Overview

Located in northern Victoria, the Barmah National Park and Barmah Forest Ramsar site (referred to here as Barmah Forest) are jointly managed by Parks Victoria and Traditional Owners, the Yorta Yorta Nation.

The ecological health of this area is essential to Traditional Owners’ cultural and spiritual connections to the land and supports valuable recreation and tourism activity, contributing to the local economy.

Barmah Forest supports nearly 300 native species of birds, fishes, reptiles, frogs and other animals and more than 500 native plant species, including endangered or vulnerable species.

Classified as a wetland of international importance in 1982, the Barmah Forest Ramsar Site is significant for waterbirds and provides habitat for many wetland-dependent wildlife species.

Changes to the natural flooding patterns, invasive plants and introduced grazing animals – particularly feral horses – have had adverse impacts at Barmah Forest and action is necessary to protect the Barmah Forest’s fragile ecosystem.

Draft Strategic Action Plan

The Strategic Action Plan: Protection of floodplain marshes in Barmah National Park and Barmah Forest Ramsar site (2019—2023) outlines a four-year program to address major threats to the Barmah wetlands, including control and removal of feral horses and other invasive animals, and proposed changes to the flooding regimes.

The main objective is to restore the health of the floodplain marshes at Barmah Forest Ramsar Site and Barmah National Park, increasing the extent and cover of Moira grass and associated wetland vegetation.

The draft plan has been developed following extensive consultation with Traditional Owners, community members, environmental and horse interest groups, and other stakeholders, as well as input from specialists in veterinary science, natural resource management and animal welfare.

Parks Victoria is now seeking your feedback, which will be used to inform the final strategic action plan.