Media Releases

Native seed forum brings together 60 sector leaders

Around 60 representatives from across the native seed and restoration sector gathered for a full‑day forum, bringing together expertise from organisations including Local Land Services NSW, Cassinia Environmental, Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo Council, Landcare groups from NE and Southern NSW, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Traditional Owner partners, native seed nurseries and ecological consultancy services.

Doing our bit for Clean Up Australia Day

The North East CMA team was proud to join forces with Wodonga TAFE for a hands‑on Clean Up Australia Day activity along House Creek.

2026 bushfires update

In the North East region, the Walwa – River Road fire started on 5 January and burnt from the Murray River down to the Wabba Wilderness and was classified as contained on 6 February 2026.  

As at 12 February 2026 approximately 121,500 hectares (Ha) has been burnt. The burnt area is 78% public land, that includes 13,500 Ha of pine plantations.  22 % of the fire impacted private land with at least 14 residences burnt, numerous agricultural buildings and stock losses.  

As well as sites of cultural heritage, many areas of high value biodiversity habitat, significant community assets were impacted including Shelley Camp, Avondale Gardens, the Upper Murray Landcare Office and the Upper Murray Rail Trail and heritage trestle bridges.

A challenging road at Lake Moodemere from sustainability to carbon neutrality

Leadership and change are not foreign to the 5 generations of the Chambers family at Lake Moodemere Estate in the Rutherglen wine region. Changing farming systems and the mix of activities in order to remain in business is critical, as are the leadership skills shown by Belinda, Michael and Joel Chambers. Lake Moodemere will soon be one of six wineries in Australia to become certified carbon neutral.

With deep family connections within the wine industry and a history of previous generations providing leadership within the broader agriculture industry this adaptation to climate change and emissions reduction was a natural step.

North East Catchment Management Authority, spoke with the Chambers family in conjunction with hosting two Wine Australia workshops exploring carbon neutral wine and grapes at Rutherglen and Oxley during December.

These workshops are part of the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, helping farmers learn how to reduce emissions, store carbon and navigate carbon market opportunities.

Markwood/Ovens investigation findings to be released

Findings from a recent technical investigation into the condition and management of a section of the Ovens River will be presented at a community forum in Milawa on Tuesday, 19 November.

The forum will be held at Milawa Hall – 181 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa between 2pm and 4pm.

In order to plan for the future care and management of the river, North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) engaged a consulting firm to investigate the condition and behaviour of the Ovens River from the Whorouly Creek – Ovens River confluence to the Hodgsons Creek – Ovens River confluence at Tarrawingee.