Cleaning up the Creek

Litter is a big problem for Elster Creek — it blocks drains, causes flooding, and harms wildlife. That's why we teamed up with passionate residents, expert community groups and other government partners to create the Elster Creek Litter Action Plan.

Now it's your turn to get involved and have your say on the draft Plan. Let us know if we've hit the mark, help us refine the Plan, and guide how we deliver its actions so we can create meaningful change.

Elster Creek is the primary waterway collecting rainwater from streets across Glen Eira and the neighbouring councils of Port Phillip, Bayside, and Kingston. Most of the catchment is in Glen Eira. The Creek winds through suburbs like Elsternwick, Carnegie and Bentleigh, before draining into Port Phillip Bay via the Elwood Canal.

Although much of Elster Creek runs underground, it plays a vital role in our local environment. The Creek and its wetlands are home to many native plants and animals. They provide important habitat for wildlife and help keep Port Phillip Bay healthy — a unique marine ecosystem with dolphins, seabirds, and many other species.

Learn more about the Elster Creek and the collaborative work we're already doing to protect it.

Litter causes lots of issues for our environment, especially in the Creek.

Litter can poison soil and water. Wildlife can get tangled in or eat it, which can injure or kill them. This directly harms the native plants and animals that rely on the Creek, its wetlands and Port Phillip Bay to survive.

Litter also blocks drains and makes flooding worse. As our weather changes and climate change brings more frequent and heavier rainfall, it’s even more important to keep our drains and waterways clear.

Learn more about litter and how we can take action together.

Across the catchment, councils and partners are already working together to tackle litter and protect Elster Creek.

From community clean-ups and education programs to infrastructure upgrades and data collection, this work is laying the foundation for long-term change.

The draft Elster Creek Litter Action Plan builds on these efforts and marks the next step in our shared journey. It reflects the voices of local residents, community groups and environmental advocates, and sets the stage for ongoing collaboration.

It's also linked to our broader work in waterways and flooding, including Glen Eira City Council's Integrated Water Management Plan.

Together, we can create cleaner, safer spaces and a healthier environment for people, plants and animals to thrive.

Read the draft Plan.

A collaborative plan for action

The draft Elster Creek Litter Action Plan sets out a clear and practical roadmap to reduce litter across the catchment.

It focuses on education and behaviour change, improving infrastructure like bins and stormwater devices, and supporting community clean-ups.

The Plan also includes actions to collect data, monitor progress, and promote reuse through circular economy programs.

It encourages collaboration with residents and community groups and includes advocacy to strengthen state-wide litter policies and support long-term change.

Key community-led actions in the Plan include:

  • Targeted clean-up events in litter hotspot areas, supported by Council and community volunteers.
  • Programs delivered in schools and community centres to raise awareness about litter and waste.
  • Citizen science initiatives to monitor litter types and locations, helping us collect better data.
  • Support for circular economy programs, including repair cafés and reuse workshops.
  • Opportunities for residents to co-lead new litter reduction projects, with Council and partner support.
  • Education activities to help people change their waste and litter habits.

These steps will help us keep Elster Creek and our neighbourhoods cleaner, safer, and better for people and wildlife — creating more enjoyable public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Get involved

Mark the map

Survey

Take action today

You don’t have to wait for the Plan to be finalised to make a difference. There are simple actions you can take today to help reduce litter and protect our waterways:

  • Join a local clean-up event or organise your own with friends or neighbours. Find local clean up events via Love Our Street clean up groups with events listed in the calendar.
  • Learn more about litter, waste and recycling through our programs and resources.
  • Reduce your own waste by choosing reusable items and avoiding single-use plastics.
  • Visit a Repair Café to fix broken items instead of throwing them away.
  • Share what you learn with others — every conversation helps build a cleaner, more caring community.
  • Sign up to our Sustainability e-newsletter to stay up to date and find out about upcoming events and programs like community clean-ups.
  • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and information.

If you're passionate about protecting Elster Creek, we'd love to hear from you. Join our community panel and help guide the delivery of the Plan. To express your interest, email enviro@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Small actions make a big difference. By stopping litter before it becomes a problem — whether that’s picking up rubbish, choosing reusable items, or spreading the word — you’re helping protect Elster Creek and the wildlife that depends on it.

Change starts with us, and it starts now.