Managing Our Rivers and Creeks Today
As the caretaker of river health in the Port Phillip and Westernport region we manage rivers and creeks, floodplains (the land surrounding rivers and creeks that sometimes experiences flooding) and the regional drainage system (drains and gutters that carry rainwater from roofs, roads and buildings to rivers and creeks).
Our aims
Our main aims are to:
- make sure our rivers, creeks and wetlands are popular places to visit
- have healthy rivers and creeks with more native animals and plants
- provide a safe level of flood protection for communities
- work with communities to protect our rivers and creeks
- protect water quality and meet State environment protection targets
- make sure urban development does not harm our rivers and creeks.
Our area of responsibility
In 2005 our area of responsibility increased by 5000 square kilometres to include the whole Port Phillip and Westernport region. In the area there are:
- 8400 kilometres of rivers and creeks
- 1200 kilometres of drains
- $2.7 billion in drainage and waterway assets
- 900 wetlands
- 280 monitoring stations on waterways and drains
- 67 urban lakes.
Waterways charge
A waterways charge is collected by the water corporations on our behalf from all rateable properties within our waterways and drainage boundary area. This charge helps to fund our activities.
Improving our rivers and creeks
Activities we undertake to protect our rivers and creeks include:
- improving river beds and banks
- preventing pollution and erosion
- creating and improving natural environments for native animals and fish
- improving water quality by building litter traps, wetlands and other stormwater treatment measures
- removing weeds and cleaning up litter and pollution spills
- working with landowners and local communities to replant along rivers and creeks
- working with councils and developers to treat pollution and stormwater from urban areas (with a focus on managing urban growth)
- monitoring the health of our rivers and creeks
- educating the community about our rivers and creeks.
Why protect our rivers and creeks?
Because they:
- are popular places to visit and make Melbourne a more liveable city
- support a large number of species of native plants and animals
- are an important part of Aboriginal culture, our history and heritage.
Threats to our rivers and creeks
The most significant threats to our rivers and creeks are:
- urban development and changes in land use
- agricultural activities
- impacts of drought and climate change
- loss of plant life
- unnaturally low or high river flows
- poor water quality
- erosion of creek beds and banks
- barriers to fish movement
- weeds and introduced fish.
Who else is responsible for waterway issues?
Melbourne Water has primary responsibility for the health of our rivers and creeks but other agencies, such as local councils, EPA Victoria and the Port of Melbourne Corporation also have important jobs in managing water quality and drainage.