The Koolunga Native Reserve Future Directions Plan includes the following action (1.9)

Engage with Melbourne Water and strongly encourage Melbourne Water to undertake community engagement on the renaming of the watercourse currently known as Forest Road Drain.

Melbourne Water have recently written to residents surrounding the location to inform them of a proposal to rename Forest Road Drain to Wayut Creek. We are sharing this information below. All questions and feedback should be directed to Melbourne Water as Council do not have a formal role to play in the project.

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This name change was initially proposed by a local community group within the area, the Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve. Melbourne Water supports the group’s suggestion, as updating the name of the waterway is more reflective of environmental and cultural values. The waterway connects downstream with Blind Creek and broadly follows the alignment of a historic stream. Melbourne Water also hope this initiative will contribute to provide greater recognition of the local waterways in your community, through the use of names that reflect the natural environment and traditional owner cultural values.

Melbourne Water has engaged with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWWCHAC) to determine possible indigenous language names to support the cultural site values. WWWCHAC have approved the use of Wayut Creek. Wayut meaning Stringybark in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language and represented by the many Wayut (Stringybark) trees around the waterway and in local bushland reserves.

If you have any questions regarding these changes please contact Melbourne Water via email

renaming@melbournewater.com.au by Monday 8 January 2024.