Waurn Ponds Creek rises
on the slopes of Mt. Moriac, SW of Geelong and flows generally
eastwards, through agricultural land, then the green corridor
of Waurn Ponds Valley Parkland, to its confluence with
the River Barwon in the marshes at the southern end of Belmont
Common. The creek and its parkland are a widely appreciated recreational resource for the local and visiting human population, while also providing a corridor for wildlife to make its way through the suburbs safely by land or water. Many bird species also use the facilities of the green corridor, particularly water birds and fishers.
Over the years the environment of the creek has deteriorated as a result of agricultural practices, suburban development and the ravages to the riverbank caused by rabbit warrens and the deposits of human refuse, largely washed down from suburban streets through the stormwater drainage system. Exotic plants from both rural and suburban sources seeding along the banks and supplanting native species also tend to reduce the amenity of the area, as do past intentional plantings of exotic species.
When the idea was first concieved to rehabilitate the creek, the first step was to gain approval from the Cultural Heritage Officer of the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, before approaching anyone else.
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority commissioned a study by the Arthur Rylah Institute, the research base for the Parks, Flora and Fauna program of the Department of Sustainability and Environment, into the "Rehabilitation of Waurn Ponds Creek, Victoria, for Yarra Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca obscura) and Other Native Freshwater Fishes" .
The Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek was incorporated in 2002 as a community initiative, with the blessing of the Wathaurong People and support from Barwon Water , The City of Greater Geelong and the State Government of Victoria, to rehabilitate the river course through a series of initiatives at all levels. Renowned local naturalist Trevor Pescott produced a guide for replanting the creek. This guide was adopted by the City of Greater Geelong as the basis for revegetation of the valley.
At this time the local community is divided into a series of zones responsible for specific lengths of the watercourse. Regular working bees are conducted to clear refuse and depending on the season, either cut out and poison undesirable weeds or plant with appropriate natives. Water quality monitoring is carried out by the community in each zone on a continuing basis, while monitoring of animal and bird types and numbers also act as measures of stream health.
Barwon Water and The City of Greater Geelong are providing expertise through their Community Tree Propagation Centre and Environment and Natural Resources departments respectively and are also providing native seedlings, mulch, etc and the workforce and machinery necessary for the more arduous tasks.
