A BUNGALALLY Creek lobby group is celebrating a win after environmental flows were released into the drying creek.
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Friends of the Bungalally Creek had lobbied the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority for more water for the past 10 years.
This week, the authority released about 90 megalites of water into the creek.
McKenzie Creek farmer and group spokesman Neville McIntyre said it was a significant win for the group.
“It is now worth all the fighting we did and all the letters we wrote,” he said.
“We’ve been saying for many years that water from Bungalally Creek ends up in Mackenzie River and then the Wimmera River anyway.
“When you start talking to politicians, it can really open doors.”
Mr McIntyre said frogs had returned to the area.
“The other night the moon was out and you could hear all the frogs,” he said.
Group member Ann Sprague said the creek’s habitat was vital for wildlife.
“All these plant-out groups are going around planting trees to create habitats, but this is native vegetation for birds and possums that is already well established,” she said.
“This habitat will have value for the next 100 years.”
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Brennan said the environmental water was released from Burnt Creek via Bungalally Creek, and would flow into Mackenzie River and then into the Wimmera River.
“We have a seasonal watering proposal that identifies areas in the Wimmera that would benefit from environmental water when it is available,” he said.
“The environmental water is available through savings from the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
“The program allows small creeks, like Bungalally, to receive water.
“This means the trees can have a good drink and it provides habitats for wildlife such as frogs.”
Mr McIntyre said the creek was lucky to have adjoining landowners to care for it.
‘‘We have fenced and rehabilitated this creek to comply with the Mallee to Grampians wildlife corridor, as requested by the CMA in the 1990s,’’ he said.
‘‘With no grazing or restricted grazing, the natural fauna has returned.
“We have also planted trees and controlled weeds and vermin.’’
The group had written to Water Minister Lisa Neville, calling for more water for the creek and an investigation into CMA’s handling and management of creeks.
Mr McIntyre said he met Minister for Regional Victoria Jaala Pulford in Bendigo on Friday.
“I told her to give Lisa Neville a hug from us,” he said.
