The project grew out of the Fish Creek Catchment Project Plan that was developed and funded by the South Gippsland Landcare Network. The plan is consistent with the West Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy. It identified the first steps, which included a thorough mapping exercise of the catchment to identify gaps in riparian areas. The West Gippsland CMA and local landowners had already done extensive willow removal, fencing and planting. 

The Fish Creek Catchment Project focused on remediating the gaps, along the entire length of Fish Creek from its headwaters to drains, which lead to the Tarwin River and eventually Andersons Inlet.

In October 2019, a well-attended public meeting was held to inform the community about the proposed project. All landowners along the upper reaches and tributaries of Fish Creek were contacted and requested to express their interest in being part of a funding application. Those interested submitted plans of how they would spend their funds (if successful), and an indication of their willingness to co-fund. All interested non-members were encouraged to join FCLG. The plans submitted included fencing, weed control, revegetation and pest management.

FCLG received a 2020 Victorian Landcare Grant that enabled a priority group of nine landowners to be funded. This funding saw over seven kilometres of fencing erected, 11,900 tube stock planted and guarded with 6100 tree guards, and 22 litres of weed control spray purchased and used.

All the projects were completed in the required time frame, with landowner contributions for the bigger projects.

Funding from a Victorian Landcare Grant in November 2022 allowed us to encourage landowners on the tributaries of Fish Creek to put in an expression of interest in completing works. Five landowners were involved in this phase completing 2.5 kilometres of fencing, planting 6600 tube stock, installing 3250 tree guards and utilising 65 litres of weed control spray. The larger scale projects were also completed with landowner contribution.

The area from the creek headwaters to the township is now fully fenced and revegetated. Some areas of tributaries are still unfenced but are under consideration for works. Phase two of the project has just started. We are looking to use Victorian Landcare Grants funding on landowner projects downstream from Fish Creek township towards the drains and finally the Tarwin River.

The project has faced a number of challenges including difficulties in engaging contractors and obtaining tubestock. There were delays due to COVID-19 restrictions and some apathy and non-compliance among the landowners involved. The extremely wet winter in 2022 caused issues with access to several sites for fencing and planting. We’ve also had to manage the impact of browsing from deer, wallabies and rabbits.