Barwon Water’s first nature-based carbon sequestration project is taking shape, with tens of thousands of tube stock now growing in regional nurseries.
The Dewing Creek Catchment Restoration project is re-establishing 150 hectares of native forest in a key area east of Barwon Downs, on Eastern Maar Country.
A range of Geelong, Colac and Otways region nurseries are preparing a total of 86,000 native plants, which will go into the ground at Dewing Creek from May 2026.
A wide range of small shrubs (including Prickly Moses, Silver Banksia, Satinwood), understory shrubs (Silver Wattle, Blackwood) and eucalyptus trees have been chosen for the re-vegetation.
The major initiative, which is being delivered by Barwon Water with support from the Victorian Government’s BushBank program, will sequester 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over a 25-year period.
The carbon sequestration program is part of a wider effort to help Barwon Water offset its unavoidable emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2030.
This aim builds on Barwon Water delivering its services by net-zero emissions electricity, with all its facilities powered by 100 per cent renewables since mid-2024.
Barwon Water General Manager Planning, Delivery and Environment Seamus Butcher said the initiative’s benefits went beyond removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“The revegetation will have a positive impact on the local environment, including a large increase in biodiversity and habitat for native wildlife,” Mr Butcher said.
“The project will also improve the quality of the water in the Dewing Creek catchment, which is one of our sources for the greater Geelong system.”
Barwon Water has committed to permanently retaining the native vegetation as a forest.
Barwon Water and Barwon Asset Solutions are now overseeing on-ground preparations, including weed and pest control.
They are working closely with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, which is providing input across areas such as weed management, fence removal, species selection and tree planting.
The project builds on previous Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Upper Barwon Landcare efforts to reforest the waterway buffers.
For more information on the project, visit:
www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/dewing-creek-catchment-restoration
