DURING 2011–2012
WE HAVE:
Waterways Local Update
YARRA RANGES
SHIRE
• Controlled weeds along 420km of
waterways and managing 511Ha of grass
in drainage reserves and retarding basins
• Contributed $57,000 for design and
construction of a stormwater harvesting
project in Melba Park
• Managed over 650 building and
development referrals, applications
and requests
YARRA RANGES SHIRE MAP
sea
municipal boundary
wetlands/waterbody
waterway
main city/shire area
major road
park/reserve
train tracks
weed control works
elbourne Water’s
M
waterway management
district boundary
N
MELBOURNE WATER’S WATERWAY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
We work with Yarra Ranges Shire Council to care
for local waterways and manage regional drainage
systems, through an ongoing program of works
and activities involving the local community.
We also liaise with Council on new development.
Across the Port Phillip and Westernport region,
Melbourne Water works to enhance life and improve
liveability for the 1.8 million Waterways and Drainage
customers of Greater Melbourne. Our role lies in
managing around 8400 kilometres of rivers and
creeks, over 1400 kilometres of drains, more than
200 flood retarding basins, 100 urban lakes, and 300
wetlands within our Waterway Management District.
We are also responsible for ensuring that new
development does not increase flood risk or threaten
our waterways. Our work in this area is funded
from the Waterways and Drainage charge.
Managing Waterways
During the financial year July 2011 to June 2012 we undertook a range of works to help maintain and improve the health of local
waterways, focusing on weed control, bank stabilisation and revegetation.
Waterways
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Bungalook Creek and
Fussell Road retarding basin
Montrose
Removed weeds and
planted native vegetation
To improve the condition
Bungalook Creek and
improve river health
and habitat values
Monbulk Creek
retarding basin
Lysterfield
Undertook weed control
and revegetation
To improve the condition
of the site and enhance
habitat values
Olinda Creek
Upstream of Spadoni’s
Nature Reserve
Removed woody weeds,
fenced off and replanted
with indigenous plants
along the waterway
To relieve local
flooding and the spread
of noxious weeds
Lilydale Drain
Downstream
of Nelson Road
Removed of large woody
weeds and debris
To prevent urban flooding
occurring on Cave Hill road
Olinda Creek
Lillydale Lake
Facilitated a Council request
to draw down the lake and
remove the noxious aquatic
weed Eugeria
To facilitate recreational
activity in the main water
body of the lake
2 | Yarra Ranges Shire
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Waterways
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Olinda Creek
Lillydale Lake
Revegetation with
indigenous species
To improve
waterway health
Stingybark Creek
Yering
Removed woody weeds,
fenced off and replanted
with indigenous plants
along the waterway
To relieve local flooding
and the spread of
noxious weeds
Little Stringybark Creek
Mount Evelyn
Removed a defective
drainage pipe, and
reinstated a natural channel
To reduce the risk of
flooding and allow seepage
into underground aquifers
Brushy Creek
Mooroolbark – Manchester
Road to Barngeong Reserve
Replanted with
indigenous species
To improve the
riparian vegetation
Don River
Don Valley – from Haining
Farm to Yarra River
confluence
Removed woody weeds,
fenced off and replanted
with indigenous plants
along the waterway
To exclude stock to enable
long term protection
and rehabilitation of the
waterway, help stabilise
channel form, increase the
diversity and abundance
of indigenous plants, and
provide a habitat corridor.
This is the first year
of a three year program
Shepherd Creek
Shepherd Creek
Nature Reserve;
Healesville - Koo Wee
Rup Road, Nangana; Kurth
Kiln to Yellingbo Nature
Conservation Reserve
Worked with Parks Victoria
to control weeds and
revegetate the area
To create a vital bio-link
between Kurth Kiln Regional
Park and Yellingbo Nature
Conservation Reserve
Woori Yallock Creek
Yellingbo Nature
Conservation Reserve
Revegetation project
working with Friends of
the Helmeted Honeyeater,
Parks Victoria, Yarra4Life
and corporate partners
Revegetation of 12 fenced
plots to protect existing
habitat and plant future
habitat for the critically
endangered Helmeted
Honeyeater
Woori Yallock Creek
Biolink between Sassafras
and Yellingbo Nature
Conservation Reserve,
O’Neils Road to Swales
Road, Macclesfield
Worked with landowners
and two Parks Victoria
regions to remove willows
and climbing weeds. These
areas were revegetated
with native plant species
To improve the quality
of streamside vegetation
along Woori Yallock Creek,
and to help stabilise
the banks
Steels Creek
Upstream of Pinnacle Lane
Reinstatement of
stabilisation works to
control erosion
To prevent further bed
erosion in Steels Creek
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Yarra Ranges Shire | 3
Managing Waterways (cont.)
