminationofwhetheranassetorliabilityiscurrentornon-current,considerationisgiventothetimewheneachassetorliabilityisexpectedtoberealisedorpaid. The asset or liability is classified as current if it is expectedtobeturnedoverwithintwelvemonths,beingtheAuthority’soperatingcycle.SeeNote7forvariationin relation to employee benefits.
roundinG
Unlessotherwisestated,amountsinthereporthavebeen rounded to the nearest dollar.
hiStorical coSt convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and certain classes of propertyplantandequipment.
critical accountinG eStimateS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity withAASrequirestheuseofcertaincriticalaccountingestimatesthataffecttheapplicationofaccountingpolicies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, incomeandexpenses.Actualresultsmaydifferfromtheseestimates.Italsorequiresmanagementtoexerciseitsjudgementintheprocessofapplyingtheentity’saccountingpolicies.
1(b) Changes in Accounting Policy
Theaccountingpoliciesareconsistentwiththoseofthepreviousyear,unlessstatedotherwise.
1(c) Comparative Amounts
Wherenecessary,figuresforthepreviousyearhavebeen reclassified to facilitate comparison.
1(d) Revenue Recognition
Government GrantS and contriButionS
Governmentgrantsandcontributionsarerecognisedasoperatingrevenueonreceiptorwhentheentityobtainscontrol of the contribution and meets certain other criteriaasoutlinedbyAASB1004,whicheveristhesooner,anddisclosedinthecomprehensiveoperatingstatementasgovernmentcontributions.However,grantsandcontributionsreceivedfromtheVictorianStateGovernment,whichwereoriginallyappropriatedbytheParliamentasadditionstonetassetsorwheretheMinisterforFinanceandtheMinisterforWaterhaveindicatedareinthenatureofowners’contributions,areaccountedforasEquity-ContributionsbyOwners.
intereSt and leaSe income
Interestisrecognisedasrevenuewhenearned. Incomefromoperatingleasesisrecognisedinincome onastraight-linebasisovertheleaseterm.
partnerShip contriButionS
PartnershipContributionsarerecognisedasoperatingrevenuewhentheentitlementisestablishedorreceipt,whicheveristhesooner,anddisclosedinthecomprehensiveoperatingstatement.
note 1 - Accounting Policies
54 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
1(e) Recognition and Measurement of Assets
Property,plantandequipmentrepresentnon-currentphysicalassetscomprisingland,buildings,plant andequipment,motorvehicles,informationtechnologyandfurnitureandfittingsusedbytheAuthorityinitsoperations.Itemswithacostorvalueinexcessof$1,000.00 and a useful life of more than one year arerecognisedasanasset.Allotherassetsacquired are expensed.
AssetsacquiredatnocostorfornominalconsiderationbytheAuthorityarerecognisedatthefairvalueatthedateofacquisition.
repairS and maintenance
Routinemaintenance,repaircostsandminorrenewalcostsareexpensedasincurred.Wheretherepairrelatesto the replacement of a component of an asset and the cost exceeds the capitalisation threshold, the cost is capitalised and depreciated.
meaSurement oF non-current phySical aSSetS
Allnon-currentphysicalassetsarerecognisedinitially atcostandsubsequentlylandandbuildingsarerevalued at fair value, less accumulated depreciation andimpairment.Plant,equipmentandmotorvehiclesaremeasuredatfairvalue.Fortheplant,equipment andvehiclesassetclass,wheretheAuthorityisable to demonstrate that there is no evidence that a reliable marketbasedfairvalue(orotherfairvalueindicators)exist for these assets, depreciated replacement cost could represent a reasonable approximation of fair value.
revaluation oF non-current phySical aSSetS
Landandbuildingsaremeasuredattheamountsforwhichtheassetcouldbeexchangedbetweenknowledgeable,willingparties,inanarm’slengthtransaction.Plant,equipmentandmotorvehiclesaremeasured at fair value.
Revaluationincrementsarecrediteddirectlytoequityin the revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent that an increment reverses a revaluation decrement in respectofthatclassofassetpreviouslyrecognisedasexpenseindeterminingthenetresult,theincrementisrecognisedasrevenueindeterminingthenetresult.
Revaluationdecrementsarerecognisedimmediatelyas expenses in the net result, except that, to the extent that a credit balance exists in the revaluation reserve in respect of the same class of assets, they are debited to the revaluation reserve.
Revaluationincreasesandrevaluationdecreasesrelatingtoindividualassetswithinaclassofproperty,plant andequipmentareoffsetagainstoneanotherwithinthat class but are not offset in respect of assets in different classes.
Revaluationreservesarenottransferredtoaccumulatedfundsonderecognitionoftherelevantasset.
impairment oF aSSetS
Intangibleassetswithindefiniteusefullivesaretestedannuallyastowhethertheircarryingvalueexceedstheirrecoverableamount.Allotherassetsareassessedannually for indicators of impairment, except for financial instrument assets.
Ifthereisanindicationofimpairment,theassetsconcernedaretestedastowhethertheircarryingvalueexceedstheirrecoverableamount.Whereanasset’scarryingamountexceedsitsrecoverableamount,thedifferenceiswritten-offbyachargetothecomprehensiveoperatingstatementexcepttotheextentthatthewrite-downcanbedebitedtoanassetrevaluation reserve amount applicable to that class of asset.
The recoverable amount for most assets is measured atthehigherofdepreciatedreplacementcostandfairvaluelesscoststosell.Recoverableamountforassetsheldprimarilytogeneratenetcashinflowsismeasuredatthehigherofthepresentvalueoffuturecashflowsexpected to be obtained from the asset and fair value lesscoststosell.Itisdeemedthat,intheeventofthelossofanasset,thefutureeconomicbenefitsarisingfromtheuseoftheassetwillbereplacedunlessaspecific decision to the contrary has been made.
Areversalofanimpairmentlossonarevaluedassetiscrediteddirectlytoequityundertheheadingrevaluationreserve.However,totheextentthatanimpairmentlossonthesameclassofassetwaspreviouslyrecognisedintheoperatingstatement,areversalofthatimpairmentlossisalsorecognisedintheoperatingstatements.
