Melbourne’s waterways and catchments
Life flows through our waterways
Melbourne’s rivers, creeks and wetlands are part of what makes our city a great place to live.
Across Greater Melbourne, we manage 25,000 kilometres of waterways and work with our partners to care for 33,000 hectares of surrounding open space.
We’re working to protect and improve these waterways, creating healthier habitats for wildlife and greener places for communities to enjoy.
Why wetlands matter
Melbourne’s drainage system includes wetlands and waterways that clean and move water through our city.
Wetlands act like nature’s kidneys, filtering and cleaning stormwater before it flows into our rivers, creeks and bays.
Keeping watch on our waterways
Melbourne’s rivers, creeks and wetlands are home to more than 1,800 species of native plants and 600 species of native animals.
Hundreds of volunteers help us monitor and protect Melbourne’s waterways through citizen science programs, including frog, platypus and water quality monitoring.
Transforming Melbourne’s creeks
Some of Melbourne’s old drains are being turned back into natural creeks. Waterways like Tarralla Creek help manage stormwater while creating places the community can enjoy. By restoring it to a natural waterway, we’re creating a cooler, greener space where native wildlife can thrive.
Small actions, big impact
Ever wondered how what you do at home can affect local waterways? Litter, garden waste and chemicals can wash into drains and flow to creeks, rivers and wetlands. Small actions at home can have a big impact downstream.
Reimagining Melbourne’s waterways
We’re working with communities and partners to transform sections of Melbourne’s creeks into healthier, more natural waterways.
Through our Reimagining Your Creek Program, we’re transforming stormwater drains and concrete channels into natural waterways and greener open spaces where wildlife can thrive and communities can connect with nature.