You’ll find a range of corporate and useful publications on this page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please call us on 1300 094 262. Some documents are too large to put on our site, where this is the case we have included a description of the document and you can email us if you would like a copy.
Large print and accessible copies of these documents are available on request.
Corporate Publications
Annual Report
Each year, we are required to prepare an Annual Report to be tabled by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water. You can now download a copy of our 2021-22 Annual Report. Previous copies of our Annual Report are also available for download as shown below:
Past annual reports are available by emailing communications@wgcma.vic.gov.au
Strategic Plan
Our strategic plan guides our work and investment over a six year period. You can download a copy of the Strategic Plan 2019-2024.
Achievements Brochure
Each year we produce a Year of achievements brochure, this gives you a snapshot of projects we have completed in the last financial year, that addresses the priorities in our Regional Catchment Strategy. A copy of the 2022 brochure is available here.
Regional Landcare Plan
The Regional Landcare Plan was developed by us and the five networks to guide regional support for Landcare. It reflects the principles of the Victorian Landcare Program Strategic Plan. You can view a copy of the plan on our Landcare page.
Diversity and Inclusion at CMAs
Many individuals, groups and organisations contribute to the health of our rivers, landscapes and biodiversity and production systems. These diverse partnerships are vital to effectively sustain our environment, assist agriculture, underpin our economy and deliver social and recreation benefits for local communities. For more, download Diversity and Inclusion brochure produced by all 10 Victorian CMAs.
2019/20 Victorian CMA Actions and Achievements Report
The 2019/20 Victorian CMA Actions and Achievements Report provides a synopsis of our collective achievements across the state, which were delivered throughout the year with the vision to inspire and facilitate partnerships and actions that achieved improved catchment health.
Environmental Strategies
Thomson River Rainbow Creek Management Plan
This plan has been developed using an evidence-based approach, informed by science, modelling, benefit:cost analysis and the knowledge and expertise of local people.
The overall vision for this Waterway Management Plan is that the Thomson and Rainbow system is managed to reduce the risk of avulsion and improve waterway health with benefits for agriculture, the community and the Gippsland Lakes.
West Gippsland Regional NRM Climate Change Strategy
Natural resource managers have faced challenging climate related events in recent times, including flood, wildfire and drought. These major events have caused substantial damage to the natural environment in some areas of the region and have had an impact on the region’s economy and communities. To help understand and better prepare for the impacts of climate change on the natural environment, we have developed a Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Climate Change Strategy.
Our Catchments, Our Communities
Our Catchments, Our Communities is the first statewide strategy for integrated catchment management in Victoria. It has been developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and catchment management authorities (CMAs) to strengthen integrated catchment management across Victoria.
You can access a copy of Our Catchments, Our Communities from the DELWP website.
Providence Ponds and Perry River Catchment Strategic Directions Statement (2017)
The strategic directions described in this document represent the long-term priorities for the significant natural assets as identified by the stakeholders of the Providence Ponds and Perry River catchment.
Each strategic direction has been identified through a review of the issues in the catchment and the articulation of the long-term outcomes sought for land, water and the community. The Strategic Directions Statement will identify the natural resource management issues of importance in the catchment and the agreed areas for strategic focus.
Draft Macalister River Environmental Water Management Plan
The draft Macalister River Environmental Water Management Plan (EWMP) is a long term guiding document that stipulates the ecological outcomes, objectives and water requirements for the Macalister River downstream of Lake Glenmaggie. This plan sets out a flow management template to maintain and rehabilitate the ecological health of these river reaches using a habitat provision approach.
Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan
The Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan was developed by East Gippsland CMA in partnership with a range of other organisations. The Plan provides the framework to protect the environmental values of the Gippsland Lakes and Lake Tyers over the next eight years, in order to maintain the ecological character of the Ramsar site, as required under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan
The Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan (2018) outlines how irrigators, industry and government will work together to achieve a highly productive and sustainable irrigation community that values and protects its natural and cultural assets.
