Zoe Moffatt
The Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve group is concerned about the Jacksons Creek platypus population amid rubbish and reports of dogs being let off their leash.
Group president Christina Cheers has lived in Sunbury for about 23 years and enjoys going for her favourite evening stroll along Jacksons Creek.
Ms Cheers said she is concerned about the platypus population and the impact dogs swimming in the creek are having on the mammals.
“I don’t think people realise there are platypuses here and just how precious they are,” she said.
“The concern is although there are council regulations, people let their dogs off the leash and let them swim in the creek… any self respecting platypus would freak out.”
Fellow Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve member Gillian Hume agreed and said there is also a concern about the amount of rubbish at the creek.
“There is a significant amount of rubbish dropped… including things like the plastic rings from the top of bottles, hair ties, small plastic bits and pieces,” Ms Hume said.
“These have the potential to get washed into the creek where they will settle on the bottom, and affect the ability of the platypuses to forage for food.
“The platypuses could also get caught in the closed loop of a hair tie, for example.”
Ms Cheers said she believes the issue stems from a lack of awareness, and plans are in the works to hold a community gathering information session on platypuses later in the year.
“It’s not that people are malicious about it, it’s just that they are not aware… you’ve got to be very lucky to see a platypus, which is why people aren’t conscious about it,” she said.
A Hume council spokesperson said council recently sought community input on its Emu Bottom Wetlands Master Plan, which will be presented to council for consideration in the next couple of months.
“Some of the feedback from the initial consultation in relation to the… Master Plan indicated that dogs are swimming in the creek,” the spokesperson said.
“Dogs are prohibited from entering waterways, and signage is in place… advising this. Additional signage will be installed as part of future works, subject to funding and approvals.”
