Big Plant? It Certainly Was!More than 180 volunteers planted over 7,500 indigenous plants at the Wonthaggi Wetlands By Carol McCormack - 8th August 2002 - Back to News More than 180 volunteers planted over 7,500 indigenous plants at the Wonthaggi Wetlands on Sunday 4 August during the Wonthaggi Big Plant.
"It was fantastic to see so many people participating in such a positive project for the local area," said Ross Horner, President of the Cape Paterson Coastal Plains Landcare Group.
Last Sunday’s Big Plant was the third year of this successful community environmental event. Unlike last year, the weather on Sunday was perfect for planting.
Not only were 7,500 plants planted on Sunday, more than 2,500 plants were planted by local students at Baxter’s Wetlands in Wonthaggi last Thursday and Friday. That means Wonthaggi now has more than 10,000 new indigenous plants!
The Fellowship of Mental Health in Wonthaggi will undertake several smaller specific plantings at the Wonthaggi Wetlands in the coming months.
The Rotary Club of Wonthaggi kindly provided a delicious lunch for everyone involved in Sunday’s Big Plant.
"The benefits to the local environment as a result of Sunday’s Big Plant are just tremendous," said Jodie Gager, Coordinator of the Powlett Landcare Project. "I’d like to thank everyone involved for their terrific work in enhancing the local environment."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

Related Articles- Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - Inverloch students plant 1,000 indigenous plants to strengthen wildlife corridor and boost regional biodiversity conservation
Twenty Inverloch Kongwak Primary School students planted 1,000 indigenous plants, helping create a wildlife corridor that supports native species and strengthens regional biodiversity. - Community planting day advances Blue Rock Lake foreshore restoration and native fish habitat
Students, Landcare volunteers and partner organisations have planted native vegetation at Blue Rock Lake, building on fish habitat projects and erosion-control works to strengthen the shoreline and support wildlife. - Gippsland Water plants 10,000 native trees after customers back regional biodiversity and climate action initiative
Gippsland Water is planting 10,000 native trees and shrubs after 77 per cent of surveyed customers supported the initiative, boosting biodiversity, restoring habitats and advancing its net zero by 2030 goals. - East Gippsland Libraries join Big Summer Read, inspiring children to read, build literacy, and combat the ‘summer slide’
This summer, East Gippsland Libraries join the Big Summer Read, encouraging children aged 0-18 to read, build literacy skills, earn badges, and stay engaged while combating the "summer slide." - Gippsland Water begins Warragul wastewater plant upgrade to support growth, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact
Gippsland Water has begun a two-year Warragul wastewater plant upgrade, replacing ageing infrastructure, improving operations, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing environmental outcomes to support rapid regional growth. - Danny O’Brien calls for Royal Commission into Big Build corruption, urging petition support
Danny O’Brien is urging Gippslanders to support a petition calling for a Royal Commission into alleged Big Build corruption, claiming $15 billion in lost taxpayer funds and missed regional investment. - Gippsland Water upgrades Morwell wastewater treatment plant aerator to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs
Gippsland Water has installed a new high-speed aerator at Morwell's wastewater treatment plant, improving treatment efficiency, reducing energy use and lowering long-term operating costs. - Melina Bath joined Principal Jason Horton and students planting Gallipoli Lone Pine tree
Tanjil South Primary School students planted a Lone Pine seedling under the "100 Lone Pines Project" to honour ANZAC history, preserving Gallipoli’s legacy and strengthening community remembrance of Australia’s wartime sacrifices. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis. - Danny O’Brien thanks volunteers and communities for celebrating Australia Day across South Gippsland with the awards and ceremonies
Danny O’Brien thanked volunteers, councils, and community groups for Australia Day events, celebrating new citizens, recognising local award recipients, and highlighting Gippsland South’s community spirit and contributions. - Morwell CBD double-storey car park set to deliver more than 120 additional free parking spaces soon
Preparation works have begun for Morwell’s new double-storey CBD car park, expected to start construction in October, adding more than 120 free spaces and completing Latrobe City’s Regional Car Parks Fund projects. - Tim Bull calls for more train carriages and bus services to match free public transport amid overcrowding concerns on Gippsland routes