1(f) Depreciation and Amortisation of Non-Current AssetsAllnon-currentphysicalassetsthathavealimitedusefullifearedepreciated.Whereassetshaveseparateidentifiable components that have distinct useful lives and/or residual values, a separate depreciation rate is determined for each component.
Depreciationiscalculatedusingthestraightlinemethodto allocate their cost or revalued amounts, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, commencingfromthetimetheassetisheldreadyforuse.Theassets’residualvaluesandusefullivesarereviewed,andadjustedifappropriate,ateachbalancesheet date.
note 1 - Accounting Policies
55
Majordepreciationperiodsusedarelistedbelow andareconsistentwiththeprioryear,unlessotherwisestated:
Assets 2012 2011
Buildings 8-47 50
PlantandEquipment 4-5 4-5
FurnitureandFittings 5-10 5-10
MotorVehicles 5 5
Thedepreciationratesforbuildingshavebeenchanged in2012from2011toaligntheusefullivesasrecognisedin the revaluation at 30 June 2011.
1(g) Leased assets
operatinG leaSeS
Leasesinwhichasignificantportionoftherisksandrewardsofownershipareretainedbythelessorareclassifiedasoperatingleases.Paymentsmadeunderoperatingleasesarechargedtotheoperatingstatementonastraight-linebasisovertheperiodofthelease, intheperiodsinwhichtheyareincurred,asthisrepresents the pattern of benefits derived from the leased assets.
1(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cashandcashequivalentsincludecashonhand,depositsheldatcallwithfinancialinstitutions,othershort-term,highlyliquidinvestmentswithoriginalmaturities of three months or less that are readily convertibletoknownamountsofcash,whicharesubjecttoaninsignificantriskofchangeinvalue.
1(i) Receivables
Tradereceivablesarerecognisedinitiallyatfairvalueandsubsequentlymeasuredatamortisedcost,lessanallowanceforimpairedreceivables.Tradereceivablesare due for settlement no more than 30 days from the dateofrecognition.
Collectabilityoftradereceivablesisreviewedonanongoingbasis.Aprovisionforadoubtfuldebttothevalueof$5,000hasbeenmade,basedonareviewof all receivables at balance date.
1(j) Payables
Payables consist predominantly of trade and sundry creditors.TheseamountsrepresentliabilitiesofgoodsandservicesprovidedtotheAuthoritypriortotheendofthefinancialyearandwhichareunpaidatfinancialyear end. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paidwithin30daysofrecognition.Payablesareinitiallyrecognisedatfairvalue,beingthecostofthegoodsandservices,andsubsequentlyatamortisedcost.
1(k) Financial Instruments
recoGnition
Financial instruments are initially measured at fair value, plus in the case of a financial asset or financial liability notatfairvaluethroughprofitandloss,transactioncoststhataredirectlyattributabletotheacquisitionortheissueofthefinancialassetorliability.Subsequenttotheinitialrecognition,thefinancialinstrumentsaremeasuredassetoutbelow:
loanS and receivaBleS
Loansandreceivablesarenon-derivativefinancialassetswithfixedordeterminablepaymentsthatarenotquotedinanactivemarket.Theyareincludedincurrentassets,exceptforthosewithmaturitiesgreaterthan 12monthsafterthereportingdatewhichareclassifiedasnon-currentassets.Loansandreceivablesareincluded in trade and other receivables and other receivables in the balance sheet.
held-to-maturity inveStmentS
These investments have fixed maturities and it is the Authority’sintentiontoholdtheseinvestmentstomaturity.Anyheldtomaturityinvestmentsheldby theAuthorityarestatedatcost.
Fair value
Fair Value is determined based on current prices forallquotedinvestments.Valuationtechniquesareapplied to determine the fair value for all unlisted securities,includingrecentarm’slengthtransactions,referencetosimilarinstrumentsandoptionpricingmodels.
impairment
Ateachreportingdate,theAuthorityassesseswhetherthereisobjectiveevidencethatafinancialinstrumenthasbeenimpaired.ImpairmentlossesarerecognisedintheOperatingStatement.
note 1 - Accounting Policies
56 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
1(l) Employee Benefits
These expenses include all costs related to employment (otherthansuperannuationwhichisaccountedforseparately)includingwagesandsalaries,fringebenefitstax, leave entitlements, redundancy payments and WorkCoverpremiums.
WaGeS and SalarieS, annual leave and Sick leave
Liabilitiesforwages,salariesandannualleaveexpectedtobesettledwithin12monthsofthereportingdatearerecognisedinemployeebenefitliabilitiesinrespectofemployees’servicesuptothereportingdateandaremeasuredattheamountsexpectedtobepaidwhentheliabilitiesaresettled,attheirnominalvalues.Employeebenefitswhicharenotexpectedtobesettledwithin12 months are measured as the present value of the estimatedfuturecashoutflowstobemadebytheentity,in respect of services rendered by employees up to the reportingdate.Regardlessoftheexpectedtimingofsettlements, provisions made in respect of employee benefits are classified as a current liability, unless there isanunconditionalrighttodeferthesettlementoftheliabilityforatleast12monthsafterthereportingdate,inwhichcaseitwouldbeclassifiedasanon-currentliability.
lonG Service leave
current liability – unconditional lSl (representing3ormoreyearsofcontinuousservice)isdisclosedasacurrentliabilityevenwheretheAuthoritydoesnotexpecttosettletheliabilitywithin12monthsbecauseitdoesnothavetheunconditionalrighttodefer the settlement of the entitlement should an employeetakeleavewithin12months.
ThecomponentsofthiscurrentLSLliabilityaremeasuredat:
• Presentvalue–componentthattheAuthority doesnotexpecttosettlewithin12months;and
• Nominalvalue–componentthattheAuthorityexpectstosettlewithin12months.
non-current liability – conditional lSl (representinglessthan3yearscontinuousservice)is disclosed as a non-current liability. There is an unconditionalrighttodeferthesettlementoftheentitlement until the employee has completed the requisiteyearsofservice.ConditionalLSLisrequired to be measured at present value.
