The Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN) has successfully completed the Restoration Connections for Wodonga project, delivering significant improvements to riparian biodiversity, habitat connectivity, water quality, and recreation values along House Creek on Wodonga’s urban fringe. This project was funded by the Victorian Government through a Victorian Landcare Grant.
The project focused on Ward Morrison Park and Ewart Brothers Reserve, implementing strategic weed control and revegetation works guided by the Wodonga Regional Waterway Action Plan (WRWAP) – a landscape-scale restoration plan developed by WULN in partnership with North East Catchment Management Authority and the Wodonga Council in 2018.
Two capacity-building workshops attracted 12 participants each, strengthening volunteer knowledge and capacity. Sue Brunskill led “Grounds for Change” a planning workshop supporting volunteers on how to get started with restoring their “patch”, while a second workshop “Urban Weed Wise” also delivered by Sue Brunskill built on the planning workshop with specific guidance on tackling urban weeds.
Professional weed control across 1.2 hectares at Ward Morrison and Ewart Brothers Reserve targeted invasive species including Black and Weeping Willow, blackberry, poplar, privet, and ivy – all advisory-listed environmental weeds. These upstream infestations posed a constant threat to lower reaches through seed dispersal by wind, flood, and birds.
The work addresses recommendations from a 2022 hydrological report which identified upstream weeds as “a primary threat to stream health” requiring coordinated management to protect previous restoration investments.
Strategic partnerships amplified project outcomes significantly. Additional weed control at David Winterbottom Park (7 hectares) was enabled through support from Wodonga Council and Landmates who also undertook woody weed control. In total, the project achieved 8.2 hectares of weed control -far exceeding original targets.
Three community planting days saw 1,000 native plants established at Ward Morrison Park and Ewart Brothers Reserve, with all tubestock successfully planted by community volunteers and a 10-person team from Parker Hannifin Wodonga, demonstrating strong corporate support for local environmental initiatives.
These works will improve channel stability, enhance aquatic and terrestrial ecology, increase biodiversity, and strengthen the social and economic values of these popular recreation areas. Over time, the maturing vegetation will provide instream logs and branches, creating vital habitat for aquatic species.
The project demonstrates the power of community-led conservation supported by strategic partnerships, volunteer dedication, and science-based planning. By addressing weed threats in upper catchment areas, the work protects downstream restoration investments and creates lasting environmental benefits for Wodonga’s waterway systems.