River Tender Program—Ovens River, Victoria

Victoria’s North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) has achieved a significant balance between ecosystem health and productive farming for the Ovens River catchment.

Ovens River is considered one of the jewels in the Victorian crown. Its ecosystem is a rich habitat for native wildlife and lower Ovens River is listed as a Heritage River and nationally significant wetland.

Moreover, Ovens River catchment is a highly dynamic agriculture region, providing food and fibre to local, national and international communities. As such, the Ovens River and its catchment play a multifunctional role in providing tradeable and non-tradeable goods and services to society.

The importance of protecting and enhancing these multifunctional roles without forgoing one for another has been recognised through the River Tender Program.

How River Tender works

The River Tender program began as a pilot project under the Market Based Instruments National Pilot Program (2008). It is an auction system by which eligible landholders submit bids to undertake conservation works in riparian areas. Applications are assessed based on best value for money, with successful applicants receiving an initial payment up front followed by an annual payment for five years to complete the conservation works set out in the River Tender Agreement.

Outcomes

At present 62 landholders are involved in the River Tender program for Ovens River, collectively protecting almost 140 kilometres of valuable frontage and more than 1300 hectares of floodplain along the Ovens River and its tributaries.

Evaluation

These successful outcomes demonstrate the River Tender program in NECMA has achieved the economic, tradeable benefits of regional farming without sacrificing the ecosystem health and aesthetic values of the Ovens River. As a result, participating farmers and other landholders in the region not only receive payment for their environmental services but also foster an important shift in attitudes and values towards environmental conservation.

Find out more about NECMA River Tender.

Sources:
North East Catchment Management Authority, Victoria.
North East Catchment Management Authority, Victoria River Tender Project Manager Natalie Ord.

River Tender Program—Ovens River, Victoria

Victoria’s North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) has achieved a significant balance between ecosystem health and productive farming for the Ovens River catchment.

Ovens River is considered one of the jewels in the Victorian crown. Its ecosystem is a rich habitat for native wildlife and lower Ovens River is listed as a Heritage River and nationally significant wetland.

Moreover, Ovens River catchment is a highly dynamic agriculture region, providing food and fibre to local, national and international communities. As such, the Ovens River and its catchment play a multifunctional role in providing tradeable and non-tradeable goods and services to society.

The importance of protecting and enhancing these multifunctional roles without forgoing one for another has been recognised through the River Tender Program.

How River Tender works

The River Tender program began as a pilot project under the Market Based Instruments National Pilot Program (2008). It is an auction system by which eligible landholders submit bids to undertake conservation works in riparian areas. Applications are assessed based on best value for money, with successful applicants receiving an initial payment up front followed by an annual payment for five years to complete the conservation works set out in the River Tender Agreement.

Outcomes

At present 62 landholders are involved in the River Tender program for Ovens River, collectively protecting almost 140 kilometres of valuable frontage and more than 1300 hectares of floodplain along the Ovens River and its tributaries.

Evaluation

These successful outcomes demonstrate the River Tender program in NECMA has achieved the economic, tradeable benefits of regional farming without sacrificing the ecosystem health and aesthetic values of the Ovens River. As a result, participating farmers and other landholders in the region not only receive payment for their environmental services but also foster an important shift in attitudes and values towards environmental conservation.

Find out more about NECMA River Tender.

Sources:
North East Catchment Management Authority, Victoria.
North East Catchment Management Authority, Victoria River Tender Project Manager Natalie Ord.