While Mr Cox, who is president of the Bendigo branch of the National Trust of Australia, welcomed the City of Greater Bendigo's Re-imagining Bendigo Creek Plan, he said the historic and heritage aspects will be an ongoing issue.

The council's plan has bought together eight stakeholder groups to change people's perception of the creek and embrace a shared vision.

RELATED: Bendigo Creek's future re-imagined by council project

Mr Cox led a group of people down the creek from Golden Square to Weeroona on Sunday as part of a National Trust Bendigo event.

Along the way he highlighted the many heritage aspects of the creek.

"Along the creek there is sandstone walls and some of the drain entrances are horseshoe shape with hand-made bluestone bricks," he said. "The bluestone is heritage listed. So there's restrictions on what can be done but that's not to say you can't do it. That's where the technological development is important."

Mr Cox said council's consultation would be an important aspect of the plan.

"Council has got a wide consultation process happening about Bendigo Creek but to really get it moving and people interested I believe council need to be doing one important thing that adds to a productive use of the creek," he said. "So everybody gets a benefit but with respect to the heritage. That aspect is very important."

Chair of the Re-imagining Bendigo Creek steering committee Councillor James Williams said the creek is a complex environment but one full of opportunity.

"We have an important opportunity to consider potential solutions to help restore and revitalise Bendigo Creek so that it is a cherished place within our city landscape, where the community and visitors can come together and celebrate the creek's unique natural environment and heritage," he said.

The draft Re-imagining Bendigo Creek Plan is expected to be ready by the end of the year with an opportunity for community input.

Mr Cox said the idea of a completed off-road cycle-walking path from Crusoe to Epsom would engage the community.

"Once you hit Golden Square, you go into the streets. By entering the creek bed at Golden Square and coming up at Lake Weeroona, where pathway to Epsom restarts, you have a continuous walking and cycling path from Crusoe all the way to Epsom. It would be fantastic," he said.

"(Heritage) will be an ongoing issue but I'm sure there is a technological solution to how do we put a pathway down that respects the heritage. That's what (council's) investigation and consultation needs to address."

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.