THE King Basin Landcare Group (KBLG) has embarked on a project to assess the quality of the water in the Upper King River.

Responding to a priority highlighted in the King Valley Community Action Plan developed by locals in 2023, and supported by a grant from the Rural Aid Community Builders fund, the project will take 12 months, with the aim of achieving an objective, scientific assessment of the river's health.

Samples are being collected every month at four different sites between Lake William Hovell and the Gentle Annie Caravan Park by ALS Global - a reputable, worldwide company in environmental analysis - with the samples analysed in the company's Wangaratta laboratory across a range of health indicators.

Group president Rosie Suter said the community plan identified the health of the King River as being a major priority for the community.

She said while many people assume the Upper King is a pristine environment, they discovered not a lot was known about the actual water quality as it stands today.

"The testing regime will take place over 12 months to take into account seasonal difference," she said.

"It was crucial we engaged a professional laboratory with credentials so that we could guarantee the integrity of the results."

A similar study was conducted by the KBLG in 2009 as part of a major project undertaken by the North East Catchment Management Authority at the time, so a comparison can be made between the findings this year to those from about 15 years ago.

While the KBLG will wait until the 12 month project is complete before assessing the results, preliminary testing showed an increase in E. coli levels as the sites got further away from the lake.

Ms Suter said whatever the findings, the group was not trying to point the finger at any particular user group, but rather to understand the impact we all have on the waterway.

"This community really cares about the health of the river, and if it's not healthy, we want to be able to address it," she said.

"If we find spikes or significant changes, we'd rather know about it, get some conversations going about how we can do better, and what we can do to fix it.

"We want to treasure the river and look after it."

The KBLG said once the project is complete later in the year, the results will be placed in the public domain for consideration and discussion, with the group also planning to critically assess the findings and make any necessary recommendations in an effort to ensure the river is clean and preserved for all.

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King Valley in brief

Morning tea in Cheshunt on Saturday

THE CWA King Valley branch will serve up delicious, freshly baked scones for morning tea at the Cheshunt Hall on Saturday, 21 June from 10am.

Coinciding with the regular opening of the Sustainable King Valley food hub at the hall, the community is invited to come along and socialise, with morning tea available by gold coin donation.

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Community cinema in the King Valley

THE Rural City of Wangaratta will hold community cinema events at the Edi Upper Hall on Friday, 27 June from 6pm, and at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Friday, 4 July from 4.30pm.

At Edi Upper, there will be a screening of the family movie Oddball from 7pm, with entry free (no booking required) and a barbecue, snacks and soft drinks available to purchase on the night, plus all welcome to bring a plate to share for supper.

In Moyhu, come dressed in your best PJs, bring a pillow to sit on, and watch Despicable Me 4 from 6pm, as part of the Moyhu Slumber Party.

There will be finger food available, lucky door prizes, music and games, with entry $10 and bookings required on 0432 601 337.

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Oxley Shire Hall celebrates 150 years

AN event to celebrate the 150th birthday of the Oxley Shire Hall will be held on Saturday, 28 June.

There will be a heritage display, kid's activities, afternoon tea and wine tastings from 3pm to 5pm and an official welcome and birthday cake from 5pm to 6pm.

This will be followed by an evening of food, music and entertainment, with refreshments available to purchase, and all those with a connection to the hall are encouraged to come along.

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