Platypus-spotting in the Petrie

“Sometimes you do need patience” - Jean Dunning. Platypus spotting is a magical part of Petrie Creek in Nambour - the chance of sighting the unique, semi- aquatic, egg-laying, Australian mammal, the platypus!

by Rebecca Mugridge

In Nambour you have the chance of sighting the unique, semi- aquatic, egg-laying, Australian mammal, the platypus! The presence of these unusual creatures in a river that runs through a busy town, is an exciting one.

Nambour local, Jean Dunning, is a photographer who has been able to capture the Nambour platypus in stunning photographs.

The trick, she says, is to have a little patience.

“Sometimes you do need patience as the platypus are not always out and about. From Carter Road/Arundel Roundabout area I have seen up to four platypus during mating season.

“I take photos of wildlife every day. My husband retired about three years ago and we go out and about taking in our beautiful surroundings, platypus-spotting a few times a week,” says Jean, who also explains that a current threat to platypus is yabby traps.

“Neil Andison (the Platypus Whisperer from Maleny) is trying to raise awareness.

Unfortunately, once a platypus gets inside, it is trapped and dies quickly. They are mammals and must reach the surface of the creek within four minutes. Being trapped under water in the yabby traps kills them.”

Keeping the platypus alive and breeding in Nambour is a combined effort. From public volunteers to community and environmental groups and the Sunshine Coast Council.

Trevor Morrison is the Community Engagement and Education Officer from ECOllaboration, an environmental not-for-profit organisation that has been on the Sunshine Coast for 30 years.

“While Maleny has always held a strong reputation for platypus, Nambour is more of a local secret and is blessed with a healthy population of platypuses,” Trevor shares.

“Recently we identified six unique platypuses in a 60-minute survey using only three locations along Petrie Creek, so we can assume that there would be plenty more that went under our radar.

“I think Nambour is very underrated for its environmental diversity in general, but the platypus is perhaps our most iconic species, therefore raising awareness about its prevalence in the Nambour (and Sunshine Coast) region is a really important part of what ECOllaboration does.”

And awareness is crucial when human impact can harm the platypus.

“In my opinion, the two largest issues are pollution and habitat destruction, the latter usually stemming from urban development and damage to the riparian zone along creek banks.”

They hope to change this by involving the community more. “On behalf of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) we are hosting a World Environment Day, Platypus Conservation Walk on Saturday June 10 which finishes with some creekside planting through the assistance of Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) and Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group (PCCCG).

“I believe that people are far more inclined to protect something that they have an emotional connection to, which is easy to generate once you see a platypus in Petrie Creek!” Trevor encourages public involvement. “We recently had a witness report an accidental pollutant reaching Petrie Creek near a major platypus hotspot and SCC were extremely prompt in addressing it.”

The public also helps with the platypus counts. “Our platypus surveys are vital for two reasons: community engagement and data.,” explains Trevor.

Jamie Slaven from Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group (PCCCG) says sightings in Nambour have increased.

“There have been many sightings over the years, however, in the last few years they have been regularly sighted in a few sections of the creek in Nambour.”

Jamie says the main spotting is from Arundel Avenue through to Currie Street. “The old weir from the Sugar Mill days provides favourable conditions.

“The platypus have burrows in the bank of the creek where they retreat to during the day, so it is important to ensure the creek banks are stable to maintain the burrows.”

PCCCG was established in 1998 by concerned locals over the state of Petrie Creek, Jamie says, “For many years PCCCG has been involved in a partnership with SCC to restore parts of Petrie Creek.

“The Council BushCare program includes the site near the Model Railway Park in Nambour, which is close to the location where the platypus are regularly seen. BushCare site Gulung Gung is east of Quota Park in the area behind Aldi and Nambour State College.

“These areas involve weed removal and [planting] lots of local native plants, grown and supplied by the PCCCG’s Florabunda BushCare Nursery.”

Florabunda BushCare co-ordinator, Suzie Pearce, says, “The nursery Florabunda BushCare began in 2002 to provide local native plants. Over the last 25 years there have been a range of projects along the creek involving landholders, other environmental groups, community jobs programs, correctional services and Sunshine Coast Council.”

Norm Morwood coordinates three BushCare groups that are in partnership with SCC and PCCCG. “Personally, I find it the most interesting thing I’ve done in my life,” Norm says.

“It also keeps me active, physically and mentally, and all aspects seem to be very rewarding. I moved to Woombye in 2007 after a career in Mining Engineering at various places throughout Australia. That included time in restoration of environmental damage by mines, as well as developing mining techniques to ensure minimal environmental damage.”

Norm says Nambour is a rich wildlife area. “We regularly record the number of individual species of birds at one of our BushCare Sites, Florabunda Pocket in Woombye.” “We normally record up to, and a bit over 40 different species during our two-hour activity!”

Trevor continues, “If you want to learn more about platypus spotting get in touch with ECOllaboration. I could potentially host an additional community information session.

“We also conduct school field trips and incursions, so if you are a teacher who wants to learn more about raising environmental awareness for your students, please contact us.

“If you live closer to Maleny, Neil Andison has been studying platypuses for many years and, through his Platypus Whispers business, conducts formal platypus tours in Obi Obi Creek, Maleny.

“Our Protect the Petrie Creek Platypus campaign will be kicking off soon, and people will be able to ‘Adopt a Platypus’ or buy rubbish bin stickers to raise awareness and funding.”

And perhaps the burning question many of us want to know is, is more than one platypus a platypi?! “This one always comes up, so read the following if you want to sound smart at the next trivia event...” says Trevor.

“Platypus is a Greek term (platys = flat, and pous = foot) so the correct plural in Greek grammatical form is either ‘platypuses’ or ‘platypodes’.

"’Platypus’ is also a commonly used, and accepted, plural term. Despite ongoing use, "platypi" is actually incorrect, as that is a Latin plural method, not Greek.”

Join in the magic of PLATYPUS

• Register your interest with ECOllaboration (trevor@ecollaboration.org.au)

• Join World Environment Day "Platypus Conservation Walk" on Saturday June 10

• Volunteer with Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group (PCCCG)

• Join Facebook group Platypus Watch Friends Sunshine Coast

• Visit Florabunda Bushcare Community Nursery https://florabundabushcare.wordpress.com/

• Volunteer at a local BushCare group Join a BushCare community group (sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au)

• Join the Citizen Science Monitoring and help record data on platypus