Incalculatingpresentvalue,considerationisgiventoexpectedfuturewageandsalarylevels,experienceofemployeedeparturesandperiodsofservice.Expectedfuturepaymentsarediscountedusingmarketyieldsatthereportingdateonnationalgovernmentbondswithterms to maturity and currency that match, as closely aspossible,theestimatedfuturecashoutflows.
Superannuation
Theamountchargedtothecomprehensiveoperatingstatement in respect of superannuation represents thecontributionsmadebytheAuthoritytothesuperannuation plan in respect to the current services of entity staff. Superannuation contributions are made to the plans based on the relevant rules of each plan.
employee BeneFit on-coStS
Employeebenefiton-costs,includingpayrolltaxandworker’scompensationarerecognisedandincludedinemployeebenefitliabilitiesandcostswhentheemployeebenefitstowhichtheyrelatearerecognisedas liabilities.
1(m) Goods and Services Tax
Revenues,expensesandassetsarerecognisednetofgoodsandservicestax(GST),exceptwheretheamountofGSTincurredisnotrecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxationOffice(ATO).Inthesecircumstances,theGSTisrecognisedaspartofthecostofacquisitionoftheasset or as part of an item of expense.
ReceivablesandpayablesarestatedinclusiveofGST.The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to,theATOisincludedasacurrentassetorliabilityintheBalanceSheet.CashflowsarisingfromoperatingactivitiesaredisclosedintheCashFlowStatementonagrossbasis–i.e.,inclusiveofGST.TheGSTcomponentofcashflowsarisingfrominvestingandfinancingactivitieswhichisrecoverableorpayabletothetaxationauthorityisclassifiedasoperatingcashflows.
note 1 - Accounting Policies
57
1(n) New Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued that are not yet effective
Certainnewaccountingstandardsandinterpretationshavebeenpublishedthatarenotmandatoryforthe30June2012reportingperiod.Asat30June2012,thefollowingstandardsandinterpretationshadbeenissuedbutwere notmandatoryforfinancialyearending30June2012.TheAuthorityhasnotanddoesnotintendtoadoptthesestandards early.
note 1 - Accounting Policies
58 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
Standard / interpretation Summary
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning or after
impact on departmental Financial Statements
AASB9FinancialInstruments,AADB2010-7Amendments toAustralianAccountingStandardsarisingfromAASB9(December 2010)
AASB9FinancialInstrumentsaddressesthe classification and measurement andderecognitionoffinancialassetsand financial liabilities. The standard is not applicable until 1 January 2013 but is available for early adoption. The derecognitionruleshavebeentransferredfromAASB139FinancialInstruments:RecognitionandMeasurement andhavenotbeenchanged.
1 January 2013 The entity is yet to assess its full impact
AASB1053ApplicationofTiersofAustralianAccountingStandardsandAASB2010-2AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandardsarisingfromReducedRequirements
On30June2010theAASBofficiallyintroducedareviseddifferentialreportingframeworkinAustralia.Underthisframework,atwo-tierdifferentialreportingregimeappliestoallentitiesthatpreparegeneralpurposefinancialstatements.
1 July 2013 The impact of this standardwilldependoninstructions provided by DTF on its applicability to the entity. The entity willassessitsimpactonce DTF has provided guidanceonthisstandard
AASB2010-8AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards–DeferredTax:RecoveryofUnderlyingAssets[AASB112]
InDecember2010,theAASBamendedAASB112IncomeTaxestoprovideapracticalapproachformeasuringdeferredtax liabilities and deferred tax assets wheninvestmentpropertyismeasuredusingthefairvaluemodel.AASB112requiresthemeasurementofdeferredtax assets or liabilities to reflect the tax consequencesthatwouldfollowfromthewaymanagementexpectstorecoverorsettlethecarryingofrelevantassetsorliabilities,thatisthroughuseorthroughsale. The amendment introduces a rebuttable presumption that investment propertywhichismeasuredatfairvalueisrecovered entirely by sale.
1 January 2012 GHCMAdoesnotmakeany investment property. The amendment is therefore not expected to have any impact on theGHCMA’sfinancialstatements
note 1 - Accounting Policies
59
Standard / interpretation Summary
applicable for annual reporting periods beginning or after
impact on departmental Financial Statements
AASB2010-10FurtherAmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards–Removalof Fixed Dates for FirsttimeAdopters [AASB2009-11&AASB2010-7]
AASB1FirsttimeAdoptionofAustralianAccountingStandardswasamendedinDecember2010byeliminatingreferencesto fixed dates for one exemption and one exceptiondealingwithfinancialassetsandliabilities.TheAASBalsointroducedanewexemptionforentitiesthatresumepresentingtheirfinancialstatementsinaccordancewithAustralianAccountingStandardsafterhavingbeensubjecttosevere hyperinflation.
1 January 2013 These amendments are not expected to have anysignificantimpactonGHCMA’sdisclosures
AASB2011-4AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards to removeIndividualKeyManagementPersons Disclosure Requirements
RemovestheindividualkeymanagementpersonneldisclosurerequirementsfromAASB124RelatedPartyDisclosures, toachieveconsistencywiththeinternationalequivalentstandardandremovesaduplicationoftherequirementswiththeCorporationAct2001.Theamendment cannot be adopted early.
1 July 2013 This amendment is expected to have limited impact
AASB2011-9AmendmentstoAustralianAccountingStandards–Presentation of ItemsofOtherComprehensive Income
Requirementforentitiestogroupitemspresented in other comprehensive income onthebasisofwhethertheymayberecycled to profit or loss in the future.
1 July 2012 Thegroupwillappythisamendment from 1 July 2012.Thiswillonlyhave an impact on disclosure and presentation
AASB2011-13Amendments toAustralianAccountingStandards–Improvementsto AASB1049
The amendments clarify some of the requirementsinAASB1049WholeofGovernment and General Government SectorFinancialReportingandwillimprovetheharmonisationoffinancialreportingrequirementsoftheCommonwealth,StateandTerritoryGovernments.Applicableonlytonot-for-profit entities and/or public sector entities.
