Yarra Valley Water and Hume City Council turn Frog Court Wetland into thriving frog habitat

Craigieburn’s growling grass frog will be leaping into the new year. Yarra Valley Water has donated enough water to fill and transform Frog Court Wetland into a flourishing frog and reptile habitat.

Yarra Valley Water provided the water free of charge to Hume City Council which set out to revitalise the previously barren 2,500 metre squared wetland.

The summer holiday season is a time for family, even for frogs. A key aim of the project is to help boost the threatened growling grass frog’s population which has declined over time at the wetland.

Frog Court Wetland will also become a habitat and breeding ground for the southern brown tree frog, the spotted marsh frog, the eastern long-necked turtle and small mammals such as water rats.

Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager of Distribution Services, Dona Tantirimudalige said that Yarra Valley Water was pleased to provide the water free of charge to Hume City Council.

“We have a strong commitment to caring for the environment. This water will not only enhance Frog Court Wetland’s natural ecosystem, it will also help to reduce pollutants flowing into Merri Creek which is really important,” Ms Tantirimudalige said.

Frog Court Wetland plays a vital role in treating stormwater from the nearby industrial precinct before it flows into Merri Creek which is managed by Melbourne Water. Merri Creek is an important breeding habitat for the growling grass frog and a popular recreational spot for the community.

Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Carly Moore said Frog Court Wetland was previously choked by reeds and rushes hindering its ability to filter stormwater.

“Hume City Council is pleased to partner with the Growling Grass Frog Trust, Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water to revitalise the wetland,” Cr Moore said.

“The wetland upgrade will help the local Growling Grass Frog population thrive and will provide significant benefits the broader Merri Creek ecosystem.”

Once located widely across Victoria, the growling grass frog’s numbers have decreased by an estimated 50 per cent due to a number of factors, including chytid fungus disease, loss of habitat, water pollutants and introduced fish species.

It is one of the largest frogs in Australia growing up to 14 centimetres long with tadpoles sometimes measuring up to 10 centimetres before becoming adult frogs.

The Frog Court Wetland project is an innovative case study that meshed together different goals and will provide ongoing lessons for the water industry and for threatened frog conservation.