FutureHealthy waterways are essential to our native wildlife, and to our way of life. That’s why we’re improving the vegetation and habitat along a five-kilometre section of Moonee Ponds Creek in Strathmore, Gowanbrae, Glenroy and Oak Park for the animals that call it home.
Why this is important
Rivers and creeks of Greater Melbourne are under pressure from increased urbanisation, climate change impacts, and pest plants and animals. Without taking action, we may lose some of our unique species.
Native vegetation like trees, grasses and shrubs are important for providing habitat and protection for birds and other animals. They also contribute to a healthier waterway in other ways, including the stabilisation of creek banks to reduce erosion and cooling air and water temperatures.
Vegetation along parts of the Moonee Ponds Creek is patchy. Increasing the number of trees and continuous, high-quality vegetation is important to:
- support our local wildlife to thrive
- provide shade and protection from the sun for people walking, running or cycling along the footpath
- offset the urban heat island effect, by lowering local air temperatures through evapotranspiration and reducing surface heat absorption.
Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018-28 outlines key stretches of waterways across Melbourne that have been prioritised for the establishment of vegetation. This project aligns with the Strategy’s objectives for Moonee Ponds Creek by contributing to the achievement of the following objectives:
- establishing 22km (131 hectares) of continuous riparian vegetated buffer
- maintaining 11km (43 hectares) of existing vegetation along priority reaches
- improving native vegetation quality and condition.
What are we doing?
We’re controlling weeds and planting 30,000 plants along both sides of the Moonee Ponds Creek in Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Strathmore and Oak Park. This will improve the condition and diversity of vegetation and help to create vital habitat corridors for our native birds and animals to live, breed, feed and shelter.
More trees and shrubs will also improve shade and cooling, which will help to create a more appealing creek environment where people can interact with nature in a cooler, healthier environment.
Project location
Works will take place along a 5km stretch of Moonee Ponds Creek, between Jacana Wetlands in Glenroy, immediately south of the M80 Ring Road, and the end of JP Fawkner reserve in Oak Park. Revegetation works will occur within designated planting zones, generally within 20m either side of the creek within the project area.
What to expect
Our crews will be accessing the project site with light vehicles via the following locations:
Jacana Reserve in Glenroy
Boeing Reserve carpark in Strathmore
Mascoma Street in Strathmore
Strathnaver Reserve oval carpark in Strathmore
Strathmore Men’s Shed carpark
Moonee Boulevard in Glenroy
Valley Crescent in Glenroy
Adelaide Boulevard in Gowanbrae
Fran Street in Glenroy
Outlook Drive in Glenroy
Devreaux Street in Oak Park
Athens Place in Oak Park
Vincent Street in Oak Park
JP Fawkner Reserve in Oak Park
Work hours
Monday to Friday: 6.30am to 5pm
We will do everything possible to minimise disruption, however it is likely that nearby residents will notice:
- At times, there may be traffic and pedestrian management in place for the movement of light, medium and heavy vehicles within the project area.
- Small pumps will be used to extract water from the creek to water vegetation.
Please make sure to follow instructions from traffic management staff for your safety and that of our workers.