Powlett River Estuary Management Plan
We have developed an Estuary Management Plan (EMP) for the Powlett River to guide future strategic management directions.
This sets out an ambitious action plan which will improve and protect the aspects which the community value.
Together with the Bass Coast Shire Council, Parks Victoria and Bass Coast Landcare Network and other interested groups we will be able to use this plan to access initiative funding from a range of sources to implement the recommended actions in this plan.
Visit the Powlett River Estuary page for more information.
Regional Catchment Strategy
One of our roles is to prepare the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) as a guiding document for work in the region for six years. For more information or to download a copy of the strategy, visit the RCS page.
West Gippsland Waterway Strategy
This is the guiding document for waterway management over the next eight years. Visit the Waterway Strategy page for more information.
Waterhole Creek Waterway Management Plan
This plan has been developed in conjunction with Latrobe City Council to guide future strategic management directions.
Corner Inlet Water Quality Improvement Plan
Corner Inlet is a key landscape priority area identified in the RCS and Waterway Strategy. Chapters 1-6 and Chapters 7-13 outline the actions, works and funding required to improve water quality in Corner Inlet.
Invasive Plants and Animal Strategy 2010 – 2015
The purpose of this IPA Strategy 2010 to 2015 (1.8MB) is to describe the vision, goals and priorities for the management of invasive plants and animals across West Gippsland from 2010 to 2015. You can also download a copy of the background documents (1.1MB) for more information.
West Gippsland Salinity Management Plan and Urban Salinity Assessment
These plans aim to assess and address salinity in West Gippsland. They detail a package of management actions to reduce and prevent the effect of salinity on the region’s assets. The plan also details a time frame for adoption, cost sharing arrangements and roles and responsibilities for implementation. Email us for a copy of either the plan or the Urban Salinity Assessment.
West Gippsland Soil Erosion Management Plan
This plan aims to address erosion in the West Gippsland region from 2010-2015. It uses an assets-based approach to prioritise management actions and target areas for activities that can be undertaken to reduce, prevent and remediate the effects of erosion.
Strzelecki Integrated Management Strategy
This strategy (1.7MB) and its appendices aims to better integrate the management of the Strzelecki Ranges and will help in formulating subsequent local area plans for effective natural resource management. Other documents relevant to the Strzelecki Ranges Bioregion are the Fish Creek Biodiversity Landscape Plan, Grand Ridge Biodiversity Landscape Plan, Narracan Biodiversity Landscape Plan and the Strzelecki West Biodiversity Landscape Plan.
Native Vegetation Plan
Due to our history and resource management record the West Gippsland Region has undergone dramatic changes since European settlement. These changes are most evident where there has been broad-scale clearing for agriculture, settlement and industry. This clearing of land has resulted in an 86% loss of the pre-European vegetation cover on freehold land, and much of the remaining native vegetation is in a degraded condition and fragmented state. This plan sets out directions and priorities for vegetation management within the region. It has been developed with the input and involvement of the community and will establish a framework for ensuring a sustainable future for the regions native vegetation.
Useful documents
National Landcare Program Five Year Overview 2013 – 2018
Over the past five years, the Australian Government has invested more than $1 billion in the National Landcare Program. Accessing funding through this program has enabled the WGCMA to protect vulnerable eco-systems, empower farmers, encourage biodiversity and sustainable agriculture and highlight the importance of natural resource management.
This brochure provides a snapshot of the highlights and achievements of the projects funded under the National Landcare Program.
Red gum grassy woodlands ID tool
Use this document to help identify native grasses in Gippsland’s Red Gum Grassy Woodlands.
Native Pasture Management
There are about 1000 native grass species in Australia. They are well adapted to the harsh and varying climate, low fertility soils and play an important part in maintaining ecosystem health. Find out more about native pasture management.
Indigenous Partnership & Participation Project
‘In Partnership’ is a summary of the achievements of our Indigenous Partnership and Participation project. This project has generated significant benefits for all the organisations involved and underpins the enduring partnerships between Traditional Owners and WGCMA.