Merri Merri Wayi

Background

The Merri Creek Coburg Safety Survey Report by Monash University’s XYX Lab was a critical response to growing community concerns about safety, particularly following a violent attack on a woman in 2019. The report outlines key recommendations for enhancing safety along the creek, focusing on three main areas::

  • Building communities

  • Communication & engagement

  • Infrastructure and maintenance

Importantly, community organisations and community members recognised the opportunity to build on existing work and action, as well as coming together to find new ones:

Two women kneeling on the grass examining a large map spread out on the ground, surrounded by a group of people in an outdoor setting.
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The opportunity to build on this to more comprehensively address issues such as safe spaces for women, indigenous connection, celebrating the creek through art and sculpture, rewilding, and embracing the urban food cultivation of the region as a leading example for other Australian and global communities.

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The unique values of the Merri catchment, the strong community interest and involvement that has developed around it, and the great things that Council and community organisations and individuals are already doing.

An elderly woman wearing a green sweater looks at a display table under a tent at an outdoor market. A younger woman sits at the table with brochures, leafy branches, and a red water bottle.
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The value of developing a shared vision to provide a framework within which relevant community collaborations can flourish.

Merri Merri Wayi was initiated to help the Merri Creek community feel safe, welcome and connected.