NRM South

Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area

The Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area is one of five priority areas under the Healthy Catchments & Coasts program.



The Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area

About the Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area

Located within Central Highlands Municipality the Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area covers parts of the Derwent, Clyde and Great Lake catchments.

The area spans from the Clyde River upstream to Lakes Crescent and Sorell and west to the Great Lake, before heading south to the upper reaches of the Derwent. It takes in the towns of Bothwell, Hamilton and Ouse as well as rural hamlets across a large swathe of agricultural, forestry and crown lands.

What are we doing?

In the Upper Derwent/Highland Lakes Priority Area we are working in partnership with Derwent Valley and Central Highlands Council (through the Derwent Catchment NRM Committee) and the local community, through a local NRM Coordinator.

Progress so far

Since 2009 we have concentrated on supporting the Derwent Catchment NRM Committee in coordinating priority works to protect and rehabilitate the internationally recognised Interlaken Ramsar wetland and Lakes Sorell and Crescent. These works were undertaken in partnership with Central Highlands Council, Parks and Wildlife Service, Derwent Catchment NRM, Inland Fisheries Service, Forest Enterprise Australia, Gunns Pty Ltd, the Southern Tasmanian Licensed Anglers Association and local landholders. Work undertaken includes:

  • Fencing for grazing protection
  • Removal of willows at the edge of Lake Sorell near Interlaken
  • Removal of gorse at the Interlaken Lakeside Reserve Ramsar site
  • A trial of artificial Spawning Habitats for the Golden galaxias

Work underway in 2009/2010

During 2009/2010 a range of activities are being undertaken including:

  • Conducting a vegetation survey within the Interlaken wetlands reserve to better understand the impact and extent of Weeds of National Significance across the 520ha Interlaken Lakeside Reserve
  • Installing fencing, tree guards and establishing seedlings to protect the endangered Miena cider gum
  • Facilitating workshops and farmer discussion groups to increase soil health and agricultural production