The Koo Wee Rup–Longwarry Flood Protection District is an area of high conservation value as it provides wildlife corridors and habitat for nationally significant threatened and endangered species and ecological communities.

There are several important species and ecological communities in the area:

• Southern Brown Bandicoot
• Growling Grass Frog
• Australian Grayling
• Dwarf Galaxias
• Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh

We balance this important conservation work with the need to maintain the drains and are always looking for ways for beneficial outcomes for both.

Like all authorities, Melbourne Water must comply with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation when undertaking its works. This can impact timeframes and the way we undertake our work.

Biodiversity and conservation works

We undertake a variety of activities to make sure these threatened species, ecological communities and other matters of environmental significance are protected and our necessary drainage works can proceed as quickly as possible. This is largely funded through our Waterways and Drainage Charge.

Landholders in the Koo Wee Rup–Longwarry Flood Protection District do not pay the Waterways and Drainage Charge however it still funds specific waterway protection and improvement works in the District, particularly in high environmental value areas such as the Bunyip River and The Inlets, including:

Project spotlight

Melbourne Water has a ten year management plan to help control the introduced plant Spartina in the Westernport region. Watch the video below to learn more about this important project in the District.