Platypus Point works celebrate three years

A STRETCH of the Barwon River has been revitalised and is the new home of one of Australia’s iconic animals thanks to a Birregurra Landcare Group (BLG) project.

BLG is celebrating its three-year anniversary of willow and poplar removal and revegetation works at what is now known as Platypus Point along the Barwon River.

The works took place along Barwon Street on the eastern edge of Birregurra and saw 1,000 native plants being established as part of the revegetation process, with more being planted since.

BLG, Upper Barwon Landcare Network, and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) all took part in the riparian works, with the Birregurra community taking on the responsibility of ongoing maintenance works.

The vegetation along the river has welcomed a host of native critters to its streamside area, including a new resident platypus and an abundance of birds and waterbugs.

BLG president Sue Walpole, said the success of the plantings along the river had thrilled those involved.

 

“The group members are continually amazed at the overwhelming urge for indigenous plants to survive and thrive in their natural environment.

“Platypus Point on the Barwon River is a great example of this and we are really excited to see it grow and fill with wildlife.”

The Corangamite CMA provided funding to set up the small nursery that provided BLG with native species for past, present and future revegetation works as part of the Wild Otways Initiative.

This project was run in partnership with Corangamite CMA, Upper Barwon Landcare Network and BLG.

The Corangamite CMA is also encouraging people to join in its citizen science programs, including EstuaryWatch and WaterWatch, which are community water monitoring programs focused on monitoring waterway condition and improving environmental education and awareness.

Anyone interested in getting involved should contact the Corangamite CMA via their website at ccma.vic.gov.au/get-involved/citizen-science