Corangamite CMA is partnering with the City of Ballarat and City of Greater Geelong to restore streambank and aquatic habitats critical for platypus and other threatened species on sections of the Yarrowee and Moorabool rivers.
Commencing in summer 2026, works will focus on removing invasive willow and ash trees, stabilising riverbanks to reduce erosion and improve water quality, and planting locally indigenous species to create healthy habitat corridors.
Where?
The works form part of the landmark $24 million Platy Patch project, a four-year, state-wide initiative.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
The project runs until February 2028.
Platypus populations are declining, with localised extinctions occurring across their range, particularly in urban and agricultural landscapes. In 2021 Platypus was listed as Vulnerable under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
In partnership with the City of Ballarat, Platy Patch focuses on the Yarrowee River in in Sebastopol from Docwra Street to Bridge Street.
The river has been facing pressure from urbanisation, including increased stormwater runoff, soil disturbance and bank erosion – factors that degrade water quality and biodiversity.
Commencing in January-March 2026, works include the large-scale removal of invasive tree species such as willows, desert ash and pine trees. These species choke the waterway, elevate flood risk, displace native vegetation, and reduce habitat for platypus and other native species.
Woody weed removal and rabbit burrow collapse will also be undertaken within the first year.
Revegetation will occur across winter and spring of 2026 and 2027, using locally indigenous species to stabilise the riverbank, filter pollutants, and provide vital habitat corridors.
Platypus have been anecdotally reported in this section on the Yarrowee, and were also detected downstream of the Platy Patch site at Garibaldi during The Great Platypus Search in 2021.
Image: The Yarrowee River Platy Patch site BEFORE WORKS
The Geelong works are being delivered by Corangamite CMA and the City of Greater Geelong targeting the Moorabool River from downstream of the Hamilton Highway bridge at Fyansford to its confluence with the Barwon River.
The Moorabool River is a critical water source for Ballarat, Geelong and Meredith and a popular destination for recreation. It is also a lifeline for local communities. However, the river is in very poor to moderate condition (Third Index of Stream Condition Report 2010) and faces growing pressures from water extraction, climate change and rapid urban development.
Platypus have been detected in the Fyansford reach of the Moorabool River in recent direct sightings and eDNA analysis. Australian Grayling, along with other migratory fish species, are also known to inhabit the area. These species have been recorded migrating from the Lake Connewarre wetland system into the lower Barwon River, which connects with the Moorabool.
The Platy Patch project is contributing to the large-scale removal of invasive willows, ash trees and woody weeds that choke the waterway, destabilise riverbanks, increase flood risk and reduce habitat for native species.
The site will be revegetated with locally indigenous species with a focus on improving riverbank stability to prevent further erosion and improve habitat for platypus, Australian Grayling and other endangered species.
Image: The Moorabool River Platy Patch site BEFORE WORKS
Platy Patch is a landmark $24 million, four-year, state-wide initiative receiving significant co-funding from the Australian Government, the Victorian Government and Melbourne Water.
The project aims to rehabilitate and improve streambank and aquatic habitats critical for Platypus and other threatened species. There are 15 Platy Patch sites spread across 10 regional centres and peri-urban Melbourne (Monbulk Creek). These sites have been selected because they feature Platypus as well as 16 nationally listed species. Read more here: Platy Patch - A Victoria-wide Platypus recovery initiative
There are two sites in the Corangamite CMA region: one in Ballarat and the other in Geelong.
Corangamite CMA has partnered with the City of Ballarat to implement Platy Patch works on the Yarrowee River in Sebastopol from Docwra Street to Bridge Street.
Willow and large tree removal works will commence in late summer, January-March 2026. Weed control, rabbit burrow collapse and revegetation will all take place within the first year of the project, with follow up on these activities in subsequent years to maintain the site.
In Geelong, Platy Patch focuses on a section of the Moorabool River from Fyansford to its confluence with the Barwon River.
Corangamite CMA has partnered with the City of Greater Geelong to contribute to works including ash and willow tree removal (commencing in late summer 2026), and weed control and revegetation (within the first year), with follow up maintenance in subsequent years.
Ballarat: Anecdotally Platypus have been reported in the Yarrowee River target reach, and were also detected downstream at Garibaldi (near Ballarat) as part of The Great Platypus Search in 2021, using a method where water samples are analysed for DNA (the eDNA technique).
Geelong: There are platypus records and regular sightings at Buckley Falls, Fyansford, and the project site at the confluence of the Moorabool River and the Barwon River. Australian Grayling, along with other migratory fish species, are also known to inhabit the area.
These works are improving habitat as well as removing threats to platypus habitat. Good platypus habitat provides stable banks for burrowing, abundant bottom-dwelling (or benthic) invertebrates to eat, healthy streamside vegetation, plenty of in-stream woody habitat and reliable flow through the year. Our willow and weed removal work combined with planting of native plant species will help to prevent any further erosion, stabilise the banks in the long term and create shade over the waterway.
Platypus can be found in a wide range of waterbodies, including rivers, creeks, lakes and man-made dams and reservoirs. They thrive in habitats that provide stable banks for burrowing, abundant bottom-dwelling (or benthic) invertebrates to eat, healthy streamside vegetation, plenty of in-stream woody habitat and reliable flow through the year.
Many things can be done to protect Platypus and help populations to thrive. These include planting and protecting native vegetation, fencing out livestock from creek and riverbanks, picking up litter, following responsible pet ownership principles, practicing responsible fishing, and generally not disturbing Platypus in the wild.
The Australian Platypus Conservancy website provides a wealth of information on Platypus.
For more information about Platy Patch contact Corangamite CMA.
64 Dennis Street, Colac VIC 3250
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
BARWON WATER OFFICES
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
All mail must be sent via our Colac office
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
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