HINTERLAND CREEK NAMED AFTER NATIVE FAUNA

A creek at Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland has been officially named after short-beaked echidnas that live in the area.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the department had been approached by Maroochy Water Watch Inc to officially name the waterway.

“After a two-month public consultation process, there is unanimous support for the name ‘Echidna Creek’,” Mr Wallace said.

Echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), or spiny ant eaters as they are sometimes known, are familiar to most Australians. They are one of only three monotreme species, or egg-laying mammals, in the world.

Echidna Creek is a well-defined water course, running for about 3.5 kilometres from its headwaters on the eastern side of the Blackall Range. The creek eventually joins with the South Maroochy River.

“The proposal to officially name the creek was put forward in 2000, when a group of local residents met to discuss a grant to rehabilitate and revegetate the degraded stream,” Mr Wallace said.

“The grant application was successful and in 2001, more than 18, 000 trees were planted as part of the Healthy Waterways Project.”

The Department of Natural Resources and Water administers the Place Names Act 1994, which officially controls the naming of localities, suburbs and geographical features in local government areas.

Electronic photographs available on request.

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office on (07) 3896 3694.