Hume Engagement (DEECA) released on Friday November 21st this Winton Wetlands Reserve community update.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is committed to the ongoing restoration of this environmentally significant site and will be providing the community with updates on a range of projects at the reserve.
DEECA officially took over management of Winton Wetlands Reserve on 1 August 2025 and is committed to its ongoing management for the benefit of the environment and the community.
Please share this community update with your friends and networks.
To subscribe please email us at [email protected] .
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is committed to the ongoing restoration of this environmentally significant site and will be providing the community with updates on a range of projects at the reserve.
DEECA officially took over management of Winton Wetlands Reserve on 1 August 2025 and is committed to its ongoing management for the benefit of the environment and the community.
Please share this community update with your friends and networks.
To subscribe please email us at [email protected] .
| Mokoan Hub EOI Expressions of interest to operate the Mokoan Café and Hub closed on 11 September. Since then, evaluations have been underway with support from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), Rural City of Benalla Council, and a community representative. We are now in discussions with the parties behind the preferred proposal to finalise tenancy conditions. Our goal is to support the operators to establish the café and commence operations as soon as possible. We look forward to making a joint announcement in the coming weeks. |  Mokoan Hub Café |
Winton Wetlands restorative project
Since 31 July 2025, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) has been responsible for administering the Winton Wetlands restorative project grant.
The ‘Seeding A Greener Future: Sowing Healthy Habitat and Hearts initiative is funded through an EPA restorative court order and focuses on:
Since 31 July 2025, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) has been responsible for administering the Winton Wetlands restorative project grant.
The ‘Seeding A Greener Future: Sowing Healthy Habitat and Hearts initiative is funded through an EPA restorative court order and focuses on:
- Advancing ecological restoration
- Enhancing local seed collection
- Strengthening community engagement at Winton Wetlands
| Planting the Bush Tucker Garden Sixteen people including volunteers from Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation, local manufacturing business Thales Australia Limited and GBCMA and DEECA staff recently spent an enjoyable morning at Winton Wetlands, planting 325 bush tucker species in the newly constructed bush tucker garden. The three sections of the garden were planted with edible plants including bulbine lilies, saltbush species, kangaroo grass, golden wattle, sarsaparilla, banksia, everlasting daisy species and buloke. Sedge and rush species were also planted and will be harvested for weaving. Rabbit proof fencing encircles each bed and deep mulch, and drip irrigation will ensure plant survival. The bush tucker garden complements the nearby newly constructed corroboree circle (also constructed as part of the EPA funded project) and weaving circle. |   Images courtesy of GB CMA |
| Launch of the Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle Join the Yorta Yorta people on Woka (Country) to celebrate healing, restoration, and revival of culture on Saturday 29 November 11-2pm at Winton Wetlands. Celebrate the opening of the newly completed Bush Tucker Garden and Corroboree Circle with bush tucker talks and demonstrations, corroboree circle dancing, native plant and wildlife information and local indigenous craft (cash only). Free BBQ - RSVP by 25 November to Janice via [email protected] or 0418 316 169. |  Saturday 29 November 11-2pm Winton Wetlands Education Centre 668 Lake Mokoan Rd, Chesney Vale |
“I am proud to deliver this event with GBCMA that celebrates the significant connection between culture and ecology and Yorta Yorta Nation's longstanding connection to Mokoan. This is an opportunity for people to return and reconnect to Country and walk together as we build a future back at Winton Wetlands.”
Nikki James, Proud Yorta Yorta woman.
Nikki James, Proud Yorta Yorta woman.
