Making a mark at Werribee River Park

The Werribee River Association (WRA) has a long history of conservation activities, including their involvement at Werribee River Regional Park in Cocoroc, a 260-hectare site, located on the lower reaches of the Werribee River.

In 2021 the Victorian Government announced the More Trees for a Cooler Greener West initiative. Working with Parks Victoria, WRA secured 5000 trees from the initiative, to be planted at Werribee River Regional Park in 2022.

The plantings began when the trees were received in early spring of 2022. Starting near the carpark, plantings were held with WRA volunteers and community and corporate groups. Volunteers braved wet and windy conditions and hard compacted ground to get the first 1000 in the ground.

As the spring rain continued, conditions became difficult for entering the park, with the dirt road becoming untraversable for most vehicles, leaving the only reliable access to the site through the pedestrian bridge across the river from the Werribee Mansion. While this required a decent walk to the park, WRA’s volunteers were not deterred and more planting days were held, with close to another 1000 being planted.

In October 2022 the Werribee River catchment was affected by multiple flooding events. Erosion threatened the pedestrian bridge and it was deemed unsafe. All scheduled planting days had to be cancelled, with more than half the trees still to get in the ground,

When WRA informed its very dedicated volunteers and members of the situation they rallied. The remaining 3000 trees were planted by volunteers carpooling to the site in 4-wheel drives and riding their bikes in from behind the Werribee Zoo.

In the past Werribee River Regional Park has been a hotspot for rubbish dumping and illegal off-road driving. Recreational use is slowly increasing since the pandemic, the road into the park is being upgraded and a new entrance planned. WRA hopes the revegetation works will help to raise awareness and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the park.

Lisa Field is Community and Business Development Manager at the Werribee River Association.

For more information go to www.werribeeriver.org.au