August 26, 2024

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CHW. An essential community utility.

Some organisations have a front row seat to the effects of climate change. Central Highlands Water believes that ‘protection of the environment and our natural resources, including our waterways, is a responsibility shared by all’. This is one essential services utility that is committed to doing its part.

TREES PLANTED

1240

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.

 

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.

 

Napoleans Enfield
Students and teachers planting.

 

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.

 

Students, teachers and volunteers collaborated to enable these trees to be planted.

 

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.

 

Some of the locals who attended the National Tree Day event.

 

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 site was prepared by the Napoleans Enfield Landcare Group.

 

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.

 

Site 1: Ross Creek Landcare

 

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

 

Site 2a: Leigh Creek. The beautiful western skies over the Leigh Creek district.

 

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

 

Site 2b: Leigh Creek. Carolyn Barrie and CHW’s trees.

 

 

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

 

Site 3: Linton 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.

RECENT TREE PLANTINGS

1767 TREES PLANTED

December 12, 2024
‘We would like to thank Essential Flavours for the funding we received for a massive 1,767 plants. The money enables us to reach out to our network and community to distribute important habitat to support the restoration and protection of the district’s natural ecology’. Western Port Biosphere Foundation
Victoria

100 TREES PLANTED

December 10, 2024
‘Thank you for your support in enabling us to purchase trees, shrubs, and grasses for our revegetation project. Your contribution is invaluable in helping us strengthen our canopy corridors allowing fauna and flora to thrive, we just couldn’t do it without you’. Sunshine Reserve.

200 TREES PLANTED

December 10, 2024
Neu21 is known for its innovative and creative ideas and so when they decided to get some trees planted as a thank you to their customers this year, it came to no surprise that they contacted us, for we have been working with Gus Balbontin and Neu21 since 2018.