Waterways
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Full and Plenty Creek
Upstream of
Greenwoods Lane
Installation of a rock chute
to prevent channel erosion,
and revegetation works
To protect the Full
and Plenty Track and
prevent further erosion
of the lower reaches
of Full and Plenty Creek
Various
Across the council area
420km of weed control
on waterways and drains
Maintain river health,
improve amenity and
maintain hydraulic function
of the waterways and
drainage system
697 cubic metres of litter
and debris removed
8.8km of revegetation
511Ha of grass managed
in drainage reserves and
retarding basins
We have developed draft Healthy Waterways and Stormwater strategies, and are consulting with our customers, communities and
stakeholders on the proposed actions to manage rivers, estuaries, wetlands and stormwater for the period July 2013 to June 2018.
Managing our assets
Cultural Heritage
We’re responsible for maintaining natural and constructed
rivers, creeks, wetlands, underground drains, pump stations,
retarding basins, and many traps that prevent litter and other
items from polluting waterways. We’re also the caretaker of
sites of biological significance, many of which are home to
endangered plant and animal species.
Along the waterways we care for and in the landscapes
on which we provide drainage and flood protection, lies
the story of Melbourne and the people who lived there for
many thousands of years. The 2006 Aboriginal Heritage Act
recognises the importance of waterways in the lives of the
Aboriginal people and the first settlers.
Each year we work to create or maintain clean, healthy, free
flowing waterways by removing litter, debris and excess
sediment. We remove and spray weeds, cut grass, plant native
trees, plants and grasses, and provide solutions to erosion
problems. We also respond to events that may cause risk to
the public, our assets or the environment – for example trying
to stop excess sediment running off construction sites and
entering our waterways.
To fulfil our obligations under both the Aboriginal Heritage
Act and the Heritage Act, we have developed an ‘engaged
compliance’ model and forged open, strong and lasting
relationships with the Traditional Owners of the land
on which we work.
4 | Yarra Ranges Shire
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Managing Water Quality
Melbourne Water, Council and local communities are working to better manage stormwater in order to protect the environment,
provide alternative water sources and to improve the quality of runoff that reaches our waterways.
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Yarra Ranges Shire
Presentation of Council’s
Stormwater management needs
analysis report
To understand Council’s current capacity in stormwater
quality management and identify opportunities
for future partnerships
Yarra Ranges Shire
Produced Council specific
Water Sensitive Urban Design
(WSUD) guidelines
Sets out expectations around WSUD including regulatory
requirements, planning and design, construction
and maintenance
Yarra Ranges Shire
Involvement in lifecycle costing
and WSUD Asset Inventory projects
To develop a better understanding across Council of all
costs associated with designing, building and maintaining
WSUD assets
Yarra Ranges Shire
Contributed $30,000 toward
development of Council’s Integrated
Water Management plan
To develop a strategic direction for Integrated Water
Management across the Shire
Melba Park,
Lilydale
Contributed $57,000 for design
and construction of this stormwater
harvesting project
To improve Council’s capacity in and commitment
to sustainable stormwater management
Sustainable road
drainage upgrades
(select roads across
municipality)
Provided support and funding for
water sensitive road design (Old
Hereford Road and Old Coach Road)
To provide Council with standard designs and projects that
reduce sediment runoff from unsealed roads and unnatural
flow from sealed roads
Little Stringybark
Creek Project
Worked in partnership with and
provided funds to Council to deliver
lot scale and streetscape projects
to restore natural flows to Little
Stringybark Creek
To allow local groundwater to recharge and restore
natural creek flows
Woori Yallock
catchment
Delivered Water Sensitive Farm
Design grants to landholders in
intensive horticultural industries
To improve the quality of runoff entering into our
waterways through the reduction of sediment and
nutrients coming off farms
You can help reduce and improve the stormwater that leaves
your house by building a raingarden. To find out more, visit
melbournewater.com.au/raingardens
Through our Living Rivers program and by supporting
Clearwater, a not-for-profit organisation, we are working to
provide councils and other water authorities with training,
advice and technical information to build their capacity
to deliver water sensitive urban design. To find out more,
please visit clearwater.asn.au
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Yarra Ranges Shire | 5
Flood Management and Drainage
Each year we manage and improve the regional drainage
system for the Port Phillip and Westernport region –
that’s more than 1400 kilometres of drains.