1 July 2012 This amendment is expected to have limited impact
TheAuthority’sactivitiesexposeittoavarietyoffinancialrisks:marketrisk,creditriskandliquidityrisk.ThisnotepresentsinformationabouttheAuthority’sexposuretoeachoftheserisks,andtheobjectives,policiesandprocessesformeasuringandmanagingrisk.
TheAuthority’sBoardhastheoverallresponsibilityfortheestablishmentandoversightoftheAuthority’sriskmanagementframework.TheAuthority’soverallriskmanagementprogramfocusesontheunpredictabilityoffinancialmarketsandseekstominimisepotentialadverse effects on the financial performance of the Authority.TheAuthorityusesdifferentmethodstomeasuredifferenttypesofrisktowhichitisexposed.These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case ofinterestrate,foreignexchangeandotherpricerisks,ageinganalysisforcreditandbetaanalysisinrespectofinvestmentportfoliostodeterminemarketrisk.
RiskmanagementiscarriedoutbytheAuditandRiskCommittee under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The finance department identifies, evaluates andhedgesfinancialrisksincloseco-operationwiththeAuthority’soperatingunits.TheBoardprovideswrittenprincipalsforoverallriskmanagement,aswellaspoliciescoveringspecificareas,suchasforeignexchangerisk,interestraterisk,creditrisk,useofderivative financial instruments and non-derivative financialinstrument,andinvestmentofexcessliquidity.
ThemainriskstheAuthorityisexposedtothroughfinancialinstrumentsareasfollows:
2(a) Market Risk
MarketriskistheriskthatchangesinmarketpriceswillaffectthefairvalueorfuturecashflowsoftheAuthority’sfinancialinstruments.Marketriskcomprisesofforeignexchangerisk,interestrateriskandotherpricerisk.TheAuthority’sexposuretomarketriskisprimarilythroughinterestraterisk,thereisnoexposuretoforeignexchangeriskandinsignificantexposuretootherpricerisks.
Objectives,policiesandprocessesusedtoassesstheserisksaredisclosedintheparagraphsbelow:
(i) interest rate risk
TheAuthority’sexposuretomarketinterestratesrelatesprimarilytotheAuthority’sfundsinvestedonthemoneymarket.
TheAuthorityhasminimalexposuretointerestrateriskthroughitsholdingofcashassetsandotherfinancialassets.TheAuthoritymanagesitsinterestrateriskbymaintainingadiversifiedinvestmentportfolio.
(ii) Foreign exchange risk
TheAuthorityhasnoexposuretochangesintheforeignexchangerate.
(iii) other price risk
TheAuthorityhasnosignificantexposuretoother pricerisk.
note 2 - Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies
60 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
market riSk SenSitivity analySiS
ThefollowingtablesummarisesthesensitivityoftheAuthority’sfinancialassetsandliabilitiestointerestrate andotherpricerisk.
note 2 - Financial Risk Management Objectives and Policies
61
carrying amount
$
interest Rate Risk other price Risk
-1% +1% -10% +10%
result $
equity $
result $
equity $
result $
equity $
result $
equity $
30 June 2012
Financial assets
Cash and Cash equivalents 7,109,882 (71,099) (71,099) 71,099 71,099 - - - -
receivables 43,234 - - - - - - - -
Financial liabilities
payables 326,871 - - - - - - - -
total increase/(decrease) (71,099) (71,099) 71,099 71,099 - - - -
30 June 2011
Financial assets
Cash and Cash equivalents 6,882,712 (68,828) (68,828) 68,828 68,828 - - - -
receivables 48,693 - - - - - - - -
Financial liabilities
payables 284,898 - - - - - - - -
total increase/(decrease) (68,828) (68,828) 68,828 68,828 - - - -
2(b) Credit Risk
CreditRiskistheriskoffinanciallosstotheAuthorityas a result of a customer or counterpart to a financial instrumentfailingtomeetitscontractualobligations.CreditriskarisesprincipallyfromtheAuthority’sreceivables.
TheAuthorityhasnosignificantexposuretocreditrisk.
AnanalysisoftheageingoftheAuthority’sreceivablesatreportingdatehasbeenprovidedinNote5.
2(c) Liquidity Risk
LiquidityRiskistheriskthattheAuthoritywillnotbeabletomeetitsfinancialobligationsastheyfalldue.TheAuthority’spolicyistosettleobligationswithin 30daysandintheeventofdisputemakepaymentswithin30daysfromthedateofresolution.
TheAuthoritymanagesliquidityriskbymaintainingadequatereservesandbankingfacilitiesbycontinuouslymonitoringforecastsandactualcashflowsandmatchingthe maturity profiles of financial assets and financial liabilities.
2(d) Fair value measurements
Thecarryingvaluelessimpairmentprovisionoftradereceivables and payables is a reasonable approximation of their fair value due to their short-term nature.
Thecarryingamountsandaggregatenetfairvaluesoffinancial assets and financial liabilities at balance date have been provided in Note 13.
note 3 - Operating Statement Disclosures
62 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
3(a) Revenue from operating activities 2012
$2011
$
3(a)(i) Government GrantS and contriButionS
Catchment planning 1,095,615 2,109,598
land Health program 170,000 170,000
river Health 1,959,200 2,121,906
natural resources investment program (nrip) 2,571,000 2,621,000
other state funding 1,205,100 670,000
total 7,000,915 7,602,504
3(a)(ii) commonWealth Government
Caring for our Country 2,841,000 2,541,000
Caring for our Country - Competitive 365,000 -
natural disaster resilience 174,218 1,544,000
national landcare program 100,000 -
other Commonwealth revenue 490,000 -
total 3,970,218 4,085,000
3(a)(iii) other income
partnership Contributions 174,930 134,153
sundry 174,533 588,797
total 349,463 722,950
total revenue 11,320,596 12,410,454
3(b) Net Gain/(Loss) on disposal of non-current assets2012
$2011
$
proceeds from disposal of non-current assets
plant and equipment 472 1,564
Motor vehicles - 77,593
total 472 79,157
Written down value of non-current assets disposed
Motor vehicles - 57,042
plant and equipment - -
total - 57,042
net Gain/(loSS) on diSpoSal 472 22,115
note 3 - Operating Statement Disclosures
63
3(c) Expenditure from operating activities2012
$2011
$
employee Benefits
salaries and wages 3,815,721 3,477,193
other employee expenses 516,781 288,234
superannuation 349,931 283,970
total 4,682,433 4,049,397
other
auditor remuneration
Auditor-general for audit of financial statements 8,750 8,650
internal audit 29,540 31,727
rental expenses - operating leases 363,117 244,420
Bad and doubtful debts 5,000 -
total 406,407 284,797
depreciation
buildings 40,443 19,467
plant & equipment 54,580 60,948
furniture & fittings 21,252 22,686
Motor vehicles 7,215 16,362
total 123,490 119,463
Suppliers 6,597,132 5,743,766
repairs and maintenance 80,446 40,607
total expenditure 11,889,908 10,238,030
note 4 - Cash and Cash Equivalents
64 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
2012
$
2011
$
Cash at bank 109,882 282,772
deposits at call 1,000,000 1,600,000
term deposit 6,000,000 5,000,000
total caSh and caSh equivalentS * 7,109,882 6,882,772
2012
$
2011
$
balance as per Cash flow statement 7,109,882 6,882,772
*$4,644,563of$7,109,882cashandcashequivalentsheldatbalancedatearecommittedtospecificprojectsfor whichfundinghasbeenprovidedtotheAuthority.RefertoNote14fordetailsofprogramswithfundscommitted at balance date.
