Tucked behind the industrial fringes of Craigieburn, hidden from view by housing developments and highways, lies a unique patch of remnant grassland. And at its heart: Curly Sedge Creek.

Meandering through galgi ngarrk (formerly Craigieburn Grassland Conservation Reserve), this little-known tributary of Merri Creek still supports a remarkable array of life, including Growling Grass Frogs, Golden Sun Moths, and Latham’s Snipe.

Most significantly, it is Melbourne’s only stronghold for the nationally endangered Curly Sedge, described by MCMC’s Environmental Planning Lead Yasmin Kelsall as one of our most important local plants. 

“Curly Sedge Creek is like a little hidden paradise,” Yasmin says. “It’s a piece of Melbourne that not many people get to see. You can be walking across wide-open plains, then suddenly come across these little meandering waterways; it really feels reminiscent of the landscape that used to exist right across northern and western Melbourne.”

This landscape also once offered quiet refuge to the elusive and critically endangered Plains Wanderer, last recorded here in 1991 Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon, recorded in 1990.

But the secret of Curly Sedge Creek has become its vulnerability. Once home to a rich community of native species, galgi ngarrk – out of sight from the community and under the care of sparsely-funded government agencies – is now under threat: Invasive weeds such as Spiny Rush, Artichoke Thistle and Lobed Needle Grass are taking hold. Without urgent intervention, native plants like Curly Sedge, Matted Flax-lily and Brackish Plains Buttercup could be lost – and with them, the creek’s ecological health.

With your support, we can turn things around.

At MCMC, we have an ambitious plan to protect and rehabilitate Curly Sedge Creek and the surrounding  grasslands. We need $40,000, to carry out targeted weed control and habitat restoration – giving Curly Sedge and the many species that could flourish in this ecosystem, a fighting chance.

Our vision also relies on building awareness of Curly Sedge Creek among those best-placed to protect it: local communities. We need your support to run community events that connect communities with the rare grassland environment just beyond their back fences – but which most don’t even know about.

Will you help protect Curly Sedge Creek with a tax-deductible donation before June 30th to carry out this critical work? 

Your donation will help fund:

• Targeted weed management to protect Curly Sedge at its only Melbourne stronghold
• On-ground habitat restoration efforts, to improve the quality of habitat for a range of companion plant and animal species
• Walk on Country with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owners
• Deeper community engagement and connection with the Curly Sedge Creek landscape

“Our key goal is to create a buffer along the creek – a zone where Curly Sedge and native grasses can thrive without competition from invasive species,” says Yasmin. “The main focus will be weed control. That will be key to reducing the threat to Curly Sedge – a special plant within a special creek and a special grassland.”

As we launch this urgent campaign, we are delighted to have the support of ecologist Doug Frood, who first identified the Curly Sedge population in 1990.

“I'm really pleased that the Merri Creek Management Committee is taking on this work,” says Doug.

“They’ve got the experience and skills to manage remnant vegetation carefully – using techniques like hand weeding and selective spraying to avoid the non-target damage we so often see. It’ll be great to see this kind of sensitive ecological management finally get the resourcing it needs.”

Doug’s right – sensitive ecological management doesn’t come cheap. Strategic management needs to ensure other species such as the woodland birds that seek refuge within the invasive weeds (in the absence of the ideal indigenous habitat these birds once found here) are considered.

Sensitive ecological management also considers the various factors that impact on creek and grassland health: how will our weed management impact the delicate balance of this ecosystem? How will we ensure the Growling Grass Frogs, Black Falcons, Red-Chested Button-quails and Freshwater Blackfish that call this place home, benefit from our work alongside the endangered Curly Sedge?

You can help us strike this delicate balance. With the passionate support of the Merri Creek community – people just like you – we can do it.

Can you help us protect this stronghold for an endangered species? Donate today to support our important work at Curly Sedge Creek – Melbourne’s only stronghold for Curly Sedge.

Photograghy and videography by Annette Ruzicka Photography.