Shepparton’s waterways will benefit from a major conservation push to help protect Victoria’s vulnerable platypus population. The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority will deliver habitat improvements along the Goulburn and Broken rivers and Seven Creeks, as part of the $24M statewide, Platy Patch Project.
Funded by the Federal and Victorian governments and Melbourne Water, the four-year initiative aims to restore streambank vegetation and aquatic habitats critical to platypus and other threatened species.
Goulburn Broken CMA’s Carolyn Nigro said urbanisation and flooding had reduced instream habitat and cover, posing a threat to local platypus populations.
“The aim is that these combined actions will improve local platypus numbers over time,” she said.
Planned works include removing invasive weeds, revegetating streambanks and increasing woody debris in waterways to improve habitat for both platypus and native fish species like Murray cod, silver perch and trout cod. The project is supported by multiple agencies, including Zoos Victoria, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, RiverConnect and Parks Victoria.
