Wetland Restoration at Dingwall

Project Overview

• Location: Dingwall, Victoria
• Size: Private property with various wetlands (stage 2 is 7.5 Hectares)
• Partners: Property owner Dale, MDWWG, NCCMA, Bendigo and Shepparton branches
• Focus: Creation of ephemeral wetlands to support temporary water storage, fish & frog habitat, and ground-nesting habitat for birds, and roosting habitat for waterbirds.

WET is proud to support the continued restoration and enhancement of wetland ecosystems on private land near Dingwall, just outside Kerang. This important conservation effort has now entered its second stage, following the successful establishment of the initial works along an existing creek line.

Stage one was led by landowner Dale, who, with the support of the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) and the Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group (MDWWG), collectively undertook aquatic planting, environmental water allocation from the Murray Darling Wetland Trust delivered through the irrigation system from the Murray River, and native fish stocking. Field & Game Australia's Shepparton Branch, through dedicated volunteer David Cox, installed five hen houses to support local birdlife. These continue to be monitored as part of our Operation NestGuard – Coordinated Predator Management for Nest Success program.

Stage two has seen the transformation of an additional 7.5 hectares of natural floodplain into thriving habitat for fish and waterbirds. This work has included the creation of in-stream structures, nesting habitat, and ongoing environmental water management. Volunteers from our Shepparton and Bendigo Branches recently installed a further five hen houses, which will now be monitored by Bendigo-based volunteers.

This collaborative project showcases the value of partnerships between landholders, community organisations, and natural resource managers in delivering tangible outcomes for biodiversity. The before-and-after imagery demonstrates the rapid ecological response to these interventions.

In the future, discussions are underway for stage three of the project, where we aim to build upon the impressive outcomes already achieved.

We encourage you to view a series of videos featuring landowner Dale, who shares his insights into wetland management, the swift return of birdlife, the vibrant frog populations, and his thoughtful approach to water management for the benefit of all species dependent on these ecosystems.

Stay tuned – the story of this restored wetland is far from over.