Trees and catchments are a match made in heaven and this National Tree Day West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is celebrating the power of trees and the key role they play in keeping catchments healthy. 

Across West Gippsland, trees new and old are working hard to holdfast the banks of streams, creeks, rivers and wetlands. Their roots hold banks together and prevent erosion which in turn keeps nutrients and sediments in the soil stopping them from entering waterways. 

Old Hat Creek flows through a picturesque farm near Foster. The tiny tributary ultimately enters Corner Inlet, just three kilometres downstream. Over the past two years, the West Gippsland CMA team has worked to repair the eroded site by removing weeds and fencing three kilometres of the creek to keep stock out. They then added the magic ingredient of 15,000 local native plants in a mix that once grew there.

The benefits of this waterway restoration flow south into world-renowned Corner Inlet wetland to protect seagrass, improve water quality and reestablish and connect wildlife habitat. Along with the environmental benefits, this work also saves money in the long term.  

Protecting waterways reduces water treatment costs, helps lessen algae blooms and contributes to our own health and wellbeing. It also builds resilience by reducing the impact of floods and costs of their clean up. 

The project is also a tribute to the landholder who has embraced the chance to plant trees and restore habitat on the working farm.  

Farmers are increasingly understanding the value of trees all year round by providing shade and shelter, increasing biodiversity, productivity and land values. All of our projects are voluntary – a landholder has decided they want to restore some areas and we can help them,” said Matt Bowler, Team Leader – Project Delivery for West Gippsland CMA. 

Across 2025-26, Matt and his Project Delivery team put in 65,000 carefully sourced and selected plants to enhance and link wetlands and restore rivers. This number is complemented by many more planted by the amazing partners the CMA works with – including Traditional Owners, Landcare, Trust for Nature, Greening Australia and private landholders.  

They are looking forward to starting similar work on the adjoining property. Together with trees, we are putting together the pieces of the West Gippsland healthy catchment jigsaw puzzle.

The Corner Inlet flagship project is supported by the Victorian Government.