Melbourne Water has released its Phase 1 Feedback Report for the Maribyrnong River Catchment Flood Mitigation Study, based on community engagement from May to June. The report captures community’s views and vision for the region’s future flood-risk management.
Flood hazard classifications help us understand floodwaters’ potential for harm and property damage, based on their behaviour – like depth and speed.
Winter 2025 has been very dry, and this has contributed to the driest January-June streamflows on record, with catchment rainfall down 11.2 per cent on the 30-year (1995-2024) average and streamflow around half of last year’s levels. While this has taken storage volumes to their lowest levels for the end of winter since 2020, the Victorian Desalination Plant has stepped up, delivering over 16 billion litres since 1 July to keep Melbourne’s water storages topped up.
September is Platypus Month. Classed as vulnerable, Greater Melbourne is home to only 1,000-3,000 platypuses. They face many threats, one of the greatest is ‘loopy litter’ with 4 per cent of the platypus population entangled at any one time. In the Werribee River, that figure spikes to a staggering 15 per cent.
At Melbourne Water, we manage trees and vegetation at our reservoirs, along pipe tracks and across our catchments.
Melbourne Water manages our rivers, creeks, and catchments, including large areas of land to support the function of the water supply and sewer network. Illegal rubbish dumping can sometimes occur on Melbourne Water land.
In September, Melbourne Water celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP), a leader in sewerage management. The ETP treats nearly half of Melbourne’s sewage – about 400 million litres a day – while advancing wastewater treatment and sustainable energy production.
Spectators at Rathmines Road Reserve Oval will have a new place to cheer on their local teams, thanks to the upgraded Hawthorn East Retarding Basin (HERB). This upgrade not only protects homes from flooding but also creates a lasting legacy for the community. A spectator shelter, integrated into the spillway wall overlooking the oval, transforms essential flood infrastructure into a space for the entire neighbourhood to enjoy.
Today’s announcement by the Victorian Government of the Victorian Water Security Plan is welcomed by Victoria’s five major water corporations: Barwon Water, Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water.
Melbourne Water has been named a finalist in five of six categories at the 2025 VIC Water Awards, recognising its staff and projects for innovation, research and development and organisational excellence.