An estuary is the area where a river meets the sea. Estuaries are unique and dynamic environments that include some of the most complex ecosystems on earth, and the Corangamite region has more estuaries than anywhere else in Victoria.
Estuaries are a great place to spend time swimming, walking, canoeing or having a picnic. Importantly, they also act as buffers to protect shorelines from erosion, flooding and provide essential food and habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife.
Many of Victoria’s estuaries open and close as part of a natural process, due to variations in river flows and ocean forces. Natural variations in an estuary is an important feature of these dynamic ecosystems, as it supports the different life and reproductive cycles of a wide range of plants and animals.
Sometimes, estuaries are artificially opened to manage the risk of flooding to built infrastructure and agriculture land. Permit holders can request to artificially open an estuary if they deem it necessary. Considerations include inundation of human assets such as properties, roads, bridges, campgrounds and playgrounds.
Only permit holders can be authorised to artificially open an estuary. Anyone who opens an estuary without a permit can be fined up to $33,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 10 years under the Land Act 1958, Water Act 1989, Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, Fisheries Act 1995 and Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
Once the decision has been made to open an estuary, the Corangamite CMA is notified and undertakes a risk-based assessment to inform the permit holder when and how the estuary can be opened. Environmental, social and economic factors are considered.
The permit holder is responsible for conducting water quality testing pre-opening and the physical removal of the sand berm (sand bar) to allow the estuarine water to flow into the ocean.
No. Estuaries are artificially opened due to inundation of human assets. The Corangamite CMA do not intervene in natural processes, so do not open or close estuaries.
You can find more information about the estuaries in the Corangamite region, such as, studies, reports and estuary management plans in the Publications and Knowledge Base section of the website.
The fact sheet below provides information on how estuaries function during periods of low river flow.
Fact sheet: Should an estuary be opened or closed?
The Aire Valley Stakeholder Advisory Committee (AVSAC) was established by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to oversee projects occurring within the Aire Valley, of which at this time is the Aire Valley Estuary Floodplain Project Part 2 (AVEFP Part 2). The vision statement of the AVEFP Part 2 is to be developed by the AVSAC at an upcoming meeting (TBA). The vision statement for the Aire developed by the AVSAC is currently:
The environmental condition of the Aire River estuary is maintained or improved, promoting a health, rich and diverse wetland and estuarine ecosystem that supports connectivity and can adapt to a changing climate.
The Aire Valley Estuary Floodplain Project - Part 2 (AVEFP Part 2)
The AVSAC will be engaged and consulted throughout this project, which will seek to identify options for landholders to adapt to floodplain inundation in the Aire Valley, and undertake a multi criteria analysis (similar to a cost benefit analysis) of alternative land management approaches which may be required in a climate change future. This analysis will consider the impact to Traditional Owners, landholders, agencies, and the community in the face of current inundation risk as well as potentially intensifying coastal hazard exposure due to climate change.
Open until 19 May.
The Anglesea River Estuary Management Plan 2012 – 2020 (the Plan) was an eight-year action plan aimed to improve the environmental condition of the Anglesea River estuary. All actions in the Plan have been reviewed by the lead partner to provide a status on their completion. All actions were subject to funding and resourcing. See the document below for the review of actions and their status.
The Curdies River Estuary Management Plan 2017–2025 (the Plan) is an eight–year action plan that was prepared to provide a clear picture of the main management activities required to maintain or improve the condition of the estuary. All actions in the Plan have been reviewed by the lead partner to provide a status on their completion. All actions were subject to funding and resourcing. See the document below for the review of actions and their status.
64 Dennis Street, Colac VIC 3250
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
BARWON WATER OFFICES
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
All mail must be sent via our Colac office
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
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