Local primary schools swapped the classroom for the riverbank recently as Marlo and Newmerella students took park in a hands-on learning experience at an event hosted by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
“Some of the activities offered were sustainable fishing talks with Fishcare, bug identification with Wildlife Unlimited, fish identification with Arthur Rylah Institute scientists, and the opportunity for all students to have a go at throwing a line,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA’s CEO.
Students were also thrilled to take home local plants grown and supplied by local Moogji Nursery in Orbost.
“The special day gave students the chance to learn about the iconic Snowy River that runs through their hometowns, helping build a deeper understanding of its environmental importance and their personal connection to the river in their own backyard.”
The community event, held at the Marlo Angling Club, was open to the public and provided an opportunity to hear about the outcomes from recent Snowy River flow trials led by the East Gippsland CMA.
The trials monitored the estuary behaviour with different environmental water release volumes and timing. This provided valuable insights into how the estuary responds to different drivers, as well as impacts on water quality in connected wetlands during late summer and autumn of 2025.
The trials were funded as part of the Victorian Government’s $248 million investment into improving the health of waterways and catchments in regional Victoria.
“To finish the day, Arthur Rylah Institute scientists demonstrated electrofishing techniques which temporarily stun fish so that they can be safely counted, identified and released, helping to understand river health and fish populations,” said Bec.
ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney was the keynote speaker at the Far East Victoria Landcare Expo, held as part of the Orbost Show at Newmerella over the March long weekend.
This event was supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered for East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel, by Far East Victoria Landcare
A multi award winning journalist, Pip has spent more than 30 years documenting the lives, challenges and innovations of Australia’s agricultural communities. Pip shared her experiences and stories of resilience, adaptation and innovation from across the country, highlighting the importance of strong collaboration between producers, Landcare groups and agencies.
“Pip’s visit was warmly welcomed by the Far East Gippsland community, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainable farming, healthy soils and community led land stewardship,” said Bec Hemming, CEO of the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. “Delivered under TopSoils, a multi-partner collaboration supporting sustainable agriculture and improve soil health across East Gippsland, the Landcare Expo was ideally situated within the Orbost Show, bringing together community members, producers and organisations to celebrate agriculture while sharing knowledge and ideas that support the future of farming in Far East Gippsland,” concluded Bec.
Local primary schools swapped the classroom for the riverbank recently as Marlo and Newmerella students took park in a hands-on learning experience at an event hosted by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA).
“Some of the activities offered were sustainable fishing talks with Fishcare, bug identification with Wildlife Unlimited, fish identification with Arthur Rylah Institute scientists, and the opportunity for all students to have a go at throwing a line,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA’s CEO.
Students were also thrilled to take home local plants grown and supplied by local Moogji Nursery in Orbost.
“The special day gave students the chance to learn about the iconic Snowy River that runs through their hometowns, helping build a deeper understanding of its environmental importance and their personal connection to the river in their own backyard.”
The community event, held at the Marlo Angling Club, was open to the public and provided an opportunity to hear about the outcomes from recent Snowy River flow trials led by the East Gippsland CMA.
The trials monitored the estuary behaviour with different environmental water release volumes and timing. This provided valuable insights into how the estuary responds to different drivers, as well as impacts on water quality in connected wetlands during late summer and autumn of 2025.
The trials were funded as part of the Victorian Government’s $248 million investment into improving the health of waterways and catchments in regional Victoria. “To finish the day, Arthur Rylah Institute scientists demonstrated electrofishing techniques which temporarily stun fish so that they can be safely counted, identified and released, helping to understand river health and fish populations,” said Bec.
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has been working to protect important seagrass meadows in the Gippsland Lakes.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by East Gippsland CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
The project aims to safeguard one hectare of vital seeding seagrass meadows across two sites, giving these underwater nurseries the best chance to thrive.
“The insights gathered through this project’s initial field surveys are guiding where the protection measures are put in place, ensuring they are targeted to where they are needed most,” said CEO of the East Gippsland CMA, Bec Hemming.
“The protection measures include restricting motorised vessel access to these areas and will be implemented in collaboration with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and Gippsland Ports.”
“Seagrass provides vital habitat, food and shelter for fish and other marine life, supporting the ecological character of the Ramsar listed wetland. It is important we understand how effective our management strategies are in protecting and rejuvenating seagrass populations now and into the future.” “The data that is collected during the field surveys will help update and confirm existing maps of seagrass extent and density, giving us a clearer picture of how these vital underwater meadows are growing and changing at each site.” Said Bec.
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has been working with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to incorporate environmental flow recommendations aimed at improving the condition of the lower Snowy River and its estuary.
These recommendations focus on maintaining an open entrance during late summer and autumn, a period when the estuary has historically closed due to reduced catchment and environmental water releases.
“As part of the 2024-25 environmental water release plan, the NSW Government implemented the planned environmental water releases from Jindabyne Dam, informed by advice from the Snowy Advisory Committee and other organisations. The daily release schedule is prepared 12 months in advance to ensure effective planning and coordination,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA’s CEO.
A trial was undertaken to monitor estuary mouth behaviour in response to varying environmental water release volumes over specified time intervals.
“Monitoring successfully captured estuary entrance changes in response to both flow and other drivers, such as wave conditions. This provided valuable insights into how the estuary responds to different drivers, as well as impacts on water quality in adjacent connected wetlands and waterways during late summer and autumn of 2025,” added Bec.
