Prior to European settlement, our landscape contained a richly diverse and complex mosaic of vegetation communities, from dry granite hills to wet riparian environments, with around 80 per cent of the Greater Shepparton landscape known as plains woodland.
While there has been a decline in biodiversity and vegetation extent and quality surrounding the river, it has been less significant than other urban centres situated on rivers. This is largely due to the nature of the floodplain and regularity of flooding, and its protection by reservation of the area as State Forest and areas under National Park declarations (Lower Goulburn National Park and Shepparton Regional Park). That being said, our indigenous flora and fauna are now largely restricted to refuge areas along roadsides and riparian bushland with less than 2.5 per cent of native vegetation remaining.
The Goulburn and Broken River systems support an array of flora and fauna including state and nationally threatened species. Vegetation along the rivers is predominately River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) with understories comprising grasses, wattles and native peas.
Wildlife such as Squirrel, Sugar and Feathertail Gliders, Ringtail and Brushtail Possums, native fish including Murray Cod, Murray Perch and Silver Perch, Platypus, Rakali, Echidnas, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Black Wallabies, Yellowfooted Antechinus, turtles, frogs, birds and bats all inhabit our river environment.
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