NEW MASTERPLAN LAUNCHED AND $1.7M IN FUNDING RECEIVED BOTH WILL PROVIDE HUGE BENEFITS TO THE GEELONG REGION

The final Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan was formally released by Christine Couzens, State MP for Geelong, on behalf of the Minister for Water, the Hon. Harriet Shing, at the Moorabool River Reserve, Batesford, on 14 February 2024.

The masterplan has been in development for two years, involving engagement with many stakeholders, including State and Local Government Agencies, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups and the general community.

As well as launching the Masterplan, Christine Couzens, State MP for Geelong, announced $1.7 million in funding as part of the State Government's Greenlinks Initiative.

The funding announced will support the immediate commencement of some of the high priority projects identified in the masterplan to re-vegetate high-value sites along the Barwon River, Leigh River, Moorabool River and Waurn Ponds Creek. These projects will deliver environmental, cultural and biodiversity improvements to this highly valued river corridor along with significant improvements to public amenity.

The project will be delivered in a partnership approach consisting of a number of proponents, including:
• A Corangamite Catchment Management Authority led project to revegetate the banks of the Barwon River through Birregurra, the Leigh River at Shelford, and the Moorabool River at sites between Meredith to Maude
• A Barwon Water and Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation led partnership to revegetate and undertake weed control at the Barwon Water-owned Porronggitj Karrong site on the Barwon River at Breakwater, Geelong to restore a balanced ecological system incorporating Wadawurrung traditional values as part of developing the site into a living cultural space for the whole community
• A Deakin University led project to revegetate the upper Waurn Ponds Creek corridor in and around the Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus
• A City of Greater Geelong led project to revegetate the lower Waurn Ponds Creek corridor towards the confluence of the Barwon River, Waurn Ponds, Geelong

Corangamite CMA’s CEO, Amber Clarke, expressed gratitude for the State Government’s invaluable support in launching the Masterplan and unveiling its substantive investment into the Rivers of the Barwon Revegetation Initiative.

Corangamite CMA's Senior Strategy Project Officer, Andrew Harrison, said the delivery of the project will include engagement with Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Traditional Owners and relevant community groups.

"We are thrilled to have been awarded this funding, as it signifies a significant stride towards enhancing our environment. This corridor and these rivers are important to the local community and Aboriginal Traditional Owners", he said.

We are pleased to provide the following link to the final Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto Langi-ut masterplan: Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut - Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (ccma.vic.gov.au. Hard copies of the masterplan are available for pickup at the Colac CCMA office or by contacting the CCMA on 1800 002 262.

The Corangamite CMA values the support of the Victorian Government and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in backing this project.

The Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan is a critical action in the broader Barre Warre Yulluk (Rivers of the Barwon) Action Plan.

-ENDS-