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Melbourne’s waterways not
only provide enjoyment to people
but are especially important for
the conservation of many rare and
threatened species including native
fish, frogs, invertebrates and the
platypus. The Darebin Creek Waterwatch
is an environmental program involving
local students and community groups
in monitoring the quality of water
in the Darebin Creek as a component
of the statewide Waterwatch Program.
The program commenced at the beginning
of 1997 and has a strong focus on
increasing community awareness of
environmental issues relevant to
the Darebin Creek and promoting community
involvement in its protection and
enhancement.
For further information please refer
to the Fact
Sheets.
Program
Aims and Actions
The aims of the Darebin Creek Waterwatch
program are to:
- Develop and maintain a water
quality monitoring program
and provide opportunities for
the community
to undertake activities which
address water quality issues
- Organising and supervising
the involvement of schools
and community groups in monitoring
water quality of the Darebin
Creek
- Collating and managing water
quality data using the National
Waterwatch Data Entry Program
and Waterwatch Database Program
or equivalent
 Provide training and support
to the community in the collection
of meaningful water quality
data
- liasing with relevant municipalities,
water management authorities
and other organisations in
the co-ordination of the program
across the Darebin Creek catchment,
promoting outcomes and networking
with similar programs being
undertaken in other catchments
- increase community awareness
of water quality issues and their
relevance to individual behaviour
and catchment management
- involving schools and
community groups in the "Drains to
the Bay" stencilling
of stormwater entry points
(program
initiated by Melbourne
Water and sponsored by
Rotary clubs)
- promoting the Darebin Creek
Waterwatch program and associated
activities through local media,
displays, the Waterwatch internet
site and the preparation of regular
Waterwatch news sheets for the
Darebin Creek catchment.
Want to help your rivers and creeks? Become a Waterwatch Member
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Joining Waterwatch is free and easy to do. By becoming a member of Waterwatch you join a network of people committed to improving and protecting the health of our waterways. Membership entitles you to:
- Information on Waterwatch activities in your local area ·
- Regular updates and newsletters from your local Waterwatch Coordinator
- Invitations to attend Waterwatch events ·
- Information on the health of your local waterways ·
- Meet others who are interested in protecting and improving the health of our waterways ·
- Become a Waterwatch monitor, regularly water testing a local waterway. All training and equipment is provided.
How to join
To become a member of Waterwatch, contact DCMC's Waterwatch Coordinator on 9457 9885 or julia.vanderoord@banyule.vic.gov.au For further information on what being a Waterwatch monitor involves visit www.waterwatchmelbourne.org.au (under monitoring and data)
Waterwatch Training
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Interested in learning what's really going on in your local creek, wetlands or river? Can frogs, platypus or even native fish survive in your waterway?
Port Phillip & Westernport Waterwatch run FREE river health training sessions for teachers, community groups and individuals wishing to help improve their river health monitoring skills by regularly testing the water. You will learn the different sampling techniques, including aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling and identification, how the data you collect is used and how to develop a monitoring plan. Its fun, free and very easy to do!
Waterwatch in Schools
Waterwatch offers free programs for schools focusing on local waterway investigation, monitoring, on-ground action and community involvement. Water quality monitoring activities identify river health issues that are important to the community and involve excursions to local waterways and/or incursions.
Schools involved collect useful river health data, gain skills in scientific monitoring and develop an understanding of the chemical, physical and biological processes relating to aquatic ecology.
The Waterwatch Program also offers participating schools:
- Access to water quality monitoring kits.
- A monitoring manual that includes information on habitat surveys, biological surveys and physical and chemical tests.
- Assistance and training in using water quality monitoring equipment and undertaking water quality assessments of their local waterways.
- Tailored Education sessions to suit the curriculum around water quality issues. Examples include water bug art, frog call identification and dress up catchment story.
Darebin Creek Waterwatch Water Quality Reports
Waterwatch collects, studies and interprets water quality data collected by Waterwatch volunteers. For reports and data on the Darebin Creek Catchment please contact DCMC's Waterwatch Coordinator on 94579885 or
Julia.vanderoord@banyule.vic.gov.au.
Further Information
www.vic.waterwatch.org.au (Waterwatch Victoria website)
www.waterwatchmelbourne.org.au (Melbourne Water's Waterwatch Education website)
www.platypus.asn.au/ (The Australian Platypus Conservancy)
frogs.org.au (Victorian Frog Group)
frogs.melbournewater.com.au (Melbourne Water frog census)
www.freshwater.net.au (Community portal information hub)
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