The Watsons Creek Conservation Partnership (Rivers to Ranges)

The Watsons Creek Conservation Partnership (Rivers to Ranges) project builds on 10 years of collaboration between multiple government agencies to address the spread of environmental weeds, protect vulnerable natural ecosystems and improve ecological connectivity across the Watsons Creek Catchment.

Over the last 30 years, an incredible 44 per cent of Melbourne’s indigenous terrestrial flora species and 33 per cent of terrestrial fauna species have been observed in Nillumbik, with the bulk of them located within this project area.

Strategic locations including reserves and roadsides have been targeted for environmental weed control. This work will enhance the Watsons Creek catchment which contains some of peri-urban Melbourne’s most intact remnant native vegetation, is a critical refuge for threatened species, forms an essential habitat corridor, and contains priority conservation reserves. Some of the species found in the project area include various endangered native orchid species, Matted Flax-lily, Round Leaf Pomaderris, Brush-tailed phascogale, Slender-tailed dunnart, Powerful Owl, and the Platypus.

Rosella Spider Orchid (Caladenia rosella) – Phil Rance 

In addition to weed control, this project seeks to support private landholders to carry out weed control and beneficial planting on properties linked to biodiversity assets. Regular community workshops and events are hosted to inform and empower community in identifying, reporting and managing weed threats.

Project partners and collaborators include:

• Nillumbik Shire Council (lead agency)
• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
• Melbourne Water
• Parks Victoria
• Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
• Nillumbik Landcare Network
• Acacia Environmental Management
• Christmas Hills Landcare
• Bend of Islands Conservation Association

Rivers to Ranges is funded through the Victorian Government’s Peri-urban Weed Management Partnerships with significant contribution from Melbourne Water through the Liveable communities, Liveable Waterways Program, and co-contributions from Nillumbik Shire Council and Parks Victoria. The current program will run for two years, between 2025-2027.

What you can do

Continue managing weeds on your property.

If you would like to do more to manage weeds or need support:

• consider joining your local Landcare or a Friends group for advice about weed control or help with other works in your local area
• contact Council or Melbourne Water about access to financial support to help control weeds on your property
• if you live adjacent to a public conservation reserve, contact the land manager to find out how to control priority weeds
• document weed species in your local area using the iNaturalist app through the Nillumbik WeedWatch project.

Visit the weeds of Nillumbik page to find out more about what you can do to manage weeds.