Werribee plains, rivers and watercourses indigenous plants

Zone 18 consists of moderate to highly fertile sandy loam, with some silt and clay soils. Mostly flat and well drained it includes some escarpments and areas of erosion. Some areas are saline. The average rainfall is 40 - 45 centimetres.

This zone applies to all the major watercourses across the Werribee Plains zones (for example: the Werribee and Little River, Skeleton and Lollypop Creeks).

The vegetation on the escarpments of the major watercourses was originally more diverse than what now occurs. Tree species included Blackwood, Drooping Sheoke, Lightwood and River Red Gum.

Rock Correa and Shrub Violet were shrub species restricted to these drier areas.

Tree species such as Blue Box and River Red Gum and shrub species including Woolly Tea-tree, Silver Wattle and River Bottlebrush may have occurred near permanent water.

Tussock Grass occurred along the edges of watercourses.

1=Escarpments; 2=River banks and watercourses

Further Contacts

• City of Greater Geelong Environment Unit: 03 5272 5272
• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning: 136 186
• Geelong Field Naturalists Club Inc
• Geelong Landcare Network
• Corangamite Catchment Management Authority: 5232 9100

Acknowledgements: David Perry DSE and Mark Trengove

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