Living or working on the lakes, or in the catchment, is a great privilege. The ongoing health of the Gippsland Lakes is vital for the environmental, economic and social prosperity of the region.
As a resident, visitor or user of the Lakes, you have a key part to play in ensuring that we keep this unique environment healthy.
Not just the lakes
Did you know that the Gippsland Lakes catchment extends from Lakes Entrance, inland to ‘the gap’ just north of Swifts Creek, across to Warragul and follows the Strezlecki Ranges around to just south of Sale?
The catchment is more than 20,000 square kilometres – that’s about 11% of the total land surface of Victoria! This large around is home to thousands of people who live and work everyday without realising that their actions could have an impact on the Gippsland Lakes.
Helping the lakes
Here are a few helpful tips that you can use to keep the lakes healthy.
- Around the home or office, try and recycle glass, plastics, paper, oils and metals whenever you can as this reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill
- Save water by setting up systems to reuse grey water, fix dripping taps and washing your car, bike or boat on the lawn
- Use biodegradable detergents in the house, office and on the car. Biodegradable products are very common and they are identified by an NP (No Phosphorus) symbol on the packaging
- Remember to put your rubbish in the bin or, if there isn’t a bin near you, take you rubbish home and then put it in the bin – use your brain and not the drain!
- If you’re going fishing, then make sure you stick to bag and size limits so that you can enjoy more fishing trips in the future.
Getting involved in your local community is one of the best ways you can help keep the Gippsland Lakes healthy. There are numerous networks, groups and individuals out in your local community who are eager to hear from new and interested members. The groups below provide you with a guide on how you can become involved.
For information about our Community Groups, please contact us.
Community contacts
Landcare
This long-standing and well-known national organisation work with landholders of all types – from rural farmers, to urban dwellers. There is a Landcare network near your and here’s how to get in touch with them:
East Gippsland Landcare Network
Tel: 03 5152 0600
Web: egln.org.au
Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network
Email: info@lcln.com.au
Web: www.lcln.com.au
Maffra & District Landcare Network
Web: www.mdln.com.au
Other Groups
Waterwatch Victoria
Fishcare
Coastcare
Trust for Nature
East Gippsland Rainforest Conservation Management Network
Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
Birdlife Australia
Love our Pelicans
Friends of the Gippsland Lakes
We’re working together to make change for the Lakes
Community is at the heart of the Love Our Lakes program. These wonderful organisations and groups play an important role in contributing to a healthy Gippsland Lakes. Passionate and full of local knowledge, the Lakes’ community has a history of completing projects and leveraging government investment by calling on their group members and volunteers for assistance. Community grants are for groups to complete environmental projects that will help improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes.
The Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee Community Grants on 2023-24 closed 1 May 2023. To find out about our next round, sign up to our newsletter.