EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN: TESTING THE WATERS

Corangamite CMA is inviting farmers and landholders to take part in round 2 of Testing the Waters, a pilot program designed to help make your farm dams more resilient, productive, and sustainable in a changing climate.

Started in 2025, the Testing the Waters project empowers landholders to improve water quality, boost dam performance, and adopt long‑term stewardship practices on their properties. 

Farm dams are a critical water asset for agriculture—but they’re also important ecosystems in their own right. By participating in Testing the Waters, you can contribute to healthier waterways, build resilience on your own property, and take positive steps towards sustainable water management for the future.

What is Testing the Waters?

The program supports landholders across the Corangamite catchment to enhance their farm dams through a combination of:

• One‑on‑one site visits with experts
• Water stewardship planning tailored to each participant
• Training in water quality and biodiversity monitoring
• Up to $2,000 in funding for eligible on‑ground works such as fencing to limit stock access and planting native vegetation around dams

These activities aim to build healthier, more resilient dams—benefiting not only farm productivity but also local waterways and biodiversity.

Why Participate?

Healthy farm dams can:

• Improve water quality and reduce sediment and nutrient runoff
• Support biodiversity through enhanced habitat
• Reduce water loss through evaporation
• Build resilience to drought and climate extremes

Participants will receive guidance from Corangamite CMA project officers and Landcare facilitators, who bring the latest research and best‑practice insights to every property they visit. 

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to farmers and landholders across the Corangamite CMA region who want to:

• Improve the performance and sustainability of their farm dams
• Learn best‑practice methods for water management
• Participate in a supported, hands‑on learning experience
• Contribute to catchment‑wide improvements in water quality

How to Submit an Expression of Interest

EOIs are now open. You can register now via, https://ccma.vic.gov.au/projects/testing-the-waters/