PARTNERSHIPS DRIVING RESTORATION OF SPRING CREEK 

Community volunteers, students, local landholders and project partners are working together to restore and protect Spring Creek at Yendon through the Spring Creek Riparian Restoration Project.

The project is protecting a continuous 2.5-kilometre reach of Spring Creek, a major tributary within the Lal Lal Special Water Supply Catchment, through stock exclusion fencing, willow removal, ongoing weed control and the planting of around 10,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is delivering the project in partnership with local landholders, Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group, Moorabool Landcare Network and BORAL Dunnstown Quarry, with funding support from Barwon Water, Central Highlands Water, BORAL Pty Ltd, Bunanyung Landscape Alliance and local landholders.

A recent community planting day hosted by the Lal Lal Catchment Landcare Group saw around 30 volunteers come together to plant approximately 700 native plants along the creek on 22 August, contributing to the long-term restoration of the waterway and surrounding landscape.

Year 9 students from Damascus College have also been part of planting activities and on 19 August, the group planted approximately 600 native trees, shrubs and grasses.

Corangamite CMA Senior Project Officer – Water Infrastructure, Anthony Byrne said the project demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when communities, organisations and landholders work towards a shared goal.

"Spring Creek is an important waterway within the Lal Lal catchment, and projects like this help improve water quality and create habitat for native wildlife.

"The enthusiasm shown by volunteers and project partners highlights the strong community commitment to protecting and restoring our waterways for future generations."

The project also supports the objectives of the Two Mountains Koala Trail initiative, which aims to reconnect habitat between Mount Warrenheip and Mount Buninyong through landscape biolinks, creating stronger connections for wildlife movement across the region.

Anthony thanked the volunteers who participated in the recent planting days.

"Community planting days are a fantastic opportunity for people to make a tangible contribution to the health of their local environment. Every plant established along Spring Creek helps build a more resilient and connected landscape."

The restoration works will deliver lasting benefits for water quality, biodiversity and landscape connectivity while helping protect the environmental values of the Spring Creek catchment for years to come.