Wadawurrung nursery expansion boosts habitat restoration efforts

A PURPOSE-BUILT native plant nursery on Wadawurrung Country has been expanded to support land restoration and habitat regeneration across the Victorian Volcanic Plains.

The project was delivered by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation with support from a $500,000 grant through the state government’s BushBank program.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said the expansion would help deliver both environmental and cultural outcomes.

“By expanding the nursery, the team will be able to show traditional and modern approaches to plant propagation and share knowledge to help restore precious habitat,” he said.

“The expansion will deliver even greater benefits for our environment and strengthen our progress toward self-determination and long-term sustainability.”

The upgrade includes a new greenhouse, polytunnel and shade house, increasing tubestock production from 4,000 to 80,000 plants.

The nursery will supply native plants for revegetation projects across the volcanic plains, which support numerous threatened species and endangered vegetation communities.

The region is also of cultural and ecological significance for First Peoples.

The $77 million BushBank program funds revegetation projects across the state to reduce emissions and restore biodiversity.