by Michaela Meade
Plenty Gorge Park has reopened to the public following a December 2019 bushfire, thanks to the help of Melbourne Water’s Working for Victoria program.
A Melbourne Water crew completed vital weeding works within the park to support Parks Victoria’s efforts to rehabilitate the site.
Melbourne Water’s work focused on 63 hectares of fire-affected land in the Yellow Gum recreation area.
Crew member Tess Bresnahan said the team felt proud to contribute to the Plenty Gorge rehabilitation project.
“[It’s] been a great opportunity to contribute to the protection of the many beautiful outdoor spaces around our city, such as Plenty Gorge, and to learn more about the native flora and fauna in the area,” Ms Bresnahan said.
“We’ve removed truckloads of weeds and I look forward to coming back to the Yellow Gum recreation area and seeing how the trees and plants have recovered and are flourishing.”
Melbourne Water’s blitz supervisor Tom Wright said the project was rewarding and commended the Working for Victoria crews’ work.
“The dedication to the cause shown by our Waterway Blitz team will ensure this area of Plenty Gorge will again be enjoyed by the community,” Mr Wright said.
Parks Victoria’s Plenty Gorge Park team leader Vanessa Bluett thanked Melbourne Water for supporting the rehabilitation project.
“Rapid weed growth is an expected response to fire in bushland… removing these before they spread is important which is exactly what the Working for Victoria crews did so quickly and efficiently.”
Visitors are being asked to stay on the trails in the park and to avoid rehabilitation areas to assist in the recovery.
Michaela Meade
