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Dog Walking in Frankston: Sweetwater Creek
A personal favorite dog walking location of ours is Sweetwater Creek in Frankston. This regionally significant nature reserve, of 14 hectares, extends from Baden Powell Drive to the Nepean Highway at the base of Olivers Hill. It is one of the few places left to us which shows what the surrounding country may have been like before settlement. It acts as a refuge for plants and animals and also for humans who like to spend a few quiet moments away from their urban life style.
N.B. Frankston City is one of the best places to walk dogs as virtually every park and nature reserve had receptacles for dog waste and free poopa scoop bags. There really is no excuse for not tidying up after your pet. Please scoop and don't spoil the reserve for yourself or others !
Flora
In the past century a great variety of plants flourished in the Sweetwater Creek valley. While timber cutting, development on all sides, and introduced plants have changed the character of this valley, many of the original plant species remain, and with careful management, there is every chance of their survival. There are remnants of three main vegetation communities in the reserve.
The northern tip of the reserve contains a small patch of coastal vegetation indicative of the Frankston foreshore region. Coastbanksia and boobialla are common in this area.
The remaining vegetation communities in the reserve are dominated by eucalyptus species. In the south you will find swamp gum and black wattle with a tea-tree understory. The western side of the reserve is a manna gum and peppermint forest with an understory of bracken and various wildflowers, including orchids.
Both coastal banksia and silver banksia grow in the reserve. They are variable in growth and similar in appearance, the larger trees being coastal banksia and the smaller trees silver banksia. A banksia in flower (late summer) is a good place to look for the red wattle bird.
Fauna
Unfortunately today there are few native animals to be seen in the reserve as they have been driven out because of the loss of their natural habitat or have eaten by domestic pets or foxes.
Koalas, wallabies and wombats were resident in the reserve until the 1950s but today you would be lucky to see the occasional echidna or blue tongue lizard.
Possums (ringtail and brush tail) and skinks are numerous. Snakes have rarely been seen in the reserve, but the possibility of their presence is one good reason for walking only on the tracks.
Management Issues
Pest plants are a major threat to the integrity of the bushland. Their ability to compete with and eventually replace the native vegetation cannot be underestimated. It is unfortunate that many weeds originate from seeds spread from nearby gardens. Dumping of rubbish, garden prunings and lawn clippings can also spread environmental weeds. Feral animals such as foxes, rats and cats are also a threat to the native wildlife remaining in the reserve.Special Features
The main feature of the reserve is the creek itself, which winds peacefully from the ducts under Baden Powell Drive to the twin tunnels near the start of Liddesdale Avenue.
Since 1988, the Dandenong Valley Authority straightened the creek north of Parkside Grove and down past Beattie Bridge. In 1992, further works were undertaken by Melbourne Water, when seven small dams and drop structures were built and sections of the banks and bed were rocked as part of an erosion control program.
One special feature of the creek is the tranquil scene at a place known as the Granites.
Another fine view may be seen from the seat at the top of the steep bank just in from the right of way between No. 47 and 49 Fleetwood Crescent.
Location and Access
The reserve is about one kilometre south of the Frankston Central Business District with its main entrance on Liddesdale Avenue, just off Nepean Highway opposite the boat ramp at the base of Olivers Hill.