Friends of the Barwon Incorporated

Friends of the Barwon was formed with the goal of having a healthy, flowing and life sustaining Barwon River system which is valued by the community . Some of our key successful activities during this reporting period include: Collaboration with People for a Living Moorabool, FOTB to prevent a development proposal at Native Hut Creek, Teesdale which was rejected by the Golden Plains Shire. The developer then applied to VCAT to have the Shire permit refusal decision overturned, but after considering the new VC201 legislation (which FOTB lobbied hard for) VCAT again found against the developers proposal. Produced Audit guides for the implementation of Actions in the Central and Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy and Rivers of the Barwon Action Plan. Various face to face meetings and other contact with Barwon Water, the Corangamite CMA and local Council representatives to discuss issues of concern to FOTB members regarding waterway management in the Barwon River and its tributaries. Presentations to various affiliated groups including the VNPA s Nature Stewards and the Australian Conservation Foundation Geelong branch members to raise awareness of the key issues impacting the Barwon River and its tributaries. Development of FOTB s Nature Positive webinar series. The 1st two webinars entitled Pollution dilution were very well received and the series will continue in 2025. Meeting with Golden Plains Shire planners to critique the Bannockburn integrated water management plan Release of our fiveyear Strategic Plan Continued representation on various groups/committees including Barwon Water Environmental Advisory and Boundary Creek, Big Swamp REPP committees, Southern Rural Water REPP Implementation CLG, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Upper and Lower Barwon Advisory Groups, Waterkeepers Australia, Concerned Waterways Alliance, and Birregurra Sustainability.