Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) Regional Collaboration (GCRC) formally launched on the 4 April 2023. This is an important alliance focusing on protecting and improving the amenity, environmental and biodiversity values of the Gardiners Creek catchment.

The 16-member alliance includes: AFL Victoria, Bicycle Network, Boroondara City Council, Cricket Victoria, Deakin University, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, Football Victoria, City of Glen Eira, Golf Australia, KooyongKoot Alliance, Melbourne Water, City of Monash, City of Stonnington, Whitehorse City Council, Yarra Riverkeeper and Yarra Valley Water.

Gardiners Creek (KooyongKoot) is an urban waterway originating near Blackburn and flowing through Burwood and Malvern East before following the Monash Freeway to the Yarra River (Birrarung). Gardiners Creek was originally known as KooyongKoot, meaning ‘Land of the Waterfowl’. The catchment is the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, and it covers 112 square kilometres and spans across most of the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

It plays an important role in providing open space, offering highly valued active and passive recreational opportunities as well as water and biodiversity values. The wider catchment includes Scotchmans Creek, Damper and Back Creeks.

The GCRC has a long-term shared vision, agreed to by members of the Collaboration, that:

• KooyongKoot and its catchment is protected, valued and loved, supporting diverse uses and thriving biodiversity.
• As custodians of our natural environment, Traditional Owners have a key role in its management.
• Community and all stakeholders are working together to heal, strengthen and ensure the resilience of the KooyongKoot and its catchment.

The GCRC has developed a strategic plan ( PDF 18.76MB) to support the delivery of projects and programs for the catchment. If you would like to find out more about the GCRC and associated projects and events visit the GCRC website.

For further information contact: Leonie Gibson – Natural Environment Strategy Specialist