Things to remember when you visit
Caring for the environment
Keeping the area clean is vital for preserving the delicate ecosystems and ensuring they remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Be sure to keep on the designated walking trails, board walk and stepping stones. These paths allow you to explore safely without disturbing the new plants and animals. Please remember to pick up after your dog and dispose of waste responsibly.
Community safety
The safety of our community is our number one priority. No swimming in the new waterways is permitted. Please ensure children are supervised at all times.
Remember, our local wildlife are settling into their new homes. To help look after our precious wildlife, please keep your dog on a leash while enjoying the creek and wetlands.
More about the project
What we did
We worked with Knox City Council, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to transform Blind Creek and Lewis Park into a more enjoyable space. The project followed on from a previous successful project which was completed in 2020, where a section of Blind Creek was ‘daylighted’ from Manuka Drive to Scoresby Road in Boronia.
The Reimagining Blind Creek and Lewis Park project was part of Knox City Council’s bigger plan to turn 40 hectares of Lewis Park into the green heart of Knox, and improve its connection with some of the busiest community hubs.
The project included:
- naturalising 1,650 metres of Blind Creek, by removing an underground low-flow pipe and naturalising a grassed high-flow channel
- constructing three wetlands for stormwater treatment and harvesting
- installing 65 metres of boardwalk through the new wetlands system for community access
- constructing two harvesting ponds
- creating 6,300 metres of new shared paths (concrete and gravel) for community recreation and access along the creek
- 677,000 plants for improved biodiversity outcomes
- 1,700 trees for improved shade and cooling
- installing community infrastructure assets such as a viewing platform, a pedestrian bridge, stepping stone crossings and seating.
Comprehensive flood modelling was undertaken to ensure that there will be no increased flooding risk to the local community or downstream users as a result of this project.
Project benefits
The project offers a wide range of benefits to the community and environment, including:
- a more appealing creek where people can interact with nature in a cooler, healthier environment
- improved waterway health by slowing water flows and establishing plants in and next to the waterway
- increased flood mitigation by adding an extra 40,000 cubic metres of flood storage in the retarding basin
- activation of open space to enhance community recreation and health and wellbeing, including stepping stones
- enhanced biodiversity and habitat for native species, with families of ducks making the area their new home
- boosted water security by harvesting stormwater that can be used to irrigate sports ovals and community gardens
- improved active transport connections in the area through new sections of shared paths and a bridge
- improved water quality flowing through to Dandenong Creek by removing 764 kilograms of nitrogen from the water.
Reimagining Your Creek Program
Our 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 Taralla Creek in Croydon, Arnolds Creek in Melton West, and an upstream section of Blind Creek in Boronia. Works along Moonee Ponds Creek in Strathmore and Oak Park have recently been completed, and a second stage is currently in the early planning and design phase.