Short Description 

The Victorian State Government is being urged to reject a plan that would drain Broken Creek (Balaba) and replace it with a pipeline. Our community says NO. Broken Creek must continue to flow — for wildlife, farming, culture, and future generations.

Petition To

The State Government of Victoria

Goulburn Murray Water

Resilient Water Program

The Issue (Story)

Broken Creek (Balaba) is a living, culturally significant waterway that supports five regional communities — Goorambat, Devenish, Saint James, Tungamah, and Katamatite — as well as vulnerable wildlife, agriculture, and wetlands.

On 20 January, more than 100 community members attended a public meeting at Saint James Hall where the Resilient Water Program presented the findings of its Reconfiguration Feasibility Study and announced its intention to recommend Scenario 9 to the State Government.

Scenario 9 proposes reducing or removing water flows in Broken Creek and effectively decommissioning the creek in favour of a pipeline.

The community response was immediate, clear, and unanimous: NO.

While the Resilient Water Program listened and claim they will now not put forth Scenario 9, they are not being transparent about which of the 9 Scenario they will be proposing. 

Why This Matters

Broken Creek (Balaba) is not expendable. It is an ecological refuge and breeding ground that supports:

• Mullinmur (Platypus)
• Rakali (Native Water Rat)
• Bayaderra (Long-necked Turtle)
• Seasonal breeding populations of Bobbinawarra (Pelicans) and Brolga

These species rely on this specific wetland system to survive. If the creek stops flowing, they will disappear.

The creek also provides essential water supply to communities along Zone 3, sustaining farms, families, and regional livelihoods.

Across all nine scenarios in the Reconfiguration Feasibility Report, not one proposes increasing environmental flows to Broken Creek — a serious failure to address biodiversity, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.

There Is a Better Way

The Friends of the Broken Creek Committee believes the creek can be restored and improved without being decommissioned. Practical, proven solutions include:

Removing invasive species such as carp

Reducing excessive vegetation that blocks water movement

Removing non-habitat debris while keeping vital natural structure

These actions would improve flow, health, and resilience — while keeping Broken Creek alive.

What We’re Asking For

We call on the Victorian State Government and the Resilient Water Program to:

Be transparent with the community about which proposal from the Reconfiguration Feasibility Report they intend to propose.

Prioritise Scenario 1 (leaving the creek as it is) the only option aligned with community feedback

Incorporate the community’s restoration ideas into that scenario

Present a revised proposal to the State Government on 26 March, only after community consultation.

Increase Environmental Flow allocation 

Commit to protecting Broken Creek (Balaba) as a living waterway

Stand With Us

Broken Creek is not a failed system — it is a living one.

It deserves care, protection, and respect.

If we stay silent, the creek will run dry.

If we speak together, it can continue to flow.

Sign this petition to protect Broken Creek (Balaba) — for wildlife, for community, for future generations.

Organised by

Friends of the Broken Creek Committee for the Community members of Goorambat, Devenish, Saint James, Tungamah, Katamatite, and supporters of Broken Creek