Victoria and South Australia are sharing ephemeral surface water resources in the border region. The management of these catchments links a multitude of agencies on each side of the state border.
Using the Mosquito Creek Catchment as a pilot study area, this project sought to address issues brought about by fragmented management and develop transferable catchment management protocols for the integrated and sustainable management of shared catchments. This project has worked to fill critical knowledge gaps and support the protection of key environmental assets in the Mosquito Creek Catchment, including Bool and Hacks Lagoons Ramsar Wetlands, and vital habitat for nationally threatened species between 2005 and 2009.
In 2009 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) called Connecting the Catchments was developed and signed by nine South Australian and Victorian organisations to proactively manage the threats that continue to affect the environment in cross border surface water catchment areas.
The Goal of Connecting the Catchments is to work together in good faith to protect and enhance the environmental values linked or within water catchment areas shared between Victoria and South Australia in balance with social, cultural and economic demands.
The purpose of Connecting the Catchments is:
- Creating stronger and more formal links between Victorian and South Australian government agencies that manage natural resources;
- Enhancing community and cultural understanding, capacity and involvement in managing catchment and wetland values;
- Avoiding or eliminating so far as reasonably practicable adverse cross border impacts;
- Increasing the profile of initiatives and projects relating to the management of cross border catchment and wetland values; and
- Encouraging and promoting research and monitoring to improve understanding and support informed decision making.
Connecting the Catchments Partner agencies:
Natural Resources South East (SA) www.senrm.sa.gov.au
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (VIC) www.wcma.vic.gov.au
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (VIC) www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (SA) www.environment.sa.gov.au
Department of Sustainability and Environment (VIC) www.dse.vic.gov.au
Southern Rural Water (VIC) www.srw.com.au
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (VIC) www.gwmwater.org.au
South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board (SA)
The following reports are available to the public regarding the integrated management of Mosquito Creek. Copies are available from Katrin Springer by calling (08) 8724 6000.
Knowledge Review and Gap Report (2007)
Threatened Species Report - Southern Bell Frog (June 2007)
Threatened Species Report - Striped Legless Lizared (June 2007)
Threatened Species Report - Nationally Threatened Fish (April 2007)
Hydrological Modelling of Mosquito Creek Flow (November 2007)
Determination of Environmental Water Requirements for Mosquito Creek Catchment and Bool and Hacks Lagoons (April 2009)
Determination of Sustainable Diversion Limits for SA/Vic Shared Catchments (June 2008)