Landholders commit to restoring Moorabool River

ELEVEN local landholders have committed to restoring a section of the Moorabool River through a combination protective fencing and native tree and shrub planting.

The Living Moorabool Flagship Program aims to protect the important waterway and provide a strong ecosystem and natural habitat for animals such as the platypus.

The project is being delivered through landholders on both the Moorabool and Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group in the upper catchment above Meredith and the Geelong Landcare Network from Maude to Batesford.

The total restoration site is over seven hectares and involves weed management and planting of native vegetation along the river.

Four thousand trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted on the site thus far.

Gheringhap property owner, Dominic Cook is protecting three kilometers of the Moorabool River frontage and said his “whole family is very proud to be involved in this revegetation project.”

The Koala Clancy Foundation is also engaged in the works and has assisted with suitable feeding and habitat management.

Staff and volunteers from the Koala Clancy Foundation were fortunate to spot at least two Platypus in the Moorabool River.

‘We spotted Platypus on several occasions while we were working here: at least one individual at Gheringhap, and another upstream at Russells Bridge,” president of the Koala Clancy Foundation, Janine Duffy said.

Project officer, Anthony Byrne said the abundance of diversity and precious remnants along the river is “remarkable.”

Thankfully, they are all protected through this initiative,” he said.

“From towering ancient River Red Gums, culturally significant sites and stories, nationally significant geological features and iconic species such as the beloved Australian Platypus”