The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are investing in game changing environmental projects that will restore critical habitat for our beloved platypus and threatened frogs and native fish species.

The landmark $24 million Platy Patch project will work to improve critical habitat at 14 sites across Victoria over the next four years under the guidance of Victoria’s leading ecological research centre, the Arthur Rylah Institute [ARI].

The project is jointly funded by the Albanese Labor Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Allan Labor Government and Melbourne Water.

Platypus are considered vulnerable in Victoria, with evidence of a population decline across the state.

The species requires stable river and stream banks to burrow, as well as plenty of riverbank vegetation and woody habitat to provide food.

Catchment Management Authorities (including Wimmera CMA), Melbourne Water, Coliban Water, One Tree Planted, Zoos Victoria, the Australian Platypus Conservancy, various local governments, Parks Victoria, Landcare and DEECA will work together with ARI on the restorative project.

Many native plants and animals are reliant on our rivers, creeks, wetlands, and estuaries, which is why the Albanese Government is committed to restoring rivers and waterways in our suburbs with a $200 million investment through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
Murray Watt, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water

The project is one of 11 in Victoria to share in $44.3 million of grant funding from the Albanese Labor Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under Round Two of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

This compliments the more than $609 million the Allan Labor Government has invested since 2014 in biodiversity and the natural environment under Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, Victoria’s plan to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment.