Helping hand for threatened Yarrowee species

THREATENED species on the Yarrowee River in Sebastopol will soon enjoy restored habitats through multimillion-dollar renewal works known as the Platy Patch Project.

Improvements will be delivered jointly by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the City of Ballarat.

The project is a four-year, $24 million statewide initiative being funded by the Federal and State governments and Melbourne Water.

In Sebastopol, the subject area spans the river from Bridge Street to Docwra Street.

That section has been facing pressure from urbanisation including increased stormwater runoff, soil disturbance and bank erosion – factors that impact water quality and biodiversity.

Work will start in the early part of this year and will include large-scale removal of invasive tree species such as willows, desert ash and pine trees. Those species are known to restrict waterways, increase flood risks, displace native vegetation, and reduce habitat for platypus and other native species.

Woody weed removal and pest management will also take place during the first year.

Revegetation will occur across winter and spring of this year and 2027 using locally indigenous species to stabilise the riverbank, filter pollutants, and provide habitat corridors.

Platypus populations in Victoria are declining, with localised extinctions being recorded particularly in urban and agricultural landscapes.

The platypus was listed as ‘vulnerable’ under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. They were detected downstream of the project site at Garibaldi during ‘The Great Platypus Search’ in 2021.

Member for Ballarat Catherine King, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison, Ballarat deputy mayor Cr Ben Taylor and other officials inspected the site recently.

“As our communities grow so too does the pressure on local waterways,” Ms King said.

“The work being done here will not only preserve local platypus habitat, it’ll create jobs and enhance green spaces that support community wellbeing and connection to nature.”

Ms Addison said the works will benefit the “beloved” platypus and other species calling the waterway home.

“The Yarrowee River is a treasured part of our city’s natural landscape, and this project is an important step in protecting it for future generations,” Cr Taylor added.

More information about the Platy Patch Project is available at ccma.vic.gov.au/projects/platy-patch.