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Improving Merri Creek Between Bell Street in Coburg and the Yarra River in Fairfield – a Healthy Waterways Initiative

Map showing the areas to be rehabilitated along the Merri Creek.

The Waterways Alliance, on behalf of Melbourne Water, is completing a three year project to rehabilitate a 4.2 km stretch of the Merri Creek between Bell Street in Coburg and the Yarra River in Fairfield.

Invasive weeds including willow trees, desert ash and blackberry will be removed and replaced with around 5,000 native trees, shrubs and aquatic plants.

In time, the project will help improve water quality and increase local numbers of native fish, platypus and birds.

What are we doing and when?

Waterways Alliance crews will start weed control works in December 2010 in preparation for tree removal in the early months of 2011.

Replacement planting with indigenous trees and shrubs will take place in mid 2011 when weather conditions are suitable. In total 5,000 native plants will be planted.

We will maintain the project area 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.

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 all non-indigenous vegetation be removed?

Not all non-indigenous vegetation will be removed as part of this project. There are a number of areas within the project extent, where existing non-indigenous vegetation will be retained to protect social and ecological values.

Project maps highlighting vegetation to be removed, non-indigenous vegetation to be retained and zones to be revegetated are available for the following areas:

Will traffic along the Merri Creek Trail be impacted by the project?

Sections of the shared Merri Creek Trail will be temporarily detoured at times during the tree removal works in 2011 to ensure the safety of our work crews and the community. Pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to access the path between the below listed diversion points while tree removal is taking place. Tree removal works will commence at Bell Street during the week beginning 15 March 2011 and gradually move down stream.

All path disruptions will be well signed and will only occur during off-peak times between 8.30am-3:00pm Monday to Friday to minimise inconvenience to path users.

There will be increased vehicle movements coming and going from the area. Please be mindful of the extra traffic and take note of detour routes and any changed road conditions.

Bell Street to Harding Street, Coburg

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Merri Creek trail will be detoured between Bell Street and Harding Street via Harding Street and Nicholson Street. The Bell Street underpass will also be closed during tree removal works. Cyclists and pedestrians should use the pedestrian traffic lights at the intersection of Nicholson and Bell Streets to safely cross Bell Street.

There will be heavy vehicle access into the parkland adjoining Merri Creek at Edna Grove. The Edna Grove entrance to the parkland will be closed for the duration of works.

Parkview Avenue to Blyth Street, Brunswick

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Merri Creek trail will be detoured between Kingfisher Gardens and Blyth Street via Ceres. This detour follows the existing signed detour route used when flood waters are affecting the Merri Creek trail.

There will be heavy vehicle access into the parkland adjoining Merri Creek at Kingfisher Gardens.

Sumner Park, Brunswick

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Merri Creek trail will be detoured though the middle of the Sumner Park soccer pitch.

There will be heavy vehicle access into the parkland adjoining Merri Creek at Alister Street.

Sumner Park to Willowbank Road, Brunswick

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Merri Creek trail will be detoured between Sumner Park and Willowbank Road via Alister St and Willow Bank Road. Between Willow Bank Road and the Merri Creek trail cyclists and pedestrians will need to use the levee bank stairs and existing crushed rock path that connects with the Merri Creek trail.

There will be heavy vehicle access into the parkland adjoining Merri Creek at Alister Street.

Rear of Merri Creek Primary School to Bundara Street, Fitzroy North

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the Merri Creek trail will be detoured between the rear of Merri Creek Primary School and Bundara Street via the timber ramp and St Georges Road. The path from the end of Bundara St and the St Georges Road tram stop will remain open during the works.

There will be heavy vehicle access into the parkland adjoining Merri Creek at Bundara Street.

Contact us

For more information about the project call the Waterways Alliance on 9235 1409 or contact us online.