Gunbower National Park

Gunbower National Park is one of Victoria’s most significant river red gum floodplain landscapes, supporting internationally important wetlands, forests and wildlife.

Latest news

The Environment Report and draft Planning Scheme Amendment were on public exhibition from 30 March to 12 May 2026, followed by a Public Hearing. The Standing Inquiry and Advisory Committee is now considering all submissions, presentations and evidence to inform its report and recommendations to the Minister for Planning. To find out more about this process, visit the Engage Victoria website.  

About

Gunbower National Park is one of Victoria’s most significant river redgum floodplain  landscapes, supporting internationally important wetlands, forests and wildlife. It forms part of the internationally recognised Gunbower Forest, which is listed under the Ramsar Convention and in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. 

The Murray River and its floodplains evolved to flood regularly, supporting water dependant river redgum forests, wetlands and a wide range of native plants and animals. Over time, river regulation, such as dams, weirs, levees and irrigation infrastructure, has reduced the frequency, duration and extent of natural flooding across the floodplain. 

At Gunbower National Park, some wetlands and forest areas now experience flows far less often than they need to stay healthy. In other areas, water has been delivered too frequently or at the wrong time of year, leading to stressed trees, changes in understorey vegetation and reduced habitat quality for wildlife. 

VMFRP environmental works will help these floodplains to hydraulically and ecologically function more like they once did, restoring more natural flow patterns across the floodplain for future generations to enjoy.  

Similar environmental works delivered under The Living Murray Gunbower project have shown that reconnecting rivers and floodplains improves ecological health, providing evidence that environmental works deliver lasting benefits.  

Water for the environment will help improve the health, structure and regeneration of overhead canopy species, and increase the diversity and abundance of flood-dependent understorey species such as grasses and shrubs; and restore habitat for wildlife that depends on flows to survive such as waterbirds and frogs as wetland health and conditions improve. The forest’s Ramsar-listed wetlands provide important habitat and breeding grounds for more than 49 threatened species.  

Gunbower Island is a place of deep cultural, spiritual and historical significance for First Nations people, including the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and the Barapa Barapa. Protecting cultural heritage and working closely with First Nations people is a key consideration in the project’s design and delivery.   

The project will help ensure the Gunbower National Park floodplains remain healthy, resilient, and protected for future generations. 

Project milestones:

Project features

The project proposes new and upgraded floodplain infrastructure that will work with high river flows and water for the environment to improve watering regimes across parts of Gunbower National Park. 

Planned elements include: 

  • pump stations and pipelines to deliver water to the right place at the right time 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 
  • a fishway to maintain connectivity for native fish in Camerons Creek 
  • infrastructure has been designed to distribute water to wetlands and floodplain areas efficiently and effectively 
  • upgrades to 22.8 km of existing tracks and the creation of 2.1 km of new tracks where access is required for operations and monitoring.  

Where possible, infrastructure will be located on previously disturbed areas, such as existing tracks and channels, to minimise impacts on undisturbed landscapes and cultural heritage. 

Most containment banks will be constructed along existing tracks, with low profiles designed to blend into the landscape.  

 

Location

The project site is in the upper part of Gunbower National Park of northern Victoria, near Torrumbarry Weir and the towns of Cohuna and Gunbower.  

Project benefits

  • 556 hectares

    Of lakes and floodplain targeted for improved ecological health.

  • Improved tree health

    Providing hollows that birds, bats and reptiles depend on for nesting and shelter

  • 74 rare or threatened species

    Are predicted to benefit from improved habitat conditions.

  • Local employment

    Opportunities during construction and operation.

  • Cultural significance

    Aboriginal cultural heritage is respected and protected.

  • Healthy landscapes

    Supporting long-term sustainability and community wellbeing

Environmental planning and assessment

Under the Environment Effects Act 1978 (Vic), the Victorian Minister for Planning determined that an Environment Report is required for the Gunbower National Park Floodplain Restoration Project and the Guttrum and Benwell Forests Floodplain Restoration Project. The Environment Report describes the potential environmental effects of the projects and identifies measures to avoid, minimise and manage impacts. An Environment Report has been prepared in response to the scoping requirements issued by the Victorian Minister for Planning. 

