Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region spans 13,000 square kilometres of south-west Victoria, Australia. About 350,000 people live within the catchment area, which stretches from Ballarat to Geelong and along the coast to Peterborough.

Corangamite region

The Lake Corangamite region is famous for its spectacular coastline, which incorporates the Great Ocean Road and the Great Otway National Park. There are 13 Ramsar-listed wetlands in the catchment including Lake Corangamite, the largest permanent inland lake in Australia. Significant river systems include the Aire, Barwon, Gellibrand, Curdies, Leigh, Moorabool and Woady Yaloak rivers. The goldfields of Ballarat, tall timber of the Otway rainforests and lush grasslands attracted early settlement, and today Corangamite’s economic mainstays are agriculture, industry and tourism. Corangamite’s environmental challenges include land-use change, demands for water supply, urban migration, intensification of agriculture and increased tourism.

Program Highlights

The Corangamite CMA began in 1997 with a small team of employees. During the past decade, the organisation has diversified, growing in size and responsibilities. In addition to the leadership and funding co-ordination responsibilities common to most Victorian CMAs, Corangamite CMA also has the statutory responsibilities of managing the Barwon River through Geelong, and two drainage schemes – the Woady Yaloak and Lough Calvert.

The Coragamite CMA's role as manager of the Barwon River through Geelong in particular provides an excellent platform to engage with thousands of people in Victoria’s largest regional city. The Corangamite region is home to one of the most stressed river systems in Victoria, the Moorabool River. The CMA's role as manager of environmental water reserve has provided them with opportunities to strengthen their relationships with water authorities and local communities. As more people seek the lifestyle benefits of living along the coast and hinterland, the seachange and treechange phenomenon presents another dimension to Corangamite CMA’s roles and responsibilities. Corangamite CMA is actively trying to capitalise on the engagement and capacity building opportunities along the coast through programs such as EstuaryWatch, and the employment of a marine and coastal coordinator.

Future Challenges

CCMA has identified climate change as the most pressing issue facing the region moving forward. While climate change is a problem bigger than any one individual or organisation, the grassroots regional approach of catchment management authorities puts them in an ideal position to educate, inspire, empower and engage communities to act as one against the common threat of climate change.

This collective action will be at its most effective through co-operation between a web of stakeholders including CMAs, Landcare, local government, landholders, the agriculture sector, business, industry, schools, water authorities, regulatory bodies and government.