As a key element of Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018, this project supported a 50-year vision for the region’s waterways by assessing the condition of riparian vegetation across five major catchments and 69 sub-catchments. The strategy acknowledges the ecological and community value of these waterways and establishes performance objectives and targets to guide their management.

We has assembled a team with deep ecological expertise and strong capabilities in spatial analytics, data management, and visualisation. Our approach ensured that high-quality monitoring data underpins decision-making, drives investment, and supported effective communication with land managers and the broader community about the importance of riparian vegetation conservation.

This monitoring program has delivered critical data to Melbourne Water in two ways. First, it provided a rigorous dataset to track trends in riparian vegetation, supporting long-term strategic planning. Second, it helped identify climate-sensitive species, providing insights into how climate change is affecting riparian ecosystems.