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.
Update 26 March 2026
Platy Patch supports woody weed control along Three Mile Creek
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.
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
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.
