Forrest Rd Drain renamed in bid to save native wildlife

Recent pollution events have prompted a community effort to safeguard historic waterways in the eastern suburbs, which support a variety of native wildlife.

The brown tree frog is native to the Wayut Creek area. Picture: Melbourne Water

A historic waterway in Ferntree Gully has been given a new name and a major makeover after several devastating pollution events.

The Forrest Rd Drain was renamed to Wayut Creek in a bid to get the community involved in its conservation.

Wayut Creek runs through the Dandenong Ranges National Park and the City of Knox.

It is also connected to Blind Creek, Dobsons Park and flows into Dandenong Creek.

The Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve, an eastern suburbs environmental group, applied for the name change after becoming increasingly concerned about pollution events in the creek that turned the stream milky white with an oily slick visible on the water’s surface.

Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve worked to rename the Forrest Rd Drain to Wayut Creek, Picture: Melbourne Water

“This creek is a refuge for our native wildlife so it’s very disturbing to see these pollution events, often caused by waste,” president of Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve Rowan Jennion said.

“Sometimes there has been an overpowering stench of a detergent, and this pollution affects the wildlife, insects, and plants in the creek that need a healthy waterway to survive.”

Brown tree frogs, banjo frogs, Rosellas, Pacific black ducks, Australian wood ducks, mountain galaxias fish and short-finned eels are all native to Wayut Creek.

The broad finned galaxias can be found in Wayut Creek. Picture: Melbourne Water

Mr Jennion said renaming the creek was one of the ways the group had helped restore the creek for the native flora and fauna.

“People don’t know the importance of the creek when you call it a drain,” he said.

“Everyone enjoys going for walks along the creek but we need to protect it.”

Mr Jennion urged eastern suburbs residents to be aware of the waste they were creating that flows into local creeks and waterways.

Residents can help to preserve Wayut Creek. Picture: Melbourne Water

To reduce their waste residents can wash cars on lawns instead of in driveways and streets, rinse paint brushes and buckets away from drains and gutters, carefully replace car engine oil and coolant to prevent spills and report burst water mains as soon as possible.

“People need to remember these waterways now start at the roof of houses and run straight into local creeks affecting wildlife,” Mr Jennion said.

Melbourne Water waterways and land officer Jared Polkinghorne said he hoped the new name would improve the sentiment and care given to it by the broader community.

“It is our hope that Wayut Creek can now be recognised for its environmental importance and the abundant flora and fauna it supports along its course,” he said.