Lake MacLEod

Lake MacLeod has been identified as a priority natural asset in the Carnarvon IBRA region. Lake MacLeod is an evaporate basin located 30 kilometres north of the township of Carnarvon. The lake has an area of over 2,000 square kilometres. Much of the Surface is often dry. However the northern ponds of Lake MacLeod form a permanent water area of approximately 60 square kilometres. These ponds are regarded as one of the most remarkable wetlands in Australia, with unique environmental features.

Pastoral and Mineral lease tenures cover a significant proportion of the Lake's catchment, thus pastoral property managers are well positioned to influence the catchment’s condition. Ecologically Sustainable Rangeland Management program will work with landholders in environmental evaluation and property planning.


The ESRM program in the Lake MacLeod project is required to:
• Facilitate effective stakeholder planning and management of the associated Lake MacLeod catchment, to enhance biodiversity values, control invasive species (including weeds of significance and feral animals) and reduce the impacts of soil erosion.
• Facilitate community engagement and participation in natural resource management activities

Property Plans will be completed for any interested properties within the Lake MacLeod catchment and properties already familiar with the ESRM process will have the opportunity to update existing Property Plans. The Plans benchmark the current environmental situation on the property as well as document the current management techniques used within the catchment. The plans aim to develop costed strategies to move the business forward in a sustainable and profitable way. Biosecurity plans can be included as well as livestock plans where appropriate. All plans will remain the property of the station and will not be used by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.

A key part of the planning process is the mapping overlay exercise. This involves the land managers recording their inherent knowledge of the property on clear overlays laid over detailed land-system, satellite and infrastructure maps. Again all maps and overlays remain the property of the station.
ESRM has secured money through the Caring for our Country program to fund on ground works (such as fencing off sensitive areas and water-point relocation) that will contribute to the improved management of the Lake MacLeod catchment. These funded on ground works will be allocated once all participating properties have completed an ESRM property plan. Only properties which have completed an ESRM property plan will be eligible to apply for funding.

If you are a land manager in the Lake MacLeod catchment area and would like ESRM to conduct a property plan on your property please contact us.