prickly pear and weeping willows, invaded the banks and stormwater from suburban streets drains directly into the creek bringing rubbish and other pollutants. Pollution In recent decades much has been done to remedy the creek's condition. Patches of remnant native flora still remain along the creek, and through weed control and ecological burning their quality has been improved. Much native vegetation has been replanted by the Merri Creek Management Committee and the volunteer group Friends of Merri Creek. In recent years, Melbourne Water has been involved in a willow control program to improve water flows and allow for the revegetation of sites with indigenous plant species. At times of low flow, water is sustained in the creek through treated outfall from the Craigieburn sewage treatment plant, . Water quality was thought to have been insufficient to allow repopulation by platypus. This is thought to be because toxicants in sediments in the creek have reduced macroinvertebrate productivity to the point where there is insufficient food to feed a population of platypus. The toxicants are mainly heavy metals and greases which originated in industrial areas in the catchment. However the first sighting in decades occurred between Thornbury and Coburg in Sept 2010. Parks and recreation Parks Victoria manages a bit of the established parklands on the banks of the river, facilities include football & cricket ovals, tennis courts and playgrounds. The Merri Creek Trail shared pathway has been established along the banks to take advantage of the improving environment, but the path is broken at Westgarth and North Fitzroy, necessitating traversing St George's Road. Each year, at the CERES Community Environment Park, the Return of the King and Harvest Festivals are celebrated on the banks of the river. The Merri Creek Labyrinth, a circular labyrinth made of stone, is located just off the adjoining trail in Clifton Hill. Management and protection Management of the waterways of the Merri Catchment is guided by the Merri Creek and Environs Strategy 2009-2014. A 2,500-hectare park has been proposed along the banks of the creek to help protect and regenerate the riparian ecosystem. Gallery Bridges References External links Merri Creek Management Committee Friends of Merri Creek Pre-European History of Merri Creek Melbourne Water catchment Rivers of Greater Melbourne (region) Rivers of Hume (region) Tributaries of the Yarra River City of Yarra City of Merri-bek City of Darebin City of Hume City of Whittlesea