LIVE viewing of platypus in their natural habitat at Hamilton’s Grange Burn is now possible following the official launch of a new online livestream camera – the Platycam.
Platycam was launched on the bank of the Grange Burn by the footbridge on Monday afternoon.
Attendees included Southern Grampians Shire Councillors (SGSC) and staff, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (GHCMA), Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Wannon Water personnel, community members, and local school students.
The project was completed by GHCMA, funded by DELWP, and supported by SGSC and its work crews who were integral to the installation of the project structures.
The launch included GHCMA chief executive, Adam Bester unveiling new signage, SGSC mayor, Bruach Colliton unveiling a bench seat for viewing, and DELWP Arthur Rylah Institute senior scientist, Diane Crowther unveiling a platypus sculpture.
Significant waterway works with additional instream habitat have vastly improved the Grange Burn to a point where it has a healthy population of platypuses, which was listed as a threatened species in Victoria last year.
Grades three and four students from Gray Street Primary School joined the launch and helped to plant new bank revegetation to support the platypus habitat.
The sculpture is carved from one single piece of cypress timber by chainsaw artist from Hurstbridge, Mark Rosenbrock aka Captain Carver Chainsaw Art and Sculpture.
The camera is located on the bank opposite the sculpture and bench seat on a pole with solar panels, and is remotely controllable from GHCMA to spot platypus up and down the Grange Burn, and in exciting news – two platypuses were captured on the first night of operation. Only the waterway is visible on the camera.
DELWP Arthur Rylah Institute aquatic ecology section leader, Dr Jarod Lyon, said Platycam was a fantastic initiative that allowed people anywhere in the world to see these animals in their natural habitats.
“This funding for improving the health of our rivers and streams is key in supporting the protection of this wonderful species,” he said.
Uncle Johnny Lovett led the Welcome to Country and paid tribute to his mob who lived in the area and said it was a significant place for them.
“Today is a special day for everyone,” he said.
“It’s important for everyone to know about the platypus and I welcome everyone to learn about the area and their habit, as the platypus is a token of the mob that lived here.”
GHCMA chief executive, Adam Bester, spoke at the launch and said the project highlighted not only the local platypus, but also how improving waterways was more than just water flows.
“It’s quite exciting that we now have the first Platycam installed on the Grange Burn,” he said.
“The Grange Burn has been a focus of work for the CMA, Southern Grampians Shire Council and Wannon Water in recent years, and the presence of platypus is testament to how important that work has been.
“A lot of work has been done to improve the habitat along the river.
“It was previously choked with weeds, and you could hardly see the water, so it’s great to see the improvements now.
“Hopefully people can tune in and see a platypus live but also think about what they can do to start protecting and looking after platypus on other waterways wherever that might be.
“Quite a lot of people in the community are already doing their bit.”
“The area was also home to a family of ducks and lots of Rakali (native water rats), so there would be action on the camera even if it wasn’t platypus.”
SGSC mayor, Bruach Colliton, said that the project was great for nature-based tourism.
“Having a world’s first wild-focused Platycam in Hamilton is fantastic,” he said.
“The Platycam project site on the Grange Burn is not only a great place for people to come and visit and enjoy, but the online streaming will show it to the world and help put Hamilton on the map.
“(The project is) testament to the working partnership Council has with the CMA and Wannon Water to improve the Grange Burn waterway through the town.
“Council has been happy to support the CMA in this project to install what is now a real feature along the Grange Burn walking track.”
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s $250,000 cash injection to carry out restoration works at key habitat sites to ensure the future of the unique mammal.
Platycam is believed to be the only livestream camera of platypus in the wild, with most other streamed footage of the notoriously shy animals broadcast showing them in captivity.
Viewers can see the footage 24 hours a day with platypus expected to make appearances at their most active times of dawn and dusk.
It is now live at platycam.com.au.
