130,000 new plants takes Warralily tally to 1.5 million
Warralily’s decade-long creek restoration project nears completion with the planting of 130,000 aquatic and terrestrial plants on the east side of Barwon Heads Road. Stretching from Armstrong Creek through to Mount Duneed, it is one of the largest urban landscaping projects underway in the region.
Warralily development manager Jeremy Minter said while the plantings create a haven for wildlife and residents, they are part of a much wider strategy to preserve important ecological communities present in the lower reaches of the very significant creek system.
“Working with experts in the field, such as GbLA Landscape Architects, Australian Ecosystems, Ecology and Heritage Partners, Flora Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong, Warralily truly demonstrates that large scale land development can be achieved in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner,” said Mr Minter. “Warralily’s environmental vision has guided all aspects of the development’s urban planning and I’m really proud of what we’re achieving here.”
“The most important outcome of the project has been the creation of a connected habitat and water quality ‘green spine’ that will ensure the ongoing sustainability of the local area and help protect the downstream Lake Connewarre RAMSAR wetlands.”
Leaders in the field describe Warralily’s Armstrong Creek restoration project as an immaculately detailed environmental success. It is Victoria’s most awarded landscape, recognised with over a dozen accolades for its environmental significance, including the prestigious Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) National Environmental Excellence Award (2019).
The 47-hectare wetland and creek waterway was designed to protect and enhance existing habitat and sites of ecological and cultural significance, including the retention of hundreds of remnant native trees. The stunning Australian landscape, enriched with over one and a half million locally propagated plants, also features boardwalks and viewing plagorms for residents to take in the sights.
The environmental success is evidenced by over 95 different bird species sighted in and around the wetland systems and nature reserves: pelicans, spoonbills, many species of ducks and waterfowl, swans, parrots, goshawks, falcons, wrens, honeyeaters and many more.
“As well as planting the wetlands to the east of Barwon Heads Rd, we are undertaking important maintenance of the surrounding endangered coastal saltmarsh vegetation that has a very high conservation status in the region,” said Mr Minter. “The coastal saltmarsh in this region is also important potential habitat for the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot.”
“In a collaboration facilitated by council between all levels of government, local developers and the CCMA, the system also includes a freshwater diversion channel to help preserve the balance between winter and summer environments, despite the increased water load resulting from the growth area,” said Mr Minter.
“A sign that the system is working, is the area’s first sighting of the Southern Pygmy Perch during recent fish surveys.” The Pygmy Perch is listed as Vulnerable on the Advisory list of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria.
Armstrong Creek is now a rich habitat for frogs and aquatic native flora and fauna. Eucalypts and old river red gums abound, complemented by a huge variety of native plants with their leaf liker and fallen timber, providing both natural beauty and a refuge for native animals.
Warralily is also home to an important native grassland re-establishment initiative in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong and Flora Victoria. The five-year weed control and seeding program, connecting nearly 9Ha of locally propagated native grassland along Armstrong Creek to Warralily neighbourhoods, has been a great environmental outcome. A vast number of beneficial insect species and wildlife call the grasslands home including finches and parrots, native bukerflies, lizards, and their natural predators such as kookaburras.
“It’s been an honour to work on this project and turn the previously degraded farmland into an ecological success story, that is also treasured by new residents who call Warralily home.” concluded Mr Minter.
Warralily’s list of awards includes the Stormwater Victoria State and National Award for Excellence in Integrated Stormwater Design (2016); the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Award 2017); the Landscape Industry Association of Victoria - Landscape of the Year Award (2017), along with Best Use of Plants in the Landscape and Best Landscape Management and Maintenance awards; and the Landscape Industry Association of Victoria – Best Natural Built Environment (2017).
More recently Warralily’s Armstrong Creek Green Spine Project took out the coveted Gold Design Award (2021). The Good Design Award’s Jury commented: “Warralily’s landscape-led large-scale vision has successfully transformed a degraded creek into a thriving ecosystem that is rich in biodiversity as well as creating social, economic and community connections. The creation of new play spaces and incorporation of art and environmental aspects adds to the quality. It is the backbone of this community and an incredible asset to have on its doorstep. Well done.”
Warralily is one of the largest residential developments in the Geelong region, with a population of 11,000 residents and more than 600 housing lots remaining to develop and sell.