This page is a collection of important documents and data concerning the Gippsland Lakes.
FoGL Submissions
There are approximately 30 different agencies, bodies and authorities that have some responsibility or input into management of the Gippsland Lakes. We believe this in itself is an issue and better consolidation and integration of the Lakes management is desperately needed. Some of these agencies are designated as “lead agency” for developing and updating various management plans. FoGL makes submissions to relevant authorities and bodies where the Lakes may be involved or affected. This is a significant effort involving many hours of research and work by our volunteers.
Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is the responsible authority for maintaining Ramsar status of the Lakes as identified by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. How EGCMA propose to achieve this is described in the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan. FoGL in partnership with Gippsland Environment Group made a substantial submission during the public consultation process for development of the new 2024 plan. Our full submission can be found here . EGCMA evaluated the over 20 submissions made. EGCMA’s final report and findings on the consultations and submissions can be found here. The new Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan was issued in late 2024 and can be found on the Love our Lakes website here
Coastal and Marine Management Plan
East Gippsland Shire Council is the designated lead agency for developing the Coastal and Marine Management Plan for the Gippsland Lakes area, as required by legislation under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018. The CMMP is meant to be a “local scale strategic plan that serves as the primary tool for the management of all marine and coastal Crown land”. The plan is currently under renewal and EGSC have been conducting public consultations.
FoGL and GEG have made a submission outlining what we believe are the key issues with the proposed new plan. This can be found here
Important research by other organisations
Below is a list of links to other organisations that have published papers on the Gippsland Lakes
Royal Society of Victoria
Securing the future of the Gippsland Lakes This paper is the introduction to a collection of papers arising from a Royal Society of Victoria roundtable on the future of the Gippsland Lakes.
Effects of varying levels of nutrient inputs to coastal marine systems: a case study of a semi-enclosed bay influenced by a large urban population by Gregory P. Jenkins A* , Kerry P. Black B and Perran L. M. Cook C
Adaptive governance of large, complex ecosystems – such as the Gippsland Lakes by Michael Spencer and Jason Alexandra. Anthropocene conditions challenge traditional governance models for large, complex ecosystems. In this paper we lay out some ideas about the characteristics of governance models that are appropriate for the social–ecological system of the Gippsland Lakes.
Climate change, sea-level rise and the Gippsland shoreline by Kathleen L. McInnes . The latest climate change information that relates to the Gippsland Lakes in eastern Victoria is reviewed. Rising sea levels are a major concern for this low-lying region. Changes to weather and circulation systems may also change coastal storm surges, waves and coastal hazards such as inundation and erosion.
Water-cycle and climate-change impacts on the Gippsland Lakes by Jamie Pittock. The environmental health of the Gippsland Lakes substantially depends on freshwater inflows. The quantity and quality of this water is being reduced by the impacts of agriculture, mining, and water transfers to Melbourne. These impacts will be exacerbated by both the direct impacts of climate change and thirsty measures adopted by society to respond to climate change. Changes in water use and increased investment in natural resources management are needed to effectively adapt.
Coastal geomorphology and geology of the Gippsland Lakes region: a review and future directions The Gippsland Lakes contains Australia’s best-preserved beach-dune system dating back more than 200,000 years. This review shows how the shape of the modern coast is related to past, especially higher, positions of the sea. We suggest urgent action is required to understand future sediment movement as the beaches may be shifting into a long-term erosional phase.
Floods, fires and phytoplankton: some perspectives on water quality in the Gippsland Lakes The Gippsland Lakes form Australia’s largest estuary and is a productive recreational fishery. Algae underpin the productivity of this fishery and most of the time go unnoticed. However, in some years, blooms of cyanobacteria (‘blue green algae’) occur, closing areas of the lakes to fishing and recreation. Here we review the factors that drive different algal growth, how this might have looked historically and how cyanobacteria blooms can be mitigated in the future.
Waterbird and migratory shorebird monitoring in the Gippsland Lakes The Gippsland Lakes is 1 of 12 wetland systems in Victoria listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Several decades of monitoring by BirdLife Australia reveals marked changes in abundances of many species. Apparent decreases may reflect changes in foraging habitat, movement of birds out of the system in response to rainfall, and gaps in survey coverage. A comprehensive analysis of waterbird distribution and abundance in key habitats is urgently required.
Concerned Waterways Alliance
The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) is a network of community and environment groups from Gippsland to the Otways. They share a deep concern about the degraded state of southern Victoria’s rivers, wetlands and aquifers, and are committed to improving their health for the benefit of current and future generations. FoGl is a member of CWA. Below is a selection of their recent submissions. The full list of submissions can be found on their website here
CWA Submission to ‘Planning for our waterways’ The Concerned Waterways Alliance has made a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning’s Engage Victoria regarding Planning for our Waterways. We have expressed our firm support for the widespread implementation of Significant Landscape Overlays (SLOs)….
CWA Submission on EPA Industry Engagement for Development Proposals Stronger Community Engagement Needed for Industry Development Proposals The CWA has submitted feedback (see below) to the EPA Victoria on improving pre-engagement processes for industry-led development proposals that require EPA permissions. Our key message? Community…
CWA submission to the Australian Senate Select Committee on PFAS The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) submission to the Australian Senate Select Committee on PFAS addresses the contamination of Victorian waterways by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The CWA highlights its concerns about the environmental, public…
CWA Submission ESC Review of New Customer Contributions The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) have submitted a response to the Essential Services Commission’s (ESC) review of new customer contributions (NCC). The CWA raised concerns about the impact of NCC changes on Integrated Water Management (IWM) initiatives and the…
Widths of Riparian Corridors – Report by Paul Boon on behalf of the CWA
Concerned Waterways Alliance Submission to the National Water Initiative May 2024
Other historical research and papers
This is a collection of thoughts, proposals and submissions by individuals and groups over time, but still relevant today.
Progression of Impacts by Ross Scott
Gippsland Lakes Debacle by Anthony Amis 2018
Darren Chester MP call for audit of the Gippsland Lakes June 2024
Gippsland Lakes Environmental Audit 1998. The last comprehensive environmental audit of the Lakes. Another is deperately needed.
Blooms of Synechococcus 2008 An analysis of the problem worldwide and possible causative factors in relation to nuisance blooms in the Gippsland Lakes
PFAS in Lakes Dolphins highest levels globally Jan 2024 Chantel S. Foord ab, Drew Szabo cd, Kate Robb b, Bradley O. Clarke c, Dayanthi Nugegoda a
Mercury in the Gippsland Lakes 2012 findings by Gippsland Environment Group
Gippsland Lakes a Putrid Mess Bairnsdale Advertiser article May 2022
EPA Report on Gippsland Lakes 2013
EPA urges updated policy indicators for lakes’ water quality The Age Jun 2013
Salinity levels continue to cause concern for Gippsland Lakes The Age Nov 2014