Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

What Wimmera Catchment Management Authority does

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority is a Victorian Government statutory authority established in the late 1990s under the Water Act 1989, with mandated responsibility for integrated catchment management across the Wimmera region of western Victoria. It is headquartered in Horsham and operates as a regional environmental regulator, funder, and service delivery body. The organization's functional mandate covers environmental water management, floodplain and flood risk management, waterways protection (including permit issuance under By-Law No. 3), biodiversity conservation (native fish recovery, platypus monitoring, wetland bird surveys), soil health, drought resilience, and community education.

Its core technology platforms include the Wimmera Interactive Catchment Map (a POZI-based public GIS portal containing 25 years of regional environmental data), the Wimmera Flood Maps mobile application (GPS-based flood depth and risk mapping built on OpenStreetMap), and the Soil Moisture Probe Portal (real-time agricultural moisture and weather data). Supporting services include a free Flood Advisory Service, Works on Waterways permits, environmental water release coordination, the River Flows Map, and the River Detectives schools program. Digital products are complemented by long-running field programs — including Australia's longest-running rural landholder survey — and strategic planning instruments such as the Wimmera Waterways Strategy.

Wimmera CMA does not generate commercial revenue. It is funded via Victorian Government appropriations and federal grants (notably from DCCEEW), supplemented by administered grants including the Victorian Landcare Grants. Its customers are distributed across farmers and landholders, local communities, Traditional Owners (particularly the Wotjobaluk people via the Barengi Gadjin Land Council), schools and youth groups, and five municipal councils. Distribution occurs through direct office service, digital self-service platforms, the River Detectives education channel, and an extensive partner network including Parks Victoria, Agriculture Victoria, GWM Water, VEWH, VFA, Arthur Rylah Institute, CSIRO, Murdoch University, and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

Name

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

Legal name

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

Website

https://wcma.vic.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority is a Victorian Government statutory authority that delivers integrated catchment management across the Wimmera region, serving farmers, communities, Traditional Owners, schools, and councils through floodplain regulation, biodiversity programs, and digital environmental data platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Catchment Management Services

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Quality & Watershed/Hydrologic Modeling (SWMM/HEC-RAS, Flood/Runoff/Nutrient) (EUAHAKAF), Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Stormwater (Sensors, SCADA/IoT, RTC) (EUANAEAK)

Keywords

• Catchment management services
• Environmental water management
• Floodplain risk mapping
• Biodiversity conservation programs
• Landholder soil health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Horsham

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Core operational funding from Victorian State Government and Australian Federal Government through departmental allocations for catchment management authority activities.
2. Grants Administration: Wimmera CMA distributes grant funding including Victorian Government Landcare Grants ($3.55 million statewide) on behalf of government departments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Wimmera CMA delivers statutory catchment and waterway management services across the Wimmera region of western Victoria, including floodplain management, flood advisory, works on waterways permitting, environmental water releases, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture support. It operates digital platforms (interactive catchment map, flood maps mobile app, soil moisture portal, river flows map) and community programs (River Detectives, Landcare, Wimmera Rural Landholder Survey) to support farmers, landholders, schools, Traditional Owners, and councils in environmental stewardship.

Product overview

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority operates as a government statutory authority delivering environmental and water management services across the Wimmera region of Victoria. Its product portfolio centers on three core digital platforms: the Wimmera Interactive Catchment Map (POZI-based mapping tool), the Wimmera Flood Maps App (mobile application), and the Soil Moisture Probe Portal (agricultural monitoring tool). These digital products are complemented by advisory and permit services (Flood Advisory Service, Works on Waterways Permits), environmental water management services, the River Flows Map, and community engagement programs including the River Detectives education program and the periodic Wimmera Rural Landholder Survey. The organization also develops strategic planning documents such as the Wimmera Waterways Strategy. Together these offerings form a unified environmental management system supporting farmers, landholders, community groups, and government agencies in catchment protection, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wimmera Flood Maps App: Mobile application providing flood mapping and geographic information for the Wimmera region.

