Mallee Catchment Management Authority - Mallee Region

Mallee Region

The regional population is approximately 65,000, with Mildura the major urban centre. The north and east of the region is bordered by the River Murray, its anabranches, tributary channels, floodplains and associated wetland systems. In the south, north flowing intermittent streams, including the Yarriambiack Creek and Tyrrell Creek terminate in a number of ephemeral wetland complexes including the Wirrengren Plain, Lake Corrong and Lake Tyrrell.

There are over 900 wetlands in the Mallee CMA region, 14 of which are listed as ‘nationally significant’ in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. In addition, the wetland and floodplain ecosystems of the Hattah Lakes and Lindsay, Wallpolla and Mulcra Islands have been recognised by the Murray Darling Ministerial Council as “icon sites” to receive environmental water under the Murray Darling Basin Commission’s Living Murray initiative.

Land use in the Mallee is diverse with agriculture the most economically important industry and the River Murray a major influence. The region’s semi-arid climate supports primary industries including cereals, prime lambs, citrus, nuts, vegetables, vine and fruit growing activities. Many of these horticultural sectors have faced a challenging period in recent years due to the drought.