FutureFrom mid-March to May 2026, we’re carrying out rehabilitation works to improve the health of the Banyule Billabong and help support the plants and animals that call it home.
Located in Banyule Flats Reserve, Banyule Billabong is an important part of the Yarra River (Birrarung) floodplain. It is home to many special plants and animals, and has a deep cultural connection for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people going back many thousands of years. Today, it is also valued for its recreational values as a place to walk, cycle or connect with nature.
Billabongs are former paths of a river that have become separated from the main flow. They are important cultural, ecological and liveability features in our landscape.
Why this is important
Banyule Billabong doesn’t get the water it needs to be healthy, due to:
- lower river flows from river regulation
- water extractions from the Yarra River
- climate change impacts.
The billabong’s wetting and drying cycles have also been impacted by changes to natural flow paths from land development in the surrounding area.
That’s why we’re reconnecting the billabong to the Yarra River (Birrarung) – as it once could have been. This will improve water levels, helping to suppress weeds and encourage native plants to grow.
The works have been informed through rigorous investigations and extensive community and stakeholder consultation over many years to understand the watering requirements of the billabong.
Melbourne Water is leading the design and delivery of the project, with support from Banyule City Council, Parks Victoria, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Aboriginal Corporation, and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder.
What’s happening and when
Works will involve:
- replacing an old existing pipe (culvert) with two new larger pipes that connect the river to the billabong. This will enable more water to reach the billabong in times when the river levels are higher, increasing the amount of water it receives
- installing a concrete weir structure and rockwork to control erosion. The weir is designed to control water levels in the billabong
- removing weeds and some vegetation, including non-native trees (poplars), and replacing these with new native trees and shrubs around the billabong
- an ongoing program to monitor water levels, vegetation response, frogs, birds and water quality in the billabong.
Location
Timing
Works are scheduled to start in mid-March 2026, and are expected to take approximately two months to complete, weather permitting.
What to expect
To ensure the safety of park visitors, some of the paths and trails around the billabong will be temporarily closed during the works. Detours will be signposted around the area.
At times, there may be traffic and pedestrian management in place for the movement of large vehicles and machinery.
Please make sure to follow instructions from traffic management staff and detour signs for your safety and that of our workers.
