Welcome to the Merri Creek Management Committee website

Frogs of Fawkner

Friday 26 April, 6:30-7:30pm
Moomba Park, Fawkner - see map
Did you know that a rare frog, the Growling Grass Frog, has been re-discovered in Merri Creek in Fawkner? Join MCMC’s Waterwatch Coordinator for a walk and talk and froggy activities. You'll learn to recognise different frog calls and help collect important data for Melbourne Water's Frog Census. Families are most welcome. The event involves walking and will still take place even if it rains, so please bring weather appropriate clothing for the event (Frogs love rain so don’t be put off by a rainy evening). Bookings are now closed. This event is funded by Melbourne Water.

Woody Weed Whacking at Bababi Marning (Cooper St Grasslands)

Sunday 28 April, 10am-12.30pm
Meet at gate opposite 111 Metrolink Circuit, Campbellfield, (Melway 180 K12 - see Google map) Park on the factory side (check the No Parking signs), or ring ASAP to arrange a car pool.
Feel the immediate rewards of liberating this native grassland from woody weeds, such as Gorse. You’ll also see the big mob of kangaroos that always show up.
Light refreshments provided. Phone Ray 0422 989 166.
Organised by Friends of Merri Creek and supported by Merri Creek Management Committee and Parks Victoria.

Melbourne Water responds to failing constructed waterway

constructed waterway 7web

The failure of a constructed waterway near Donnybrook Rd Mickelham was highlighted last year by Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) in our Muddy Merri Troubles Report. Behind the scenes, Melbourne Water have been working to rectify the problems exposed by this waterway. They recently provided a welcome update to MCMC on progress on this matter.

Melbourne Water have also acknowledged the widespread occurrence of problematic soils in the Kalkallo Creek sub-catchment of the upper Merri (west of the Hume Highway between Donnybrook Rd and Beveridge). They will require all future developers to address the issue of erosive/dispersive soils earlier in the planning/design process to avoid similar problems occurring.

Follow the Read More prompt for full comments from Melbourne Water and an outline of the rectification options.

Photo: Constructed section of Donnybrook Creek south of Donnybrook Rd, Mickelham, August 2018. The channel is eroding, rilling erosion can be seen under the jute matting (dark lines), the jute matting has been ripped apart by high flows, and the slopes above the jute matting are poorly stabilised and eroding.

Our 2017-18 Annual Report

Check out Merri Creek Management Committee's recent achievements by reading our latest Annual Report. In summary we:

organised 42 community events ranging from plantings, sowing seeds, weed management, ecological surveys, waterwatch training, and walks and talks;
reached over 6,000 people in our hands-on and education activities;
publicised 128 community events (our own and other groups');
commented on 18 planning permit applications;
supported 'Friends of' groups and hosted numerous volunteers;
our financial bottom line was positive!
Read more ...

Bringing Herne Swamp back to life

flooding from trainline southwest 15 09 16

Photo above: Herne Swamp after heavy rain, Mt Fraser in background. Sept 2016.

Herne Swamp is a hidden gem on the upper Merri Creek awaiting the opportunity to be brought 'back to life'. Lying to the south and east of the town of Wallan it has 'all the ingredients required for a spectacular restoration project'. This is the central point made in an inspiring discussion paper from the Nature Glenelg Trust - Restoration Vision for the Wallan Wallan wetlands, including Herne Swamp, as the centrepiece of the Wallan Wallan Regional Park. The Nature Glenelg Trust are experts in wetland restoration and were invited by local community members to inspect Herne Swamp in 2018.

Award for excellence in ecological restoration

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Merri Creek Management Committee's (MCMC) ecological restoration work was recognised in a recent award presented by Melbourne Water. The Exceptional Contribution Award was in recognition of MCMC's efforts to improve riparian condition through the River Health Incentives Program.

Ryan van den Hove, a Waterway and Land Officer with Melbourne Water, said it was a pleasure to present MCMC with this award that acknowledges Melbourne Water’s appreciation for the successful, high quality projects delivered by MCMC during the group's long history participating in the program.