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What is integrated catchment management?

In Victoria, integrated catchment management (ICM) underpins the sustainable management of land and water resources and contributes to biodiversity management.

Through this approach, the Victorian Government and its partners seek to achieve sustainability and ensure the long-term viability of natural resource systems and human needs for both current and future generations.

Victoria’s framework for the integrated management of catchments is established under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (the CaLP Act).

ICM is the coordinated management of land, water and biodiversity resources based on catchment areas. It incorporates environmental, economic and social considerations.

Catchment and land protection regions

Victoria is divided into 10 catchment and land protection regions:

  1. Corangamite
  2. East Gippsland
  3. Glenelg Hopkins
  4. Goulburn Broken
  5. Mallee
  6. North Central
  7. North East
  8. Port Phillip and Westernport
  9. West Gippsland
  10. Wimmera.

The 10 catchment and land protection regions

Victoria is divided into 10 catchment and land protection regions (approved in 2013 and 2014): Corangamite, East Gippsland, Glenelg Hopkins, Goulburn Broken, Mallee, Melbourne Water, North Central, North East, West Gippsland and Wimmera

Catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water

Catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water are responsible for integrated catchment management. They undertake integrated planning and coordinate the management of land, water and biodiversity.

They also involve the community in decision-making. For example, implementation committees for programs include people from the local community.

Each catchment management authority is structured to maximise community involvement in decision-making.

They comprise:

  • Board members are responsible for developing strategic direction for land, water and biodiversity management in their region and providing oversight of the management of the authority.
  • Implementation committees that act as channels for local community input and develop and oversee detailed work programs.
  • Staff members who support the board and implementation committees, oversee the development and implementation of programs and work closely in partnership with the community, government and other catchment-focused organisations.

Regional catchment strategies

Regional catchment strategies set the direction and explain how a catchment's land, water and biodiversity will be managed. Catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water prepare them.

The local community and organisations involved in catchment management contribute to these strategies.

Each strategy identifies:

  • the region’s land, water and biodiversity resources and how they are used
  • the nature, causes, extent and severity of land degradation of catchments
  • a long-term vision for the region
  • regionally significant land, water and biodiversity assets and landscapes
  • catchment condition objectives
  • a program of management measures for the life of the strategy.

Water and catchments regulatory framework

Regulation of Victoria’s water and catchments is essential to safeguard public resources and assets, protect ecosystems, and ensure safe and equitable access to water.

The Water and Catchments Regulatory Framework (2026) sets out DEECA’s regulatory responsibilities, and those of urban and rural water corporations and catchment management authorities (collectively, Water Authorities), in delivering strong, transparent, and fair regulation, under the Water Act 1989 and related legislation.

DEECA and Water Authorities will work with communities, stakeholders and water users to effectively regulate the take and use of water, infrastructure and waterways, supporting thriving, productive and sustainable communities, environments and industries.

For more information see the Water and catchments regulation webpage.

Page last updated: 01/10/26