Plantings to help restore endangered native grasslands
28 July 2026
About 34 million native grass seeds have been sowed in soil above pipeline works in Balliang East as part of a Greater Western Water (GWW) revegetation project.
The Victorian-sourced seeds include a mix of locally indigenous plant species that will help to replicate grasslands and woodlands once well established in the area.
In particular, the species mix has been designed to restore endangered vegetation in one of Victoria’s most threatened native grassland ecosystems.
In addition, about 400 native tubestock seedlings also endemic to the area have been planted near the Balliang Creek river crossing.
Overall, the native plantings have covered a 6.8 hectare area of roadside verge on a 5.4km stretch of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd, south west of Balliang East.
GWW General Manager Service Delivery Jodie Hallam said the revegetation works followed on from the construction of an underground recycled water pipeline for its Western Irrigation Network project.
“Revegetation projects like this provide an opportunity to give back to the landscape and play our part in caring for Country,” she said.
“As we mark World Conservation Day, it’s also a chance to reflect on the importance of supporting a healthier, more biodiverse environment for native species, local communities and future generations.
“Sadly, it’s getting harder to source native seeds locally due to increased urbanisation, meaning these projects are becoming more essential to preserve these species in their localised habitat.”
Plant species were selected to support biodiversity and to provide year-round habitat, food and shelter, creating the conditions needed for other native species – such as wildflowers, insects, reptiles and grassland birds – to establish and thrive.
To prepare the ground for direct seeding, soil tilling across the lengthy verge site began in April this year, followed by seed sowing in May.
The seeds were dispersed using a specialised hydroseeding vehicle capable of distributing 31kg of seeds per kilometre, with about 161,200 seeds per kilogram.
Revegetation works will continue over the next two years along the roadside, including weed control and active monitoring of seedling growth and maintenance.
