Waterways Podcast: Rivers and Creeks of North-West Melbourne

Hello and welcome to the podcast talking all about the Rivers and Creeks of North-West Melbourne! Here I'll be chatting with organisations and industry leaders who manage first-hand the many activities taking place across the Moonee Ponds Creek, Merri Creek, and the Maribyrnong River! This series includes chats with representatives from the Merri Creek Management Committee, Friends of the Merri Creek, Friends of Edwardes Lake, Friends of Maribryrnong Valley, Hume City Council and the Chain of Ponds. We talk everything from litter clean-ups to stakeholder collaboration and hopefully after hearing these podcasts you will be more informed in the management of your local waterways and the restoration activities you can become involved in! Enjoy!

Your Host,

Will Connor

In this episode I chat with Rachel Lopes who is the coordinator at the Chain of Ponds Collaboration about:

- The importance of collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders for whole catchment management.

- The engagement of ‘Friends of’ groups and citizens in the collaboration and work-shopping processes.

- Concerns with the inconsistent approach to planning and management of the Moonee Ponds Creek.

- Projects taking place, including the ‘Re-imagining Moonee Ponds Creek Project’ and a Litter Group partnership with Alluvium Consulting on litter hotspot identification and mapping.

Enjoy!

In this episode I chat with David Gifford from the Friends of Merri Creek about:

- Planting and Litter events such as those at Fawkner and Craigieburn and on National Tree Day.

- The relationship of the Friends group with the Merri Creek Management Committee.

- Work with Wurundjeri Council.

- Online Events.

Enjoy!

In this episode I chat with Maelor Himbury from the Friends of Maribyrnong Valley about:

- The formation of the Friends of Maribyrnong Valley and the stakeholders they interact with.

- Where and what happens on planting and litter days along the river.

- Challenges of advertising events during lockdown.

- Involvement in pipeline projects with Melbourne Water.

Enjoy!

In this episode I chat with Damien Harrison who is the Conservation Biodiversity Strategy Officer at Hume City Council about:

- The range of revegetation and education programs completed with community stakeholders, including schools and sports clubs.

- The importance of collaboration between councils and organisations on waterways and the type of events currently happening.

- The differences in land-use management between the Upper and Lower Merri Creek.

- The plans ahead for the Moonee Ponds Creek.

Enjoy!

In this episode I chat with Julia Cirillo from the Merri Creek Management Committee and Kate Jost from Friends of Edwardes Lake in a 1hour special about: 

- The current on-ground work and planning that goes into managing the Merri Creek.

- The importance and value of being apart of restoration activities and how to get involved.

- Changes to the Merri Creek by urbanisation, particularly litter. 

- Rapid response litter education programs at Edwardes Lake and the Merri Creek.

Enjoy!