About the project

Barwon Water is planning to reforest our Dewing Creek site east of the Barwon Downs township to increase biodiversity, provide habitat for the native wildlife, and create nature-based carbon offsets.

We are undertaking our first nature-based carbon sequestration project to re-establish approximately 150 hectares of native vegetation. This project is part of a larger sequestration program that will help us achieve our net zero emissions target by 2030.

Nature-based carbon sequestration re-establishes forest on cleared land, to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in a stable form in trees and other vegetation.

This project has been successfully registered with the Clean Energy Regulator, under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme, and is expected to sequester at least 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 25 years.

Project details

The project design stage has been completed and is successfully registered with the regulator. Barwon Water and our on-ground partner Barwon Asset Solutions are now working on the implementation stage. This includes fence removal, plant ordering and revegetation, and weed and pest animal control of the site.

Improving water quality

This project will enhance the water supply catchment for the Greater Geelong region, as Dewing Creek is part of the Barwon Water network. A major risk to water quality is from microscopic pathogens which mostly comes from stock manure. By excluding stock from the Dewing Creek area and planting native vegetation, we will see better quality water.

Protecting native flora and fauna

The revegetation process will reflect the local and historical vegetation of the Dewing Creek area. It will remain here permanently to ensure there is on-going environmental benefits for the area. This includes increasing biodiversity and providing habitat for native wildlife.

All vegetation will be determined by the local Ecological Vegetation Class, and all seed will be collected from the local area. The habitat of up to 26 threatened species will be expanded as part of this project, including six threatened plants that will be included as part of the revegetation.

Working with Traditional Owners

We are committed to deeply listening to, learning from, and helping to realise the recommendations and directions of Traditional Owners.

We will work alongside Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation on this project, including working with Eastern Maar to realise their goals and direction as per Meerreengeeye ngakeepoorryeeyt (Healthy Country Plan).