Gunbower Forest goes international

The work to restore the ecological significance of Gunbower Forest has been recognised overseas. Crew from a Brazilian media outlet, TV Globo visited Gunbower Forest in early March 2015, as part of a documentary and to learn more about approaches to drought and water management.

The work to restore the ecological significance of Gunbower Forest has been recognised overseas. Crew from a Brazilian media outlet, TV Globo visited Gunbower Forest in early March 2015, as part of a documentary and to learn more about approaches to drought and water management.

Led by journalist Antonio Ferreira, the visiting crew were particularly interested in the environmental watering program of the forest, which as part of the documentary aims to educate the Brazilian public about reform measures that could assist in shaping the direction and policies of the government back home.

Brazil is currently experiencing significant drought conditions, as a number of factors, including climate change, deforestation and water management issues have affected its water resources.

Anna Chatfield, Gunbower Forest project manager at the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) said it was a good opportunity to showcase the work undertaken at Gunbower Forest and in the greater Murray Darling Basin system.

"Antonio and his crew were keen to see how the whole Murray Darling Basin system worked and how water was shared between the environment, agriculture and towns," she said.

"They were very impressed with the Living Murray program and its focus on environmental water."

"They saw the results we have achieved with our first watering and how important the Hipwell Road Channel is to the long-term survival of the forest."

Over 98 gigalitres of environmental water was diverted into Gunbower Forest via the Hipwell Road channel from May to December 2014, supported by the North Central CMA and delivered by Goulburn Murray Water. The water was made available from the Living Murray program and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH).

The environmental water releases at Gunbower Forest were made in line with the VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2014-15, which aims to improve river and wetland health across the State.

The Living Murray is a joint initiative funded by the New South Wales, Victorian, South Australian, Australian Capital Territory and Commonwealth governments, coordinated by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.