Volunteer numbers joining new FoMC mid-week program to preserve the Merri Creek continue to grow

Friends of Merri Creek (FoMC) President David Redfearn said he was delighted with the response the mid-week Merri Creek appreciation programs were enjoying since the program was launched in August in partnership with the Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC).

FoMC thought there might be untapped interest in a mid-week program and activity for volunteers passionate about the Merri Creek and preserving its unique flora and fauna – and this has definitely proven to be the case.

Over 40 volunteers have registered their details with Friends and this number is expected to increase over time as the popularity of the program grows.

Commenting further David Redfearn said the programs are conducted on the last Wednesday of the month under the supervision of MCMC and undertake a specific project each time – the most recent was at Ngarri-djarrang grassland in Reservoir to search for and remove the highly invasive South African Orchid from the area.

“It was especially pleasing to note the mix of ages and backgrounds of the volunteer participants that included mums with babies, school children, university students and seniors / retirees and the immense enjoyment they derived from the activity”, added David Redfearn.

Ngarri-djarrang means ‘thigh’ in Woiwurrung which is the language of the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri.  The name was selected by Wurundjeri elder Doreen Garvey-Wandin in 2006 and adopted officially in 2012.

Comprising 9 hectares, 121 species of native plants have been recorded in the area and is considered of State significance for conservation due to high density of flora including endangered plants and communities.

David Redfearn continued, “Regrettably there are over 90 species of unwanted exotic plants, ‘weeds’, that have been found in this area alone.  If left untreated, weeds like the South African Orchid could gradually smother all the local indigenous plants”.  

“The volunteers in the mid-week program are assisted to develop high levels of expertise in order to detect and remove these weeds thus helping to preserve these precious reserves for future generations to enjoy”.

Volunteers wishing to participate in the mid-week programs are most welcome and don’t have to be FoMC members to be involved in the maintenance and preservation of this beautiful creek. 

Registration for the program or further information can be obtained by contacting Friends by email at    friendsofmerricreek@gmail.com

David Redfearn concluded, “Although overjoyed with the success of the mid-week program, FoMC remains concerned for the fate of two significant parcels of State Government owned parkland at Leonard Street Fawkner and along the Moonee Ponds Creek at Outlook Drive Glenroy that are to be sold for development if Moreland Council’s efforts to save them are unsuccessful”.

“The Leonard Street park is of particular environmental significance as the land retains an area of native grassland that is listed as Critically Endangered”. 

“It is also one of the rare park areas in Fawkner that provides a visible entrance to the Merri Creek’s parklands, thereby encouraging public use”.

“Private development of the Leonard Street land would involve road construction that will negatively impact the existing users of the Merri Trail (which would have to be re-routed) and encroach into the bushland area along the Creek, thus narrowing down the Creekside parkland corridor”. 

ENDS

Issued by:                  Friends of Merri Creek       www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au

Media enquiries:                 Mr. Joe Perri,

T: 0412 112 545   

E: jperri@joeperri.com.au