Thursday, 19 March 2026

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:47): I rise to acknowledge another 12 months of achievements by our catchment management authorities for communities and the environment. Healthy waterways are key to a thriving society, and our nation-leading CMAs are embodied in their local regions, protecting our catchments and waterways. This vital work is outlined through the recently published CMA Actions and Achievements Report. Our CMAs are supporting farmers through innovative irrigation and pest removal, reducing the impact of flood and erosion on communities, improving waterway recreation and improving biodiversity to keep our communities healthy.

In the past year it has been particularly challenging for our regions with drought and bushfire recovery. Our CMAs have been supporting regional communities on the ground, restoring, enhancing and building resilience. This is backed by $6 million in bushfire recovery funding for waterway remediation and fencing repairs. From 2024 to 2025 our CMAs have also delivered more than 789,000 hectares of pest animal control and more than 194,000 hectares of weed control, improved more than 4040 hectares of agricultural land, been joined by over 53,000 community members at CMA events and supported almost 80 threatened animal and plant species, including platypus and native fish. Our CMAs are delivering over $3.5 million in Landcare grants that will enhance and protect our state’s great outdoors. Partnerships and community collaboration are at the heart of this work, working alongside Landcare community volunteers and traditional owners to get the job done. Well done to our CMAs on another year of big achievements for regional Victoria.