| Turtle islands are back Murray River Short-necked Turtles (Emydura macquarii) are an important part of the Winton Wetlands ecosystem, but they face challenges such as limited nesting sites and predators including foxes and Swamphens. La Trobe University researchers have reintroduced floating islands for breeding turtles after last summer’s success at Winton Wetlands. These islands provide safe nesting areas away from predators. In early 2025, more than 200 hatchlings emerged from eggs laid on the islands. Watch this video of a turtle laying her eggs on a floating island in late 2024. Researchers radio-tagged and tracked hatchlings to learn about their movements and survival and concluded more vegetation around ponds is needed to protect young turtles. This season, monitoring continues including using plastic turtle models to further study predation. Adult females will begin nesting soon, and the islands are ready. Want to learn more? Contact Dr James Van Dyke, Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Wodonga: [email protected] . Kangaroo survey results The 2025 kangaroo population survey is the seventh year of collecting data across the reserve. The annual surveys add to our understanding of the drivers of kangaroo population changes and provide valuable information for management. The survey found that the density of the Eastern Grey Kangaroos has reduced from an average of 0.72 per hectare in 2024 to 0.57 per hectare. It estimates the reserve currently carries approximately 3000 Eastern Grey Kangaroos. The department is expecting the final report shortly and looks forward to publicly releasing it when available. Growling grass frog project Swamps, Rivers and Ranges, a community-driven landscape restoration group, is continuing with the project to re-introduce the Growling grass frog to Winton Wetlands. The captive cohort of frogs residing in the on-site custom-built quarantine laboratory and breeding habitat pods are doing well, looking healthy and with plenty of calling indicating breeding behaviour. The Growling grass frog project team is preparing for the second translocation of frogs from Bendigo. The frogs will undergo a quarantine period to ensure good health before they are released along with the current on-site cohort, into the wetlands before the year end. Swamps, Rivers and Ranges extend a big thanks to the project team and to funders and supporters- DEECA, Wettenhall Environment Trust, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, and Nature Glenelg Trust. Follow updates on the Swamps Rivers and Ranges facebook page. Rangers’ update Since August 2025, rangers Gil and Matt have been focused on weed control. The primary targets have been Paterson’s Curse and St John’s Wort, with spraying carried out along Mokoan, Winton North, and Boggy Bridge roads, as well as internal bike trails. The aim is to push these weeds back, create buffers along property boundaries, and improve visibility along paths. Approximately 300 hectares have been sprayed. The window for controlling spring weeds has now passed, and attention will soon shift to summer weeds, including:
Successful pest control by licensed contractor Between 20–24 October, DEECA engaged a licensed contractor to control foxes, pigs, rabbits, and deer. Forty-six foxes were shot — the highest number since the program began. Fox control helps protect turtle eggs, as foxes consume up to 95% of eggs laid. DEECA is committed to protecting native wildlife and reducing pest threats to livestock on adjoining farmland. Visit the wetlands Walk or bring a bike to explore more than 90 kilometres of roads, walking and cycling tracks at Winton Wetlands. Choose your route with the help of the Winton Wetlands Cycle Guide to explore the woodlands, wetlands, ponds and history of the site. Available to download here Image from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/ Open for camping Winton Wetlands offers 20 unpowered campsites in three great locations within the reserve.
https://wintonwetlands.org.au/camping/ For the protection of the wildlife and wetlands, dogs are not allowed at any Winton Wetlands camp sites. Please note the reserve is closed to visitors during periods of total fire ban. |  Murray River Short-necked Turtle  La Trobe University researchers moving a floating island into position Images: https://wintonwetlands.org.au/  Eastern Grey kangaroos at Winton Wetlands Photo Credit – Rene Martens  Growling grass frog  On-site facilities at Winton Wetlands Images from https://wintonwetlands.org.au/  Hand spraying Paterson's Curse and St John’s Wort  Image: DEECA Hume facebook   |
Can I fish?
Fishing is allowed by any person that holds a valid Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL). To protect our native biodiversity, catch and release is preferred, and non-native catches must be humanely dispatched.
Fishing is allowed by any person that holds a valid Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL). To protect our native biodiversity, catch and release is preferred, and non-native catches must be humanely dispatched.
| Resident snakes Keep an eye out for the resident snakes when you are visiting – local species include venomous snakes, such as the Eastern Brown Snake; Red-bellied Black Snake; Tiger snake and Copperhead snake. Some tips:
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Contact us
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to our community update or are having difficulties viewing this email, please get in contact with us via [email protected] .
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to our community update or are having difficulties viewing this email, please get in contact with us via [email protected] .
Kind regards
Clare Kiely
Regional Director, Hume
Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Clare Kiely
Regional Director, Hume
Regions, Environment, Climate Action and First Peoples
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
