Guttrum and Benwell Forests project site
Guttrum and Benwell forests are significant river red gum floodplain forests along the Murray River, supporting wetlands, wildlife and cultural values.
Location
Northern Victoria along the Murray River near Koondrook and Barham, adjacent to the New South Wales border.
The project area includes Guttrum State Forest and Benwell State Forest, which form part of the mid-Murray floodplain.
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Guttrum and Benwell forests are priority floodplain sites being restored under the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project (VMFRP). Together, the forests cover almost 2,000 hectares of Murray River floodplain and support river red gum forests, wetlands and a wide range of native plants and animals.
The Guttrum and Benwell Forests Floodplain Restoration Project aims to restore more natural flow patterns by improving how water for the environment can be delivered to, moved across, and retained on the floodplain. Infrastructure such as pump stations, gated structures (regulators), and containment works will be used alongside high river flows to plug the gap between when water should be on the floodplain and when it is now, as well as how long it stays there.
Guttrum and Benwell forests are places of deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance for Traditional Owners, including the Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wemba people. Protecting cultural heritage and working closely with Traditional Owners is a key consideration in planning and delivering the project.
The project is currently in the planning and environmental assessment phase.
Project phase: Planning and environmental assessment
Fast facts
Almost 2,000 hectares
Together, the Guttrum and Benwell forests cover almost 2,000 hectares of Murray River floodplain.
Diverse ecosystems
Supports river red gum forests, wetlands, and flood-dependent understorey.
Efficient water use
Uses infrastructure and environmental water to achieve ecological outcomes using less water than river flood events.
Water in the region
Keeps water in the region while improving floodplain health.
Community values
Supports cultural, environmental, recreational and community values.
Project milestones
Coming soon.
Why floodplain restoration is needed at Guttrum and Benwell Forests
The Murray River and its floodplains evolved to flood regularly, supporting river red gums, flood-dependent understorey, wetlands and productive food webs that sustain fish, birds and other wildlife. Over time, river regulation, including dams, weirs, levees and changes to water delivery, has reduced the frequency, duration and extent of flooding across these forests.
As a result, some wetlands now receive water too infrequently, while forest areas experience longer dry periods between floods. This has led to declining wetland vegetation, reduced understorey, stressed trees and loss of habitat for waterbirds, frogs, reptiles and native fish.
Without intervention, the condition of wetlands, forests and habitats is expected to continue declining, reducing resilience to drought and climate change.
Restoring efficient flows to Guttrum and Benwell forests will help improve the condition of wetlands and river red gum forests, increase habitat for native wildlife and return nutrient-rich water to the Murray River, supporting native fish populations.
Learn more: Guttrum and Benwell flooding frequency fact sheet (PDF)
What is being planned?
The project proposes new and upgraded floodplain infrastructure that will work with high river flows and water for the environment to improve inundation across parts of Guttrum and Benwell forests.
Planned elements include:
- Pump stations to deliver water when river levels are too low to cause floodplain inundation
- Gated structures (regulators) and containment works to manage water movement and retain water on the floodplain
- Structures to distribute water to wetlands and forest areas
- Targeted upgrades to existing tracks where required for access and operations
Infrastructure will be designed to complement high river flows, not replace them. During floods, structures can be operated to not be an impediment to floods or allow water to move through the forest and, where appropriate, hold flood flows on the floodplain for longer to maximise ecological benefits using less water.
Where possible, infrastructure will be located on previously disturbed areas to minimise impacts on undisturbed landscapes and cultural heritage.
News and media
Coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Guttrum and Benwell Forests being restored?
Forest flows now occur less often, or at the wrong times, across parts of the floodplain, placing stress on wetlands, forests and wildlife. Restoration will help return more natural flow patterns and improve long-term ecological health.
Benwell and Guttrum State Forests support a wide range of flood-dependent ecosystems and offer important recreational activities and cultural sites, important to the local community.
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Without action, vegetation condition and habitat quality are expected to continue declining, increasing risks to biodiversity, cultural heritage and the long-term resilience of the floodplain.
How often will the forests be watered?
Watering will vary depending on seasonal conditions and high river flows. Environmental water will be used to fill the gaps between high river flows, with some areas such as wetlands watered more frequently than others depending on ecological needs.
Will the project use more irrigation water?
No. The project uses existing environmental water entitlements and does not require further water buybacks. The approach helps keep more irrigation and consumptive water in the region while achieving environmental outcomes.
Will access to the forests change?
During planning, there are no changes to access. During construction or watering events, some tracks or areas may be temporarily affected. Any changes will be communicated in advance where possible.
How is cultural heritage being managed?
Cultural heritage is a key consideration. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is being prepared in consultation with Traditional Owners to identify, protect and manage cultural values before, during and after works.
Traditional Owners have cultural, spiritual and economic connections to land, water and resources through their relationship with Country, built over tens of thousands of years. Working closely with Traditional Owners is central to protecting cultural values and informing how the project is planned and delivered.
How do Guttrum and Benwell Forests fit with other VMFRP sites?
Guttrum and Benwell Forests are floodplain sites being restored under the Victorian Murray Floodplain Restoration Project.
Together, these sites aim to improve the health of the Murray River floodplain at a landscape scale by restoring more high river flow patterns, strengthening ecological resilience and achieving environmental outcomes using water more efficiently.
Each site responds to local conditions and community context. At Guttrum and Benwell, this includes working within a State Forest setting and using infrastructure to deliver water where high flows no longer occur.
By delivering coordinated benefits across multiple floodplains, the program helps support healthier rivers, wetlands and communities along the Murray.
How will success be measured?
Monitoring programs will track vegetation condition, water quality and wildlife response over time to understand how the floodplain is responding and whether ecological objectives are being met.
Who is delivering the project?
The VMFRP is delivered under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan by Lower Murray Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Mallee and North Central Catchment Management Authorities, Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, through funding from the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
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Contact the project team
If you have questions about the Guttrum and Benwell Forests project sites, or would like to provide feedback, please email the project team: info@vmfrp.vic.gov.au and we'll put you in touch with the right person.
