Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of all living life-forms including plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they all contain and the ecosystems of which they form a part. Biodiversity encompasses a range of living things and ecosystems, which are constantly evolving and adapting to environmental changes. It is important to maintain and enhance this living wealth for our economic, cultural, social and spiritual well-being.
Biodiversity management plans have been developed for all major Western Water properties. Each management plan is informed by the Western Water Biodiversity Action Plan and the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy.
Learn more about:
Deep Creek
The Romsey Recycled Water Plant contains significant biodiversity assets located on Deep Creek and its associated stream bank and escarpments. A Landcare Plan was developed for the site in 2005 resulting in significant improvements in revegetation, sustainable integrated farming, plant and animal pest control and catchment management. Revegetation days have resulted in the planting of thousands of native plants to complete the stream habitat corridor.
Werribee River
Western Water’s 692ha property at Mt Cottrell is home to our Melton Recycled Water Plant as well as significant areas of remnant vegetation including Pinkerton Forest, the Werribee River and its associated valley and grassland patches.
Since 2005, Western Water has undertaken weed control, pest animal management and restoration works along the Werribee River frontage in partnership with the Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group (PLEG). As a result, native plant species are now emerging along the riverbank.
Pinkerton Forest
Western Water and PLEG have been protecting and managing the area of forest at Melton Recycled Water Plant for over ten years. This work is now of increasing importance as Grassy Eucalypt Woodlands, which typify Pinkerton Forest, were declared critically endangered by the Victorian Government in 2009.
Works are now underway to create a Habitat Corridor between Pinkerton Forest and nearby Bush’s Paddock (a reserve owned by Melton Shire) to maximise habitat opportunities for native animals.
Central Victorian Uplands Bioregion
- Rosslynne Water Filtration Plant - Gisborne
- Merrimu Water Filtration Plant - Toolern Vale
- Marriages Water Filtration Plant - Woodend
- Reservoirs B & C Water Filtration Plant - Woodend
- Woodend Recycled Water Plant - Woodend
- Campaspe Reservoir - Woodend
Victorian Volcanic Plains Bioregion
- Romsey Water Filtration Plant - Romsey
- Parwan South Recycled Water Plant - Bacchus Marsh
- Sunbury Recycled Water Plant - Sunbury
- Gisborne Recycled Water Plant - Gisborne
Victorian Volcanic Plains/Central Victorian Uplands Bioregion
- Riddells Creek Recycled Water Plant - Riddells Creek
Western Water's Biodiversity Asset and Action Plan was developed in 2004 in line with the principles of the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy which aims to:
- increase awareness of biodiversity conservation
- reduce habitat loss
- highlight processes which pose a major threat to biodiversity
- identify habitats and environments that require urgent management.
Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy fulfils commitments in the national Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity and requirements under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Victoria released its first Biodiversity Strategy in late 1997. In Our Environment, Our Future - Victoria's Sustainability Action Statement (2006) the government announced that it would renew the strategy. A draft of Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015, Biodiversity is Everybody’s Business, has been released.