Achievement of the Wimmera Regional Catchment Strategy’s outcomes is dependent on the collaborative effort of all parties involved in integrated catchment management.

The following table identifies implementation partners and their core functions of relevance to the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS). The responsibilities of individual organisations in implementing the Wimmera RCS will be further articulated through collaborative development of detailed action plans. This approach is based on the principle of delivering efficient and effective services and reducing duplication.

Implementation partners	RCS roles and responsibilities
Aboriginal Victoria	Administers the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and works with Traditional Owners to protect and manage Victoria’s Aboriginal cultural heritage. Provide advice and expertise on areas of interest to the local Aboriginal community and natural resource management programs, including in areas outside existing Registered Aboriginal Party boundaries.
Agricultural extension and industry groups: Perennial Pasture Systems, Birchip Cropping Group, Victorian No- Till Farmers Association	Farmer-led organisations supporting peer learning and practical information on best management techniques for soil conservation and productivity benefits in local conditions.
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment	Purpose is to partner and regulate to enhance Australia’s agriculture, unique environment and heritage, and water resources. Develops and administers national agriculture, environment and water related policies and investment programs. Has a role in the purchase of environmental water and listing threatened species and ecological communities.
Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC)	Trustee for the Native Title rights and interests of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples, collectively known as the Wotjobaluk peoples as recognised in the Consent Determination in 2005. Registered Aboriginal Party under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
Centre for Participation	Regional organisation providing programs, services and facilities to empower people of all ages to actively participate in their communities through local opportunities in community support, volunteering, learning and partnerships.
Committees of management of Crown land reserves (delegated responsibility by the government to manage crown land)	Role under the Victorian Crown Land Reserves Act 1978 is to “manage, improve, maintain and control” Crown land reserves that have been set aside for the benefit of the people of Victoria. Reserves support amenities and uses such as public halls, showgrounds, gardens, bushland, caravan parks, foreshores, sporting facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools, walking tracks and rail trails.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder	Responsible for managing water entitlements acquired by the Australian Government. These water entitlements are used in the Murray-Darling Basin to protect and restore environmental assets.
Conservation Volunteers Australia	Recruits and volunteers around Australia and across the world to support participation in diverse projects to protect and enhance the natural environment.
Education sector, including Victorian Government Department of Education and Training, teachers and schools, Federation University Australia, Charles Sturt University and Longerenong College	Deliver education and development support and services to children, young people and adults. Implement Victorian Government policy in government schools, early childhood services, non-government schools, training programs and higher education services. Also provides climate change and agricultural education services.
Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)	Brings together climate change, energy, environment, water, forests, planning and emergency management functions to maximise connections between the environment, community, industry and economy.
Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, including Agriculture Victoria	Purpose is focused on growing Victoria’s economy and ensuring it benefits all Victorians – by creating more jobs for people, building thriving places and regions, and supporting inclusive communities. Agriculture Victoria works with the agriculture industry on research, development and extension to improve production, connect the sector with international markets, support development and maintain effective biosecurity controls.
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation	Manages native title rights for the Eastern Maar people. Registered Aboriginal Party for Eastern Maar Country and currently negotiating a Recognition and Settlement Agreement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010.
Emergency Services, such as Victorian State Emergency Services, Country Fire Authority, DELWP, Victoria Police, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Department of Health and Human Services	Responsible for leading relevant emergency responses in accordance with the Victorian Emergency Management Act 1986. Collaboration occurs in times of emergency, including flood, fire and pest plague.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria	Responsible for the prevention and control of air, land and water pollution and industrial noise.
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative	Recognised as the principal Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation within the local government areas of Horsham, Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Ararat and Yarriambiack. Aims to provide effective health, welfare and family services to the local Aboriginal community.
Greening Australia	Engages the community in vegetation management to protect and restore the health, diversity, and productivity of Australian landscapes.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater)	Responsible for managing groundwater and surface water resources, including water and wastewater services and associated infrastructure. GWMWater also coordinates blue-green algae management in the catchment.
Landcare Networks	Hindmarsh Landcare Network, Project Platypus and Yarrilinks Landcare Network are community-based organisations that provide support to Landcare Groups and landholders in their local areas through leadership, planning and resources.
Landcare Victoria Incorporated	Independent representative body for Landcare in Victoria. Exists to secure increased recognition, resourcing and support for Landcare. Serves the broader Landcare community within Victoria and represents paid members.
Landholders	Manage and influence natural assets on private land. Many conserve natural assets, manage land and implement sustainable farming practices to prevent off-site impacts.
Local farming, conservation and waterway protection groups: Landcare groups, “Friends of” groups, river improvement committees, Waterwatch groups	Local environmental volunteering groups whose focus includes capacity building and undertaking on-ground natural resource management works such as invasive plant and animal control, revegetation, waterway monitoring and improving farming practices at a local scale.
Local Government: Ararat Rural City Buloke Shire Hindmarsh Shire Horsham Rural City Northern Grampians Shire Pyrenees Shire West Wimmera Shire Yarriambiack Shire	Responsible for local services including emergency management such as response and recovery, transport and infrastructure, planning and building such as land use planning, economic development, public open space and recreation planning and environmental conservation relevant to local government.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority	Independent statutory authority responsible for planning the Murray-Darling Basin’s water resources in the interest of the Basin as a whole.
Parks Victoria	Parks Victoria is a statutory authority established to protect, conserve and enhance Parks Victoria managed land, including its natural and cultural values,  for the benefit of the environment and current and future generations consistent with the Parks Victoria Act 2018. The Wimmera catchment includes almost 290,000 hectares managed by Parks Victoria. Parks Victoria’s state-wide Land Management Strategy (in preparation in 2021) sets the direction for Parks Victoria’s land management including nature conservation, cultural heritage management and visitor management and services. Parks Victoria works closely with Traditional Owners, other agencies and the community to continuously improve its capacity to deliver large-scale programs and on-ground actions to protect and manage the best of Victoria’s natural assets, throughout the Parks estate.
Regional Development Victoria	Lead Victorian Government agency for rural and regional economic development. Operates in partnership with regional businesses and communities and all tiers of government to deliver the Government’s regional development agenda and instigate positive change for regional and rural Victorians.
Research institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and Universities	Provide scientific evidence on the condition of natural assets and information and advice on appropriate management tools and directions.
Soils Cooperative Research Centre	Engage with farmers to ensure they can optimise their productivity, yield and profitability on complex soils to ensure long-term sustainability of farming businesses.
Trust for Nature	Responsible for helping people protect biodiversity on private land. This includes conservation covenants, land management stewardship, Revolving Fund program, land ownership and management and assistance in arranging native vegetation offsets.
Victorian Environmental Water Holder	Responsible for holding and managing Victoria’s environmental water entitlements. Work with CMAs to ensure environmental water entitlements are used to achieve the best environmental outcomes with available water.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (CMA)	Responsible for strategic planning and coordinating actions, monitoring and reporting to improve the management of land, water and biodiversity. Responsible for coordinating regional investment in integrated catchment management. Provides a link between the Wimmera community, Victorian and Australian Governments. Carries out several statutory functions including floodplain management and delivery of water for the environment.
Wimmera Development Association (WDA)	Works with community and governments in Western Victoria to attract new investment, further develop existing business and promote the Wimmera’s sustainable development opportunities.