Djerriwarrh Creek and Bridge Community Inc is a community-led, not-for-profit organisation officially formed in 2024 by residents of Melton and Bacchus Marsh.
Our group was founded in response to the growing concerns over the environmental degradation and neglect of the Djerriwarrh Creek bridge area. The site is important because of its local history, natural beauty, and community value.
The focus of our group is the protection, restoration, and stewardship of the Djerriwarrh Creek area and its heritage-listed 1850s sandstone bridge that was a part of the original Western Highway.
The site holds ecological, geological, and cultural significance, including Indigenous heritage connections and its status as a community landmark and recreation and picnic area since its closure in the 1960s.
In recent years, the site has suffered from illegal dumping, vandalism, and inadequate management by relevant authorities.
Since our formation, we have:
- Coordinated multiple community clean-up events such as Clean Up Australia Day.
- Successfully raised public awareness via local media, social media and a successful petition that garnered over a 1000 signatures.
- Initiated conversations with stakeholders such as Melbourne Water, the Department of Transport and Planning, and local councils.
- Built a strong local and online community to promote advocacy and conservation.
We aim to continue this work through:
- Organising environmental restoration projects and rubbish removal.
- Advocating for improved signage, vehicle barriers, and site surveillance to prevent further dumping.
- Working with government organisations and landowners to create long-term
- management and rehabilitation strategies.
- Promotion of local history and heritage tourism through signage, storytelling, and community events.
Our committee is made up of 7 dedicated local residents who bring together a diverse range of experience in community work and organising, conservation and environmental management, heritage advocacy, policy development, education, graphic design, project coordination, financial management and historical research.
Members have backgrounds in business, government, education, counselling and conservation with strong local knowledge and longstanding ties to the area.
Collectively, the committee has experience in grant writing, volunteer coordination, stakeholder engagement, education and research, public speaking and is committed to restoring the Djerriwarrh Creek and bridge for the benefit of both current residents and future generations.