Project Overview
The Yering Billabongs Project will restore 60 hectares of floodplain along the Yarra River and Olinda Creek. This project will provide stormwater management at a strategic point in the Yarra’s rural reach, enhance biodiversity at a critical point on the floodplain and support diverse cultural, recreation and environmental opportunities for generations to come.
The project is facilitated by Yarra Ranges Council, in partnership with Melbourne Water and Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
The project supports the Yarra Strategic Plan and is funded by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Biodiversity and ecological function
Part of the Yarra River Floodplain, the site has been cleared of native vegetation and has long been grazed by cattle. The waterways have been substantially modified by channelisation, which has reduced the frequency and length of floodplain inundation.
When floodplains are allowed to be inundated and function naturally, they play an important role in the landscape: filtering sediment and pollutants, maintaining water quality, storing carbon, and providing habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna species. When a floodplain becomes disconnected (as this one has), it becomes impaired, eliminating the natural processes it supports and the benefits it provides.
Therefore, this project aims to reconnect the floodplain and reinstate historic flow patterns. To achieve this, water will be diverted from Olinda Creek during high flow events, to fill naturally occurring depressions over the cooler months.
The flow will be controlled by water gate. During the warmer months of the year the gate will be closed to allow the floodplain to dry out and maintain water levels in Olinda creek and in the cooler, wetter months the gate will be opened to allow water to enter the floodplain.
The site will be managed by Melbourne Water, Yarra Ranges Council and the Narrap Rangers to reduce weeds and increase native vegetation cover.
White Bellied Sea Eagle frequently utilise inland waterway systems such as the Yarra River and surrounds. This is one of the unique species seen at the site and supported through these restoration works.
Recognising Indigenous ways of knowing
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people are the Traditional Custodians of lands that span into the Yering Region and our project site.
The site is within a wetlands complex that has been important to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people for thousands of years. These wetlands were prolific in providing food and resources. They were regularly occupied by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people and continued to be a favoured gathering place for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples long after settler occupation.
There remains a tangible and ongoing relationship to the Birrarung and its surrounds. This is continued to be supported by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) environmental management unit (Narrap Unit) which are engaged by Yarra Ranges Council for ongoing input and support to the Yering Billabongs project.
To learn more about the ethnohistory of the area and the cultural landscape in which the project is situated read the cultural values report, or watch the video created to share the story and reflections of the Narrap Rangers involved.
View the Cultural Values Assessment for the Yering Billabongs Project document
The project is currently funded until June 2025 with a focus on immediate on-ground works such as restoring floodplain connectivity, weed control and revegetation. Maintenance of this site will be ongoing.
The second stage of this project is to create a natural reserve accessible throughout the year via a network of paths, boardwalks and viewing platforms. Such a reserve would provide a unique opportunity to observe life on the floodplain and experience an unfolding Cultural narrative, telling Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung stories of the Birrarung and life on Country.