DEECA acknowledges the importance of existing water rights and the value that small catchment dams provide landholders and communities.
Water Risks in the Moorabool and Maribyrnong catchments
Southern Rural Water has released a report on Water Risks in the Moorabool and Maribyrnong catchments.
This project was undertaken to identify cultural, environmental, social and economic values in the upper Moorabool and upper Maribyrnong catchments, investigate water risks, and identify opportunities to support the sustainable management of limited water resources, now and into the future.
It delivers on Action 4-13 from the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy 2022, released by DEECA in 2022, which committed to a review of water resource risks in small, dry, peri-urban catchments.
Southern Rural Water led the project that included a review of resource risk and establishment of a shared understanding with stakeholders on the risks, consequences and mitigation options that can be used to address the water resource risks of small catchment dams in the upper Moorabool and upper Maribyrnong catchments.
The upper Moorabool and upper Maribyrnong catchments were identified by the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy as hotspots where land uses have been changing between agriculture and urbanisation.
This project was possible due to Southern Rural Water, and many valuable contributions made by the individuals and organisations represented on the Stakeholder Reference Group at all stages of the project.
Next stages
The next stage will be to consider the findings of this project including the ideas and opportunities for improved water management identified by the Stakeholder Reference Group.
DEECA will continue the conversation with stakeholders and agencies involved in this project to inform the development of a DEECA-led action plan.
Page last updated: 28/04/26