FutureWe’re transforming another section of Tarralla Creek, Croydon, into a more natural and enjoyable community space.
Melbourne Water is leading the delivery of this exciting project in partnership with Maroondah City Council, Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action (DEECA), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the local community.
Why this project is important
Our rivers and creeks are essential to our way of life in Melbourne. That’s why we’re continuing the transformation of Tarralla Creek, which is currently an underground drain and grassed channel. By restoring it to the natural waterway it once was, we’ll create a cooler, greener space where native wildlife can thrive and communities can come together.
Project stages
The project site is divided into three stages, which together extend for almost two kilometres: from Dorset Road to Eastfield Road in Croydon.
All stages were co-designed with our partners and community in 2017. Based on the community’s vision and feedback, designs were developed for the creek, wetlands and shared pathways, integrating local and Traditional Owner knowledge and values.
Get involved
Following the successful completion of Stage 1 in 2022, we’re now preparing to construct Stage 2. This will continue to improve liveability, health, wellbeing and amenity for the local community in Maroondah.
We’ll share the Stage 2 concept plan for your feedback in early 2026.
Stage 2
Stage 2 extends from Vinter Avenue to Eastfield Road. This involves:
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‘daylighting’ 886m of underground stormwater pipes – replacing the piped waterway with an open, flowing and more natural channel
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upgrading the shared path
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creating informal creek crossings
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establishing a traditional eel trap and a women's space alongside the shared path (subject to approvals)
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landscaping and native vegetation plantings.
This stage of the project is jointly funded by Melbourne Water and the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
Stage 1
Completed in 2022, Stage 1 saw 500m of concrete pipes converted into a natural waterway, and upgrade to the Croydon Drain Wetland between Vinter Road and Norton Road.
This included:
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a new waterway channel
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more than 80,000 new plants
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a revitalised wetland
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a bird hide
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informal creek crossings
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gathering spaces
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a new bridge and shared paths
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the Wurundjeri Sensory Garden.
Stage 1 was a joint initiative led by Melbourne Water in partnership with Maroondah City Council, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Yarra Valley Water, Friends of Eastfield Park and the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning (DELWP) (which is now DEECA).
The project has won both the Victorian and National awards for Excellence in Infrastructure at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) Awards in 2023, as well as the 2024 World Green Infrastructure Network 'Green Neighbourhood Scale and On-grade Projects Award'.
About the Reimagining Your Creek Program
Melbourne Water’s Reimagining Your Creek Program works collaboratively with councils, communities, Traditional Owners and local residents to transform stormwater drains and concrete channels into natural waterways and desirable open spaces.
The program has seen the transformation of sections of Arnolds Creek in Melton West, Moonee Ponds Creek in Oak Park and Strathmore, and sections of Blind Creek in Boronia, Knoxfield and Wantirna South.
Comprehensive flood modelling is always undertaken to ensure that there will be no increased flooding risk to the local community or downstream users as a result of these projects.
Other new projects include Reimagining Eumemmerring Creek and a second stage of Moonee Ponds Creek in Strathmore and Pascoe Vale.
