Nangak Tamboree Projects
Nangak Tamboree by the numbers
- 4.2km ecological corridor
- 92,000m² restored along the Darebin Creek frontage
- 36 raingardens installed across campus
- 1.9km shared pathway connecting key biodiversity and recreation areas
- Multiple partnerships supporting restoration, waterway health and biodiversity outcomes
Restoration in action
Nangak Tamboree is undergoing long-term ecological restoration to improve biodiversity, waterway health and habitat connectivity across the Melbourne Campus. Restoration works are helping to create a healthier, more resilient landscape for native plants, animals and people.
Current works focus on:
- Revegetation with indigenous plant species selected for habitat value and ecological resilience
- Control of invasive weeds, including Weeds of National Significance such as blackberry, gorse and serrated tussock
- Removal of willows and other woody weeds that impact waterway health
- Erosion control and stream-bank stabilisation using nature-based solutions
- Habitat enhancement for native birds, insects and other wildlife
- Ongoing monitoring, maintenance and adaptive management
La Trobe University is restoring the full riparian corridor of Nangak Tamboree over the next 5 to 10 years to enhance biodiversity and protect this important natural area.
Phase 1 focused on the Darebin Creek frontage, combining Indigenous fire practices, weed management, and revegetation across 92,000m² with indigenous plant species. The project was delivered in partnership with Melbourne Water, Darebin Creek Management Committee, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and supported by The Ross Trust
In November 2022 , Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Rangers conducted cultural burns along Darebin Creek to support native vegetation regeneration, reduce weed impacts and continue traditional land management practices. The event brought together Traditional Owners, researchers, students and community members in a shared commitment to caring for Country.
La Trobe is working with the Australian Government to protect and re-establish populations of the endangered Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena) within Nangak Tamboree through plant salvage, propagation, and habitat restoration programs. To learn, visit our Protecting Biodiversity .
Car Park Water Quality Improvement Project
The Car Park Water Quality Improvement Project delivered 36 raingardens across the Melbourne Campus car park network, helping to capture, slow and treat stormwater before it enters the campus moat system and Darebin Creek. These nature-based water management solutions reduce pollutant loads, improve water quality and support the health of downstream waterways and ecosystems.
Gresswell Habitat Link Waterway
Delivered in partnership with Melbourne Water, Darebin City Council, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria and Strathallan Golf Club, this project created a new waterway channel, low-level bund and overflow system to better manage flows from Strathallan Creek.
The project enhances the ecological function of the Habitat Link wetlands while strengthening the Melbourne Campus's resilience to extreme rainfall events by diverting and temporarily storing floodwaters within the Gresswell Lakes system, helping to reduce downstream flooding impacts.
Fozzies Wetland
The Fozzies Wetland project improved the campus's capacity to capture, treat and reuse stormwater while restoring valuable wetland habitat. Infrastructure upgrades, stormwater harvesting initiatives and revegetation works have reduced pollutant loads entering waterways and enhanced the ecological health, biodiversity and resilience of this important wetland environment.
Additional Waterway and Habitat Improvements
A range of complementary projects have further strengthened waterway health and aquatic habitat across the Melbourne Campus, including:
- Campus-wide water quality monitoring to support evidence-based environmental management.
- Removal of invasive fish species to improve habitat conditions for native aquatic fauna.
- Riparian biofiltration plantings to filter stormwater and stabilise creek and wetland edges.
- Removal of invasive willow species to restore natural waterway function and improve biodiversity outcomes.
- Galaxiella Billabong Habitat Enhancement and Restoration project, improving habitat quality for native species and supporting long-term ecosystem health.
Completed in 2022, the 1.9km La Trobe Shared Pathway connects Plenty Road and Polaris with the Sports Park, Darebin Creek and the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary. Designed for cyclists, pedestrians and other active transport users, the pathway improves safety, accessibility and connections across campus and the surrounding community. The project was supported by the Victorian Government as part of the Northern Regional Trails Strategy. As part of this project, students studying Archaeology at La Trobe University were involved in site excavations which uncovered more than 40 indigenous stone artefacts near Darebin Creek.
The project not only improved active transport connections but also increased community access to key environmental areas across Nangak Tamboree, including Darebin Creek and the Wildlife Sanctuary.