The striking, granitic peaks of the You Yang Ranges, Mt Rothwell and the immediately surrounding low lying grasslands of the Werribee Plains have some of the most important and significant biodiversity values in Victoria. The area provides habitat to a wide range of threatened flora and fauna species including the Plains-wanderer, Spiny Rice-flower, Button Wrinklewort, Swift Parrot and Eastern Barred Bandicoot, as well as endangered vegetation communities such as the grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains.  

These species and vegetation communities are under constant threat from a range of processes including, clearing and habitat destruction, pest animal and plants invasion, lack of biomass management and loss of key component species.

The Peaks to Plains Project works with public land managers, private landowners and Traditional Owners across the You Yang Ranges and immediately surrounding low lying grasslands of the Werribee Plains to protect and enhance these environments.  

Led by the Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority, this project works in partnership with Greater Geelong Council, Parks Victoria, Mt Rothwell Conservation Centre, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Melbourne Water, Little River Landcare Group and NatureWest and to develop and deliver an integrated weed, rabbit and goat control program across both private and public land in the project area.

The project aims to eradicate goats from the You Yangs Regional Park, control priority weeds such as boneseed and serrated tussock, and reduce the impact of rabbits on sensitive vegetation communities.