We work with and provide advice to property owners and
developers to make sure that our flood information is up to
date, that we identify and construct new flood protection
projects in areas with the greatest need and that new
development has appropriate drainage.
We manage a Hydrologic Data Collection Network, which
monitors rainfall and flows in waterways, and support Council
and the Victoria State Emergency Service in preparing flood
response plans.
We also work with the Bureau of Meteorology and Victoria
State Emergency Service to provide flood warning services
for the community.
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Ferny Creek (Upstream of Hancock
Street), Ferntree Gully Creek
(Mt Dandenong Tourist Road
– North of Janesleigh Road),
Upwey Creek
Flood mapping
is progressing
To update Melbourne Water’s knowledge on flooding,
help us better manage the drains, assess flood risks
in the catchment, and assist with planning scheme overlay
Managing Urban Growth
Through our advisory role in the town planning and subdivision process we assist urban growth and redevelopment within our
growing communities. This includes the important role of planning for greenfield development through our Developer Services
Scheme process. Works undertaken by developers and funded by their contributions ensure that flood protection standards are
met, stormwater runoff and quality meet best practice standards, and the environmental values of our waterways are protected.
What we’ve done
Why
395 referrals for land subdivisions reviewed
Subdivision referrals enable Melbourne Water to set
conditions that relate to drainage outfall or treatment of
stormwater. Easements or reserves may also be required
for floodplain, drainage or waterway management purposes
74 development applications reviewed
To establish whether proposed developments are
compatible with flood risks. The flood risk to people and
property is minimised by setting appropriate conditions
on planning permits
163 flood information requests reviewed
To advise property owners and people interested in
purchasing or redeveloping a property on the flood level
that applies to that property
Nine applications by council to build near Melbourne Water
assets reviewed
To protect waterways and their flora and fauna from
thepotential impacts of works
60 applications for other authority works, like bridges,
shared pathways and jetties reviewed
To protect waterways and their flora and fauna from
the potential impacts of works
22 stormwater connection applications reviewed
To protect waterways and their flora and fauna from
the potential impacts of works
6 | Yarra Ranges Shire
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Managing Environmental Flows
Between July 2011 and June 2012 we worked with government agencies, councils, industries, landowners and the community
on delivering the flows our waterways need to be healthy.
Waterways
Who we’ve
worked with
What we’ve been
working on
Why
Little
Yarra and
Don River
catchment
Consultative
Committee
Finalising a
Stream Flow
Management Plan
Melbourne Water has been working with a consultative
committee to develop a Stream Flow Management Plan
(SFMP) for the Little Yarra and Don River. The SFMP will
aim to balance water used in the catchment between
irrigation and the environment. The plan is expected
to be signed by the Minister for Water in 2012
Woori
Yallock Creek
Consultative
Committee
Finalising a Stream
Flow Management
Plan
Melbourne Water has been working with a consultative
committee to develop a Stream Flow Management Plan
(SFMP) for the Woori Yallock Creek. The SFMP will aim to
balance water use in the catchment between irrigation and
the environment. The plan is expected to be signed by the
Minister for Water in 2012
Review of the
Stream Flow
Management Plan
To consider if the plan, which was introduced in
2003, is meeting its environmental objectives and
if any improvements can be made to further benefit
the Diamond catchment
Diamond
Creek
Yarra River
Victorian
Environmental
Water Holder
Delivered
environmental
flows to the
Yarra River
To improve the health of the Upper Yarra River, we have
released some of the environmental water allocation which
provided a ‘summer fresh’ which will enhance habitat for
aquatic life
Various
Southern Rural
Water and DSE
Mapping
groundwater
dependent
ecosystems
To improve our knowledge of wetlands, rivers and creeks
that are supported by and depend on groundwater. This project
will help us better manage, along with DSE and Southern Rural
Water, groundwater dependent ecosystems in the region
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Yarra Ranges Shire | 7
Monitoring, Investigations and Research
In 2011/12, we carried out extensive monitoring, investigations and research in order to help us better understand the
key influences on, and risks to, river health. Research provides evidence to help us to better understand the region’s waterways
and ensure that works such as river and creek rehabilitation are adapted to provide the best results.
