13 January 2011
$600,000 Upgrade for Dandenong Creek
Work has started on a project to improve a section of the Dandenong Creek next to the new Dandenong Valley Wetland.
The $600,000 project will remove weeds along a 2.7 kilometre stretch on both sides of the creek in Scoresby and Wheelers Hill.
Manager of Waterways for the South East Region, David Norman, said the weeds between Wellington Road and Ferntree Gully Road would be replaced by 22,000 native plants.
“The project will help native vegetation to thrive and significantly improve the health of the Dandenong Creek,” Mr Norman said.
“Controlling weeds will allow native plants such as gum trees, wattles and tea tree to regenerate, and create a better living environment for wildlife along the creek.
“Weeds including Blackberry, Gorse and Willow will be removed. The dense canopy of willows, invasive roots and heavy leaf fall, can smother our waterways and lead to less habitat and food for fish and platypus.
“Weeds can also lead to poor water quality and flow.”
Mr Norman said the Dandenong Creek upgrade is being funded by the Waterways and Drainage Charge that people pay as part of their water bills.
“The project is part of Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways program to ensure that our rivers, creeks and wetlands are in good shape, with more native plants and animals.
“Our rivers, creeks and wetlands attract more than 100 million visitors each year for recreational activities such as walking the dog and riding a bike, and help to make Melbourne a more liveable city.”
The works are being undertaken by the Waterways Alliance – a partnership between Melbourne Water, Ecodynamics, Fulton Hogan and SMEC.
Monash and Knox Councils, Parks Victoria and the Friends of Dandenong Valley Parklands are supporting the upgrade.
The project will complement the benefits created by the new Dandenong Valley Wetland completed in mid-2010, which is the biggest man-made wetland in Victoria.
The 1.6 million plants in the wetland will soak up pollutants in stormwater and also play an important role in improving the health of Dandenong Creek.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford – 03 9235 1587 M – 0400 690 502