Upper Yarra sewage treatment plant habitat restoration

We’re creating over 35 hectares of new wetland habitat for the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum at our Upper Yarra Sewage Treatment Plant site at Launching Place. 

What we’re doing

• We’re creating a new climate resilient habitat to support critically endangered species.
• We anticipate it will support a local colony of approximately 100 Helmeted Honeyeaters and 50 Leadbeater’s Possums.
• We’ll use the recycled water we produce at the treatment plant to establish and maintain the wetlands, which will mirror the natural environment.
• We’ll plant thousands of local native plants creating a habitat to support the conservation of the endangered animals.
• The ecosystem we create will increase pollination and seed spreading, helping plants and habitats to grow naturally.
   

Earthworks to start in April 2025

We need to carry out earthworks to improve and expand the area that can support swamp forest vegetation. Earthworks are planned for April 2025 to March 2026 during dry weather. 

We expect to start planting native vegetation in March 2026.

What to expect during the works

• Extra vehicles, trucks and machinery on local roads travelling to our treatment plant site at 265 Dalry Road, Launching Place.
• Some earthmoving works will be dusty and noisy. 

Your water and sewerage services will not be affected.

Victoria’s faunal emblems are critically endangered

Victoria’s 2 official faunal emblems were chosen to represent the state's unique and diverse wildlife, highlighting the importance of conservation and awareness.

There are only approximately 230 Helmeted Honeyeaters, and 36 lowland Leadbeater’s Possums left in the wild (as at 2 April 2025). They’re critically endangered due to habitat loss through land clearing and degradation from bushfires.

The highland Leadbeater's Possum, believed extinct for decades, was rediscovered in 1961. Its lowland relation, a separate sub-species, wasn't even known of until the mid-1980s.

Loss of habitat is the primary threat to both species. Helmeted Honeyeaters need to live close to water, and areas with suitable swamp forest habitat are disappearing. Climate change, drought, bushfire and competition from other birds also endanger their existence. 

 

Connecting with other local habitats

A key challenge for the Leadbeater’s Possum is that their habitat is in small pockets. This stops them from interacting with other possum colonies for breeding.

The Helmeted Honeyeater is being bred in captivity at Healesville Sanctuary. They need more homes to be able to increase their numbers. Regenerating our site at Dalry Road can create a new home and help establish a new population over time.

Haining Farm, located approximately 2 km east of our site, is another restoration site for our faunal emblems. The 2 habitats, linked by trees lining the Yarra River, will enable the different possum and bird colonies to interact and help ensure their survival.

Bushfire mitigation

We’ve carefully designed the wetlands to minimise the bushfire risk to our neighbours and the site.

We’re deliberately leaving patches of open land along the edge of the treatment plant site to create firebreaks.

The 35 hectares of wetlands will stay wet for much of the year, further mitigating bushfire risk.

We’re also creating other bushfire protection measures to meet Bushfire Management Overlay requirements. These bushfire protection measures have been reviewed and endorsed by Yarra Ranges Council.

Ecologists have selected plant species that have reduced flammability, are suited to the local environment and will provide habitat for local fauna.

Why we’re doing this

Our customers have told us they want and expect us to manage our land safely, to benefit the environment and help protect endangered species. There are also legislative obligations and biodiversity targets Victoria wide that we need to work towards.

We find ourselves in the unique position where we can deliver this restorative project due to the geographic location of the Helmeted Honeyeater and lowland Leadbeater’s Possum. We’re repurposing our land to become more than just a sewage treatment plant and innovate for good environmental outcomes.

Our partners

This project was inspired by the local community, particularly the Mt Toolebewong Landcare group. We’re partnering with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Zoos Victoria, Greening Australia, Melbourne Water, Jacobs, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and North East Link Project. This habitat restoration is supported by the Victorian Government through the Nature Fund. 

Contact us

For more information, contact the Project Manager, Ry Parrott at [email protected] or 9872 1734.