During August to November 2024, we engaged to help inform the creation of a shared vision and biodiversity sensitive urban design (BSUD) framework that will inform and safeguard the concept design.

Engagement activities undertaken during this period included:

• Biodiversity vision workshop
• Traditional Owner site walk
• Creek meet ups with community
• Community workshop
• Online survey

Through each engagement activity the same three questions were asked of participants.

• What parts of the creeks should be protected?
• What things should be improved?
• What could be achieved?

In addition to these questions we also asked that participants prioritised ten key themes in order of their importance.

Community feedback

Responses have been summarised using the 10 themes. The most frequently mentioned theme was ‘plants and trees’, closely followed by ‘social or recreational’.

Support for the project

There was a high level of support and agreement that the quality of the creeks needs to be improved. The community values having natural and healthy creeks in this area.

Plants/trees and water flows/quality

There was a high level of interest and many questions about reed management and the removal of exotic trees from the creeks. Most of the people who attended face-to-face meetings were supportive of exotic tree removal to improve flows, creek health and habitat for native wildlife. The online feedback was divided in terms of support and opposition to exotic tree removal. These responses indicated that the opposition to the removal of some exotic trees, such as willows and ash trees, is related to two specific locations where these trees were reported as being valued for their visual appeal and to provide screening.

Lack of reed management in creeks and wetlands was the most frequently mentioned topic with many people unsure if the reeds were native or introduced species and about the role reeds play in watercourses. The issues raised around reed management were mainly that they block water flows, trap litter and sediment and harbour pest animals such as rats.

Social/recreation

Most people mentioned that they enjoy walking along the creeks with requests for facilities including trails, seating, shelters, toilets, bins and interpretive information about native plants and animals.

One of the issues raised was a need to have safe access to the creeks for children where the ground is visible, or through the use of boardwalks and stepping stones. Dense weeds and reed growth were mentioned as preventing safe access.

Habitat for wildlife and animals

Almost everyone that spoke to staff attending creek meets and the workshop was interested in native wildlife, with people sharing information about animal species (particularly birds) that they have seen or asking questions about native species.

Several people also mentioned seeing koalas and kangaroos along the creek with concerns about their safety such as crossing over roads.

Education/Awareness

There was a high level of interest, including from local schools, in having access to information to find out about local native plant and animal species that live along or in these watercourses.

Suggestions for educational resources included interpretive signs, species lists, workshops and community events such as guided birdwatching walks and planting events.

Pollution

Litter and the dumping of shopping trolleys were mentioned as problems in specific locations, such as around schools or shopping precincts.

Many people who attended face-to-face meetings were actively involved in volunteering their time to clean up litter along some sections of these creeks.

Management/procedures

Many people highlighted a need for more regular maintenance actions including weed control, reed management, silt removal and litter clean-up.

Erosion and other

Several people had an interest in seeing more involvement from First Nations people, including cultural burning practices.

Other comments included information about a historic rock creek crossing that has been covered by silt and weeds, specific locations where erosion is a problem, as well as requests for facilities such as lighting, toilets, seating, bins and dog bag dispensers.