Tim Bull is calling on the Victorian government to match free public transport with more trains and buses, addressing severe overcrowding and service capacity issues in Gippsland. - Melina Bath thanks community for support, generosity, and resilience during festive season and year’s end
Marking the festive season, I thank eastern Victoria’s community for generosity, resilience, and support, celebrating local businesses, families, and volunteers while wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and prosperous 2026. - Danny O’Brien met residents across nine towns over two days, holding more than 20 discussions on their concerns for the shire
Danny O’Brien met residents across nine Gippsland South towns, discussing cost-of-living pressures, infrastructure, farming challenges, and local priorities, committing to ongoing advocacy and future mobile office visits. - Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience. - Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers. - Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding. - Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal. - Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding. - Melina Bath celebrates volunteers at Foster Royal Flying Doctor Community Transport luncheon supporting healthcare access
Melina Bath recognised volunteers during National Volunteer Week at Foster, highlighting Royal Flying Doctor Community Transport impact supporting South Gippsland healthcare access and community connection. - Darren Chester praises volunteers powering Traralgon International’s global success, showcasing Gippsland worldwide tennis event
Federal MP Darren Chester has praised Latrobe Valley volunteers for driving the success of the Traralgon International, highlighting their dedication, community pride and vital role in showcasing Gippsland globally. - West Gippsland Seedbank volunteers collect 8.4kgs of native seeds to boost regional revegetation and biodiversity efforts
West Gippsland Seedbank volunteers collected 8.4 kilograms of native seed to support future revegetation projects, while an educational display highlighted the importance of biodiversity, locally sourced seed and ethical collection practices. - Melina Bath said CFA volunteers face risks due to aging equipment and $55M funding shortfall since 2020
The CFA faces a $50 million deficit as volunteers fight fires with aging equipment, with funding lagging inflation despite Allan Labor’s claims, exposing ongoing crisis and growing pressure on brigades. - Darren Chester praises landcare volunteers, calls for stronger government support for environmental management across Gippsland
Darren Chester praised Gippsland Landcare volunteers during Landcare Week, recognising their environmental work while calling for stronger government support, funding and practical land management policies. - East Gippsland celebrates volunteers during National Volunteer Week recognising Tufail Taj’s community service
East Gippsland Shire Council celebrates National Volunteer Week recognising staff member Tufail Taj, who volunteers with TAC L2P, aged care visits, and CFA Lakes Entrance. - Darren Chester honours Legacy volunteers' century of supporting veterans' families at national launch
Darren Chester praised Legacy volunteers at the national launch, highlighting their century of supporting veterans' families. Legacy Week 2025 will raise funds through badge and bear sales to provide vital services. - New Newborough CFA station opens, giving volunteers modern facilities to strengthen emergency response and community safety
Newborough CFA volunteers have moved into a new purpose-built station featuring improved facilities, supporting emergency response as the town grows through the Victorian government's emergency services investment. - Howitt Park pedestrian bridge replacement begins, delivering safer and more accessible Clifton Creek crossing by December
Work begins this month to replace Howitt Park's ageing timber pedestrian bridge with a $652,420 accessible steel and concrete crossing, improving safety and accessibility before expected completion in December. - East Gippsland encourages community to celebrate volunteers during National Volunteer Week 2026, recognising contributions and inspiring others
East Gippsland Shire Council invites the community to celebrate volunteers during National Volunteer Week 2026, recognising their vital contributions and encouraging nominations for the Volunteer Honour Roll, open year-round. - Free Sustainable Living Series webinar to help Gippsland residents build smarter, greener and more climate-resilient homes from 30 July to 13 August 2026
A free Sustainable Building and Renovating webinar series will help Gippsland residents create comfortable, efficient homes through expert advice on design, materials, resilience, water management and sustainable building practices.

|