Green thumbs’ river work having ripple effect

A LAUNCH for Bunanyung Landscape Alliance’s two-year Urban Ripple: Restoring our Yarrowee River and its Little Creeks project took place late last week on the Yarrowee River at Mount Clear.

The Alliance has been allocated a $701,584 grant from the State’s Green Links Program to protect and revegetate 13 sites amassing 80.5 hectares along 9.8 kilometres of the river, and connecting tributaries, in an aim to boost wildlife habitat and green space.

A total of 39,500 indigenous plants will have been put in the ground at the end of the two years by five Landcare groups as part of the initiative which is a partnership with the Yarrowee-Leigh Catchment Group.

Traditional Owners, community volunteers, and partner organisations including Seeding Victoria and the City of Ballarat are also part of it.

Napoleons Enfield Landcare Group are one of the organisations involved. Their site is along the Yarrowee River near the Franklin Bridge where planting is moving downstream.

“We’re one of 13 sites and the southern-most site in this project,” said NELG member Jenny Ryle.

“What happens up north along the river really has an effect on us.

“We have a new piece of land where we’re creating a meadow. We’re putting in 4000 plants as part of the project over two years.

“We’ve also put in a massive big fence which has been vital to keep cattle out and keep roos in.

“It’s the next stage in what we’ve been doing for at least 13 years on the banks of the river, but the group is much older than that.”

The site has gone from being riddled with gorse and out-of-control rabbits, to being a green space full of native trees and plants which is enjoyed by bushwalkers.

“We had a koala a month ago,” Ms Ryle said. “There’s lots of echidnas.

“We’ve created a forest, woodland, shrubland, and a meadow; all the canopies to bring back as many species of fauna as possible.

“It’s bringing the insects back in, and a lot of other things to eat them.”

One-hundred-and-twenty different bird species have been recorded there.

Ms Ryle said the Urban Ripple Project has been empowering in regards to networking.

“We’ve been able to make better connections with other environmental groups because we’ve had site meetings, and we’re really starting to find out what’s happening around the Ballarat region,” she said.

“It’s nice to get to know new people, and because we’re such an experienced group, we’re mentoring them and helping them.”

Saturday 13 September is the next NELG planting day.

Another local beneficiary of the State Government’s Green Links Program is the Moorabool River Reserve Riparian Restoration project in Golden Plains Shire, which was allocated $28,950 to remove woody weeds and plant local indigenous trees and shrubs.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle said the project is a win for the area.

“It’s restoring our precious waterways, supporting local biodiversity, and bringing the community together to care for Country,” she said.

“I’m proud to see the Urban Ripple Project backed by the Victorian Government’s Green Links Program, and even prouder of the passionate volunteers and Traditional Owners helping to bring it to life.”