Haining Farm Safe Haven Leadbeaters possum translocation
Project status
Temporary Closure of Haining Farm Sanctuary Area
The Haining Farm Sanctuary Area will be temporarily closed to all visitors for approximately 12 weeks, commencing 25 May 2026.
The closure is necessary to allow for targeted pest animal control activities, including ground shooting and trapping, to ensure the site is ready for the upcoming release of the Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum.
Last updated: June 2026
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The project
In 1973, Haining Farm was donated to the Victorian Government by Sir John T Reid to be used as an educational farming site. The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council recommended the farm be restored to support releases of lowland Leadbeater’s possum and helmeted honeyeater in 2013. Community use was also recommended for the site. Until 2018, the land operated as a shared-agreement commercial dairy farm. After which habitat restoration begun for Victoria’s faunal emblems.
The habitat restoration has been highly successful and the revegetated area now appear to be suitable to initiate releases of lowland Leadbeater’s possum. Recent attempts to translocate lowland Leadbeater’s possums outside of Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area have failed due to predation by feral predators, in particular feral cats. Thus, prior to releasing Leadbeater’s possums to Haining Farm, it was agreed that a predator exclusion fence would be established to create a ‘Safe Haven’ for this species. Exclusion of foxes and cats will also benefit other wildlife at Haining Farm.
The restoration of Haining Farm and establishment of the Safe Haven for lowland Leadbeater’s possum has involved many partner organisations including those listed below.
This project takes place on Wurundjeri Land and the project working group acknowledges that greater engagement with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is key to promoting healthy country.
Project background
Haining Farm is being restored into habitat to support the critically endangered Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater. The Haining Farm project is aiming to create suitable habitat for these animals whilst also providing an opportunity for visitors to engage in the ecosystem and have nature-focused educational experience.
Environment and cultural heritage management
Aboriginal cultural heritage and environmental assessments have been undertaken to identify areas of significance and inform park planning.
Who are we working with?
- Zoos Victoria
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
- Don Valley community (including park users, Don Valley Primary School and the Alpine School - Don Valley Campus)
- Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum
- Greening Australia
- JT Reid Charitable Trust
- Melbourne Water
- Minister for Environment & Climate Action
- Victorian Government’s Faunal Emblems Program
- Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Yarra4Life
Staying updated
Information about this project will be updated on this webpage.
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Related information
- November 2025: Community update
- December 2023: Community update
- Yellingbo (Liwik Barring) Landscape Conservation Area 10 Year Plan [PDF 7.38 MB]
Key messages
- Lowland Leadbeater’s possum is one of Victoria’s most threatened mammal populations.
- The lowland possums are genetically distinct from highland Leadbeater’s possums, and represent the last of the genetics from the former historic range that once extended south to Westernport Bay.
- Predation by feral cats have resulted in the termination of translocation trials for lowland Leadbeater’s possums at two previous locations.
- Parks Victoria and Zoos Victoria are working together to establish a ‘Safe Haven’ for Leadbeater’s possum in Haining Farm, whereby feral cats and foxes are excluded from suitable translocation habitat.
- The Safe Haven includes the replacement of the deer exclusion fence with a predator proof fence, removal of any feral predators from the conservation area and increased monitoring to detect future incursions.
- We aim to reduce any closures to the reserve through the construction and predator eradication stages. Following construction, people will continue to be able to walk dogs outside of the conservation area.
- Public use of the reserve will be maintained following the release of lowland Leadbeater’s possums.