Catchment Management Arrangements

Management of the North East region is undertaken by the North East Catchment Management Authority (external link), empowered by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. This replaces the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Act 1958 and the Soil Conservation and Land Utilisation Act 1958.

The North East Regional Catchment Strategy aims to ensure sustainable natural resource management whilst increasing productivity and community viability for the benefit of the North East region and the downstream community.

To achieve this central aim, the following objectives have been set:

• Create a climate for open cooperation, communication and coordination to ensure the implementation of sustainable resource management in the region.
• Enhance the overall economic, social and environmental health of the region.
• Maintain the region as a major source of high quality water in the Murray Darling Basin by ensuring optimal water quality and quantity.
• Increase the adoption of best management practices by all land managers.
• Control and reduce the spread, and eradicate where possible, priority invasive plants.
• Maintain and enhance biodiversity.
• Ensure fire management regimes protect the natural environment, human life and property.
• Ensure sustainable resource management principles are incorporated in statutory and other planning documents.

(NECALPB, 1997)

A Draft North East Weed Action Plan for the period 2000-2004 has also recently been released.

Management of salinity is an important component of the North East region's overall catchment management.

Water quality strategies have been written for the Upper North East and Ovens River catchments.

Other strategies aimed at addressing catchment management issues in for the region include:

• North East Regional River Health Action Plan (in preparation)
• Ovens Basin Stream Restoration Plan
• Waterway Action Plan for - Indigo Creek
• Waterway Action Plan for - Upper Fifteen Mile Creek
• Waterway Action Plan for - Morses Creek & Bakers Gully
• Waterway Action Plan for - Black Dog & Whim Creeks
• Lake Hume Catchment Sediment and Erosion Action Plan
• Mitta Mitta River Waterway Management Strategy
• Waterway Action Plan for - Corryong Creek
• Waterway Action Plan for - Cudgewa Creek
• Waterway Action Plan for - Tallangatta Creek
• Stream Zone Restoration Plan
• Waterway Action Plan for - Tributaries of the upper Kiewa River
• Waterway Action Plan for - Yackandandah & Kinchington Creeks
• Waterway Action Plan for - Tributaries of the mid Kiewa River
• Lower Kiewa River Stabilisation Waterway Action Plan
• Wodonga Urban Waterway Landscape Plan

Reference

North East Catchment and Land Protection Board (NECALPB) (1997). Regional Catchment Strategy. Victoria.

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