Every year, we focus on meeting specific environmental demands in the Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys. These priorities align to our broader environmental objectives for the region.
Environmental objectives in the Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys
Our longer-term goals in the Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys focus on supporting plants, wildlife, water quality and connectivity.
Plants
Support riparian and in-channel plants, providing important refuge habitat.
Native fish
Prevent loss of native fish species and improve population structure and distribution, by supporting opportunities for:
- movement
- dispersal
- reproduction
- recruitment.
The Border Rivers area is very important for protecting 3 endangered fish species: Olive perchlet, Eel-tailed catfish, and Southern purple-spotted gudgeon (MDBA 2019).
Other vertebrates and invertebrates
Support opportunities for the reproduction and recruitment of other native aquatic species. This includes:
- frogs
- platypus
- water rats
- turtles
- freshwater mussels.
Connectivity
Support longitudinal connectivity, including with the Barwon River.
Processes, water quality and resilience
Support key ecosystem functions, including:
- promote productivity
- maintain water quality in channels and pools
- maintain drought refuge habitat.
About environmental objectives
Environmental goals in the Border Rivers and Moonie Valleys are based on:
- long-term environmental objectives in the Basin Plan
- state long-term water plans
- site management plans
- local ecological knowledge.
Environmental goals can change each year based on factors like:
- availability of water
- catchment conditions
- feasibility of operations
- demand for water.
We will keep updating these goals as part of our commitment to adaptive management.