Wangaratta Urban Landcare & Sustainability Group recently joined forces with the North East Catchment Management Authority (North East CMA) to revegetate a scenic parcel of land along the Ovens River, just 3.8km from Wangaratta’s CBD on Oxley Flats Road.

As part of the group’s weekly planting day, 12 dedicated volunteers, along with Kerrie Warburton (Ovens Landcare Network facilitator) and Sally Day (senior project officer – sustainable landscapes), worked on the North East CMA-owned site, known locally as “the willows”.

The area is a popular fishing spot and has recently undergone rehabilitation and clean-up works, including the installation of a gate to restrict vehicle access while maintaining pedestrian entry for recreational use.

Armed with their own tools, the volunteers planted 100 native understory shrubs in clusters along the riverbank.

The species were sourced from Park Lane Nursery and included River Tea-tree, Prickly Tea-tree, Burgan, Silver Wattle, Blackwood, River Bottlebrush, Common Cassinia, Sweet Bursaria, Ovens Wattle, Varnish Wattle, and Narrow-leaved Hopbush.

“The ground was bone dry, so we used shovels, drills and crowbars to loosen the soil,” said Ms Day.

“We focused on the southern end of the site, planting in clumps of five to seven shrubs with taller species at the back and shorter ones at the front.”

Once planted and protected with guards, the shrubs were watered to give them the best chance of survival.

Volunteers also collected a bag of litter, mostly plastics and cans further contributing to the site’s restoration.

This revegetation effort builds on previous clean-up activities led by the North East CMA, enhancing the ecological value and visual appeal of this riverside location.