Project update: September 2023

The drainage upgrade's first phase is progressing through stage three. Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions and encountering rock along the alignment, the project's completion is delayed until February 2024.

We are happy to report that we have begun planting to revegetate areas where we've completed weeding and drainage works near Houghton and Heidelberg-Warrandyte roads.

As part of the planting, we have introduced 14 plant species, including six types of Wattles. Most of these plants are mid-storey shrubs of varying sizes, providing a diverse range of habitats and food sources for various animals, birds, and insects in the area. These Wattles are critical for various reasons. For example, Black Wattles produce gum that Sugar Gliders rely heavily on during winter. Nectar glands in Wattles attract a wide range of native insects, like ants and bees, and birds, such as honeyeaters and thornbills. The oil-rich attachment in Wattle seeds is also attractive to ants and birds, particularly the vulnerable Gang-gang Cockatoo. Studies have shown that an area's more diverse range of Wattles directly impacts bird diversity.

We also included Prickly Wattles to provide a safe habitat for small birds. In addition, we planted Snowy Daisy-bush, which produces white flowers that attract butterflies, and Sticky Hop-bush, a rare plant in Manningham. Planting it here will help boost the local population, which occurs naturally only a few hundred meters away.

We greatly appreciate your continued support and patience as we complete these works.

If you have any questions or feedback about this project, please contact us at 9840 9333 or manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.