Grants and contracts to MCMC and Friends of Merri Creek have funded a busy winter of projects along the Merri waterways.

Some of this can be seen from the Merri path, but much of the action is beyond the creek’s urban reaches.

New wetlands in Hall Reserve, Clifton Hill: In early July, volunteers and MCMC staff planted over 3000 plants at this new rain garden and wetland, near Walker St, Clifton Hill. Merri Park wetlands, Northcote has been filtering the Sumner Estate’s stormwater since 1999 and, in July, Darebin Council gave the pond which collects the bulk of the sediment a much needed cleanout. Landcare/CitiPower is funding a community planting at the site on September 9.

Edgars Creek, North Coburg: MCMC has supported the Friends of Edgars Creek to gain a grant and conducted the enthusiastic group’s first planting in May.

Imaroo St escarpment, Fawkner: Transformation of this site continues and it has expanded to over two hectares with help from Spicers Paper. Works involve freeing remnant shrubs from weeds and planting escarpment shrubs.

Various other sites in Fawkner: Fencing, weed control, boulder placement, school activities, mulching and lots of community planting has made big improvements to sites in Fawkner after a summer of drought and wildfire.

Central Creek Grassland, Reservoir: The unique plants found at this site in moist depressions (called ‘gilgais’) have received special attention with help from volunteers.

Cooper St Grassland, Campbellfield: Unfortunately, the construction of a drainage line for a nearby development destroyed an established revegetation plot. This will be replanted in future months. Nearby weed removal and planting will develop valuable habitat.

Beveridge to Wallan rail reserve is a significant area for biodiversity of Western Basalt Plains Grassland and Grassy Wetland. Grants and contracts with Dept of Sustainability & Environment and Merriang District Landcare Group have funded MCMC to work in this area, especially on weed control after ecological burns. The landowner, VicTrack, has recently moved to protect the area from illegal vehicle access with a fence and lockable gate.

Swamp in Beveridge Recreational Reserve: MCMC is providing management advice for this spring-fed swamp (a fragment of the larger swamps that were once widespread).

Wallan Community Park: MCMC completed a vegetation management plan for this park on Wallan Creek, a major headwater tributary of the Merri. We’ve also developed weed identification bookmarks, and ran a series of weeding workshops with the Friends of Wallan Creek.

These projects have been funded variously by Melbourne Water Community Grants, Darebin City Council, Moreland City Council, Yarra City Council, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, SP AusNet, Landcare Australia, the federal Natural Heritage Trust, Environment Protection Authority, and Yarra Valley Water.