Posted on
A wetland restoration project at German Flat, near Lake Bonney, is helping improve biodiversity and landscape resilience thanks to support from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s Habitat Conservation Grants program.
Coola Station has fenced off a 14-hectare wetland on the family’s property to exclude livestock and allow native vegetation to regenerate. The project includes direct seeding and planting of 1,500 tubestock of mixed native species such as tea tree, swamp gums and native grasses.
“The funding we received from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board has assisted in fencing off this wetland to protect it from grazing and to allow the native aquatic vegetation to be restored,” Hilary Ellis said. “We wanted to create something special for the next generation to enjoy, as well as habitat for biodiversity.”
Hilary has a long history of revegetation efforts, including planting bulokes for South-eastern red-tailed black cockatoos growing up near Naracoorte. She is continuing this legacy with her children and as part of the project welcomed students from local schools to assist with planting.
Shelterbelts have also been established across the property, contributing to habitat connectivity and livestock protection.
“We’re working to increase biodiversity and provide protection for livestock,” Hilary said. “Some of our older shelterbelts are now self-regenerating, and we’re committed to expanding these corridors.”
Despite recent dry seasons, native aquatic plants are returning to the wetland, and the revegetation is progressing well. The Ellis family continues to manage the site to control weeds and pests and is planning further restoration efforts, including additional fencing and revegetation on adjoining wetlands.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board's Bush Management Adviser Vanessa Freebairn said the Habitat Conservation Grants program helps landholders access funding and expert advice to support revegetation and habitat restoration.
“It’s encouraging to see ongoing landholder interest in revegetation,” Vanessa said. “Projects like this can provide primary production benefits while increasing biodiversity across the landscape.”
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board thanks the Ellis family and acknowledges the contribution of local school students from Kongorong and Millicent.
More than 55 projects have been supported across the region through the Habitat Conservation Grants program, including shelterbelt establishment, wetland protection and remnant vegetation preservation.
The next round of Habitat Conservation Grants will open 1 October 2025.
