THE West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has just approved an artificial opening of Bourne Creek estuary at Kilcunda after flooding of the Bass Highway in recent days.
Blocked by the highway, creek waters have lapped at the edge of the road reserve for weeks but a couple of heavy showers of rain on Sunday, which amounted to about 27mm, was enough to see it pouring out over the road by Sunday afternoon into Monday.
Cars, trucks and vehicles towing caravans were seen creating huge plumes of water as they travelled through the running water, even at relatively slow speeds.
The good news is that the West Gippsland CMA was monitoring the situation and after an inspection on Monday morning, October 27, they advised their partners, Transport Victoria and Parks Victoria that they were authorising the opening of the creek.
According to West Gippsland CMA monitoring officer Callum Edwards, Bourne Creek estuary entrance closed naturally to the ocean some weeks ago and the CMA has been monitoring its progress since.
“We’re responsible for the monitoring and DTP (Department of Transport and Planning) is responsible for engaging the contractors,” said Mr Edwards.
“They’ll have contractors onsite on Tuesday morning. Our partners, Parks Victoria, have also been notified,” he said.
In September last year when the estuary was artificially opened West Gippsland CMA CEO Martin Fuller said it was “a careful balance”.
“Estuary closures are natural events that provide many environmental benefits for birds, fish and the surrounding saltmarsh and wetlands. However, they also pose risks to surrounding assets by inundating farmland, cultural assets, roads and recreational infrastructure,” said Mr Fuller.
“Artificial openings are only used in conditions where it is unlikely that the estuary will naturally open to the ocean before flooding occurs, as is the current situation at Bourne Creek.
“The CMA is responsible for monitoring the closure conditions, carrying out the risk assessment and making the decision to artificially open the estuary.”
The decision has been informed through extensive monitoring, a thorough risk and feasibility assessment and in consultation with Parks Victoria and Department of Transport and Planning.
The opening involves a small digger removing sand at the estuary opening at a carefully selected time to allow water to flow into the ocean. The CMA will continue to work with landholders and partners to enable the natural opening and closing of estuaries with minimal impact to roads and other important assets.
“Ultimately, we are committed to supporting the environmental benefits of natural water cycles and improving the condition of West Gippsland’s valuable river and estuaries in the long term,” said Mr Fuller.