A Melbourne Water waterways monitoring program has led to the discovery of a 24-year-old male platypus – the oldest ever recorded in the wild - astounding researchers and biologists.

After four years of above-average rainfall Melbourne’s reservoirs are full, with the latest Annual Water Outlook showing current storages sitting at 88.4%. But history has shown that they can drop quickly.

With increased discarded fishing lines, illegal yabby traps being found along the Werribee River, and the rising threat of invasive Carp to native species, Melbourne Water has devised a free community event to tackle two problems simultaneously.