Glen Eira leads the Elster Creek Litter Collaboration (ECLC) in response to community groups' concerns about litter.
Elster Creek Litter Collaboration
What is the Elster Creek Litter Collaboration?
The Elster Creek Litter Collaboration (ECLC) is a joint initiative formed in response to community concerns about litter entering the Elwood Main Drain and flowing into Port Phillip Bay. It brings together:
- Glen Eira City Council
- Melbourne Water
- EPA Victoria
- Bayside City Council
- City of Port Phillip
Together, these partners are working to reduce litter at its source through education, infrastructure improvements, and coordinated action.
What does the ECLC do?
The collaboration focuses on:
- Preventing litter from entering stormwater drains
- Protecting waterway health and Port Phillip Bay
- Supporting regional partnerships across councils
- Aligning with broader environmental goals like flood management, biodiversity, and water quality
The ECLC is also working closely with the Elster Creek Catchment Collaboration, the group behind the Elster Creek Flood Management Plan, to ensure litter reduction is part of wider catchment planning.
Why Glen Eira?
The Elster Creek catchment spans 40 square kilometres across four councils, with Glen Eira contributing the largest drainage area. This means litter from Glen Eira’s streets and stormwater systems has a direct impact on the health of Elster Creek and downstream environments.
A hidden waterway with a rich history
Elster Creek is mostly hidden from view in Glen Eira, flowing through underground drains beneath roads and footpaths before emerging at Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve and continuing as the Elwood Canal.
Historically, the Creek ran through natural wetlands and open channels. Over time, urban development led to the redirection of the creek to underground drains, not maintained by Melbourne Water. Today, much of the waterway is hidden from view, but its importance to the health of our Council remains significant.
Learn more:
The Elster Creek Litter Action Plan
To ensure Glen Eira and the other members of the ECLC continue to take litter management seriously, we are developing the Elster Creek Litter Action Plan which will guide litter-related projects for the next five years. This plan will include:
- Targets to prevent litter through education, enforcement and engagement
- Support for volunteer and Council-led clean-up initiatives
- Review of existing litter services to guide future infrastructure upgrades
By working with ECLC partners, we aim to reduce litter flowing into Port Phillip Bay and protect the catchment for future generations .
