THE “Barrington Rivers Platypus Initiative” has been promoted at a series of community-based events in recent months.
As reported in NOTA in October 2024, work is underway to shine a spotlight on the elusive platypus which call the region’s waterways home.
‘Becan’ and ‘Yappi’, the two new platypus mascots for the initiative, have been out and about at community events such as the Gresford Billy Cart Derby and Tocal Field Days, spreading awareness and information.
“The name Barrington Rivers is really starting to resonate across the region – it’s helping unite the communities along our river valleys, all of which flow from the Barrington Tops,” said one of the initiative’s co-pilots, Stroud’s Rachel Barry.
“This initiative is all about connection – to place, to each other, and to the health of our waterways.
“After these floods, the need to protect and restore our rivers has never felt more urgent.
“We’re working to support farmers and landholders in adopting best-practice approaches – like revegetating riverbanks – not only to protect platypus habitat, but to safeguard their land from erosion and future flood damage.”
Along with fellowco-ordinators Dr Sian Ineson of Vacy and Julie Overton of Paterson, Rachel is driven by the aim of establishing a shared symbol for the region, while honouring Aboriginal connections to Country and supporting farmers and creek custodians.
“We’re hoping the platypus can become a uniting symbol across our region, as the creeks and rivers that run through our towns connect us, and the platypus is a reminder of that shared connection, a sense of regional identity, grounded in caring for the environment.
“We also want this project to recognise and respect the deep cultural connection that Aboriginal peoples have to this land, water, and the platypus.
“This is platypus country, rich with stories, knowledge, and custodianship that go back thousands of years, and we hope to include and learn from those stories as part of the broader conversation.”
Many farmers are already doing the work of looking after creek lines, especially in the aftermath of flooding, and the Platypus Initiative seeks to encourage even more collaboration across the landscape, helping landholders to repair riparian zones, improve water health, and protect biodiversity, all while keeping productive farms thriving.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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