A significant threat to the unique values of the Otways is a vegetation disease called dieback, caused by the introduced plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, it causes devastating dieback in native vegetation, particularly grasstrees, Banksia’s and other heathland plants.
The Wild Otways Initiative's Phytophthora Dieback Management project aims to prevent the introduction or minimise the spread of dieback in uninfected areas.; and to reduce the impact of dieback at infected sites in the Otways.
This project is funded by the Australia Government.