4(a) Reconcil iation to cash at the end of year
TheabovefiguresarereconciledtocashattheendoffinancialyearasshownintheCashFlowStatement,asfollows:
4(b) Cash at Bank and on hand
Thesedepositsarebearingfloatinginterestratesaround1%
4(c) Deposits at cal lThedepositsareinterestbearingwithfloatinginterestratesbetween4.75-3.50%(2011average4.50%)
4(d) Term DepositThedepositsareinterestbearingwithvaryinginterestratesbetween3.54-5.08%(20114.50-4.84%)
note 5 - Receivables
note 6 - Other Assets
65
2012
$
2011
$
gst receivable 43,859 104,165
debtors 15,857 37,917
provision for doubtful debts (5,000)
Accrued revenue 32,377 10,776
total receivaBleS 87,093 152,858
2012
$
2011
$
over 6 months 5,000 -
2012
$
2011
$
up to 6 months - 4,114
over 6 months 9,720 16,061
2012
$
2011
$
prepayments - operations 7,868 22,313
total other aSSetS 7,868 22,313
5(a) Provision for doubtful debts
Asat30June2012,currentreceivablesoftheAuthoritywithanominalvalueof$5,000wereimpaired. Theamountoftheprovisionwas$5,000.Itwasassessedthataportionofthereceivablesinexpectedtoberecovered.
The creation and release of the provision for doubtful debts has been included as an expense in the comprehensive operatingstatement.Amountschargedtotheprovisionaccountaregenerallywrittenoffwhenthereisnotexpectationofrecoveringadditionalcash.
5(b) Past due but not impaired trade receivables
Asat30June,2012,theAuthorityhad$9,720receivableswerepastduebutnotimpaired.Theserelatetoanumber ofindependentcustomersforwhomthereisnorecenthistoryofdefault.Theageinganaylsyisofthesereceivables isasfollows:
Theotheramountswithinreceivablesdonotcontainimpairedassetsandarenotpastdue.Basedoncredithistory, itisexpectedthattheseamountswillbereceivedwhendue.
RefertoNote13foranalysisofinterestraterisk,netfairvaluesandcreditraterisk.
66 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note 7 - Property, Plant & Equiptment
7(a) Classes of assets2012
$
2011
$
land
At fair value 555,000 555,000
555,000 555,000
Buildings
At fair value 739,000 739,000
less Accumulated depreciation 40,443 -
698,557 739,000
motor vehicles
At fair value 36,025 36,024
less: Accumulated depreciation 32,099 24,883
3,926 11,141
plant & equipment
At fair value 236,135 800,408
less: Accumulated depreciation 139,211 665,106
96,924 135,302
Furniture & Fittings
At fair value 210,025 161,296
less: Accumulated depreciation 115,696 45,715
94,329 115,581
total property, plant & equipment 1,448,736 1,556,024
details of the revaluation
LandandBuildingshavebeenrevaluedat30June2011byEganNationalValuers(Vic)
ThebasisforthevaluationisFairValueinaccordancewithAASB116andFRD103D.
67
note 7 - Property, Plant & Equiptment
7(b) Movements during the reporting period
2011-2012
opening Wdv 1 July
2011
$
additions
$
disposals
$
revaluations
$
depreciation
$
closing Wdv 30 June 2012
$
land 555,000 - - - - 555,000
buildings & improvements
739,000 - - - 40,443 698,557
Motor vehicles 11,141 - - - 7,215 3,926
plant & equipment 135,302 16,202 - - 54,580 96,924
furniture & fittings 115,581 - - - 21,252 94,329
total 1,556,024 16,202 - - 123,489 1,448,736
2010-2011
opening Wdv 1 July
2010
$
additions
$
disposals
$
revaluations
$
depreciation
$
closing Wdv 30 June 2011
$
land 603,250 - - (48,250) - 555,000
buildings & improvements
909,098 - - (150,630) 19,467 739,000
Motor vehicles 84,545 - 57,042 - 16,362 11,141
plant and equipment 180,663 15,587 - - 60,948 135,302
furniture & fittings 135,849 2,418 - - 22,686 115,581
total 1,913,405 18,005 57,042 (198,880) 119,463 1,556,024
2012
$
2011
$
Trade Creditors 235,584 159,625
AccruedExpenses 91,287 125,272
total payaBleS 326,871 284,898
note 8 – Payables
(a) ForeiGn currency riSk and intereSt rate riSk For trade and other payaBleS
ThecarryingamountsoftheAuthority’stradeandotherpayablesaredenominatedinAustralianDollars
Forananalysisofthesensitivityofpayablestointerestraterisk,refertoNote2.
