Biodiversity

Biodiversity aids the ecosystems we live in to perform vital, free services such as purification of air and water, renewal of soil fertility, the cycling of nutrients and the pollination of plants.

LMW has a Biodiversity Asset Register in place to aid in the improvement of ecosystems occupying LMW sites. Lower Murray Water continually updates its Biodiversity Asset Register. In 2011 the Register was updated to include 33 sites (741 ha) in the First Mildura Irrigation District. The inventory of flora and fauna and ecological communities enables us to manage, monitor and report on land within our jurisdiction based on sound scientific information. Sixteen sites were identified that contain Victorian Rare or Threatened plants (VROTs).

Biodiversity Asset Register Actions

• Protection and monitoring of the Hooded Scaly Foot Lizard at Mildura West WTP.
• Murray Hardyhead fish management and protection at Cardross and Koorlong lakes.
• Integrated pest plant and animal control at LMW sites.
• Fencing off of selected areas of remnant native vegetation.

Hooded Scaly-foot Lizard, Pygopus schraderi
Image by Peter Robertson, Wildlife Profiles ©