Almost 40 volunteers contributed to the planting of almost 600 native plants for the first planting of 2017.

Silurian Cliff site extension: Streambank Shrubland Revegetation at the Livingstone Street Escarpment area

The Silurian Cliff site extension encompasses an extension from the 2014/15 FoEC plantings (MWCG funded projects) at the northern fringe of the Silurian Cliff site (‘the Willows’) on the east bank of the creek, linking with the west bank of the creek. The planting area is within the area being targeted for woody weed removal through capital works expenditure by Melbourne Water. The woody weed removal also compliments previous removal of nine mature willows growing in this area.

The proposed projects will seek to re-establish an indigenous creek line with canopy cover and under-storey plantings of shrubs, grasses and reeds. Fast-growing indigenous riparian species will be planted to produce over-shading of the stream to reduce eutrophic effects on water quality; consequently reducing the impact of aquatic weeds in the stream and improving aquatic habitat.

The project seeks to help build and maintain volunteers engagement with this area of the creek and it’s amenity as it is currently significantly impacted upon by the density of boxthorn growth. A sense of custodianship will be enhanced in the short term as the project will be FoEC’s first planting in the newly reclaimed area and also over time as the project evolves into a mature planting site.

Plant List for the Silurian Cliff site extension: Streambank Shrubland Revegetation at the Livingstone Street Escarpment area – 2017 planting.