Muswellbrook Shire Council with the support of local community groups and volunteers is returning Muscle Creek to its former glory, but we need your support to keep this work continuing. Contact Council’s Sustainability Unit to find out more or to book an activity for National Tree Day or at other times throughout the year.

Follow us on Facebook at Sustainable Futures – Muswellbrook.

The aim of our work on Muscle Creek is to improve the environmental and recreational values of an important waterway. Having this waterway so accessible to residents provides a great opportunity for community members to enjoy and learn about its environmental and historical assets.

Muscle Creek, named for the freshwater mussels that were once abundant, is a meandering waterway that runs through Muswellbrook. Over the years of urbanisation, weeds and litter had taken over to the point where the creek and its beauty had been forgotten.

Signs at either end of the walking path describe the history of the name Muscle Creek and a local Aboriginal Elder’s perspective.

"If you want to know about river health, ask the frogs and fishes."

Aunty Bev (Van Vliet), Local Aboriginal Elder

Our work has improved habitat and connectivity for threatened and endangered species as well as engaged the community and improved their understanding of the importance of the health of riparian ecosystems.

Given the area’s mature Red River Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Muscle Creek is important in helping protect the Hunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland, which is an endangered ecological community.

Walking Paths and Nature Trails along Muscle Creek

Explore Muscle Creek using the pathways provided. Stop in at the nature trails that will put you in touch with this waterway. The walking path is 1.2 km from Simpson Park to Bell Street. You can travel the whole distance or start near the Platypus Track.

The Haydon and Gyarran Street nature trails include stepping stone creek crossings, which allow users to cross the creek without blocking fish passage. The Platypus Track starts from the Olympic Park carpark on Wilkinson Avenue and runs for 190m behind the Muswellbrook Aquatic Centre.

Gyarran and Haydon Street nature trails have steps while the Platypus Track is more accessible.

While you’re out exploring Muscle Creek and your local environment, discover the signage and other features.

  • Test Yourself signage has been installed along Muscle Creek. The idea is to start at Simpson Park and follow the stations 1 to 5. At each station complete the exercise and ask the question. Move to the next station to find the answer!
  • Local bird species signs encourage you to take note of what species you see each time you walk.
  • 10 000 steps signs are in place to encourage you to consider walking to certain destinations around town.

Regeneration

Up to the end of 2022, over 11 hectares of weeds have been removed from the creek and more than 19 000 native plants have replaced them. Large non-native weed trees such as Privet and Palms have been removed. This work improves instream and creek bank habitat, allows easier access for recreation, filters pollutants and helps reduce erosion.

Project Area 90 000 m2 – 2km in length
Number of plantings 19,000 plants
Area weeded 48,480 m2
Volunteer hours 450 hours

Support

Community Involvement

Without the support of the community, the works undertaken along Muscle Creek would not have been possible.

Muscle Creek Landcare, Muswellbrook Girl Guides, 2nd Muswellbrook Scout Group and local community members have volunteered their time over many years planting numerous native plants and removing weeds and rubbish. Their close involvement and interest in the waterway have seen the vegetation progressively improve.

Volunteers and Council staff collect local native seeds at the Sustainability Hub that are used to grow plants at their nursery. These plants are then used to replace exotic weeds along Muscle Creek.

Work on Muscle Creek continues. And Council needs the community’s support to continue to improve this asset.

Want to get involved?

Contact us to ask how you can be involved in future natural area improvements and sustainability initiatives, or contact Sustainable Futures – Muswellbrook on Facebook.

NSW Environmental Trust

A grant from the New South Wales Environmental Trust helped fund the Club to Club project from 2016 to 2019, which helped rehabilitate the urban riparian zone between the Muswellbrook Golf Club and the Muswellbrook Workers Club.

More grants from 2019 to 2022 through the Environmental Trust have funded rehabilitation projects along Muscle Creek.

NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trusts

A Habitat Action Grant from the NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trusts helped fund the Haydon Street Nature Trail in 2017.

Another Habitat Action Grant in 2019 helped fund more rehabilitation works between the Muswellbrook Golf Club and Muscle Creek.

Page last updated: 16 March 2023 | 5:56 pm