
Video: Central Billabong landholders have been undertaking willow removal projects for over 15 years. Prior to these projects, in some areas the creek system had become blocked with willows. In this video, landholders Helene Mortlock, Russell Ford and Richard Sleigh celebrate the wonderful change they've witnessed since the removal of willows. Now, people and fish can navigate the creek system again.
View 'Wind down the Willows' flyer
The curtain of willows was removed at ‘Colombo’ in 2022 to reveal an iconic Australian view of sentinel redgums hanging over a meandering creek. Gary Williams from Jerilderie Earthmoving was out on the June long weekend clearing the willows (Salix babylonica) on Andrew Buckingham’s property at Colombo Creek. The water levels remained high, but with Gary’s excavator prowess he was able to scoop willows from deep within the creek.
As the willows had encroached into three-quarters of the creek, their removal directly improved Colombo Creek though better water flow. In the long term an overall healthier creek system is envisaged through rehabilitation of the riparian area with tubestock planting and natural regeneration.
If you are interested in willow removal on your patch of the Yanco Creek System, send an expression of interest to Andrea.





We lacked information on the aquatic wildlife of the Upper Billabong catchment, so using Citizen Science - the Refreshing Rivers iNaturalist project and eDNA tests, we have gathered 1,672 observations across the catchment and also completed 9 eDNA profiles in local waterways.
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Courtesy of the Refreshing Upper Billabong project, we have a limited number of tubestock suitable for planting both instream and along creek banks to reduce erosion and create habitat.
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Extreme low flows are pushing refuge pools to their limits. Heat, sediment, salinity and stock impacts are degrading water quality and threatening native fish. This article outlines what’s causing it and practical steps we can take to protect our waterways.
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