Case Study - Big Improvement for Little Yarra
The Little Yarra River rises in mountain ash forests in the Yarra Ranges above Warburton and passes through rural areas to join the Yarra River below Yarra Junction.
Its upper sections are in good to excellent condition and support a variety of native plants and animals. The river has good water quality and a diversity of streamside and in-stream habitats.
We identified that the Little Yarra River would benefit from a series of rehabilitation works designed to lift its condition from good to excellent.
In 2003 we re-introduced old tree trunks into the river bed in the upper reaches to improve habitat.
Other big improvements we have made in recent years have included:
- installing a fish ladder to help fish migrate;
- involving local farmers through the Steam Frontage Management Program which assists landholders to fence off stock to keep them away from rivers and creeks; and
- replacing willows with native plants.
In the middle and lower reaches of Little Yarra we have also removed willows and other weeds, and replanted, providing further water quality and habitat improvements.