Aire River revegetation to deliver environmental boost

PLANNING is under way to re-establish local vegetation across 170 hectares of land at Barwon Water’s Aire River site.

The long-term project will increase biodiversity, provide new locally sourced habitat for up to 35 threatened plants and animals and create nature-based carbon offsets.

Vegetation assessment and project design land management activities are set to be carried out in the next year before up to 80,000 native plants go into the ground in 2027.

It is anticipated that the Aire River project could sequester up to 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years.

Barwon Water general manager planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said the project would have a range of ecological and economic benefits.

“Restoring the forest ecosystem will have a positive impact on the local environment, extending the natural biodiversity of the adjacent Great Otway National Park,” he said.

“We will be engaging local nurseries to grow the tube stock and using local contractors where possible to support the ongoing maintenance and management of the site.”

Barwon Water is carrying out a similar restoration project near Barwon Downs, re-establishing 150 hectares of native forest at Dewing Creek.

Both initiatives are part of a wider effort to help offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions in Barwon Water’s operations by 2030.