As part of the environmental planning and assessment pathway, a draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) has also been prepared. The draft PSA proposes changes to the Campaspe and Gannawrra Planning Schemes to support the delivery of the projects. 

The Environment Report and draft PSA were on public exhibition from 30 March to 12 May 2026, followed by a Public Hearing. The Standing Inquiry and Advisory Committee is now considering all submissions, presentations and evidence to inform its report and recommendations to the Minister for Planning.  

The Minister for Planning will then make their assessment of the environmental effects of the project after considering the Committee’s report as well as the Environment Report, draft PSA, submissions, and any other relevant matters. 

More information on the Environment Report and assessment pathway can be found on the Engage Victoria website.  

To view the Environment Report and related documents, visit the VMFRP Environmental Assessment Portal. 

Proposed construction

Building infrastructure in a national park requires careful management. If the Gunbower National Park project is approved, construction is expected to take around 12 to 18 months to complete. The construction footprint has been identified and includes all infrastructure and associated construction activities, including laydown areas, site compounds, and workforce facilities, upgrades to site access and borrow sites.  The project is required to take an avoid and minimise approach to construction. This means that if approved, further design refinements, in consultation with stakeholders and the community, would be made, and as a result, the disturbance footprint is expected to be reduced even further. 

Before the start of any construction, detailed designs would be finalised and additional approvals and construction permits would be required.  The community would be updated during the pre-construction period and notified before the start of any works. 

Construction would be guided by approved environmental and cultural heritage management plans, with controls in place to protect vegetation, wildlife, water quality and culturally significant areas.  

Construction impacts would be monitored before, during and after works. Temporary construction disturbance areas would be rehabilitated, with tracks and surrounding areas restored to the same or better condition than prior to works, supporting improved long-term environmental and land management outcomes. Where possible, construction will take place on existing access tracks and areas that have already been disturbed.   

Long-term ecological monitoring would continue after construction is complete to track the recovery of the floodplain and inform future watering decisions. 

Proposed operations

Water would be delivered through a combination of natural inflows and by pumping using water for the environment. Different watering approaches will be used depending on river levels, climatic outlook and floodplain conditions. In some years, water may flow naturally onto the floodplain. In others, infrastructure will allow water to be held for longer or delivered to areas that would otherwise remain dry without overbank flows. 

This flexible approach allows the project to respond to changing conditions, including climatic change, while using water efficiently. 

