Hunter Local Land Services has completed two rounds of environmental DNA surveys and is pleased to confirm an increase in positive results for the presence of platypus and rakali DNA (native water rat) in Wollombi Brook catchment. The surveys were made possible with the assistance of citizen science, with water samples collected by over thirty property owners at Congewai Creek, Watagan Creek and Wollombi Brook.

Platypus and rakali depend on healthy streams and access to diverse habitats such as deep pools and riffles, riparian vegetation and overhanging trees to survive the extremes of drought and floods that we have experienced in recent years. Our survey results will help identify areas that will benefit from weed management, native vegetation planting and fencing to keep livestock from accessing and eroding the riparian zone.

The project is funded by Hunter Catchment Contributions and NSW Environmental Trust.