Rapid Creek is a special place. It is Darwin's only permanent freshwater source, supports a number of important remnant vegetation communities, and has been an important cultural and sacred site for the Larrakia for many thousands of years.  In more recent years it has been cherished by Darwinians for its swimming holes, for fishing, and by so many who walk along its length and gaze over its mouth to the sea from the yellow footbridge as the sun sets.

But did you know that the health of Rapid Creek depends on the health of its catchment many kilometres away, including in the Marrara swamp?

Our beloved Rapid Creek is at risk from a housing development in its catchment, on Boulter Road in Marrara. Marrara swamp has traditionally been the main source of freshwater flowing into Rapid Creek, but cumulative development has impacted its flows. The impacts of climate change, including recent poor wet seasons, have worsened these impacts.  Fire suppression foam used on the Darwin Airport site through which Rapid Creek flows has contaminated the water with toxic PFAS chemicals. A few years ago, native vegetation in the catchment (where the houses will be built) was illegally cleared, without subsequent prosecution due to the weakness in the Territory's planning laws. Rapid Creek has never been more at risk.