Where
What we’ve done
Why
Yarra River
Sampled fish in the Yarra River as
part of a broader survey of 54 sites
along the length of the Yarra River
This work repeats sampling undertaken in 2007 and
allows us to assess the status of the Yarra River’s fish
community. Importantly, this work provides an update
on the status of two fish species of national conservation
significance (Australian grayling and Macquarie perch);
and allows us to identify changes and trends over time.
Stringybark Creek
Sampled fish at a number of sites
in Stringybark Creek
This sampling contributes to a broader investigation
into the effectiveness of the Dights Falls fishway
on the fish community of the Yarra River
Brittania, Blacksands
and Hansen creeks
Vegetation and weed mapping
along upper and middle reaches
To best inform targeted weed removal locations and
areas for weed maintenance
Sheepstation Creek
Physical and biological assessment
of three on-stream dams
Investigate potential benefits and difficulties of dam
by‑passes and/or decommissioning
Steels and Dixons creeks
Fish survey along entire length
of both creeks
Assesses the current fish fauna status of the systems
and identified issues limiting/preventing fish
assemblages/colonisation
Sassafras Creek
Rake and roll trial along
the creek floodplain for the
Tradescandia species
Examining the most effective methods to mitigate
a highly invasive weed species
Cockatoo Creek Swamp
at Yellingbo
Vegetation (re)survey to assess tree
condition in the conservation area
Tree dieback is a serious issue that potentially threatens
several iconic species (Helmeted Honey Eater, Leadbeaters
Possum and the Eucalyptus Camphera) that are on the site
Olinda/Stringybark
creeks
Survey of Growling Grass Frogs
at the confluence of the two creeks
with the Yarra River
Informs proposed desilt works of sections of lower
Stringybark Creek
Hoddles Creek
Features survey of reintroduced
course woody habitat
Ongoing assessment of changes to bed morphology
post wood reintroduction
Ythan Creek
Fish, bug and vegetation surveys
of Ythan Creek
To inform decisions on water diversion by a proposed
mini hydro-electric power station supplied with water
from Ythan Creek
Dee River
Investigations on the fish, fauna and
cross-sectional survey of Dee River
Helps for a strategy to remove a significant fish
migration barrier in the middle reaches of Dee River
Urban council areas
Monitor and investigate the
performance of constructed
stormwater treatment wetlands
To identify and prioritise works on wetlands to ensure
they continue to treat stormwater effectively
8 | Yarra Ranges Shire
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Involving Community
We work with community groups, volunteers, friends groups, home owners, residents, land managers and farmers to help
support our management of waterways, drainage and floodplains.
Through our River Health Incentives Program, we provide grants to landowners and public land managers to improve the
condition of their waterway frontages. The program provides funding for activities like weed control, revegetation, fencing
and the installation of off-stream stock watering systems.
Grant
Who we gave it to
Number of grants
approved last year
Funding approved
in the area (ex GST)
Stream Frontage Management Program
Private landholders
140
$367,121
Corridors of Green
Public land managers
30
$166,683
Community grants
Community groups
19
$90,345
Water Sensitive Farm Design
Private landholders
6
$83,768
If you’re a landowner or land manager with waterway frontage and would like information about funding and educational
opportunities, please call us on (03) 9679 7431 or email [email protected]
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
Yarra Ranges Shire | 9
Involving Community (cont.)
