Dispose of litter thoughtfully There are many options to dispose of rubbish including Resource Recovery Centres and provided kerbside bins. It is illegal to dump rubbish, including green organic waste, and offenders will be fined.
Wash vehicles on the lawn Use low phosphorus detergents to reduce extra nutrients entering the river via the storm water drainage system. This helps to protect water quality and prevent algal blooms.
Save every last drop Follow the Permanent Water Saving Rules that designate when to water your garden. Grow drought-tolerant native plant species that require less water in your garden.
Plant native vegetation Plant native trees, shrubs, grasses and groundcovers to provide food and shelter for native species. Visit gbcma.vic.gov.au/ for a list of locally native plants.
Reduce weeds Remove weeds, introduced plant species, or exotic vegetation as they can spread easily and outcompete native plants, reducing food and habitat for native animals.
Be frog friendly Make your garden a haven for frogs by choosing frog friendly herbicides that won’t harm declining frog species.
Avoid rodenticide use Protect predator birds and carnivorous animals from poisoning by not using rodenticides.
What else can you do?
Look after your pets Walk your pets on a lead and take a compostable bag to clean up droppings. This will help prevent excess nutrients entering the river via the storm water drainage system. Keep your animals secure on your property 24/7, including cats who roam and harm native wildlife.
Protect habitats Follow government advice on the collection of firewood and follow the guidelines - even fallen trees are habitat for animals. Check that any firewood purchases you make are through approved sellers.
Respect our river environment Abstain from riding motorbikes and driving 4WDs near the rivers and in the bush. These activities disturb the breeding habitats of native animals, damage plant life and further degrade the environment.
Volunteer your time Participate in and learn about conservation activities in your local area. Examples include:
