The 2022-23 Gippsland Lakes Annual Report is now available highlighting the activities completed, partnerships in action and investment into the projects improving the health of the Ramsar Listed Gippsland Lakes.
“We would like to commend all the people involved in this outstanding effort,” said Glenys Watts, Chair of the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee.
“Working together has turned the Gippsland Lakes direct investment this year of $2.5 million into a combined total investment of $14.82 million, plus many hours of volunteer efforts over a vast landscape involving 40 partners.”
“New jobs have been created for Traditional Owners and community groups and new partnerships have been developed around the management and care of the Lakes.”
The report covers seven key areas, outlining the total investment in each. These are:
- Improving the condition and connectivity of Lake Wellington and its wetlands ($3.21 million total investment).
- Improving the wetlands of Jones Bay ($0.52 million total investment).
- Protecting and enhancing alpine ecosystems ($0.77 million total investment).
- Understanding and improving aquatic habitats and ecosystems ($1.92 million total investment).
- Improving the condition of the East Gippsland catchments ($3.90 million total investment).
- Protecting the Traditional Owner country of the Gippsland Lakes Outer Barrier ($0.32 million total investment).
- Improving the condition of the West Gippsland catchments ($4.18 million total investment).
Two case studies in the report bring the projects to life and feature protecting the seagrass that provides essential food and habitat for aquatic life and the collaborative effort to restore Flannagan Island – one of the several small islands in the Gippsland Lakes.
This project is part of a $248 million investment by the Victorian Government to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria. Of this, $7.5 million is being provided to improve the health of Gippsland Lakes over three years (2021-2024), through support to the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee and for the delivery of on-ground works and community engagement.
