Platy Patch

North East CMA has received $690,000 to restore critical habitat for platypus in the urban areas of Wodonga and Wangaratta. This is part of a landmark $24M Platy Patch, four-year statewide initiative, co-funded by the Australian Government, Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water.

North East CMA is working in partnership with Landcare, Traditional Owners, Parklands Albury Wodonga and private landholders to complete works that address threats to platypus habitat.

The project aims to improve streambank and aquatic habitats for Platypus. It also benefits other threatened species and vegetation communities. Works will include controlling invasive willows and woody weeds, improving river banks and in- stream habitat, revegetation and fencing to protect waterways.

North East CMA is supported by the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) who are leading the monitoring component of Platy Patch to estimate the future benefits and impacts of on-ground actions to restore Platypus habitat.

Willow control works are soon to commence in the Wangaratta and Wodonga Areas.

Link to House Creek Remediation Plan: House Creek Remediation Plan

Link to Media release: Looking after Platys in our Patch!

Link to statewide MR: Working Together To Help The Platypus Thrive | Premier

Link to ARI Website: Helping platypus recover

Link to the new Platy Patch website: Platy Patch - A Victoria-wide Platypus recovery initiative

Link to the ARI Seminar co-presented by ARI, Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Melbourne Water: ARI Seminar | Platy Patch | A platypus recovery initiative

Platy Patch is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of ARI, with the support of One Tree Planted, Ballarat City Council, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities. The project will also partner with Australian Platypus Conservancy, Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria and Landcare.

Latest news

Platy Patch in Action - restoring habitat on the Kiewa River & House Creek

18 June 2026

North East CMA is pleased to share the latest progress on the Platy Patch Project, with on-ground works recently completed in the Wodonga area to support the recovery of our iconic and threatened platypus.

Woody habitat installation – Kiewa River
Contractors have successfully installed woody habitat structures along sections of the Kiewa River below Killara bridge. These strategically placed logs and root masses help to recreate natural in-stream conditions, providing essential shelter, foraging opportunities, and protection for platypus and other aquatic species. This work enhances habitat complexity and contributes to a healthier, more resilient river system.

Weed control – House Creek, central Wodonga
Targeted weed management has also been carried out along House Creek to reduce invasive species and give native vegetation the best chance to regenerate. Improving riparian vegetation is critical for stabilising banks, enhancing water quality, and supporting the food chain that platypus depend on.

A collaborative effort
The Platy Patch Project is a collaborative initiative, delivered in partnership with local organisations, landholders, and dedicated community groups. In particular the support and involvement of Wodonga Urban Landcare Groups and Wodonga Council continues to be vital in improving our waterways and wildlife.

Benefits for people and nature
Restoring these waterways doesn’t just benefit platypus—it also improves the overall environmental quality of our rivers and creeks, enhancing the natural spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute, with the support of One Tree Planted, Ballarat City Council, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and other catchment management authorities.

�� Owen Davies

Woody weed removal - House Creek, Wodonga

Platy Patch supports woody weed control along Three Mile Creek

Update 26 March 2026

Our urban waterways create important green corridors through our towns. These areas help many native plants and animals survive, link patches of natural habitat, and give local people valuable places to enjoy nature.

Three Mile Creek in Wangaratta is one of these key waterways. It runs from Glenrowan Road in the south, flows through western Wangaratta, and meets the Lower Ovens River near Waldara. The creek and its surrounding vegetation provide habitat for Platypus, Rakali, many wetland and woodland birds, and a range of local frogs and reptiles.

Last month, with support from the Platy Patch Project, the Yorta Yorta Woka Walla on ground crew carried out two weeks of woody weed control and mapping along six kilometres of the creek.

The main target was Black Willow (Salix nigra). The team also treated smaller amounts of Box Elder Maple and Desert Ash where possible.

This work will help the creek by:

Improving habitat for platypus and other aquatic species through better water quality and fewer blockages caused by willow roots
Reducing weed seeds that could spread to the Lower Ovens River
Lowering competition so native plants can grow and spread
Making the creek more accessible for fishing, platypus watching, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities

We thank the Woka Walla crew for their hard work along this long stretch of waterway.