Traditional Owner and private landowner water entitlements were combined with Victorian Environmental Water Holder holdings and released from Lake William Hovell in February.
North East CMA’s Catherine McInerney said the increased flow had environmental, social and cultural benefits.
“We’re improving the environment through providing a more natural flow regime,” Ms McInerney said.
“We’re also strengthening the partnerships between Traditional Owners and landholders. We aim to continue and build on these partnerships which are crucial to maintaining the health of the King River.”
Taungurung Land and Waters Council’s Voytek Lapinski said TLaWC had contributed water from an entitlement in the King River, associated with a property at Cheshunt, to the overall pool of water available for environmental flows.
“Delivering water to heal Taungurung Country increases our bond with the rivers while supporting the local flora and fauna to thrive in their natural habitats,” Mr Lapinski said.
“The connection between water and the Taungurung people is powerful, and this is an example of the way in which water should be returned to care for Country — for the benefit of all.”
Ms McInerney said new water quality monitoring being installed at Docker Bridge Rd on the King River would provide information that would assist with future water deliveries targeted to benefit the river’s environmental values.
“This will give access to real-time data for water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels, which can indicate whether there is a risk of fish death or stress in the system over the hotter months,” she said.
Landholders on the King River who are interested in donating their water to the environment on an annual basis can email Catherine McInerney at catherine.mcinerney@necma.vic.gov.au for a confidential discussion.
