Committed to the restoration and stewardship of Steele Creek, focusing on restoring its water quality, nuturing its landscape, and protecting its diverse flora and fauna.
Our Story
Friends of Steele Creek was formed in December 1995. It is a not for profit community organisation dedicated to the care and management of Steele Creek, its water quality, landscape, flora and fauna. We acknowledge Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Custodians of Country through which the creek flows.
Why our waterway needs you
Melbourne Water has rated Steele Creek’s water quality as POOR for the past 20 years. The major sources of pollution have been VicRoads’ freeways, Melbourne Airport, Essendon Airport, local industries & businesses, and local roads. This is now exacerbated by planning policies, which actively promote medium and high-density development in local areas. The area of sealed surfaces continues to increase, thus further reducing soil moisture and groundwater flows, whilst increasing stormwater volumes.
How you can help
Our volunteers selflessly dedicate their time, skills, and energy to protect and restore this degraded waterway. Whether it’s participating in cleanup campaigns, planting trees, monitoring wildlife, or advocating for sustainable practices, their contributions make a tangible difference.
If you would like to assist please contact us and learn about ways to get involved.
Latest News at Friends of Steele Creek
National Tree Day 2023
Following Uncle Dave Wandin's Welcome to Country all 465 of us spread out to plant trees to make our suburb cooler and greener. We also planted shrubs, grasses and wildflowers to provide habitat for native butterflies, moths, hover flies, bees and birds. They act as...
A film from the Maribyrnong, Mirrangbamurn: Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association
This beautiful, informative and upbeat film by the Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association includes Steele Creek with contributions from our president Helen van den Berg and Uncle Dave Wandin, Wurundjeri Elder. It delivers a very real sense of the river being a...
Alluvium consultants
Friends of Steele Creek spent two hours with Alluvium consultants and their team, MVCC officers and Melbourne Water discussing options for improving the concrete section of Steele Creek, the adjacent open space and the need to reuse stormwater for watering ovals. We...
Experience a narrated virtual tour of the Steele Creek Catchment
This 5 minute presentation graphically illustrates the myriad of challenges facing this important waterway.
Our History
Friends of Steele Creek have been advocating for this waterway for well over 20 years. Click below to read of that long history.
Our Submissions
Friends of Steele Creek work hard to ensure our waterway and its dependent ecosystems are represented in decision making at all levels of government and agencies. Each one represents hours of volunteer research and dedication from the group’s members.