Media Release: $3.2 MILLION FLOWS TO GIPPSLAND LAKES PROTECTION

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

DATE: Wednesday, January 7, 2004

$3.2 MILLION FLOWS TO GIPPSLAND LAKES PROTECTION

Acting Premier John Thwaites today announced $3.2 million in funding for projects to help restore the health of the Gippsland Lakes.

“The Gippsland Lakes are a Victorian icon and they are under threat from a number of human activities, including high pollutant levels and reduced water flows,” Mr Thwaites said.

“Tourism operators, fishermen, and ecosystems alike all depend on the health of the Lakes. We need to act now to ensure they have a sustainable future.”

The funds will be channelled into 30 projects this financial year, as part of the $12.8 million package for the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Action Plan released in 2002. The Action Plan aims to reduce nutrient levels entering the Lakes by 40 per cent by 2022.

“Most people aren’t aware that the Gippsland Lakes catchment area spans almost 10 per cent of Victoria. Seven rivers flow into the Lakes, and actions of communities from Noojee in West Gippsland to Swifts Creek in the alpine foothills can impact on the Lakes’ health.”

Under the latest round of funding, almost $1 million will be used to reduce nutrient run-off into waterways that enter the Lakes from irrigated areas in the Macalister Irrigation District.

“We are assisting landowners to develop whole farm plans as well as encouraging water reuse and more efficient irrigation techniques.

“Another $80,000 will be used to reduce industrial and commercial pollutants across the Gippsland Lakes catchment area.”

Other funding includes:
· $150,000 to reduce nutrient run-off in high-rainfall grazing areas;
· $150,000 to further determine the volume and sources of sediment and nutrients entering the Gippsland Lakes system;
· $122,000 to establish an index of wetland conditions, enabling monitoring of improvements;
· $80,000 (for two projects) to ensure best practice management of dairy effluent in the catchment area;
· $35,000 to improve management of the protected Macleod Morass wetlands; and
· $225,000 to bushfire recovery projects that will benefit the Lakes.

Measurable improvements in the water quality are expected within five to 10 years, with follow-on improvements to the environment.

FUNDED PROJECTS 2003/04
GIPPSLAND LAKES FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND ACTION PLAN

PROJECT	FUNDING $’000
Agriculture and Nutrients Program
Implementation of Macalister Irrigation District (MID) Nutrient Reduction Plan.	975
Effluent Management Compliance for Dairy Production Systems in Macalister Irrigation District	40
Gippsland High Rainfall Grazing fertiliser and nutrient best management practice extension program	150
Dairy effluent management in Gippsland outside the Macalister Irrigation District - compliance with legislation (EPA Act)	40
Urban Nutrient Reduction
Nutrient and sediment reduction from Industrial and Commercial areas within the Gippsland Lakes Catchment	80
Hinterland environmental flows
Macleod Morass Water Control Structure	35
Eastern Beach Causeway	5
Community Awareness
Communications Campaign	70
Schools Awareness
Support for Waterwatch - Schools education	53
Wetlands Protection- Hinterland project
Biodiversity Monitoring for Gippsland Lakes	122
Lakes system water quality monitoring
Integrated monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for Gippsland Lakes	170
Lakes Catchment monitoring
Load monitoring for Gippsland Lakes	200
Planning evaluation and adaptation
Initiative Coordination	170
Catchment & Water Project Officer - Gippsland Lakes Rescue Package	65
Research Projects
Measurement of the Role of Benthos on Nutrient Cycling in the Gippsland Lakes and Assessment of any Implications for CSIRO Model of Gippsland Lakes.	65
The cost/benefit of applying sediment control practices on forest roads.	95
Protocols for the Optimal Measurement and Estimation of Nutrient Loads.	50
Phosphorus fractionation in Gippsland Lakes sediments	25
Factors affecting germination and growth of selected dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria in the Gippsland Lakes.	40
Determination of the sources of sediment and associated nutrients to the Gippsland Lakes.	150
Local Government Projects
Baw Baw Shire Stormwater Wetland and Sediment Basin Initiative	50
Erosion Mitigation Works On North Arm Outfalls In Lakes Entrance	50
Community Action for Water Quality	50
Installation of Gross Pollutant Trap – Flooding Creek Sale	40
Community Group Projects
“Retaining Nutrients Naturally”	58
Improved water quality through better nutrient management in high rainfall upper catchment of Lake Wellington	50
Mid-Program review	27
Allowance for 2002/03 accelerated projects	50
Bushfire Recovery
Bushfire recovery projects	225
GRAND TOTAL	$3.2 million