Media release – City of Hobart, 31 October 2024
Funding to rewild rivulets and protect Hobart from flooding
The City of Hobart has launched an ambitious $1.1 million project to reduce the risk of fallen willow tree branches blocking critical stormwater channels and causing damaging flood events in Hobart.
The project will also help rewild Hobart’s rivulets by removing destructive crack willows and replacing them with native habitat.
The project is being equally funded by the City of Hobart and the Australian Government through the Disaster Ready Fund and administered by the Tasmanian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The $1.1 million project builds on earlier willow tree eradication work along the Hobart Rivulet, greatly expanding the scope of willow tree removal across the entire Hobart catchment:
Hobart Rivulet and tributaries
Sandy Bay Rivulet
New Town Rivulet and tributaries
Lambert Rivulet
Manning Rivulet
Lipscombe Rivulet
Rifle Range Rivulet
Folder Rivulet
Riverview Rivulet
Ashfield Rivulet
Quotes attributed to Federal Senator for Tasmania Carol Brown:
“This vital project not only strengthens Hobart’s resilience against flooding but also fosters the restoration of our natural waterways, ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.
“By investing in the restoration of our rivulets, we are not only mitigating flood risks but also enhancing biodiversity and creating a sustainable future for our community.
“This collaboration effort, equally funded by the City of Hobart and the Australian Government and administered by the Tasmanian Government, highlights our shared commitment to enhancing community resilience and protecting our natural environment.”
Quotes attributed to Simon Behrakis, Liberal Member for Clark:
“The willow removal project will play an important role in future-proofing the infrastructure of Hobart’s rivulets system.
“Reducing the risk of blockages in the rivulets system during severe weather events will help make Hobart more resilient when flooding occurs.
“The Tasmanian Government is proud to work with the Australian Government and City of Hobart to deliver this willow removal initiative.”
Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
“Crack willow is a highly invasive environmental weed that has taken over much of Hobart’s rivulets system.
“It replaces our native trees and shrubs, and its root system smothers rivulet beds, reducing oxygen available for fish and other aquatic wildlife and making it hard for platypus to forage for food and create burrows.
“Crack willows choke inland waterways, with its thickets and fallen branches causing major flooding and bank erosion, and increasing the risks to people, homes, businesses and infrastructure during major flood events.
“I want to thank the Australian Government through the Disaster Ready Fund for contributing to this important project that not only enhances our environment but also positively impacts the risk of flooding.”
Quotes attributable to Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee Co-Chair Councillor Ben Lohberger:
“This three-year project will reduce the risk and harm of major flood events to people, nature, built infrastructure and businesses.
“This project is a step in the journey to rewild Hobart’s precious rivulet system, which will improve the environment for our much-loved platypus while also providing better protection for the community during major flood events.”
