The following are broader themes that were identified through community consultation². These themes include challenges and opportunities for integrated catchment management (ICM) in the Glenelg Hopkins region, and are either a direct result of or are influenced by the drivers of change mentioned above.

Climate impacts

The changing nature of our climate and rise in extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and fires, are acknowledged both nationally and internationally as a growing risk. Climate change is already having negative impacts on the social-ecological systems in our region, increasing vulnerability, and threatening ecological health, human health and livelihoods³. It affects us all. Responding to climate change in the Glenelg Hopkins region requires solutions that are identified, owned and driven by the community^4,5.

Regional sustainability

The social and economic future of south-west Victoria is directly linked to the health and maintenance of the region’s natural resources. For example, the Glenelg Hopkins region is Victoria’s highest value agricultural region, with 81% of the catchment agricultural land reliant on healthy soils and water availability⁶. Tourism is based on the region’s natural and cultural values, including recreational use of waterways, national parks and coastal zones. Supporting individual connections to the environment through access to green and blue spaces is also central to community health and well-being⁷.

Continuing to sustain a healthy and resilient region requires an understanding of the way community and visitors to the region use and interact with the environment, and subsequent adaptation of approaches to ICM engagement and participation. For example, regional partnerships that combine socio-economic, cultural and environmental futures need to be pursued. This includes recognising any tensions and opportunities between historical and new land use changes and practices across the region, as well as the opportunities that cross-tenure and cross-border collaborations provide.

Natural environment

The Glenelg Hopkins region has significant, but often threatened, biodiversity found in unique and complex systems on land, in soil, water, estuaries and the sea. Numerous flora and fauna species have already become extinct and many more are threatened. A major threat to biodiversity across the region is the continued loss of habitat and fragmentation from land clearing and land use change⁸. Invasive pest plant and animal species are also a threat through competition, displacement and predation. Climate-induced stress and increased visitor numbers can accelerate the introduction and spread of invasive species. Climate change is affecting habitat more broadly and native species must either adapt or migrate to more favourable areas if they are to persist⁹.

The interconnected nature of ecosystems means that any continued loss of habitat and species has a knock-on effect on the ecosystem functions and benefits that biodiversity provides. The community needs to be prepared for inevitable landscape change. It also needs to actively participate in supporting natural environments to adapt. Continued declines have impacts on culturally significant species for Traditional Owners. Effective ICM needs to consider differing community values for and uses of the natural environment, and by extension improve people’s awareness and understanding for greater community contribution to its protection¹⁰. Strengthened partnerships with Traditional Owners, who have cultural obligations to care for their Country, which value traditional knowledge and cultural practices, is an important direction for landscape management and resilience.

Agricultural stewardship

Healthy soil is an essential asset for agricultural industries operating in the region, predominantly horticulture, cropping, dairy and livestock. Within the Glenelg Hopkins area, soil has have been recognised for their its very high productivity potential when appropriately managed. Soil acidification, loss of soil organic carbon matter and hillslope erosion by water are issues in the region¹¹. A better understanding of soil and the adoption of improved agricultural land management practices over time, has led to seen the productive capacity of the region’s soil improvinge. With drivers such as climate change, agricultural intensification and regional land use change, soil health needs to remain a key regional priority¹². Linked to soil health is biodiversity health. Improvements in the protection and management of native habitat, including wetlands, grasslands and along waterways, has positive effects for agricultural production. With most of the land in the Glenelg Hopkins region under agricultural production, the public benefits of private agricultural stewardship need to be recognised and supported¹³.

Coastal landscape

The coastal area of the Glenelg Hopkins catchment contributes significantly to the economic, cultural, environmental and recreational life of regional communities. Eighty per cent of Victorians rate the marine and coastal environment as the most important natural feature of Victoria¹⁴. Coastal areas, particularly around Warrnambool and Port Fairy are experiencing unprecedented increases in population and tourism activity. Balancing public use and development with environmental and cultural protection of coasts and estuaries is a major challenge. Climate change will add further challenges and pose serious impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health within marine and coastal areas¹⁵.

Water security

Water security will be a key driver for capital investment and land-use change in the region. Sustainable management of the region’s groundwater and surface water helps underpin the forecast residential, agricultural and industrial development of the region. Periods of drought and flooding are significant risks for the region and are becoming more frequent under climate change¹⁶. Fresh water is one of the region’s most important natural assets and a resource at enormous risk. Major threats to both surface and groundwater include pollution from farming activities, stock access to waterways, salinity, erosion, pest plants and animals, and overuse. Other key pressures on water supply in the region include reduced rainfall and change in seasonality of rainfall, increased demands for water due to changing farming practices, reduced surface flows and increased use of groundwater. These pressures, combined with land use change can threaten habitat (particularly wetlands)¹⁷. Opportunities continue to exist through improved waterway health, sustainable irrigation, securing environmental water for the Glenelg River and exploring Traditional Owner rights and interests in cultural water entitlements.