DEECA Barwon South West

30/10/2026

We’ve been on the road, meeting with coastal communities to talk about H5 bird flu.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for community sessions in Eagle Point, Metung, Mallacoota, Marlo and Queenscliff.

It was great to connect with residents, birdwatchers, landholders, pet owners and community groups. We all play a role in protecting Victoria's wildlife, poultry and communities from H5 bird flu.

Our team was on hand to answer questions, share the latest information and provide practical advice on what to look out for, how to report sick or dead birds, and ways to help keep backyard poultry and pets safe.

Thanks to the staff from Agriculture Victoria, DEECA, Parks Victoria and our local partners.

For more information about H5 bird flu, visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

29/10/2026

The new Nelson Public Reserves Committee of Management has hit the ground running, building on foundations laid by previous committees to bring fresh ideas, renewed enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the local community.

The committee invited community to meet and share their views about the reserves as well as host a strategic planning workshop in October.

Committee members are already working together to help shape the future of Nelson's public reserves and community assets.

The volunteer group is focused on listening to the community, strengthening local connections and delivering positive outcomes for both residents and visitors.

👏 Thank you to all committee members, past and present, for stepping up and contributing their time, skills and passion to support the Nelson community.

28/10/2026

In the heathlands of the Otways, the needs of a special group of mighty mothers and the high-stakes mating strategy of their species are among the variables land managers must balance as they look to undertake more patchy planned burns in the winter.

Carrying out planned burning in winter enables FFMVic to carry out essential fuel management in a patchy way, making heathland ecosystems on which threatened species depend more resilient.

Timing however is everything. The burns coincide with the tightly synchronised mating schedule of the Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus maritimus) which occurs over just three weeks in winter, after which all males die.

From that moment, the fate of the entire population rests with the surviving females, who must carry and raise their litters through the harshest months until the young become independent. This makes the population incredibly vulnerable over winter, where the death of these special mothers could spell the end of the population.

Master’s Student Jesse Ellis is working to fill some of the knowledge gaps between this unique biology and winter fire management, to understand how Swamp Antechinus can survive, and thrive, in a landscape managed by fire.

Jesse’s research is being undertaken in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) the Conservation Ecology Centre, Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd, and Federation University, ensuring her work is informed by the best current knowledge and directly informs land management.

“We still have much to learn about how these winter burns affect a species with habitat requirements as specific as the Swamp Antechinus,” says Jesse.

Jesse is currently analysing the footage from 120 remote detection cameras (5067 trap nights) captured during autumn and winter to determine where Swamp Antechinus occur across the north-western Otways. She is looking not just at where they are found, but also the locations’ fire history, vegetation condition and topographic variables.


👀🔗 https://www.conservationecologycentre.org/discover-us/news/winter-deadline-swamp-antechinus

23/10/2026

⚠️ Algal bloom and discoloured water at Portarlington ⚠️

Locals and visitors are advised to:
• Avoid swimming in areas of heavily discoloured water, thick foam, or shoreline scum.
• Keep pets away from foam and prevent them from eating stranded fish or shellfish.

Community members reported an algal bloom to the EPA, which identified it as a non-toxic algal species Noctiluca. This species can cause pink, red, orange or brown discoloured water, foam, and shoreline scum.

For water quality warnings: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality

🔗 If you see dead fish or other wildlife in these areas, please report to EPA on 1300 372 842 or online: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-water-pollution

23/10/2026

⚠️ Visitors to Lake Bullen Merri are being asked to avoid contact with the water due to a blue-green algae bloom.

Blue-green algae occurs naturally in lakes and waterways but can multiply rapidly in warm conditions. Some blooms can produce toxins that may affect the health of people, pets, livestock and wildlife.

• Avoid swimming or other activities involving water contact.
• Keep pets away from the lake.
• Do not use lake water for drinking or cooking.

Anyone who comes into contact with the water should wash with fresh water immediately and seek medical advice if they feel unwell.

Lake Bullen Merri has a history of regular blooms over the warmer months, and signage is in place at the Lake Bullen Merri boat ramp advising of the bloom.

23/10/2026

A timely reminder to look out for hooded plover nests on beaches!

Buried treasure? Almost! 🪎

Tiny hooded plover eggs are a precious find on Victorian beaches.

With fewer than 700 hooded plovers remaining in Victoria, every egg counts. To help protect this threatened species during the critical nesting season, Operation Save Our Hoodies is back for its sixth season.

The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria and BirdLife Australia are working together to monitor nests, educate beachgoers and enforce rules around nesting areas.

If you’re visiting beaches, remember:

🥚 Looking out for hooded plover nesting signs
🥚 Stay outside fenced nesting areas and give hooded plovers plenty of space
🥚 Keep dogs away from fenced areas and on lead

A little extra care at the beach can go a long way in helping the next generation of hoodies take flight.

21/10/2026

Works are scheduled to start to restore the Narrawong Recreation Reserve over the coming weeks, including:

🧺Replacement of the picnic table
🎾Remark lines and replace nets at the tennis courts
🌲Trimming cypress trees around the playground carpark
🍃Weed management
🚶Replace timber railings including broken rails on pedestrian bridges
🚽Improve access to main toilet area
🛣️Grading of the road and filling in of potholes

We will also be replacing signage and completing safety works. This is in addition to the general maintenance that is being done at the reserve.

These works are expected to be completed prior to the summer holidays.

Additonally, repair works to the Narrawong Caravan Park wastewater system overflow pipes, which are located under the oval, will begin shortly.

21/10/2026

Whether you keep cockatiels, budgies, or other pet birds, good biosecurity matters.

Simple actions can help protect your birds from disease.

Here's what to keep in mind:
✅ Keep feed and water away from wild birds
✅ Prevent contact between your birds and wild birds or their droppings
✅ Keep aviaries, cages and outdoor enclosures clean and secure
✅ Wear clean footwear and wash your hands before and after handling
birds

If you notice something unusual, talk to your local vet or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

18/10/2026

H5 Bird Flu affects wild birds and some mammals.

Hear from Chief Biodiversity Officer, James Todd, about how community reports help our understanding of how the H5 virus is spreading and its potential impact.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
✅ avoid direct contact
✅ record the exact location and what you observed
✅ report it online

🔗 agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

16/10/2026

Do you know your birds?

H5 bird flu has now been confirmed in wild birds along much of Victoria’s coastline and some inland locations.

Knowing which birds to look out for can help us detect the disease early, before it has the chance to spread further.

Swipe through to see the different bird species that are most susceptible to H5 bird flu.

If you find:
🦅 1 or more sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
🦜 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species anywhere in Victoria
🦭 1 or more sick or dead marine mammal (e.g. seal, sea lion, dolphin)

Avoid contact, record its exact location and report it online or call 1800 675 888.