Central Highlands Water has been encouraging the community to get involved in catchment management for many years. As part of this it runs a strong education program, maintains information in its many parks and managed gardens, and engages in practical land management activities to create a healthier environment.

For the past 4 years, we have  were fortunate to be recipients of a community grant that has allowed us to purchase native trees for a community revegetation project. Read all about those projects below.

2025 | 100 trees

This planting took place at Scotchmans Lead Reserve in an area between Union Jack Creek and Yarmlok Plain, Napoleons, VIC. On the traditional land of the Wadawurrung People. It is here that the Napoleons and Enfield Landcare Group Inc (NELG) are rehabilitating the riparian zone (the areas of land that border rivers, streams, creeks, gullies, and wetlands) along the Yarrowee and Union Jack Creek.

NELG have been rehabilitating this particular site since 1996. Carrying out duties such as:

• planning on going revegetation projects,
• fencing off sensitive sites,
• planting native trees, shrubs and grasses,
• re-establishing frog ponds,
• and instigating weed and pest control.

The new bushland is now home to frogs, rakali (native water rat) echidnas, koalas, wallabies and possums, and associated invertebrate life such as dragonflies, bees and insects. The predominate birds are birds of prey which do well at this site but the increasing diversity of trees and shrubs is increasing the bird species number from about 6 in 2010 to over 40 now. Kangaroos and koalas are now present.

We are very pleased to have sponsors contributing this work that we have undertaken for many years. The results are now speaking for themselves, and more people than ever are interested and aware of the importance of protecting and restoring our environment. Financial support is so useful to get things done well and it also represents moral support – which is very motivating

Jenny Ryle | President | Napoleans Enfield Landcare Group Inc.

While there is no dominant native flora species (as the area had been stripped through past gold mining and neglect), there is a natural woodland comprising of manna gums and swamp gums with many shrub and lower layers including native grasses. It is this area that the team from NELG are working towards restoring.

The newly planted trees (eucalyptus, acacias, banksias, hakeas and lomandra) will create shade along the river and provide shelter for fish and even platypus. The tall trees will provide protection from strong winds and eventually will protect the riparian area from the ravages of floods. At present there is a trackway for walkers to see and enjoy the river.

2024 | 100 trees

This year, we planted CHW trees along Sykes Creek at Scotsman’s Lead, VIC with the help of the Napoleon Enfield Landcare Group (NELG) and primary students from nearby Napoleon Primary School.

These newly planted trees will:

• create shade along the river,
• provide shelter for aquatic life such as fish and even  platypus,
• give protection from strong winds,
• protect the creek bed from the destruction of floods and
• provide habitat for the local wildlife such as echidnas, wallabies, possums and many species of birds and associated  invertebrate life such as dragonflies, bees and ants.

The Sykes Creek and Yarrowee River flows about 15 kms south of Ballarat, from there it flows down to Inverleigh, where it joins the Barwon River and eventually flows out into the bay at Barwon Heads.  It is the main river in the northern area of the Leigh catchment and it is vital in connecting the landscape. Some of the species of trees, shrubs and grasses planted with Napoleons PS include; Slender Tussock Grass, Austral Storks Bill, Blue silky grass, Woolly tea tree, Gold dust wattle and Chocolate lily.

We are most grateful to CHW for your sponsorship of this restoration work. Together we are recreating a healthy landscape for wildlife and people.

Jenny Ryle | President | Napoleon Enfield Landcare Group

2023 | 100 trees

This year on National Tree Day (Sunday July 30th), along with 65 local volunteers we planted out CHW’s 100 native trees. The day was coordinated by the Napoleans Enfield Landcare Group.

It is our foremost aim to bring back biodiversity to the surrounds of the Yarrowee Creek, south of the city of Ballarat.

Jenny Ryle | Co-ordinator | Napoleans Enfield National Park

The trees were a mixture of species indigenous to the district. They were supplied by Matt Pywell and the Ballarat Wildplants Nursery. Tree species included a variety of wattles and gum, including Manna Gums and River Gums.

The aim of the planting is to bring back the biodiversity that once occupied this area. With past plantings, native grass is now flourishing and the presence of previously planted native vegetation is changing the depleted soil into a thriving ecosystem. These new trees and shrubs will grow tall helping to reduce carbon emissions into the future. The planting group will be linking this area to the nearby forests and river to give the environment a good chance to grow at its best, despite a changing climate.

2022 | 1040 trees

Central Highlands Water partnered with Fifteen Trees to strengthen its program with community tree planting projects. In 2020, we helped coordinate the planting of 540 trees at the Ross Creek Primary School, 400 at Leigh Creek and another 100 at the Linton Men’s’ Shed. All up 1040 trees for 3 significant Ballarat sites. Central Highlands Water also sponsored the tree guards to help these trees for their first growing year.

 

We have planted all of the trees. It took a while because of the COVID restrictions and the school couldn’t help with any of our planting days due to Education Department regulations. This site is a school wetlands project that had come to a halt for a number of reasons so it is great to get it up and running again. The school is very enthusiastic and will be looking for sponsorship again next year.

Thanks for all the help to Central Highlands Water and Fifteen Trees.

Trevor Barnett | Vice President | Ross Creek Landcare

These native plants, shrubs and trees were integrated into current projects where numerous landholders are protecting and enhancing remnant vegetation by planting indigenous trees.

Thank you to Central Highlands Water for your support of our native environment.

Nick McKinley | Coordinator | Leigh Creek Landcare

A significant part of our building program is the creation of an area of leafy beauty, a gathering spot for the local community. The trees and native shrubs will add so much value to the existing area. We want to attract native birds and insects to our garden. The local Linton community are right behind this project.

Community gardens are great for the environment, they contribute to biodiversity of species and help to support populations of pollinators. They also provide an inclusive and safe meeting space where people of all ages and cultural backgrounds can come together to share experiences and knowledge. This is a key part of the overall project as it will involve bringing schoolchildren down to the garden where they can work with men and women of all ages.

Special thank you to Central Highlands Water for your generous contribution of 100 native plants. We hope these kinds of associations are able to continue into the future and when our Community Garden is up and running, people from all walks of life will benefit from the goods produced and the enjoyment had.

Michael Hough | President | Linton and District Men’s Shed

It’s a truism that if you have a connection with something, you’re more likely to take care of it. Central Highlands Water wholeheartedly understands this principle, and we love its community-based approach to education and sustainability. The kids at Ross Creek, landholders at Leigh Creek, along with the good folk of the Linton Men’s Shed and volunteers from National Tree Day will nurture and enjoy those trees for many years to come. And in caring for their tiny forests they’ll be doing their part to provide a healthy catchment and clean, safe water for us all to enjoy.

If you are also interested in how your business and Fifteen Trees could work together, contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer – Sarah Hart.

Sarah is an artist whose passions include the stories and experiences of women and narrative driven creative work. Her aim is to delight, to reveal glimpses of everyday beauty, and to celebrate flights of the ordinary. Sarah works across a range of media, with an abiding interest in pen and ink, mixed media and the human form. You can find Sarah here.