September 4, 2025
Earlier this year, Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) consulted the community on the draft Recreational Area Management Plan (RAMP) for 10 of their water storages including Goulburn Weir, Greens Lake, Laanecoorie Reservoir, Lake Buffalo, Lake Dartmouth, Lake Eildon, Lake Eppalock, Lake Hume, Waranga Basin, and Yarrawonga Reservoir (Mulwala – Vic side).
Goulburn-Murray Water are Australia’s largest rural water corporation and manage 23 water storages. Of the 23 storages, 18 are determined recreational areas and provide benefits to the community through access to land and water for recreation and creating opportunities for tourism.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have recently developed the Water (Recreational Area) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). The Regulations apply to recreational areas that are registered and managed by water corporations and apply to 40 of Victoria’s water storages. And, a key part of the regulations is the need for water corporations to develop Recreational Area Management Plans (RAMPs) for the Determined Recreational Areas they manage.
A RAMP is a comprehensive document designed to manage and support the sustainable use and protection of water resources at a water storage that is used for recreation. Each RAMP includes detailed information on area management, public access rules, and permitted activities.
To develop the RAMPs, earlier this year Goulburn-Murray Water consulted with Traditional Owners (TOs), local government Authorities (LGAs), catchment management authorities (CMAs), special interest groups (SIGs), local community members and recreational visitors.
They have now released the final RAMPs for Goulburn Weir, Greens Lake, Laanecoorie Reservoir, Lake Buffalo, Lake Dartmouth, Lake Eildon, Lake Eppalock, Lake Hume, Waranga Basin, and Yarrawonga Reservoir (Mulwala – Vic side).
The remaining eight draft plans will be released for review and feedback later in 2026 for: Cairn Curran Reservoir, Hepburns Lagoon, Lake Nillahcootie, Lake William Hovell, Mildura Weir, Newlyn Reservoir, Torrumbarry Weir and Tullaroop Reservoir.
COLIBAN WATER RELEASE RAMPS
Coliban Water have also released their updated Recreational Area Management Plan’s for the Upper Coliban, Lauriston, Malmsbury, and Barkers Creek Reservoirs.
To learn more about how they manage these resources, and their plans for the future, check out the latest RAMP via the Coliban Water website.
