Pitch for planned minor floods

"The real benefits from environmental flows are what we call out-of-bank flows, linking to the flood plain and wetlands," GVEG water spokesperson John Pettigrew said.

"The river suffers if that doesn't happen."

Flows peaked at 41,500 ML/day at Seymour on July 2, and the river reached minor flood level at Shepparton on July 5 before receding through to July 11.

Mr Pettigrew said Gemmill Swamp and Reedy Swamp both filled and produced return flows back into the river, while Loch Garry lifted by about one metre.

No blackwater effects were recorded, which he said would help protect river health ahead of future floods.

The flood caused minor disruption in the region, with Watt Rd briefly closed and Parks Victoria closing bush and walking tracks. The boardwalk at Jordan’s Bend car park was also flooded during the event's peak.

Mr Pettigrew said floods of this scale used to occur roughly every second year before river regulation changed natural flow patterns, and he wants water authorities to consider using environmental releases to "top up" future rain events and recreate similar minor floods more regularly.

"We couldn't create that flood from scratch, we haven't got enough water to do it," he said.

"But you could top up a lower flood to get to that level and get all the benefits."

He acknowledged the proposal faced obstacles.

Victorian rules prevent environmental water from crossing onto private land without permission, and Mr Pettigrew pointed to constraints he believes currently cap environmental water releases at around 9000 ML/day at Shepparton.

Any push for more frequent flooding is also likely to be viewed warily by irrigators as more water being taken from farming use, at a time when the Murray-Darling Basin Plan's water buybacks have deepened divisions between irrigators and environmental water advocates.

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority environmental water and wetlands manager Simon Casanelia said the July rainfall was welcome, with many of the region's creeks and streams responding well, and the CMA was monitoring the extent and benefits of the flows.

"These flows have set up the region's rivers, streams and wetlands well for this year and we will look to provide regulated environmental water in line with our seasonal priorities," Mr Casanelia said.

In a statement, the CMA said the July flood had demonstrated the important role high-flow events play in maintaining healthy rivers, wetlands and floodplains, providing significant benefits for native plants and animals.

The CMA said it does not flood private land without a landholder's consent.

GVEG, a grassroots group with more than 50 members across the Goulburn Valley that has been active in water policy advocacy for more than 30 years, is preparing to formally raise the flood as a case study with the CMA, Goulburn-Murray Water, DEECA, and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.

Mr Pettigrew said funding was available through existing river constraints programs to address barriers on the flood plain, including a blockage on a flood runner near Shepparton he believes is diverting more water through town than would occur naturally.

"I reckon there's money for it," he said.

"And if you've got money, there's an appetite."