Creek clean-up to give platypuses a helping hand

Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group volunteers in action.

NAMBOUR residents can give Petrie Creek’s platypuses a cleaner and safer home when the community marks the arrival of spring with a major creek clean-up.

Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group will join Clean Up Australia’s Great Spring Clean Up on Saturday, September 12, targeting rubbish along the creek through Nambour during the platypus breeding period. This clean-up is separate from the Nambour Big Spring Clean, which focuses on the town centre and takes place the following day, Sunday, September 13 (see this paper for details).

Group representative Jamie Slaven said breeding activity made the clean-up particularly timely.

“This is particularly important with Platypus breeding season and their increased activity in the creek,” Mr Slaven said.

Discarded fishing line, elastic bands, cable ties, rubber bands and containers can entangle platypuses and other wildlife, causing severe injuries, infections and death. Mr Slaven said rubbish could also damage habitat and affect the aquatic fauna on which platypuses feed, while waste carried downstream could enter the Maroochy River.

The clean-up comes as citizen scientists continue monitoring platypuses across Petrie Creek and other hinterland waterways through Ecollaboration’s PlatyTracker program. Previous surveys and regular sightings indicate the Maroochy catchment supports a significant platypus population, although more long-term data is needed to understand its numbers and movements.

Volunteers will meet at the large barbecue shelter in Quota Park from 7am, with the clean-up finishing at 10am.

“This is a family-friendly event and you can stay for as short or long as you like,” Mr Slaven said.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves and sun protection. Gloves will also be available, along with rubbish bags, and morning tea refreshments will be provided.

“It is a great way to help clean up our creek and protect our native wildlife,” Mr Slaven said.

Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group Inc would like to thank Sunshine Coast Council for their support of our Great Spring Clean Up by assisting them with the rubbish removal.  For more information, contact Jamie Slaven on 0432 567 603.