Project documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are floodplain restoration works required at Gunbower National Park?
Floodplains rely on regular wet and dry cycles to remain healthy. These cycles bring nutrients, support vegetation growth, trigger breeding events and create feeding habitat for wildlife. At Gunbower National Park, river regulation since the 1920s has substantially changed the flow of water onto the floodplain. The upper Gunbower floodplain sits relatively high in the landscape and requires flows of 25,000 – 30,000 megalitres per day to engage the creeks coming off the river to supply wetlands with water. The frequency of these flows has reduced on average by half and the duration has reduced by roughly 30-40 days. The reduced natural flows and altered water movement has caused declining vegetation condition and habitat loss, negatively impacting the internationally recognised Ramsar site. By restoring more natural and efficient flow patterns, the project will help the forest recover, improve resilience to drought and climate change, and continue to support cultural, environmental, and recreational values into the future.
What happens if the floodplains are not restored?
The Murray River and its floodplains are part of an interconnected ecosystem that depends on natural wetting and drying cycles to stay healthy and keep the river rich with nutrients. Reduced flooding has increased stress on floodplain vegetation, weakened tree canopies and reduced habitat and food for wildlife. Without intervention, these important Australian landscapes will continue to decline, placing biodiversity, cultural values and regional communities at risk. If we do not intervene, these landscapes may decline beyond the point of rejuvenation.
Why was Gunbower National Park chosen?
Gunbower National Park is home to the internationally recognised Gunbower Forest, which is listed under the Ramsar Convention and in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. The forest provides important habitat and breeding sites for eight threatened and seven migratory bird species listed under the EPBC Act, and 34 species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. Gunbower National Park is a place of cultural significance for Traditional Owners. It is also a much-loved recreational place for campers, bushwalkers, bike riders, and boating enthusiasts. VMFRP environmental works will support the ongoing health and resilience of the floodplain.
How does the Gunbower National Park project fit within the broader VMFRP program?
Gunbower National Park is one part of a package of works being delivered in Victoria under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The floodplain supports a diverse range of aquatic, wetland-dependant and terrestrial species and the infrastructure has been designed to address specific ecological outcomes for this range of flora and fauna on terrain that is typically flat to gently undulating. The decision to water a site is informed by floodplain conditions and is part of a holistic approach to keeping the Murray River and its floodplains healthy. Planning and delivery of environmental water operations is coordinated via catchment management authorities, in consultation with stakeholders including Traditional Owners, land managers, water authorities and the local community, and informed by the results of ecological monitoring programs.
Will the environmental works impact access to Gunbower National Park?
During planning, there are no changes to access. During construction, some parts of the forest and some access tracks will not be accessible to protect people and animal safety. Future watering events may temporarily affect some tracks, similar to the tracks affected during large natural floods or high flow events. Any changes will be communicated in advance where possible.
How will water be delivered to the Gunbower National Park floodplain?
Water will be delivered through a combination of natural inflows via the floodrunners connecting the river to the floodplain and wetlands, or managed temporary flows via permanent pump stations. Decisions are based on seasonal conditions, river flows and monitoring of floodplain health, with flooding planned in advance to support ecological outcomes while managing safety, access and water quality risks.
How would cultural heritage, values and aspirations be protected?
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 with Traditional Owners is central to protecting cultural values and informing how the project is planned and delivered. A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is currently being prepared for the Gunbower National Park site in consultation with Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners. The plan assesses the potential impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage and outlines ways to protect cultural heritage before, during and after construction. These plans are required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.).
Who is responsible for the project?
The VMFRP is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Victorian Government, Lower Murray Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, Mallee and North Central Catchment Management Authorities, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Parks Victoria.
Will VMFRP water the whole forest every year? What is the timing and duration?
No. The water dependant upper Gunbower forest requires flows from the river about 3 years in 10 and about 7 years in 10 to the semi-permanent wetlands to be healthy. So depending on seasonal conditions and water for the environment allocations, VMFRP will deliver water to the floodplain to fill in the gaps between floods and high flow events off the river. The response of plants and animals to the flows will be closely monitored. Watering requirements are reviewed annually through the development of the Victorian Seasonal Watering Plan process and are guided by the scientific results from monitoring and weather forecasts. Find out more about the Seasonal Watering Plan and how it is developed. Because the Gunbower forest project has its own infrastructure, the timing of managed watering events can be when the floodplain ecosystem needs water, usually in spring or autumn. The pumps are fully controlled, so can be started and stopped when water needs to be deployed or halted for whatever reason.
