An upcoming think tank in Sunbury will discuss the Maribyrnong Catchment and environmental flows, aiming to provide residents with the issues affecting the catchment and actionable solutions.
Hosted by Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association and supported by Hume council, the educational event on Wednesday, February 5 will focus on the Maribyrnong Catchment, including the Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek tributaries that meet in Bulla to form the Maribyrnong River.
Association operations and advocacy lead Nicole Kowalczyk said the event will discuss environmental flows, which is a concept unfamiliar to many people.
It refers to the releasing of water from reservoirs into rivers to benefit rivers and creeks after the dry summer period, with the Rosslynne Reservoir in Gisborne used for this purpose to benefit the Maribyrnong Catchment – including Jacksons Creek.
“Environmental flows refer to the timing … the volume, and the quality of water that is needed to maintain healthy river systems … they support native vegetation along rivers, they protect habitats and also maintain water quality,” Ms Kowalczyk said.
“Because of our own extraction and climate change, these natural flows have changed … environmental flows are put in place to keep river systems alive.”
It has many ecological benefits, including supporting fish and frog spawning, the transporting of seeds, and providing water to vegetation along creek and river banks.
Ms Kowalczyk said water for environmental flows is often allocated through environmental entitlements, however, the Maribyrnong River does not have a permanent environmental entitlement, meaning there are temporary trades of water instead.
The organisation is advocating for a permanent environmental entitlement.
“Every year, the target is to have 7 giga litres [of water] making its way down the Maribyrnong for environmental benefits, but unfortunately, we’re only seeing a fraction of that,” Ms Kowalczyk said.
She said that the association is also advocating for improved management of the waterway, including reduced extraction of water for human consumption and private dams.
“We also would like to see the local community supporting water conservation measures. So, reducing household water use and reducing extraction from rivers and creeks if people live on properties that border on creeks,” she said.
The free event will be held from 10am–12pm on Wednesday, February 5 at the Hume Global Learning Centre, Sunbury.
Details: events.humanitix.com/environmental-flows-in-the-maribyrnong-catchment
