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Melbourne Water is responsible for 8,400 km of rivers and creeks, 428 wetland treatment systems and more than
1,400 km of regional drainage systems in the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
This work is funded by the Waterways and Drainage Charge, which is paid by property owners and collected by water retailers on our behalf.
Within your local area, Melbourne Water cares for the following waterways:
• Yarra River
• Maribyrnong River
• Moonee Ponds Creek
Each year we create and maintain healthy waterways by removing litter, debris and excess sediment.
We remove and spray weeds, cut grass and plant native trees and shrubs.
What we have done
2 km weed control
165 m 3 sediment/silt removal
134 m 3 litter/debris removal
Why
Introduced and noxious weeds can choke waterways and take over from plants which provide healthy habitats for birds and animals
Silt and sediment is removed for drainage and flood protection and to prevent pollution building up in our waterways. Excess silt and sediment in waterways and wetlands can also impact on habitat for native plants and animals
Litter can have devastating consequences for native animals and plants living in waterways. Debris such a leaves and grass cuttings can restrict the flow of water causing a flooding risk and changing the habitat for platypus and fish
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We work with government agencies, councils, industries, landowners and the community to provide the allocated water needed in rivers to maintain healthy natural ecosystems.
What we have done
Worked with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder to deliver three environmental water flows to the Yarra
River
Why
Releasing water from upstream storages mimics flows that would naturally be there without the river being dammed. This improves water quality and habitat for native wildlife
We regularly undertake extensive monitoring, investigations and research to help us better understand how we can improve local waterways.
What we have done Why
Undertook monthly water quality monitoring at two sites within your area. These tests measure:
• water temperature
• dissolved oxygen
• salinity (conductivity)
• pH level
• nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Kjeldahl nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus)
• indicators of faecal contamination (E. coli)
• metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc)
Conducted our Long Term Sediment Quality
Monitoring Program in Moonee Ponds Creek,
Chinaman Creek and Yarra River Estuary
Our water quality monitoring program is designed to assess broad-scale, long-term trends in water quality
(typically over eight to 10 years). We use this data to help identify pollution sources and inform the community about local water quality
Improves our knowledge of contaminants and guides our management of the waterway
We plan for future development to ensure growing communities do not threaten local waterways.
We also advise and assist new developments to ensure they do not increase flood risk.
What we have done
119 referrals for land subdivisions reviewed
35 development applications reviewed
Why
To ensure proposed land subdivisions meet current standards for drainage and stormwater quality
To make sure that growing communit ies don’t increase flood risk
106 flood information requests reviewed
26 applications for works near Melbourne Water assets and works such as bridges, shared pathways and jetties reviewed
To ensure waterways, and the plants and animals that live there, are protected from the potential impacts of building works
3 stormwater connection applications reviewed
To provide flood information to property owners and people interested in purchasing or redeveloping property
To ensure waterways and the plants and animals that live there, are protected from the potential impacts of construction works
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While floods are natural and we can’t stop them all from occurring, we aim to minimise the damage they cause to people, places and communities.
We manage the regional drainage system and work with Council, the Victorian State Emergency Service, the
Bureau of Meteorology, property owners and developers to make sure flood information is up to date, provide flood warning services, and prepare flood response plans. We also identify and construct new flood protection projects in areas with the greatest need.
What we have done
Consulted with councils and communities to develop a draft strategy to guide future flood management across the Port Phillip and Westernport region
Why
Although we cannot prevent floods from occurring, we can work together to manage the risks and minimise the damage and disruption they cause to people, places and communities
We operate and maintain two monitoring stations in your area to collect real-time information such as rainfall and water levels
This data helps us understand rainfall patterns, plan responses to droughts and floods and make sure rivers and creeks have enough water to support local wildlife
Worked with Council on a flood mapping and mitigation project for the Elizabeth Street Main Drain
To update our knowledge of flooding, better manage drains, assess flood risks in catchments and assist with planning scheme overlays
Worked with relevant authorities and Council on the
Melbourne Metro Rail Project and City Tullamarine
Freeway widening
Flood mapping completed for Maribyrnong River
(from Dynon Rd to Yarra River)
To ensure proposed works will not impact the floodplain and overland flow paths
To update our knowledge of flooding, better manage drains, assess flood risks in the catchment and assist with planning scheme overlays
Met with Council and the State Emergency Service to review implementation of the Flood Management plan
To ensure on-going coordination and collaboration in managing flood risks
Two volunteers in your area provide us with rainfall data by recording information from a rain gauge in their backyard. These figures, together with data from our automated gauges, provides us with valuable rainfall information.
Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/communityrainreaders
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The involvement of community groups, volunteers, land managers and farmers supports our management of local waterways and regional drainage systems. If you’d like more information about funding opportunities please call
131 722 or email river.health@melbournewater.com.au
Funding provided Grant
$1,100 Community Grants Funding for volunteer and community groups for works that protect or enhance riverbanks on public land and raise awareness, training and education to protect local waterways
Throughout the year we also worked with the local community on several events and initiatives.
Who we worked with
Friends of Royal Park
Friends of Westgate Park
What we did
In partnership with Merri Creek Management
Committee we provided training and support for water quality monitoring including field visits, equipment maintenance and quality control exercises
Department of Environment, Land, Water and
Planning, Artist Peter Day, Federation Square, Yarra
River Keepers, Parks Victoria
Supported the public art exhibition of the Yarra River
Sculpture and celebration event for the Life of the Yarra program
Waterwatch is a citizen science program that encourages communities to monitor platypus, frogs and waterbugs as well as the water quality of their local river or creeks. We empower our volunteers to collect data, protect the waterways environment and share their knowledge.
Visit melbournewater.com.au/waterwatch or call 131 722 to find out more.
ISSN: 1837-1663 (Print) ISSN: 1838-2428 (Online)
Copyright © Melbourne Water Corporation July 2015
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