68 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
2012
$
2011
$
current
Annual leave and unconditional long service leave entitlements, representing 3 years of continuous service:
• employeebenefitsexpectedtobesettledwithin12months, measured at nominal value 353,128 331,783
• employeebenefitsexpectedtobesettledafter12months, measured at present value 74,707 -
total current 427,835 331,783
non-current
Conditional long service leave, measured at present value 292,075 158,805
total non-current 292,075 158,805
total employee BeneFitS 719,910 490,588
The following assumptions were adopted in measuring the present value of long service leave entitlements:
weighted average increase in employee costs 4.3125% 4.600%
weighted average discount rates 3.058% 5.278%
weighed average settlement period 12 yrs 12 yrs
2012
$
2011
$
opening balance at 1 July 3,156,946 3,156,964
closing Balances at 30 June 3,156,946 3,156,946
note 10 – Contributed Capital
note 9 - Employee Benefits
69
2012
$
2011
$
opening balance at 1 July 495,624 694,504
decrement for year - (198,880)
closing Balance at 30 June 495,624 495,624
represented by
land 340,000 340,000
buildings 155,624 155,624
total 495,624 495,624
2012
$
2011
$
opening balance at 1 July 4,185,912 1,780,782
net result for the year (231,684) 2,405,130
closing Balance at 30 June 3,954,228 4,185,912
AssetrevaluationreserveisusedtorecordAssetrevaluationincrementsanddecrementsinvalueofnon-current physical assets.
note 11 - Asset Revaluation Reserve
note 12 - Accumulated Funds
70 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note 13 - Financial Instruments
13(a) Interest rate risk exposure
GlenelgHopkinsCMA’sexposuretointerestratriskandtheeffectiveinterestratesoffinancialassetsandfinancialliabilitiesbothrecognisedandunrecognisedatthebalancedateareasfollows:
30 June 2012
non interest Bearing
$
Floating interest rate
$
Fixed interest 1 year or less
$
total carrying amount as per Balance Sheet
$
Weighted average effective
interest rate %
Financial assets
Cash and Cash equivalents - 1,109,882 6,000,000 7,109,882 4.55
receivables 43,234 - - 43,234
total Financial assets 43,234 1,109,882 6,000,000 7,153,116
Financial liabilities
payables 326,871 - - 326,871
total Financial liabilities 326,871 - - -
30 June 2011
non interest Bearing
$
Floating interest rate
$
Fixed interest 1 year or less
$
total carrying amount as per Balance Sheet
$
Weighted average effective
interest rate %
Financial assets
Cash and Cash equivalents - 282,772 6,600,000 6,882,772 4.75
receivables 48,693 - - 48,693
total Financial assets 48,693 282,772 6,600,000 6,931,465
Financial liabilities
payables 284,898 - - 284,898
total Financial liabilities 284,898 - - 284,898
71
note 13 - Financial Instruments
13(b) Net Fair Values
Thecarryingamountsandaggregatenetfairvaluesoffinancialassetsandfinancialliabilitiesatbalancedateare:
2012 2011
carrying amount
$Fair value
$
carrying amount
$Fair value
$
Financial assets
Cash and Cash equivalents 7,109,882 7,109,882 6,882,772 6,882,772
receivables 43,234 43,234 48,693 48,693
total Financial assets 7,153,116 7,153,116 6,931,465 6,931,465
Financial liabilities
payables 326,871 326,871 284,898 284,898
total Financial liabilities 326,871 326,871 284,898 284,898
ThefollowingcommitmentsareexclusiveofGST.
14(a) Capital commitments
Asatthe30June2012,theAuthorityhadnooutstandingcapitalcommitments.(2011nil).
14(b) Commitments against current year balancesTheAuthorityreceivesfundingforspecificprojects.Suchfundingisallocatedto,andmustbeexpendedon thoseprojects.Thefollowingtabledisplaysmoniesheldandcommittedattheendofyearinrespecttoprojectscurrentlyinprogress.
72 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note 14 - Commitments
Funding categories - 2011-12
opening Balance
$
amount received
$
amount expensed
$
closing Balance
$
committed Funds
$
uncommitted Funds
$
business & finance program 102,425 255,500 199,897 158,029 158,029 0
waterways & Catchment program 2,933,756 6,448,582 6,482,838 2,899,499 2,899,499 0
partnership & investment program 538,583 3,125,443 3,264,562 399,464 399,464 0
statutory water program 1,886,070 846,280 1,544,779 1,187,571 1,187,571 0
total committed Funds 5,460,835 10,675,804 11,492,076 4,644,563 4,644,563 0
Funding categories - 2010-11
opening Balance
$
amount received
$
amount expensed
$
closing Balance
$
committed Funds
$
uncommitted Funds
$
business & finance program 101,873 366,420 365,868 102,425 102,425 0
waterways & Catchment program 2,377,144 6,149,535 5,592,923 2,933,756 2,933,756 0
partnership & investment program 330,607 2,344,016 2,136,039 538,583 538,583 0
statutory water program 294,510 1,848,308 256,748 1,886,070 1,886,070 0
total committed Funds 3,104,134 10,708,279 8,351,579 5,460,834 5,460,834 0
motor vehicle
2012
$
2011
$
outstanding lease commitments are to be paid as follows:
within one year 213,186 245,563
one to five years 199,974 45,846
over five years - -
413,160 291,409
properties
2012
$
2011
$
outstanding lease commitments are to be paid as follows:
within one year 5,000 20,000
one to five years - -
over five years - -
5,000 20,000
14(c) Operating Lease Commitments
At30June2012,theAuthorityhadthefollowingoperatingleasecommitments:
73
note 14 - Commitments
note 15 - Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabil ities
TheAuthorityisunawareofanycontingentliabilitiesorassetsasat30June2012.(2011nil).
74 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note 16 - Superannuation
GlenelgHopkinsCMAmakesemployersuperannuationcontributions in respect of most employees to the Vision Superannuation Fund and other authorised superannuationentitiesonbehalfofeligibleGlenelgHopkinsCMAemployeesaspersuperannuationchoiceoffundlegislation.
TheFund’saccumulationcategory,VisionSuperSaver,receives both employer and employee contributions on aprogressivebasis.Employercontributionsarenormallybasedonafixedpercentageof9percentofemployeeearningsinaccordancewiththeSuperannuationGuaranteeLegislation.Nofurtherliabilityaccruestotheemployerasthesuperannuationbenefitsaccruingtothe employees are represented by their share of the net assets of the Fund.