The trials were funded as part of the Victorian Government’s $248 million investment into improving the health of waterways and catchments in regional Victoria.
To find out more about these trials, the East Gippsland CMA is hosting a community event on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at the Marlo Angling Club from 12pm to 6pm. There will be multiple activities during this time, including two talks from CMA staff – one at 1pm and another at 5pm about the Snowy flows trial.
The East Gippsland CMA welcomes all community members to join in the activities, listen to the presentation, and ask any questions about the Snowy River. More information about the day can be found on the East Gippsland CMA’s Community Events page.
Great news for fish: the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has received a further $98,000 to build on long-running fish habitat programs across East Gippsland’s waterways.
For more than 20 years, large timber structures have been installed throughout the region to create complex habitats that improve the availability, density and connectivity of shelter for native fish species. These enhancements have helped build healthier fish communities across major river systems, estuarine areas and the Gippsland Lakes.
Thanks to the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA) Recreational Fishing Grants Program, this new round of works will take place towards the end of 2026, with potential sites including the Mitchell, Tambo or Nicholson Rivers.
“The structures are designed to mimic natural fallen timber. Piles are driven into the riverbanks for support, with logs secured to create stable, long-lasting habitat. Previous installed structures have proven highly successful, with monitoring showing fish and other aquatic species making the most of them,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA’S CEO.
These long running programs are a collaborative effort between the East Gippsland CMA, VFA, angling clubs, community groups, and partner agencies, all sharing a commitment to improving waterways for native fish and recreational fishing.
“Timber in rivers is natural and plays a vital role in creating diversity and structure within the river system. It provides shelter and food sources for fish and aquatic invertebrates, which in turn support other species, including platypus.” “Recreational fishing is extremely popular in East Gippsland, and improving fish habitat not only benefits the environment but also supports thriving fish populations for fishing enthusiasts to enjoy,” said Bec.
The Redgum Grassy Woodlands and Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands are special parts of Gippsland’s landscape, stretching from the Latrobe Valley to Bairnsdale. Both are Critically Endangered and need help to survive.
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) with partners Greening Australia, Trust for Nature and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) are working on a four-year project to protect and restore these unique environments.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
On ground work is being carried out by Traditional Owners and environmental specialists, with strong input from local groups and agencies including landholders building on their years of restoration work and investment.
The Moormurng and Bengworden Reserves, the key focus areas of the project, are home to some of the largest remaining patches of these ecosystems. There are currently 15 sites, where conservation works are being undertaken.
“This project is about giving threatened ecosystems a better chance to survive and thrive. We’re working to improve their health, connect habitats, and protect important areas for the future,” said Bec Hemming, CEO of EGCMA.
“This includes mapping where these communities are, checking their condition, and restoring sites that need help by planting seeds and seedlings of important species. We’ll also tackle threats including weeds and fencing off critical areas.”
Greening Australia has sown native species directly in a targeted area of over 30 hectares at Bengworden including Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. Mediana). These seeds were given a good head start following the decent spring rainfall the region has received. In other areas, grassland seed mix was sown to restore important ground and shrub layer species that were noticeably absent. “At the end of the project, we’ll have a big picture plan to guide future work,” said Bec.
Watch this video to see and hear all about the Gippsland Lakes, the rivers that flow into it, habitat, species that call the lakes home and current threats.
Works to enhance the health of the Buchan River and improve the visitor experience at Bluff Reserve are now complete, delivering benefits for both the environment and the community.
These improvements at the popular reserve, a favourite spot for swimming, fishing, and relaxing by the water has been welcomed by the local community.
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) engaged contractors to undertake mechanical works, followed by EGCMA staff planting native vegetation that, once established, will help stabilise the banks. This work enhances the area while maintaining accessibility for visitors.
Multiple native species have been planted that will support the banks including shade trees such as kanukas and currajongs, species that have been identified as preferred species.
“Rivers are dynamic systems, and their shape and direction is often determined by nature. This project aims to enhance the environment in an area that is both highly valued and widely enjoyed by the local community,” said Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA’s CEO.
“We are grateful to the local community for their patience and understanding while the work was underway and giving the planted area the space it needs to have a chance to grow,” added Bec.
The project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Out Catchments, Our Communities program.
Key native species such as black bream, estuary perch and Australian Bass will benefit from improved habitat in the Mitchell River.
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) recently completed the installation of log structures throughout the Tambo River estuary to enhance habitat for native fish. Additional structures are scheduled to be placed in the lower reaches of the Mitchell River in the coming weeks.
Large timber structures will create complex woody arrangements that improve the availability, density, and connectivity of habitat for estuarine fish species. These enhancements will support healthier fish communities across the Gippsland Lakes and Estuarine reaches.
“Recreational fishing is extremely popular in East Gippsland, and improving fish habitat not only benefits the environment, but it also supports thriving fish populations for fishing enthusiasts to enjoy,” said Bec Hemming East Gippsland CMA CEO.
From mid to late November, contractors will access the Mitchell River via designated loading points along Riverbank East Road in Bairnsdale. The works are expected to take approximately four weeks, and the road will remain open throughout this period.
We ask that anyone in the area to follow directions and signage during the works. For further information, please contact the East Gippsland CMA. This project is funded by the Fish Habitat Improvement Fund, which is part of the Victorian Government’s $96 million Go Fishing and Boating Plan.