Products and services

• Wimmera Interactive Catchment Map A publicly accessible online mapping tool providing free community access to 25 years of catchment data including waterways, wetlands, floods, native vegetation, cultural significance areas, and Landcare activities. Built on the POZI platform in collaboration with five regional councils. For farmers, landholders, councils, Traditional Owners, researchers, and the general public.
• Wimmera Flood Maps App A mobile application providing public access to flood depth maps and geographic data published under the Water Act 1989 (Victoria). Features include GPS location display, address search via OpenStreetMap Nominatim, and selectable flood and GIS data layers. For property owners, developers, councils, and the general community.
• Soil Moisture Probe Portal An online portal providing access to real-time soil moisture and weather station data from the Wimmera soil moisture probe network, supporting informed farm decision-making and agricultural planning. For farmers and agronomists.
• Flood Advisory Service A free advisory service assisting property owners and developers with flood risk assessment for property purchases, building projects, and subdivisions. For property owners, developers, and prospective buyers.
• Works on Waterways Permits Free permit service for landowners planning work in and around designated waterways, including building crossings and other waterway modifications. For rural landholders, farmers, and developers undertaking works near waterways.
• Environmental Water Releases Adaptive management of environmental water allocations to support ecological and community outcomes, including flows for drought refuge pools, water quality maintenance, and fish breeding support. For the environment, downstream communities, Traditional Owners, and partner agencies.
• Wimmera River Flows Map An online interactive map providing real-time river flow information across the Wimmera catchment, enabling community monitoring of waterway conditions. For landholders, recreational users, and partner agencies.
• River Detectives Program A free environmental education program for schools and youth groups that provides water quality monitoring kits, training, and resources for hands-on science and sustainability learning about local waterways. For primary and secondary schools, teachers, and youth organisations across Victoria.
• Wimmera Rural Landholder Survey Australia's longest-running research project of its type, conducted approximately every five years to identify farmers' needs, challenges, and priorities. Part of the Soil CRC Rural Landholder Social Benchmarking Study delivered in partnership with Murdoch University. For rural landholders, researchers, and policymakers.
• Wimmera Waterways Strategy A draft 10-year strategic action plan for rivers, streams, wetlands, and floodplains, setting the direction for protecting and improving waterway health across the Wimmera region. For councils, partner agencies, landholders, Traditional Owners, and the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53% increase in fish counts year-on-year (633 to 971)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Traditional Owner Land Council for Wimmera region. Collaborate on cultural water management, The Ranch Billabong project, and integration of Traditional Owner knowledge in environmental programs.
• Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental research institute conducting fish surveys, River Blackfish recovery research, and wetland monitoring. Key partner in native fish management and species translocation programs.
• Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government body responsible for environmental water management. Co-funds pipeline watering points and environmental flow programs in Wimmera waterways.
• Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment authority managing fish stocking and recreational fishing. Partner in native fish recovery, wetland surrogacy projects, and fish translocation activities.
• GWM WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water corporation. Partnership on drought refuge pool management, pipeline watering connections, and integrated water management including recycled water projects.
• Agriculture VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government agriculture department. Co-delivers Carbon Farming Outreach Program, National Soil Monitoring Program, and farm planning workshops with Wimmera CMA.
• CSIROcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational science organization undertaking soil sample analysis for National Soil Monitoring Program with results made available through Australian National Soil Information System.
• Murdoch UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner leading Australia's longest-running rural landholder survey (Soil CRC Rural Landholder Social Benchmarking Study) for Wimmera CMA.
• Glenelg Hopkins CMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring CMA partnership on joint webinar delivery (eID technology) and farm tour programs across Victoria.
• Corangamute CMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through River Detectives education program with multiple Victorian CMAs collaborating on school water quality monitoring.
• Melbourne WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through River Detectives education program for schools.
• North Central CMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through River Detectives education program for schools.
• North East CMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through River Detectives education program for schools.
• Murray Darling Basin AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal authority managing the Murray-Darling Basin. Funding partner for wetland surrogacy projects for rare Murray-Darling Basin fish species.
• Yarrilinks Landcare NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Landcare network partner in native fish recovery program and wetland surrogacy projects.
• Native Fish Australia (Wimmera branch)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization collaborator in River Blackfish translocation project.
• Parks VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState parks authority partner in Malleefowl habitat protection with 134,000ha of targeted fox baiting in Little Desert and Tooan State Parks.
• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government department providing funding for National Soil Monitoring Program, Carbon Farming Outreach Program, and Water Cycle Adaptation Plan.
• Project PlatypusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Landcare organization partner in riparian weed control and landholder incentive programs.
• Local councils (Horsham, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, Pyrenees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal council partners in Wimmera Interactive Catchment Map development and integrated water management planning.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• GWM Water (Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water): Regional Victorian water corporation headquartered in the Wimmera region and named strategic partner of Wimmera CMA on drought refuge pools, pipeline watering connections, and recycled water projects; directly comparable as a regional water-focused statutory entity serving overlapping geography and stakeholders.

Broad incumbents

• Murray Darling Basin Authority: Federal statutory authority overseeing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan; named funding partner of Wimmera CMA on wetland surrogacy projects for rare Murray-Darling Basin fish species. Operates at a vastly larger scale and with policy-level remit, but the relationship is directly comparable in environmental water management scope.
• Melbourne Water: Larger Victorian statutory water authority managing metropolitan Melbourne's water, sewerage, and catchment assets; comparable in statutory remit and digital customer service delivery (flood mapping, river health monitoring) but at significantly greater scale and with urban water utility operations beyond Wimmera CMA's scope.

Direct peers

• North Central Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA managing the north central region including the former Mallee CMA area; co-participant in River Detectives and broader catchment management programs with Wimmera CMA, sharing the same statutory framework and target stakeholder base of landholders and communities.
• Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority: Neighboring Victorian CMA serving the Glenelg Hopkins region; directly comparable as a statutory authority under the Water Act 1989 delivering catchment, floodplain, and environmental water management with a comparable portfolio of digital tools and community programs. Named partner of Wimmera CMA on joint webinars and farm tours.
• West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA with identical statutory mandate under the Water Act 1989 covering the west Gippsland region; directly comparable governance, funding, and program architecture (River Detectives adjacent), offering a like-for-like peer for benchmarking service delivery and outcomes.
• Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA covering the Goulburn Broken catchment with parallel responsibilities for environmental water management, floodplain work, and landholder engagement; shares the same statutory structure, funding model, and program categories as Wimmera CMA.
• North East Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA serving the north east region with parallel statutory responsibilities for waterways, biodiversity, and drought resilience; River Detectives partner with Wimmera CMA, sharing program design and digital infrastructure approaches.
• Corangamite Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA covering the Corangamite region with the same statutory mandate under the Water Act 1989; co-delivers the River Detectives education program with Wimmera CMA, indicating closely aligned program portfolios and digital delivery approaches.
• East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority: Victorian CMA operating under the same statutory framework for catchment, floodplain, and environmental water management; comparable in scale, headcount, and program mix, making it a close analogue for Wimmera CMA's operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wimmeracma
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtZxup-8zY5X3BIcmSZBPlQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/WimmeraCMA
• Instagraminstagram.com/wimmeracma

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wimmera Catchment Management Authority