We're upgrading the Hawthorn East Retarding Basin, located next to Rathmines Reserve, to ensure a safe drainage system and to reduce the risk of flooding to surrounding homes.
In Melbourne, rain and storms are part of everyday life. Floods are a natural part of our landscape and an essential part of the weather cycle. Melbourne Water manages more than 200 retarding basins. They are designed to reduce flooding by catching heavy rainfall which hold in a reserve of low-lying land. Once storm water is collected, it follows the natural drainage which continues to flow through to our rivers, creeks and eventually the bay.
For over 100 years the Hawthorn East Retarding Basin has played an important function in protecting the local area during storm and flood events. Melbourne Water manages retarding basins in line with the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) guidelines. Recent investigations show that the Hawthorn East Retarding Basin requires an upgrade to meet the ANCOLD guidelines.
The new retarding basin will significantly increase water storage capacity, reducing flooding events and keeping our community safe today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
The Hawthorn East Retarding Basin is located near Rathmines Road Reserve and Ryeburne Avenue. See the map below which shows its location.
As part of the project, we will need to remove vegetation and trees that are currently growing inside the retarding basin. While we will work to ensure tree removal is kept to a minimum, it's important these trees are removed as they can cause the embankments of the retarding basin to fail and contribute to downstream flooding.
We expect 57 trees and 15 saplings will be removed from inside the retarding basin. We are currently working on a tree replacement strategy to be implemented upon completion of works. See the video below which explains why tree removal is necessary to ensure retarding basins are performing in a safe way.
There has been a delay to the commencement of the next phase of the project, due to a review with some of our contractors. We will provide an update when a date is confirmed and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We will ensure that the site is regularly monitored to ensure it is kept clean and safe. In the meantime, there will be no change to the landscape.
The design and planning process includes engaging with our external consultant to prepare drawings and plans to upgrade the existing retarding basin. This design process takes approximately 12 months.
The initial works including tree removal and site investigations have been completed.
We will award the civil work contract to one of our preferred contractors, who will then create a schedule and construct a construction methodology for the project. This information can be shared with the community once the contractor is on board.
We will provide an update when a date is confirmed and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Works will occur between Monday to Friday, 7am-5pm, weather dependent.
If weekend works are required, all operations will be followed in line with EPA regulations and requirements.
Once construction is completed, clean up and reinstatement of the area will be undertaken.
While every effort is made to minimise disruption, during works you may notice:
We will work to ensure the community disruption is kept to a minimum.
Find out more information about how retarding basins work.
March 2024 Bulletin:
December 2023 Bulletin:
November 2023 Bulletin:
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