Osborne Peninsula

Osborne Landcare began in 1993 when three local residents decided to take action to protect the bushland around them. Within six months, 20 families had joined the effort, tackling heavy infestations of weeds that threatened the remaining native vegetation.

The group was formally incorporated in 1994 and soon began securing grants from government and community organisations to support restoration work, including weed control, fencing, plant propagation and community education.

One of the group’s most significant early projects came in 1998, when funding through the Commonwealth Natural Heritage Trust enabled the removal of around 1000 pine trees from private properties and roadsides across the peninsula and nearby areas. Although the timber was removed by a sawmill without profit to the group, the project had an enormous ecological impact, allowing struggling native vegetation to recover after decades of suppression beneath the pines.

Like many natural areas, the peninsula has faced new challenges in recent years. During the COVID lockdown period, restoration work in Warrandyte State Park was halted, allowing weeds to spread rapidly. At the same time, storm damage and increased deer activity impacted many of the sites that volunteers had worked hard to restore.

Today, Osborne Peninsula Landcare continues its work with renewed focus — removing weeds, replanting native species and protecting this vital riverside habitat for future generations.

If you live in this pocket of North Warrandyte, we would love you to get involved. Follow the links to join or get in touch.