North East - Mudgegonga Waterwatch
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Mudgegonga Waterwatch Volunteers inspire local change
A dedicated group of Waterwatch volunteers in Victoria’s north east have continued water quality monitoring in the face of ‘hell and high water’.
Members of the Mudgegonga Waterwatch group have endured prolonged drought, the 2009 bushfires and flooding while collecting water quality data in their local area.
Now the work of the Mudgegonga Waterwatch group is helping to create a healthy waterways ‘ripple effect’ that will ultimately help to protect the Ovens River - one of the State’s heritage rivers.
In February 2007 the volunteer group started water quality monitoring on three waterways that flow into the Ovens River after Mudgegona was thought to be a source of poor water quality by the Landcare Group.
Over the last four years, members have rigorously tested eight local sites along the Barwidgee and Happy Valley Creeks each month.
The Waterwatch volunteers monitor their assigned sites for reactive phosphorus, turbidity, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, ph and macroinvertebrates.
A Waterwatch team based at the nearby North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has offered support and guidance to the Mudgegonga Waterwatch group.
For example, the North East Waterwatch team analyses the group’s monthly data and develops an annual report that demonstrates how the results compare against the objectives of the State Environment Protection Policies (SEPP) WoV.
“The wonderful way the data is collated gives us a clear idea as to the environmental condition of the small creeks and catchments. The information is useful for grant applications and looking at trends to highlight problems,” said Landcare Coordinator Stephen Routledge.
“Mudgegonga Waterwatch is so impressive,” said CMA Waterwatch team member, Ms Emma Nilsson.
“These volunteers have determined the health of their local waterways and initiated a range of solutions to improve water quality.”
The group has encouraged local landholders to protect water quality by:
- fencing areas of riverbanks
- eradicating weeds and invasive species
- reducing the use of pollutants
“Being involved with Waterwatch over the last 5years has made me more aware of the importance of caring for our environment and in particular our waterways,” said Bernard Carroll.
In 2009 Mudgegonga was impacted by the Black Saturday Bushfires, which instantaneously wiped out stock, fences, crops and many homes.
“Throughout these challenging times, the Mudgegonga Waterwatch volunteers continued to monitor the health of their local waterways, so providing valuable data back to the community, Waterwatch and relevant key stakeholders, “ said Emma.
“This data will provide valuable information on how the community and stakeholders can better manage erosion and sediment problems along these waterways whilst potentially rectifying water quality concerns.”
Mudgegonga Waterwatch has been an advocate to the other 60 North East Victorian Waterwatch volunteers who witnessed the community re-establish their lives and properties after the bushfires.
“Years of drought, the 2009 bushfires and recent flooding events all had a substantial impact on water quality in the Mudgegona area,” said Emma.
“Despite these pressures, the group has continued to passionately promote healthy waterways. Being advocates has allowed the group to raise public awareness about important water quality issues with the aim of improving catchment health.”
Mudgegonga Waterwatch offers an extraordinary example of community spirit, where a small town has rallied behind a water quality project that has given hope for the future.
For further information contact: Emma Nilsson, Waterwatch Team Leader 02 6043 7616 or visit our website www.necma.vic.gov.au
