August 19th, 2025Wildlife benefits from grant-funded restoration

Waterways, vegetation, and habitats for some of the Gisborne area’s most vulnerable wildlife are set to benefit from a significant grant-funded restoration over the next three years.
Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell MP, Mayor Dom Bonanno and CEO Bernie O’Sullivan, visited Jacksons Creek earlier this year to celebrate the successful grant of $838,295, funded by the Australian Government’s National Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
The project aims to improve the ecological health of the headwaters of the Maribyrnong catchment in and around the Gisborne and Macedon townships, benefitting native species including the Gang-gang Cockatoo, platypus, and various grassland and creek-line species.
It will involve site preparation works, revegetation, and management of threats to successful establishment (including targeting high-threat weeds, pest animal impacts, fire management, and monitoring works).
The objective of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program is to conserve native and threatened plant and animal species and waterways in urban, outer urban/peri-urban, and regional centres.
The project aligns with Council’s environmental strategic plans including the Biodiversity Strategy 2018, Macedon Ranges Strategic Environmental Works Plan 2021, Environmental Management Plans for Bunjil and Howey Creek, and the Djirri Djirri Waterway Reserve – Revegetation Plan 2024.
The project is due to commence this month and will be completed in 2028.