Parks Victoria and the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project (VMFRP) are working to save the State’s iconic local floodplains, inviting submissions on two projects.
Calling for feedback on the Belsar-Yungera and Hattah Lakes North Floodplain Restoration Projects, Parks Victoria said the projects’ Environment Effects Statements (EES) brought together more than a decade’s worth of research and consultation with Traditional Owners, landowners, and community to provide a thorough report on how the projects would affect the environment.
“As a result of altered river flows and changes in climate, the Murray River floodplains have suffered a severe decline in the health of their water dependent ecosystems,” Parks said.
“The Murray floodplains don’t receive flood events as often or for as long as they once did, impacting our natural landscapes, parks, and native animals and plants,” it said.
“A huge amount of effort has gone into designing and refining the plans to build new infrastructure that will help reconnect the Murray River to its floodplain at both Belsar-Yungera Islands and Hattah Lakes North. “
Parks Victoria said the VMFRP would remove blockages that stopped floodwater flowing into creeks and build infrastructure, like flow regulators, channels and containment banks, to water the floodplain and hold water there for longer.
It said this water would bring new life and help nine ecologically significant floodplains to survive and cope with future dry conditions and drought.
“The VMFRP will monitor how often natural flooding occurs and will supply water in the years where the environment needs a ‘top up’ to keep it healthy,” the Agency said.
“Water will only be allocated if the floodplain requires it.”
It said submissions on the EES were open until 14 November.
Further information on the projects can be accessed at this PS News link.
