Improving Dandenong Creek and Dandenong North Drain – a Healthy Waterways Initiative
The Waterways Alliance on behalf of Melbourne Water is completing a three year project to improve Dandenong North Drain and Dandenong Creek in Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill, Scoresby, Rowville and Dandenong.
The project involves weed control and planting over 14,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses to improve the environmental health of 12 kilometres of waterway creating a better habitat for native birds, frogs and fish.
What are we doing and when?
The project involves works to improve the following five sections of the Dandenong Creek and Dandenong North Drain:
- Dandenong Creek along Glen Waverley Golf Course (Melway reference 71:K3 to 72:A5)
- Dandenong Creek within Jells Park (Melway reference 72:A6 to 72:B10)
- Dandenong Creek within Tirhatuan Park and along Tirhatuan Golf Course (Melway reference 81:E6 to 81:G9)
- Dandenong Creek from Stud Road to the Monash Freeway (Melway reference 81:G9 to 90:J1)
- Dandenong North Drain (Melway Reference 90:G2 to 90:H6)
Works beginning in late 2011 will remove exotic trees and plants growing along the creek and drain that are considered environmental weeds in Victoria. Target species to be removed include Willow, Blackberry, Desert Ash and Boxthorn will start this week.
Replacement planting with over 14,000 locally native trees, shrubs and grasses will take place in mid 2012 when weather conditions are suitable.
We will maintain the project areas for two years following planting to support the new vegetation and to control weeds growing back over time.
Why remove willows and other exotic trees?
Willow trees, desert ash, blackberry and other species targeted in this project are considered environmental weeds in Victoria and there are strong environmental reasons for their removal.
Many of these weeds are highly invasive and can smother other species, suppressing natural regeneration and leading to a lack of diversity of habitat and vegetation.
Willows in particular pose a serious threat to our waterways. Their characteristic dense canopy, invasive roots and heavy leaf fall can smother our creeks and lead to reduced habitat and food for fish, as well as poor water quality and flow.
Replacing invasive non-indigenous vegetation with native plants will, in time, help to improve the environmental health of the area, foster biodiversity and create a better habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife.
Will access to trails along the creek be impacted by the project?
Sections of the shared trail that runs alongside the project area at Tirhatuan Park will be temporarily disrupted at times during tree removal works to ensure the safety of our work crews and the community. All path disruptions will however be minimised and signage will be used to inform path users of any temporary changes to conditions.
Contact us
For more information about the project call the Waterways Alliance on 9287 7334 or contact us online.