United approach to Middle Reedy Lake's flood recovery

Published on 09 July 2024

Clean-up works at Kerang’s Ramsar-listed Middle Reedy Lake will commence following flood damage from the October-December 2022 flood event.

The area, renowned for being the home of the largest ibis rookery in the Southern Hemisphere, is located on Crown Land with Goulburn-Murray Water acting as the land manager.

Concern about the condition of the site was raised with Council by the Kerang Elders and Leader Group.

“Council was pleased to convene a working group of key stakeholders and support the development of a works plan,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Middle Reedy Lake is one of the Gannawarra’s major tourist attractions and an area of immense natural beauty and cultural significance.

“The initial clean-up works will remove fallen trees, clear pathways and treat pest plants which will enable visitors to experience the rookery in time for the breeding season that occurs from September to December.”

The project is seeking funding to enable new signage to be developed and installed to highlight the site’s cultural significance and ecological values.

“Middle Reedy Lake is one of 23 wetlands that make up the Kerang Ramsar site, and it is the role of land managers and agencies to protect and enhance the ecological value of these sites,” North Central Catchment Management Authority Project Manager, Amy Russell said.

“Along with monitoring bird populations, we will aim to complete a range of activities including pest plant and animal control and restoration works over the coming years. This is part of a $248 million investment by the Victorian Government over four years (2020-2024) to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.”

Agencies involved in the project have welcomed the united approach.

“We are pleased to be working with the community and other agencies to ensure the Kerang Lakes remains a fantastic destination for locals and visitors alike,” Goulburn-Murray Water’s Water Delivery Services General Manager, Warren Blyth said.