[24] Natural resource management is administered by the North Central Catchment Management Authority covering 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) bounded by the Great Dividing Range, the Mount Carmel Ranges to the east and the New South Wales border to the north.

[25] This includes the management of rural water allocations and environmental protection for the Avon-Richardson, Avoca, Campaspe and Loddon rivers.

[24] The predominant land use is agriculture, including sheep and cattle grazing and the production of cereals, grains and legumes.

[24] Forestry is also a major employer in the area surrounding the former gold rush towns of Creswick and Daylesford,[27] with a substantial output of firewood, furniture timber and Eucalyptus oil.

[24] Approximately 13% of the North Central catchment is public land, comprising flora reserves and state and national parks.