Planting and Sunshine on Ford’s Creek

Last Wednesday, 26 August, a keen bunch of volunteers made their way down to Fords Creek for our latest planting session, and we couldn't have asked for better conditions. Clear blue skies, warm sun on our backs, and a creek running a healthy, earthy brown after recent rain — the kind of day that makes riverbank work feel like a treat rather than a chore.

Seedlings scattered along the bank amongst phalaris, blackberry and other pesky weeds. Some of the 2025 seedlings are already over 1 metre high!

This session was all about infill planting — filling the gaps among the seedlings put in during last year's National Tree Day. And what a difference twelve months makes. Wandering the banks, it was genuinely encouraging to see how many of last year's plantings have taken off, pushing up strong and green among the grasses. It's exactly the kind of progress that keeps a volunteer group motivated: proof that the hours spent digging, mulching and watering are paying off.

With that solid base to build on, the team got twenty new shrubs into the ground, tucked in among the established seedlings to thicken up the understorey along the banks.

It wouldn't be an honest update if we didn't talk about the weeds, because they remain the biggest threat to seedling survival along Fords Creek. Phalaris, sticky weed, privet, blackberry, willow and cork elm all have a firm grip on the banks at the moment, competing hard with our natives for light, water and space — and a good deal of it has simply washed down the creek from further upstream.

It's a reminder that revegetation isn't just about planting; it's an ongoing contest against species that are very good at what they do. Every seedling we get established is one less spot for a weed to take hold, but it's a slow, steady process.

The long-term goal for this stretch of Fords Creek is straightforward but important: rebuild the native flora along the banks so it can offer real habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, lift the amenity and aesthetics of this well-used stretch of parkland right through the middle of town, and, over time, out-compete the weeds that keep washing in from upstream.

It's genuinely satisfying work to be part of — you can see the creek corridor right alongside the town centre, and every planting session nudges it a little closer to being a healthier, greener asset for the whole community to enjoy.

Our next session will shift focus to weed removal — tackling some of the growth that's choking out our native seedlings and clogging the waterway itself. If you've enjoyed reading about our progress and want to get your hands dirty, keep an eye out for the date and come along. More volunteers means more weeds pulled, more seedlings freed up to thrive, and a healthier Fords Creek for everyone.

A big thank you to everyone who came along — see you at the next session!