Restoring Barongarook Creek for generations to come
Published on 04 June 2025
Council is very excited to announce it has been successful in obtaining a grant of $349,410 from the Victorian State Government Green Links Program to transform Barongarook Creek.
Currently a heavily degraded waterway, the Barongarook Creek Rewilding project will transform 11 hectares of creek frontage into a thriving natural and community asset, building on Council’s successful creek restoration work previously undertaken.
The project will re-establish native vegetation, connecting previous restoration sites and remnant native vegetation and habitat.
Working with project partners, Eastern Maar, Central Otway Landcare Group, local schools and community groups, the project will empower the community to engage in hands-on activities to restore biodiversity, improve waterway health, and build resilience to growing pressures of urbanisation and extreme weather conditions.
The project will foster connection to the site’s Indigenous heritage values and improve community stewardship of this important local waterway.
Jay Britton, Parreeyt Team Lead, Healthy Country, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation said, “Deadly to see Eastern Maar guardians continue to care for Country through a bio-cultural lens on Gulidjan Country.”
Deputy Mayor Phil Howard commended Council officers and key stakeholders for their success in securing funding for the Barongarook Creek Rewilding project.
“Barongarook Creek is an extremely important recreational and environmental asset for the communities of Colac and surrounds.
“Along with removal of invasive species, 11,000 indigenous plants will be planted to revegetate the creek, along with installation of 20 nesting boxes for native species, which will be monitored for habitat use.
“Many schools and community groups will participate in the project through planting days and educational workshops, strengthening community ties and generating a sense of pride and ownership, ensuring the creek remains a valued natural and recreational asset for generations to come,” Cr Howard said.
Of being involved in the project, Landcare Facilitator Andy Gray said, “Central Otway Landcare Network are most excited about working with our First Nations Custodians, Stewards and Guardians of the waterway and the surrounding landscape.
“We are also really excited about engaging many local schools in restoring and caring for this section of Barongarook Creek.
“More and more we are understanding that a healthy environment reflects a healthy community.
“When an area is cared for, biodiverse and accessible the community of Colac can continue to build a stronger connection to country and all its benefits like clean water, more native birds and vegetation, health, fitness and wellbeing,” Mr Gray said.
Photo - left to right: Lionel Chatfield, On Country Guardian and Iziah Harrison, On Country Guardian, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation - Andy Gray, Landcare Facilitator, Central Otway Landcare Network - Doug McNeill, General Manager Infrastructure and Environment; Dora Novak, Manager Sustainable Environments; Liza Kennedy, Senior Environment and Sustainability Officer; Atreyu Spokes, Environment and Sustainability Officer and Deputy Mayor, Phil Howard, Colac Otway Shire Council.