Merri e-News December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

Newsletter of the Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC)

Passionate Waterwatch Recruits

It should not come as a surprise that MCMC's Waterwatch Program is focussed on Merri Creek. But did you know we extend beyond the Merri? With assistance from some of our member Councils we support activities and community monitors on nearby waterways such as Darebin Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek. 

In late October 2018 we ran an event to recruit and train Waterwatch monitors for Darebin Creek. After an introduction to the site, close to Northland Shopping Centre, participants were trained in taking and analysing water samples - from the creek itself and from a drain outfall. One of the enthusiastic participants wrote an inspiring account of the day - see it below.

Read more …

New Upper Merri Parklands - a promise to be kept

During the 2018 Victorian election campaign, the ALP promised to create the new Upper Merri Parklands. This is a welcome recognition of the importance of the upper Merri and the potential for continuous linked parkland along the entire length of Merri Creek. It reflects a 2016 joint initiative of MCMC, Friends of Merri Creek and Wallan Environment Group for the creation of the Greater Wallan-Merri Park, a living landscape for a liveable Melbourne. We look forward to the new Labor government delivering on this promise as prompt action is needed to secure the park.

Labor's commitment also included funding a feasability study for the Wallan Regional Park.  This new park, centered on the former Hernes Swamp, is a key part of our vision for the Greater Wallan - Merri Park. It includes the potential to reinstate parts of the swamp, to create an attractive, biodiverse focus for the park.

(Photo: upper Merri Creek in Merriang.)

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Plains Yam Daisy makes a show

Volunteers have been hard at work raising rare plants as part of the Friends of Merri Creek’s three-year Secret Seven seeds project, which aims to increase the seed supply of seven rare Merri Creek plant species.  Northcote resident Jane Mullett has successfully raised Plains Yam Daisies to the seeding stage. She says "I am getting heaps of seeds off them. I am harvesting between 3-5 puffballs every second day!". The plants were initially grown by VINC.  

The key stages in the growth of these plants has been documented by renowned local photographer, David Tatnall. See the superb sequence under 'Read More.' 

This project is funded with the support of the Victorian Government. The Friends of Merri Creek have contracted MCMC to help deliver the project.

Read more …

Linking up Blue Banded Bees and Matted Flax-lilies

In early 2017 the Friends of Merri Creek was awarded a Community Grant from Melbourne Water to establish new populations of endangered Matted Flax-lily (Dainella amoena) along Merri Creek in Reservoir. The project was rolled out with significant assistance from Merri Creek Management Committee. Five new populations were established to link three nearby fragmented remnant populations of the species and to provide a crucial stepping stone for the Matted Flax-lily's native pollinator, the Blue Banded Bee. Fifty-five volunteers helped to plant 1600 indigenous plants, including rare wildflowers, that will help control weeds and provide habitat for local fauna and pollination partners for rare wildflowers.

See the photo story of the completed grant, showing before and after photos - here.

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Big River Restoration with Collingwood Children's Farm

Merri Creek Management Committee completed work on the Big River Project in late 2018. This was a partnership project with Collingwood Children’s Farm. It was focussed on a 1km stretch of vegetation along the edge of the Yarra River in Abbotsford, controlling high threat weeds such as Pampas Lily of the Valley and Wandering Tradescantia. With the help of wonderful volunteers, over 1,000 understorey and mid-storey plants were added to the site, providing much needed stabilisation and biodiversity to the river bank. See the before and after photos here. The project was funded by a Melbourne Water Community Grant.

We have been successful in grant application to continue this restoration work in partnership with the Collingwood Children's Farm in 2019. (Photo: Indigenous understorey of Tussock Grass and Hop Goodenia establishing on the Yarra River bank.)

Read more …