Planting day for the platypus

HELP make a part of the Moorabool River a safer place for platypuses by taking part in a habitat planting day this weekend.

The free event is being conducted by members of the Moorabool Catchment Landcare Group and will take place from 10am to 3pm this Saturday morning along the tributary just outside Elaine.

Now in its third year, landcare coordinator Jackson Cass said the habitat planting day is leading towards better conditions for both the duck-billed mammal and other fauna.

“We’ll be planting native plants, including grasses, sedges, and shrubs endemic to the area to improve water quality and habitat for platypuses,” he said.

“Historically, this section of the river was completely cleared during the gold rush days and there was some revegetation back in the early 2000s. We’re complementing the initial planting.

“When we have really good vegetation immediately adjacent to a waterway, we increase the amount of habitat but also increase the number of water bugs which is also an important part of platypus diets.

“It’s improving the ecosystem as a whole.”

The habitat planting day is the result of eDNA surveys conducted by Landcare members in 2021, which involved screening a sample of the river for platypus DNA, and revealed an abundance of the mammal in the waterways.

The project is being funded through the NAB Foundation and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.

Mr Cass encouraged people to take part however they can.

“We usually get about 30 to 50 volunteers,” he said.

“This is one of our flagship projects, and if people can only make it out for an hour or so, we really appreciate any time people can give us.”
Coordinators will meet with participants at the Moorabool River crossing on Dollys Creek Road, Morrisons prior to the event.

To Register attendance, visit bit.ly/3yiEH6S.