Waterways Local Update 2014-15
Melbourne Water’s work to improve waterways and provide flood protection
in the City of Maroondah.
11 km weed control along waterways
$45,750 for council to improve stormwater reuse
13 volunteers provided us with rainfall data
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:
• Dandenong Creek
• Brushy Creek
• Mullum Mullum Creek
Healthy waterways
Maintenance
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
Why
11 km weed control
Introduced and noxious weeds can choke waterways
and take over from plants which provide healthy
habitats for birds and animals
415 m3 sediment/silt removal
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
56 m3 litter/debris removal
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
Worked with Council to upgrade habitat along
Dandenong Creek
To control erosion and increase diversity of indigenous
plant species for improved animal habitat
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Stormwater
We work closely with Council and local communities to better manage stormwater to protect the environment,
provide alternative water sources and improve the stormwater that flows into local waterways.
What we have done
Why
Funded installation of raingardens in Kandra Street
Raingardens are self-watering, low maintenance
gardens designed to protect our rivers and creeks.
Raingardens capture stormwater that runs off hard
surfaces after it rains, reducing the quantity and
improving the stormwater that flows into local
waterways
Through our Living Rivers program, we have worked with Council and contributed $45,750 to projects
that assist waterway health and create sustainable stormwater management solutions in your area.
Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/livingrivers
Monitoring and research
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
one site within your area. These tests measure:
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
• 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)
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Planning for future development
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
Why
259 referrals for land subdivisions reviewed
To ensure proposed land subdivisions meet current
standards for drainage and stormwater quality
9 development applications reviewed
To make sure that growing communities don’t increase
flood risk
48 flood information requests reviewed
To provide flood information to property owners and
people interested in purchasing or redeveloping
property
17 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
5 stormwater connection applications reviewed
To ensure waterways and the plants and animals that
live there, are protected from the potential impacts of
construction works
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Flood protection
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
Why
Consulted with councils and communities to develop a
draft strategy to guide future flood management across
the Port Phillip and Westernport region
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
Flood mapping completed in Kilsyth West
To update our knowledge of flooding, better manage
drains, assess flood risks in the catchment and assist
with planning scheme overlays
Commenced a flood mitigation project at Lincoln Road
Drain (Rear of Gretel Court to Rear of Leanne
Crescent, Croydon)
To provide a greater level of flood protection and
reduce flood risk for local properties
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
13 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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Working with the community
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
$385
Stream Frontage
Management
Funding for private land owners and managers for works that
protect or enhance riverbanks, such as weed control, fencing
and planting native trees
$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
What we did
1st Croydon Scouts
Provided a Community Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Program
3rd Croydon Scouts
Provided training, materials and ongoing support for
macroinvertebrate monitoring in the Yarra River
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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