Yarra River Weed Control Project, Dights Falls to Plenty River - A Healthy Waterways Initiative
From 2010 to 2012 the Waterways Alliance, on behalf of Melbourne Water, is completing a $1.9 million project to improve the environmental health of the Yarra River in Viewbank, Bulleen, Heidelberg, Eaglemont, Ivanhoe East, Kew, Alphington and Fairfield.
The project involves works to control over 60 regionally significant weeds along a 19.9 kilometre stretch of the Yarra River between Plenty River in Templestowe and Dights Falls in Abbottsford – an area often referred to as the 'middle Yarra'.
Controlling invasive plants and trees will allow native vegetation such as gum trees, wattles and bottlebrush to regenerate more successfully. In time, the project will help improve water quality and increase local numbers of native fish, platypus and birds.
Why is Melbourne Water doing this project?
Melbourne Water is the caretaker of river health and designated waterway manager for the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
In November 2007 Melbourne Water commissioned Ecology Australia to report on the condition of vegetation along the Yarra between Wonga Park and Abbottsford and to develop a suitable management plan for the area.
The report* identified nine endangered or vulnerable vegetation communities along the Yarra and highlighted a need to control weeds to ensure their protection and improve the river's health.
How will the project benefit for the Yarra?
Controlling weeds will allow native plants such as gum trees, wattles and bottlebrush to regenerate more successfully helping to protect and improve significant areas of vegetation.
In time, the project will help improve water quality and increase local numbers of native fish, platypus and birds.
How will the weeds be controlled?
Crews will complete staged works over three years. The target weeds will be controlled using a number of methods – they will be cut and painted with herbicide, injected with herbicide or simply sprayed with herbicide. The herbicides that will be used have been carefully chosen to ensure they are appropriate for use along waterways.
Due to the nature of the project, much of the weed spraying will be completed using a customised four-wheel motorbike. A small boat will also be used to access difficult to reach sections of the bank.
The majority of the larger trees that need to be removed will be felled by hand using a chainsaw. Some tree removal in year two may require heavier machinery.
What weeds are we targeting?
The common names of the trees and plants the project will target are listed in the Project Fact Sheet. To download the fact sheet click on the link below.
How much will the project cost and how is it funded?
The project is expected to cost about $1.9 million over three years.
Melbourne Water's waterway improvement, regional drainage and flood protection works are funded through the Waterways and Drainage Charge paid by property owners. The charge is collected by retail water companies, such as South East Water and Yarra Valley Water on Melbourne Water's behalf.
Contact us
For more information about the project call the Waterways Alliance on 9235 1409 or contact us online.