General News
12 October, 2026
Group celebrates 30 years of growth
THE banks of the Merri River, near Harris Street, are thriving with vegetation thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network.
Network members this week celebrated the group’s 30th anniversary with a special ceremonial tree planting near the Harris Street bridge last Wednesday night.
Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network founded the ‘Harris on Merri’ revegetation project in 1966 and since that time dedicated volunteers have worked to revegetate the banks of the Merri River near Harris Street.
The group aims to restore indigenous vegetation to provide habitat for fauna, encourage biodiversity, control weeds, improve water quality and create a beautiful public open space.
Multi-storey planting has included trees (Drooping She-oak and Allocasuarina verticillate), bushes and scrubs (Correa species), native grasses and groundcovers (including Coast Twin-leaf and Zygophyllum billardiere).
The group has successfully worked in partnership with the South Warrnambool community, Merrivale Primary School, South West TAFE, Warrnambool City Council and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority to achieve the regeneration of the riparian zone at this site.
The group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 9am-11am for a working bee.
New members are always welcome.
