Along Edgars Creek in Melbourne’s north, a disused industrial landscape is being transformed into a living ecological corridor, with planting now underway and 200,000 new plants to be introduced through to the end of 2026. Guided by Wurundjeri knowledge and a focus on restoring habitat, the regeneration of the Edgars Creek Corridor is set to reconnect water, wildlife and community across the New Epping precinct.
Stretching roughly a kilometre through the site, the corridor has long been defined by its industrial past, with quarrying and surrounding development influencing much of the landscape that exists today. While the creek has remained an important ecological feature within Melbourne’s northern wetlands network, parts of the corridor have become fragmented and underutilised over time.
Development Manager at Riverlee, Richard Palmistra, spoke to the importance of advancing the health of the waterways and reshaping the natural landscape.
“We’re making the corridor flow resilient, which is important, and benefits the catchment in downstream ecosystems. As the population increases in these northern suburbs, having a strong ecological corridor gives nature a fighting chance. It mitigates habitat fragmentation and increases green cover and urban cooling,” said Richard.
In revitalising the area, the endangered Growling Grass Frogs will have a much safer space to call home. With an existing population of frogs in the region, the planting of new species and wetlands is imperative to ensure their survival, and eventual repopulation.
“We’re planting over 200,000 plants in the corridor. There’ll be 10 new, permanent wetlands for the frogs. With improved biodiversity, the current will support more native plants, improved habitat for the Growling Grass Frogs and local fauna, and a stronger ecological connectivity across the urban landscape,” Richard explained.
Expanding green space and tree canopy also contributes to urban cooling, improved stormwater management and long-term climate resilience for the surrounding community.
Embedding connection to Country
The Edgars Creek Corridor sits within Wurundjeri Country, and acknowledging this connection has been central to the project’s design. As New Epping evolves into a new living and working precinct, honouring the traditional custodianship of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people remains a key consideration in shaping the landscape.
The site sits on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Willum clan, who have cared for the region for more than 60,000 years. Waterways such as Edgar’s Creek historically provided food, shelter and gathering places, with more than 70 cultural sites recorded across the wider municipality.
“This part of Edgar’s Creek in the context of the wider northern suburbs sits within the heart of Wurundjeri Country. We have been working in genuine partnership with Wurundjeri Elders Uncle Colin Hunter and Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin (Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation) to gain their perspectives on Country, water, plants, seasons and stories to inform the public space design.”
The design has been shaped through consultation and validation workshops with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders, embedding cultural knowledge, storytelling and the Wurundjeri seasonal calendar into the public realm. The planning strategy also seeks to introduce species that reflect the area’s pre-colonisation landscapes. Cultural elements such as scar tree opportunities, language recognition and the use of native species including Yellow Box, Manna Gum and Silver Banksia will help celebrate and acknowledge Wurundjeri culture and its enduring connection to Country.
As Senior Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy AO shared, “It’s a real walk-through opportunity, where you can get to learn a lot of things that comes back to the heart of what Country is.”
A green spine for the growing community
Beyond its ecological role, the regenerated corridor will become a key everyday destination for the growing New Epping community. New walking and cycling paths, improved connections and carefully designed public spaces will make the creek a place for recreation, education and quiet connection with nature.
As New Epping continues to evolve into a vibrant mixed-use precinct, the Edgar’s Creek Corridor will act as its green spine, supporting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience and providing lasting environmental and social value for the community.
