Greater Dandenong Environment Group

Taking the Bugs Out

A sample of waterbugs from a local waterway was on display at the Hidden Gem Festival in Dandenong West in November. Visitors to our tent learnt about how we assess water quality from the types of bugs found in creeks and lakes in Dandenong. Come along and see it for yourself at our Waterwatch sampling twice a month throughout the year.

Big Changes to the Wetlands

Melbourne Water has been working on improvements to the wetlands behind the Dandenong Stadium for some time. The works meant that we were unable to do our usual Waterwatch on the Dandenong Creek and Wetlands, so we were keen to see them finished. When they were nearly complete, we were given a tour by Melbourne Water to explain the changes and the reasons behind them.

Some parts of the wetlands were remodelled to decrease the depth so that they would be used by a wider range of birds. The inlet and outlet to the wetland were changed so that the flow in could be adjusted to model natural variations in flow.

Now we are doing Waterwatch again, so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes in water quality after the works are completed.

Group members inspect the new outlet to the Dandenong Wetlands before flow resumes.

Waterwatch Testing

Our group has been doing monthly water quality testing in the Dandenong Creek and Wetlands since 2004! The data is stored in a Melbourne Water database that can be viewed by anyone interested in the health of our waterways.

To ensure this data is of good quality, each year we are “tested” by doing blind testing on several different measurements – for example, salinity and turbidity, which are key health measures of waterways.

Julie being tested, along with groups from other waterways

Let us know if you’d like to come along – we do testing on the first and fourth Sunday of each month.

Planting Day No 1

The first two nature strips are now fully planted! About a hundred plants were put into each of the mulched beds prepared in May. Three more to go and lots of growing and flowering to come. Watch out for updates!

See here for more information.

Eucalyptus Blossoming

This photo shows the stages of a flower emerging on a gum tree. The first stage is the bud, with its green pointy cap. Then the cap pops off under pressure from the emerging cream-coloured flower. The packed up flower can then be seen. Finally the flower expands.

Nature Strip No 2

There’s no stopping us now. After another day of hard work, Jonathan’s nature strip is ready for planting when winter sets in. Let us know if you’d like to come along and watch or help on any of the other three nature strips. Learn how to do it yourself! See more detail here.

Nature Strip No 1

We were delighted by the response to our Nature Strip Project advertisement. It was hard to select only five, but now we are on our way. After a day of hard work, Shirley’s nature strip is ready for planting when winter sets in. Let us know if you’d like to come along and watch or help on any of the other four nature strips. Learn how to do it yourself! See more detail here.

Going to Parliament

Judith and Isabelle joined the mini-expo at Parliament House on Wednesday 19th March, with some other environmental groups. It was a great networking opportunity and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the sensational work by GDEG. We took advantage of the opportunity to chat with some MPs and reiterate the importance of our natural and green spaces.

Sustainability Festival

The Group joined in the Sustainability Festival at the Dandenong Market on Sunday 23 February. We had some water bugs to show people how we check each month on the health of the Dandenong Creek and Wetlands. It was also a chance to chat with us about our Nature Strip Revitalisation Project and all other things environmental.

Clean Up Australia!

Our Clean Up Australia activity was held on Sunday, 2nd March, behind the Dandenong Stadium in Stud Road. As usual, there was plenty of rubbish to find. Most of it had blown into the tree plantings.

Thanks to all participants, who enjoyed a delicious morning tea after their hard work. Also thanks to Dorothea for organising the day.