16 April 2007
WORKS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF BLIND AND KISMET CREEKS
Melbourne Water will begin work this month on a project to remove weeds from Blind and Kismet creeks in Sunbury.
Melbourne Water general manager waterways, Chris Chesterfield, said the project would complement other revegetation works done in the area.
"We will be removing trees such as willows and Desert Ash, and we will also remove other weeds such as Blackberry Boxthorn and Hawthorn and replacing them with plants that are more suitable to the local area," Mr Chesterfield said.
"Weeds such as these affect the health of rivers and creeks as they decrease the quality and variety of native plants. In particular, Desert Ash and willows can interrupt stream flows and impact on general waterway health.
"We are removing weeds from the Riddell Road to Racecourse Road section of Blind Creek, and a section of Kismet Creek upstream from Racecourse Road.
Mr Chesterfield said Hume City Council, who has been very active in projects to improve the health of Sunbury's waterways, would complete the replanting stage of the project.
"Once we complete the weed removal part of the project, Hume City Council will replant the area with native trees and shrubs to improve the appearance and health of the waterways."
Hume Mayor Cr Gary Jungwirth said, "The revegetation works along this site-which will include planting River Red Gum, Wooly Tea-tree and River Bottlebrush-will link these areas together to create a major wildlife corridor in Sunbury."
The weed removal project will commence mid-April and will be completed by the end of June. Revegetation works are scheduled to commence in late winter 2007 and are expected to be completed within 12 months.
The project is part of Melbourne Water's $30 million annual Healthy Rivers Program, which aims to protect and improve waterways around the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
Melbourne Water has recently assumed responsibility for managing waterways and drainage for the whole of the Port Phillip and Westernport region. This was a key outcome of the Victorian Government's Our Water Our Future action plan.