What is Catchment Condition Reporting?

Catchment condition reporting presents an assessment of the condition of key natural elements within a catchment and provides an indication of catchment health. It focuses on measuring and reporting on long term changes in biophysical catchment condition.

Catchment condition reporting involves the selection of a limited number of core indicators that demonstrate strong linkages between catchment pressures and natural resource condition. Indicators are a unit of information measured over time that can be used to show changes in a specific state or condition. Catchment condition reporting can be used to help understand the condition of our natural environment, provide a benchmark of condition to measure change, analyse trends over time and assist in environmental decision making and planning.

Scale of Reporting

The WGCMA Catchment Condition Report is the first condition assessment specifically applicable to the Latrobe and Corner Inlet Catchment Ecosystems. Catchment ecosystems represent sub-catchments that encompass iconic features of the regional landscape and acknowledge the connectivity of land and water assets.

There are seven catchment ecosystems in the WGCMA region. The Latrobe and Corner Inlet Catchment Ecosystems have been selected for this inaugural Catchment Condition Report as they represent a wide cross-section of issues currently impacting on natural resource asset values within the WGCMA region. It is based on the best available data at the time of report preparation. The information collated in the development of the report can also inform the development of future GINRF report cards.

Links to the GINRF Report Card

The Gippsland Integrated Natural Resources Forum (GINRF) Report Card, which reports on catchment condition, has been in place for several years. The GINRF Report Card examines Gippsland as a whole and encompasses both the East Gippsland and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority regions. The primary function of the GINRF Report Card is a communication and engagement tool. It does not aim to be a definitive assessment of catchment condition, reflecting comprehensive scientific data, but an independent and informed subjective evaluation of available information.

The Latrobe and Corner Inlet summary brochures are available below. The detailed Report Can be found by visiting the WGCMA website - www.wgcma.vic.gov.au