Riddell Main Drain has a new name

July 2020

The Office of Geographic Names recently gazetted the name ‘Murnong Creek’ to replace the name ‘Riddells Creek Main Drain’. Yes, this is the creek that runs right through the middle of town. Murnong is the Woiwurrung name for Yam Daisy, a name selected by the Wurundjeri Land & Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation, in consultation with Melbourne Water.

It is a fitting name, because this creek begins in Barrm Birrm – place of many yam daisies - at the top of Gap Road. From there, it flows through the recently subdivided Turner property, and runs parallel to Bolithos Road, then under that to Main Road right beside the bakery. At this point in its journey, it’s a wide grassed concrete culvert that runs behind the Station Street shops, under Station Street, and makes its way under the railway line to Riddells Creek.

Murnong Creek is not a happy creek. The concreting approach to drainage dominates, but pause a moment at the bridge on Station Street, and in most seasons, from amongst the weeds and rubbish, you will hear the resident frogs.

We need safe drainage through town, but there are more interesting ways to do this! If the humans of Riddell put their hearts, minds and hands to it, Murnong could be a happy creek. It would take imagination and money as well, but imagination is the starting point – just look at the Lions Park Playground!

To see what’s possible, google 'Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan', and find your way to pages 25-27. There you’ll find a famous Melbourne creek that lost its soul to a concrete drain, now reimagined as a beautiful place for humans, animals and plants. Imagine our own creek given a rework like that!

Ross Colliver, Riddells Creek Landcare