Introduction << BACK TO CONTENTS Funding research and river improvements In 2016–17, the VEWH coordinated the delivery of water for the environment to 76 river reaches and 51 wetlands, totalling 127 sites. We use scientific and community knowledge about rivers and wetlands to measure our success and improve the use of the water. The VEWH also funds monitoring and technical investigations (for example, research to better understand hydrology) and community engagement and infrastructure projects (such as projects to meter water) across Victoria. In 2016–17, the VEWH funded CMAs to monitor native fish, vegetation and water quality. A monitoring project to study native fish at Cardross Lakes, Brickworks Billabong and Lake Koorlong provided a better understanding of the ecology, habitat and status of the Murray hardyhead, one of the most threatened vertebrate species in Australia. Knowledge from the project will inform the environmental watering program, so we can improve the recovery of this threatened fish species. Shared community benefits Water for the environment provides shared benefits to the community: that is, additional Aboriginal cultural, social, economic and recreational benefits. Water for the environment is for everyone. It provides benefits including fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, bushwalking, cycling, camping, yabbying, swimming and picnicking. These activities are all enjoyed on or around Victoria’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains. The beauty of the waterways brings a sense of joy to the community. In a recent survey, 90 percent of Victorians said they visited waterways to relax, rest and enjoy the scenery1 . Healthy rivers help sustain recreational fishing in Victoria. Of the top 50 Victorian recreational fishing river reaches, 28 can receive water for the environment. River tour operators and canoe clubs have been enjoying healthier rivers, getting out on environmental flows and benefiting from an interest in paddling on waterways. The case studies about shared community benefits throughout this report show how Victorians are enjoying their rivers and wetlands, which are being kept healthy by the water for the environment program. The VEWH has overseen delivery of about 4,924,000 ML of water for the environment since July 2011. This is equivalent to nearly 10 times the volume of water in Sydney Harbour . Water for the environment has been delivered to 197 river reaches and wetlands in Victoria since July 2011, including an average of 65 river reaches each year, far exceeding Victoria’s goal of 39 . In 2016–17, The total volume of environmental water deliveries in Victoria increased from 22,555 ML in 2007–08 to 544,526 ML in the VEWH’s first year, hitting a peak of 1,167,830 ML in 2013–14 . Of the top 50 98% of identified potential watering actions were fully or partially achieved. This was achieved Victorian recreational fishing river reaches, 28 can receive environmental water . Twenty-seven (96%) of these reaches have received environmental water since July 2011 . 7 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder through a combination of naturally wet conditions and managed environmental flows and is the highest proportion of actions achieved in any year since the VEWH started . 1 A report on research to explore Victorians’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards, environmental water, ORIMA Research, on behalf of the VEWH, 2017.
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