Will more water have to be bought for this forest watering?
No. There is no dependency on further water recovery to make these projects operational. The projects will use existing environmental water entitlements. The Gunbower forest project contributes to Victoria meeting its commitments to the Murray Darling Basin Plan objectives and avoid further water buybacks from consumptive users. In Victoria, water percentage allocations are the same for both irrigation and water for the environment.
How is fire being managed in the forest? How will it be managed with more watering?
DEECA aims to reduce the impact of major bushfires and other emergencies on people, property and the environment in state forests and national parks. The risk to life and property is managed in a strategic manner across the landscape. The risk of bushfire within Gunbower forest is considered low. DEECA fire history data indicates low occurrence of fire in these forests, with small fires and no impact to life or property. The primary cause of ignition within Gunbower forest is from campfires. Campfire compliance (including use of electronic roadside message signs and flying of “Total Fire Ban Today” banner) is important. Fuel management programs including targeted slashing and spraying will continue to occur by DEECA. A well-maintained road network is the primary tool used to facilitate aggressive initial attack to any outbreak of fire, as well as performing as an effective fuel break. State forests will be closed on days of Code Red Fire Danger. Where the community identifies a risk, they are advised to inform DEECA who can then manage any bushfire risks.
How will European carp be managed in the forests?
The spread of carp either onto the middle Gunbower floodplain, or from the floodplain to the river, is considered a low to medium risk as the pumping of environmental water restricts carp movement (i.e. fine mesh pump screens will be installed). Additionally, the seasonal nature of watering means wetlands and the floodplain will regularly dry out and carp won’t have the opportunity to build up on the floodplain. Permanent waterbodies at Camerons Creek and Black Charlie Lagoon already have carp present so the risk is still high. But like everything, this is something to be monitored over time and to be continually vigilant about.
What about blackwater events in the forests?
Darker water that is full of nutrients and carbon is often confused as ‘black water’ but in fact it provides much-needed benefits to the river, fish and macroinvertebrates such as food. As a relevant example, there has not been one toxic blackwater event caused by water for the environment on the nearby Gunbower Forest floodplain. In fact, water for the environment reduces the risk of toxic blackwater by regularly removing the leaf litter and bark, instead of having it build up over time and get flushed into the river during a large natural flood as one hefty load of excessive organic material – which tends to be when the large and devastating hypoxic blackwater events occur. Potential for poor water quality return flows will be managed through monitoring of the return flows during drawdown periods, undertaking hypoxic blackwater risk assessment prior to delivery, and adaptively managing release rates to ensure that suitable dilution occurs from passing flows within the Murray River if water quality of return flows is low. Return flow volumes are expected to be small (5,000 ML in total across both sites), at a low flow rate (around 25 ML/day) and will occur at a time of year when passing flows in the Murray River are typically high (i.e. typically >5000 ML/day at Barham during the irrigation season) therefore the risk is considered low.
What will be the depth of floodplain watering events? And how is water for the environment contained on the floodplain?
Water pumped onto the floodplains is relatively shallow as the aim is to give the water dependant ecosystem a drink when it is needed, so 5 to 15 centimetres on the forest floor or to depth in semi-permanent wetlands. Water for the environment is not as deep as a flood. Existing forest perimeter flood levees are fit for purpose to contain environmental water inside Gunbower forest. Regulators at the forest drainage points will be constructed to hold the water, either from high river flow events or pumped events, on the floodplain.
Will the project cause a salinity risk?
Groundwater aquifers under the forests are recharged during floods to then supply water dependant and deep-rooted native vegetation such a River red-gum trees. That is why these forests are located adjacent to the river. Managed events that supply water for the environment will also help to recharge groundwater aquifers and cause a slight increase in the groundwater level within the forest area. The groundwater levels will continue to vary up and down according to the weather seasons, evapotranspiration and flooding patterns. These natural processes will not cause a salinity risk.
Where will the electrical power for the pump stations come from?
Existing power lines supplying electricity into the forest will be upgraded to the transformers and then trenched under existing access roads to the pump stations. There is close access around the forests to existing electrical power connections.
What is the timeline for the project construction?
If the projects are approved and receive capital construction funding, the construction timeframe is estimated to take 12 to 18 months. If the river level is high, this could delay construction of the pump stations and regulators located on river banks.
How has the community been engaged in the development of the project?
A community and agency based stakeholder advisory group was established for the Gunbower forest project in 2021 and continued through to 2026. Comprising adjacent farmers, local community members and relevant agency staff, the group helped provide advice for the development of projects. Additional public forums, drop-in information sessions and presentations to local community groups were also conducted to help inform and engage with the community.

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Contact the project team

If you have questions about Gunbower National Park, or would like to provide feedback, please email the project team. We’ll put you in touch with the right person.