Located on Murray Rd, Preston, Northland Shopping Centre is a retail hub for the surrounding suburbs. Housing a large number of various retail outlets and a large car park, Northland is a popular centre for local residents.

However, one problem that stems from this venue is its location next to the Darebin Creek and the prevalence of shopping trolleys that litter the creek that come from the centre. This causes many problems such as disruption of stream flow, destruction of the riparian vegetation, damage to wildlife habitat and erosion of the creek bed.

To combat this, a collaborative effort by the Darebin Creek Management Committee, Northland Shopping Centre and the East Preston Islamic College was initiated in 2003. The “Don't Waste Darebin Creek” campaign involved an educational component in conjunction with efforts to remove the existing litter within the vicinity.

This has improved the creek conditions somewhat, however, efforts to reduce and remove the litter entering the creek at the Northland site is continual.