Waterways
The municipality of Ararat has extensive and diverse coverage of waterways, including:
- Sections of the Hopkins and Glenelg rivers
- Large waterbodies such as Lake Bolac and Green Hill Lake,
- Ephemeral waterways including Cemetery Creek
- Over 2,500 seasonal and permanent wetlands including Mount William Swamp and the Woorndoo-Hopkins Wetlands
These waterways are part of two catchment systems: the Wimmera (managed by the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and the Glenelg-Hopkins (managed by the Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority).
Many of the waterbodies within the municipality (including the majority of wetlands) exist on private land. Much of this land is used for agricultural purposes.
Waterways on farms are at high risk of damage and pollution from grazing animals. These impacts not only affect local biodiversity and wildlife but can also have significant impacts on human and livestock health. You can protect waterways on farms by:
- Fencing waterways and riparian land to limit stock access (particularly for juveniles and mothers)
- Provide off-stream watering
- Avoid clearing dead wood, logs and trees from riparian areas
- Revegetate riparian zones and banks to limit erosion and minimise pollution
- Controlling pest animals
Many wetlands across Ararat municipality exist on private land and are continually being degraded by agricultural practices. As the shire has transitioned from grazing to cropping over recent decades, this degradation increased due to larger scale vegetation removal, mechanical disturbances, use of herbicides and pesticides, and increased drainage. Wetlands support over 24% of threatened species in Victoria, and play a crucial role in filtering water, mitigating impacts of flooding, and providing refuge in periods of drought. In addition to the above protection measures, wetlands can be protected by:
- Crash grazing of stock in summer near the wetlands when they are dry to control the growth of grass
- Avoid ploughing, draining or disturbing wetlands beds (even in dry periods) as they contain seed and egg banks of native species
- Revegetate with native wetland species
- Establish vegetation links to the wetland for wildlife
- Allow natural flows so wetlands can receive and hold water periodically
More information about protecting waterways and wetlands on your farm can be found from:
Most works within the bed and banks of waterways will require a permit to be undertaken. These works include the following:
If you plan to undertake these works, or unsure if works you are planning require a permit, contact your relevant catchment management authority (CMA). More information about works and activities on waterways, including maps of the management areas and contact details for the CMAs, is provided by Water Victoria: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways/authorising-works-and-activities-on-waterways
Reduce Waste
- More information about reducing your waste can be found on Council's website.
Volunteer
- A number of volunteer organisations operate in Victoria to monitor the health of our waterways through citizen science: