Waterways Local Update 2014-15
Melbourne Water’s work to improve waterways and provide flood protection
in the Shire of Macedon Ranges.
14 km trees planted along waterways
20 volunteers provided us with rainfall data
$562,411 in community funding
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:
• Monument Creek
• Riddells Creek
• Jacksons Creek
• Boyd Creek
• Emu Creek
• Toolern Creek
• Deep Creek
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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
14 km revegetation
We plant native trees and shrubs along waterways to
provide habitat for birds and animals. Revegetating
waterways also
helps prevent them from erosion
40 km weed control
Introduced and noxious weeds can choke waterways
and take over from plants which provide healthy
habitats for birds and animals
9 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
15 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
Undertook work on Deep Creek to enhance
habitat for the endangered Yarra Pygmy Perch
Fish need certain plant species to survive. We have
replaced large woody weeds with species that
encourage breeding and feeding
Undertook an investigation on the values
and threats to Cobaw State Forest
Helps inform our future works to maintain and protect
the waterways within the Forest
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Environmental water
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
Why
Worked with Council, Environmental Protection
Agency, the Department of Land, Water and Planning,
Southern Rural Water and Western Water to plan
stormwater and wastewater treatments
Stormwater pollution is the biggest threat to our rivers
and creeks. By working with others, we can identify
how to best manage the health of the Maribyrnong
River and improve water quality
Worked with the Victorian Environmental Water
Holder, licenced diverters and Southern Rural Water to
deliver environmental flows to the Maribrynong River
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 in the Maribyrnong River and Jacksons
Creek
As part of our Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
Program we investigated the role of groundwater
on Jacksons Creek
During drought conditions, groundwater provides an
important water source to many ecosystems. This work
helps us understand potential threats to Jacksons
Creek and how we best manage it
Worked with the Department of Environment,
Land, Water and Planning to understand how
animals and plants within Deep Creek survive
during drought conditions
Improving our knowledge of drought refuges for
animals helps us understand the locations in your area
that provide habitat for important species during dry
conditions and how we can best manage them
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
four sites 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
80 referrals for land subdivisions reviewed
To ensure proposed land subdivisions meet current
standards for drainage and stormwater quality
16 development applications reviewed
To make sure that growing communities don’t increase
flood risk
12 flood information requests reviewed
To provide flood information to property owners and
people interested in purchasing or redeveloping
property
7 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
12 stormwater connection applications reviewed
To ensure waterways and the plants and animals that
live there, are protected from the potential impacts of
construction works
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 seven 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 at Deep Creek
To update our knowledge of flooding, better manage
drains, assess flood risks in the catchment and assist
with planning scheme overlays
20 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
$456,632
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
$4,903
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
$12,809
Corridors of Green
Funding for councils and public land managers for projects such
as weed control, fencing and creating management plans
$88,067
Rural Land
Program
Funding for landholders in specific catchments for projects that
reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients entering waterways
from agricultural land
Throughout the year we also worked with the local community on several events and initiatives.
Who we worked with
What we did
Newham Landcare
Provided training and support for water quality
monitoring including field visits, equipment
maintenance and quality control exercises
Greening of Riddell
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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