TheamountchargedtotheComprehensiveOperatingStatement in respect of defined benefit plan superannuation represents the contributions made by GlenelgHopkinsCMAtothesuperannuationplaninrespect to the current services of current staff members.
Inaccordancewithstatutoryrequirements,GlenelgHopkinsCMAcontributesamountsdeterminedbytheFund’sActuaryforitsdefinedbenefitmembersintheVision Superannuation. On the basis of the results of themostrecentfullactuarialinvestigationconductedbytheFund’sActuaryasat31December2008,GlenelgHopkinsCMAcontributes9.25percentofmembers’salaries.
TheAuthoritydoesnotrecogniseanyliabilityforanyoftheState’sdefinedbenefitliabilitiesbecausetheentityhasnolegalorconstructiveobligationtopayfuturebenefitsinrelationtoitsemployees;itsonlyobligationis to pay superannuation contributions as they fall due and if the entity ceases to employ members of the State’splan(s),itwillhavenoobligationtopaythebenefits earned by the employees in previous years. Instead,theDepartmentofTreasuryandFinanceadministersanddisclosestheState’sdefinedbenefitliabilities in its financial report.
GlenelgHopkinsCMAcontributesinrespectofitsemployeestothefollowingssuperannuationschemes:
There are no unfunded superannuation liabilities attributabletotheAuthorityinrespecttotheonedefined benefit scheme.
TheAuthorityhadnooutstandingsuperannuationcontributions payable at 30 June 2012 nor did it have any loans to or from any of the above funds.
type of schemerate
%
2011-12
$
2010-11
$
vision super defined benefit 9.25 6,757 9,752
vision super Accumulation 9.00 132,072 149,498
vic super Accumulation 9.00 43,401 22,893
other Accumulation 9.00 167,701 101,827
349,931 283,970
75
note 17 - Responsible persons and executive officer disclosures
17(a) Responsible Persons
ThenamesofpersonswhowereResponsiblePersonsatanytimeduringthefinancialyearwere:
17(a)(i) remuneration oF reSponSiBle perSonS
RemunerationpaidtoMinistersisreportedintheAnnualReportoftheDepartmentofPremierandCabinet. OtherrelevantinterestsaredeclaredintheRegisterofMembers’InterestswhicheachmemberofParliamentcompletes.
Remunerationreceived,ordueandreceivable,fromtheAuthorityinconnectionwiththemanagementof theAuthority(includesterminationpaymentsandbonusespaid).
2012
$
2011
$
reMunerAtion 266,835 323,423
ThenumberofResponsiblePersonswhoseremunerationfromtheAuthoritywaswithinthespecifiedbands, isasfollows:
income Band ($) 2012 no.
2011 no.
0 - 9,999 8 2
10,000 - 19,999 3 9
20,000 - 29,999 1 1
170,000 - 179,999 1 1
17(a)(ii) other tranSactionS With reSponSiBle perSonS and their related entitieS
Otherthantravelandotherreimbursements,therewerenotransactionsbetweentheAuthorityandResponsiblePersonsandtheirrelatedpartiesduringthefinancialyear.
name position period
TheHonPeterWalshMLA MinisterforWater 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
TheHonRyanSmithMP MinisterforEnvironment andClimateChange 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
MikeWagg Chairman 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
DrJohnSherwood Deputy Chair 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
Coralie Coulson BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
Debbie Shea BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
MarkWootton BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 1 February 2012
DrGrahamLean BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 20 September 2011
Naomi Pye BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011
DougPhillips BoardMember 1 July 2011 to 30 September 2011
RomaBritnell BoardMember 1 October to 30 June 2012
MichaelCraig BoardMember 1 October to 30 June 2012
JasonRitchie BoardMember 1 October to 30 June 2012
Vincent Gannon BoardMember 1 October to 30 June 2012
KevinWood CEO 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
76 N OT ES TO T H E F I N A N CI A L STAT E M E N TS Fo r t h e Yea r En d ed 3 0 J u n e 2 0 1 2
note 17 - Responsible persons and executive officer disclosures (cont.)
17(b) Executive Officer’s RemunerationThenumberofexecutiveofficers,otherthanresponsiblepersons,whosetotalremunerationfallswithinthe specifiedbandsabove$100,000areasfollows:
BaseremunerationisexclusiveofBonuspayments,LongServiceLeavepayments,Redundancypayments andRetirementBenefitpayments.
total remuneration Base remuneration
income Band ($) 2012 no.
2011 no.
2012 no.
2011 no.
130,000 - 139,999 - 0 - 1
140,000 - 149,999 - 2 - 1
total Amount - $289,000 - $273,638
total numbers 0 2 0 2
77
note 18 - Reconcil iation of net result for the year to net cash from operating activities
note 19 - Events occuring after the balance sheet date
2012
$
2011
$
net result for the period (231,684) 2,405,130
add/(less) non-cash Flows in net result
depreciation 123,490 119,463
(profit) loss from disposal of non-current assets (472) (22,115)
change in assets and liabilities
decrease (increase) in receivables 65,765 345,456
decrease (increase) in other financial assets 14,445 (1,643)
increase (decrease) in payables 41,973 67,931
increase (decrease) in provisions 229,323 76,457
net caSh inFloW From operatinG activitieS 242,840 2,990,678
NomattersorcircumstanceshavearisensincetheendofthereportingperiodwhichsignificantlyaffectedormaysignificantlyaffecttheoperationsoftheAuthority,theresultsofthoseoperationsorthestateofaffairsoftheAuthorityin future financial years.
TheAnnualReportofGlenelgHopkinsCMAispreparedinaccordancewithallrelevantVictorianlegislation.This indexhasbeenpreparedtofacilitateidentificationoftheauthority’scompliancewithstatutorydisclosurerequirements.
