Groups We Work With

DEECA is the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action in the Victorian State Government and is responsible for various matters related to the environment, energy and climate change separate from urban planning.

Melbourne Water is owned by the Victorian State Government. MW manage the major water, sewerage and drainage networks across Greater Melbourne, together with local water companies and councils. They care for 25,000 km of rivers and creeks that sustain healthy communities and the environment. In 2022, MW integrated the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. Catchment and waterways management responsibilities now come under a single, integrated entity to take care of land, water and biodiversity.

Steele Creek runs through all three Councils. Although Melbourne Water is responsible for the stream, councils are responsible for many services that can directly or indirectly affect the condition of Steele Creek and adjacent parklands. For example, stormwater, planning, rubbish and recycling, pet control, green space and biodiversity plans.

Landcare Victoria Inc is the peak body representing community landcare in Victoria, Australia. It supports over 600 local landcare groups and engages tens of thousands of community members in environmental restoration and sustainable agriculture efforts.

The rangers are a land and natural resource management team combining traditional Wurundjeri cultural practices with modern conservation techniques. The team uses various environmental initiatives, including cultural burns and weed control to care for country.

Environmental Justice Australia are lawyers and campaigners that combine law and advocacy to achieve environmental justice. They use a combination of public interest litigation and legal advocacy campaigns to hold powers to account.

Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that advocates for the health of rivers and creeks in the Maribyrnong catchment. FOSC Inc has board representation on MRWA and the two groups work closely together.

MVS is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit, registered charity in Moonee Valley. It aims to care for the places we live, bring people together and speak up for climate action. MVS activities include advocacy, events that showcase sustainability and group collectives such as “Waste Nothing” and “Switch to Renewables”.

Grassy Plains Network is an independent, philanthropically funded organisation that includes land management professionals, academics, ecologists and community who advocate for improved grassland protection and management.

The Soil and Plant Society, University of Melbourne is a student union club interested in all things soil science, from homegrown garden produce to food sovereignty and conservation.

Community Weed Alliance of the Dandenongs is a community group striving to reduce weed impact on the Dandenong Ranges. In one project, working with the South Gippsland Landcare Network, CWAD is using cuttings of wandering tradescantia infected with a smut fungus as a biological control of this highly invasive weed. FOSC Inc is collaborating with them to bring the same method to Steele Creek.

Parks Victoria is a statutory authority of the Victorian Government acting in accordance with the Parks Victoria Act 2018 working in partnership with Traditional Owners to manage parks and reserves in a culturally sensitive and ecologically appropriate way.

They are responsible for managing a diverse estate of more than 4 million hectares including 3,000 land and marine parks and reserves making up 18 per cent of Victoria’s landmass, 75 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands and 70 per cent of Victoria’s coastline.

The EPA is Victoria’s independent environmental regulator accountable to the state government’s Minister for Environment. Its role is to protect the health of community and environment from pollution and waste. FOSC Inc encourages community to report all illegal dumping and pollution directly to the EPA.