Aire River revegetation to deliver range of benefits

Barwon Water is planning to reforest its Aire River site, south-west of the Beech Forest township.

Planning is underway for the long-term project, with vegetation assessments, project design land management activities to be carried out before up to 80,000 native plants go into the ground in 2027.

The initiative aims to re-establish local vegetation across 170-hectares of the site, which adjoins the Great Otway National Park, on Eastern Maar Country.

This will contribute to the health of the Aire River catchment, increase biodiversity, provide new locally sourced habitat for up to 35 threatened plants and animals, and create nature-based carbon offsets.

Barwon Water General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the project would have a range of ecological and economic benefits.

“Restoring the forest ecosystem will have a positive impact on the local environment, extending the natural biodiversity of the adjacent Great Otway National Park,” he said.

“We will be engaging local nurseries to grow the tube stock and using local contractors where possible to support the ongoing maintenance and management of the site.”

Barwon Water is carrying out a similar restoration project near Barwon Downs, re-establishing 150 hectares of native forest at Dewing Creek.

By re-establishing native forest on previously cleared land, carbon dioxide will be stored in trees and other vegetation, removing it from the atmosphere.

It is anticipated that the Aire River project could sequester up to 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years.

The long-term sequestration initiatives at Dewing Creek and Aire River are part of a wider effort to help offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions in Barwon Water’s operations by 2030.

The transition to net zero is backed by the use of renewable electricity, with the water corporation’s facilities powered by 100 per cent renewables since mid-2024.

Barwon Water is keen to ensure the community is informed, with feedback to be considered as part of our planning and design process.

The project team is available to meet local residents to discuss the initiative and answer questions.

For more information, including how to contact the project team, please visit www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/aire-river-catchment-restoration

The initiative aims to re-establish local vegetation across 170-hectares of the site.