78 F i n a n c i a l S ta te m e n t s
disClosure index
legislation disclosure Required page no.
report of operAtions – frd guidAnCe
charter and purpose
frd 22C Manner of establishment and the relevant Ministers 2, 40, 75
frd 22C objectives, functions, powers and duties 2
frd 22C nature and range of services provided 2, 36
management and structure
frd 22C organisational structure 40
Financial and other information
frd 10 disclosure index 78
frd 12A disclosure of major contracts 45
frd 15b executive officer disclosures 45
frd 22C five-year summary of financial results 45
frd 22C statement of workforce data 42
frd 22C summary of financial results for the year 1
frd 22C significant changes in financial position during the year 45
frd 22C Major changes or factors affecting performance 45
frd 22C employment and conduct principles 41, 42
frd 22C occupational health and safety 41
frd 22C subsequent events 45
frd 22C Application and operation of Freedom of Information Act 1982 43
frd 22C Application and operation of Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 43
frd 22C Statement of National Competition Policy 43
frd 22C building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act 1993 45
frd 22C Environmental Performance 46
frd 22C details of consultancies over $10,000 44
frd 22C statement of availability of other information 43
frd 25 victorian industry participation policy disclosures 45
sd 4.5.5 risk management compliance attestation 45
sd 4.2(g) general information requirements 1 – 47
sd 4.2(j) sign off requirements 47
Financial Statements required under part 7 of the Financial Management Act 1994
SD 4.2(a) StatementofChangesinEquity 52
SD 4.2(b) OperatingStatement 50
SD 4.2(b) Balance Sheet 51
SD 4.2(b) CashFlowStatement 53
SD 4.2(b) Notes to the financial statements 54
SD 4.2(c) CompliancewithapplicableAustralianaccountingstandardsandotherauthoritative 58
SD 4.2(c) CompliancewithMinisterialDirections 47
SD 4.2(c) AccountableOfficer’sdeclaration 47
SD 4.2(d) Roundingofamounts 54
other disclosures in notes to the financial statements
FRD21B Responsibleperson-relateddisclosures 75
FRD112C Defined Benefit 74
FRD120F AccountingandReportingPronouncementsApplicabletothe2011-12ReportingPeriod 58
legislation
Financial Management Act 1984 47
Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 43
Freedom of Information Act 1982 43
Building Act 1983 45
Glenelg Hopkins CMA makes employer superannuation contributions in respect of most employees to the Vision Superannuation Fund and other authorised superannuation entities on behalf of eligible Glenelg Hopkins CMA employees as per superannuation choice of fund legislation.
The Fund’s accumulation category, Vision Super Saver, receives both employer and employee contributions on a progressive basis. Employer contributions are normally based on a fixed percentage of 9 per cent of employee earnings in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee Legislation. No further liability accrues to the employer as the superannuation benefits accruing to the employees are represented by their share of the net assets of the Fund.
The amount charged to the operating statement in respect of defined benefit plan superannuation represents the contributions made by Glenelg Hopkins CMA to the superannuation plan in respect to the current services of current staff members.
In accordance with statutory requirements, Glenelg Hopkins CMA contributes amounts determined by the Fund’s Actuary for its defined benefit members in the Vision Superannuation. On the basis of the results of the most recent full actuarial investigation conducted by the Fund’s Actuary as at 31 December 2008, Glenelg Hopkins CMA contributes 9.25 per cent of members’ salaries.
The Authority does not recognise any liability for any of the State’s defined benefit liabilities because the entity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay future benefits in relation to its employees; its only obligation is to pay superannuation contributions as they fall due and if the entity ceases to employ members of the State’s plan(s), it will have no obligation to pay the benefits earned by the employees in previous years. Instead, the Department of Treasury and Finance administers and discloses the State’s defined benefit liabilities in its financial report.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA contributes in respect of its employees to the followings superannuation schemes:
There are no unfunded superannuation liabilities attributable to the Authority in respect to the one defined benefit scheme.
The Authority had no outstanding superannuation contributionspayableat30June2011nordidithaveany loans to or from any of the above funds.
Type of schemeRate
%2010-11
$2009-10
$
vision super defined Contribution 9.25 9,752 9,557
vision super accumulation 9.00 149,498 201,842
vic super accumulation 9.00 22,893 20,187
other accumulation 9.00 101,827 182,092
283,970 413,678
79
ABC Actions for Biodiversity Conservation
AviRA Aquatic Value Identification and Risk Assessment
CEO Chief Executive Officer
C4oC Caring for our Country
CMA Catchment Management Authority
CvA Conservation Volunteers Australia
dAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
dBCP Discovery Bay Coastal Park
dPi Department of Primary Industries
dsE Department of Sustainability and Environment
EBMP Environmental Best Management Practice
EEMss Estuary Entrance Management Support System
EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
EvC Ecological Vegetation Communities
EWR Environmental Water Reserve
FMCF Financial management compliance framework
FREP Flood Recovery Employment Program
GMPP Gundity Mirring Partnership Project
GWMWater Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
HEvAE High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystem
iEC Index of Estuary Condition
iEk IndigenousEcologicalKnowledge
iNFFER The Investment Framework for Environmental Resources
isC Index of Stream Condition
iWC Index of Wetland Condition
kPi KeyPerformanceIndicator
LGNP Lower Glenelg National Park
MER Monitor, evaluate and report
NdRRA National Disaster and Recovery Relief Arrangements
NRiP Natural Resources Investment Program
NRM Natural Resource Management
Pv Parks Victoria
RCs Regional Catchment Strategy
RWMs Regional Waterway Management Strategy
RsHRW Regional Strategies for Healthy Rivers and Wetlands
sFs Sustainable Farming Systems
sPRA Securing Priority Riparian Area
TFN Trust for Nature
vCMC Victorian Catchment Management Council
vEFMAP Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring Assessment Program
vEWH Victorian Environmental Water Holder
viF Victorian Investment Framework
vsHREW Victorian Strategy for Healthy Rivers, Estuaries & Wetlands
vvP Victorian Volcanic Plains
vWMs Victorian Waterway Management Strategy
WAP Waterway Action Plan
gloSSarY
79 french Street, hamilton, vic 3300
t: 03 5571 2526 f: 03 5571 2935
www.ghcma.vic.gov.au
deSigned bY gSdM 10773_aug printed on 100% recYcled poSt-conSuMer waSte
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