Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority

The Glenelg Hopkins Catchment encompasses the Glenelg, Hopkins and Portland Coast Basins lying south of the Great Dividing Range in south western Victoria.

The region covers approx. 25,000 square kms, extending from Ballarat in the east to the South Australian border in the west, and from the southern coast of Victoria to the townships of Harrow and Ararat in the North.

The region includes the cities and townships of Ballarat, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Ararat, Casterton, Mortlake, Port Fairy, Beaufort and Portland.

Flat volcanic plains typify the region, a major characteristic of what is known as the Western District. These plains comprise the Southern two thirds of the region. The North region features the Grampians, the Dundas tablelands, the Central Highlands and sedimentary rises that are the western extremity of the Great Dividing Range.

Major employment sources of agriculture, forestry and fishing provide nearly 25% of total employment. Agriculture is dominant, with forestry and fishing largely confined to the South -west coastal parts of the region.

Approximately 81% of the Glenelg Hopkins region has been developed for agricultural use. Around 2% of the catchment comprises pine forest, 16% is native forest and less than 1% is used for urban and industrial development.

The returns from agriculture to the regional and wider community are acknowledged. However, it has dramatically changed the natural resources of the region. The loss of population from the region, increased urban fringe development and the need to dispose of rising levels of waste all impact adversely on the region’s natural resource assets.

The greatest impact on the region is the degradation caused by pest plant and animals, habitat loss, dryland salinity, decline in water quality of waterways and water erosion. These are many of the issues the Glenelg Hopkins CMA is trying to combat through its many programs. But it can only be done with the support of the community.