Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Actions Plan

Cover: Future Directions and Actions PlanIn 2002 the State Government released the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Actions Plan - a vision for restoring the long-term health of the Lakes system. See background. The Plan aims to reduce nutrient levels entering the Lakes by 40 percent by 2022. The Plan address five key areas:
1. reducing nutrient levels entering the Lakes;

2. balancing freshwater and salt water flows;

3. maintaining wetlands biodiversity;

4. increasing community awareness and participation, and

5. continued planning and evaluation of the program's effectiveness.

Between 2002 - 2006, the State Government allocated $12.8 million into projects and a further $6M from June 2006 - June 2009.


A copy of the projects for 2008-09 can be viewed here: Projects for 2008-09 (XLS 34 kb)

Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Actions Plan (May 2002)

Part 1 - Adobe Acrobat PDF file (1.47 Mg - 28 pages)

Part 2 - Adobe Acrobat PDF file (1.1 Mg - 15 pages)

Gippsland Lakes Future Directions Budget Fact Sheet - Adobe Acrobat PDF file (84 Kb)

Background
In 1999 the Gippsland Coastal Board commissioned the CSIRO to undertake the Gippsland Lakes Environmental Study.

The Study was a collaborative effort between State Government agencies, statutory authorities and other interest groups.

The Study stated that if no action was taken to address the conditions of the Gippsland Lakes that water quality would deteriorate and algal blooms would continue.

The key recommendation was to continue improving catchment management activities across public and private land to better manage nutrient inputs and improve water quality.

View how to download the CSIRO Gippsland Lakes Environmental Study and associated reports here

The Plan
In response to the Study the Victorian Government established the Gippsland Lakes & Catchment Taskforce to oversee the preparation of the Gippsland Lakes Future Directions and Action Plan.

The Plan establishes clear priorities and directions, and outlines a suite of programs which will be implemented by the catchment community, supported by Government and coordinated by the Task Force. The Plan target is by 2022, to reduce nutrient loads entering the Gippsland Lakesby 40%