Event/Project
Who we worked with
What we did
Healthy Waterways
Waterwatch
Schools program
Monbulk, Sherbrook and Oxley College, Belgrave Heights
Christian School, Mount Evelyn, Milwarra, Healesville,
Badger Creek, Manchester, The Patch, Lilydale, Seville
and Ferny Creek Primary schools
Ran 40 Waterwatch education
sessions with students at their
schools and/or local waterways.
The im was to connect students
to their local rivers and creeks
Healthy Waterways
Waterwatch
Education
Upskilling program
Local teachers, members of community groups,
Parks Victoria and students from Belgrave Heights
Christian School
Ran three teacher professional
development days to up-skill teachers,
community groups and students in
how to deliver Waterwatch education
programs in the area
Healthy Waterways
Waterwatch Citizen
Science Programs
– ongoing water
quality and
macroinvertebrate
monitoring
Woori Yallock Hub group with monitoring the Woori Yallock
Creek, Sassafras Creek, Tomahawk Creek in the Kurth Kiln
National Park and Macclesfield Creek
Supported groups with
Healthy Waterways Waterwatch
community water quality
monitoring groups with training,
field visits, equipment maintenance
and data quality assurance
and quality control exercises
Upper Yarra Hub group with monitoring Yarra River, Little
Yarra River and McMahons Creek
Grace Burn Hub with monitoring the Grace Burn
in Healesville
Central Yarra Hub with monitoring Olinda Creek,
Stringybark creek and Brushy Creek
Upper Dandenong’s Hub monitoring Monbulk Creek,
Hardy Creek, Clematis Creek, Hazel Vale Creek, German
Creek, Mast Gully Creek, Ferny Creek, Bungalook Creek and
Belgrave Lake
Healthy Waterways
Waterwatch Events
Local community members
A catchment crawl bus tour was
conducted in the Lilydale area to
launch the re-establishment of the
Waterwatch citizen science program
in Yarra Ranges
We have over 370 volunteer community rain gauge readers across the
Melbourne Water area. There are 26 rain readers in this municipality.
Every day these people read their rain gauge (usually located in their backyard)
and record data. This data, together with data from our automated gauges,
provides us with valuable rainfall information. To view this information
go to melbournewater.com.au/communityrainreaders
Waterwatch is a free, fun, hands-on river health education program at
Melbourne Water that supports communities, schools and businesses to be
actively involved in monitoring and protecting the health of our rivers and creeks.
Visit waterwatchmelbourne.org.au to find out how you can be involved.
The important work described in this report is made possible principally by the
Waterways and Drainage charge included in water bills and collected by retail
water companies on behalf of Melbourne Water.
10 | Yarra Ranges Shire
Local Waterways Update 2011/2012
What’s coming up?
Managing Waterways
Where
Why
Bungalook Creek and Fussell Road retarding basin, Montrose
Continue works to improve river health and habitat values
Monbulk Creek retarding basin, Lysterfield
To establish works previously undertaken to improve
the condition of the site and enhance habitat values
Yarra River, Wesburn
To improve the streamside vegetation for 2km from Wesburn
by removing weeds and planting native vegetation
Yarra River, Warburton Caravan Park
Weed control and revegetation of 10,000 native plants
along 1km of the Yarra River adjacent to the Warburton
Caravan Park. This will improve both the condition of the
Yarra River and increase shade and amenity for recreational
users and visitors to the site
Managing Water Quality
Where
What we’ll do
Why
Yarra Ranges Shire
Continue to support Council
to build skills in sustainable
stormwater management
To further build on Council’s capacity and commitment
for sustainable stormwater management and WSUD
Little Stringybark
Creek
Deliver streetscape projects
for the currently in design
To allow local groundwater to recharge and restore
natural creek flows
Melbourne Water
990 La Trobe Street, Docklands
PO Box 4342 Melbourne Victoria 3001
Telephone 131 722
Facsimile 03 9679 7099
melbournewater.com.au
ISSN: 1837-1663 (Print)
ISSN: 1838-2428 (Online)
Copyright © Melbourne Water Corporation July 2012
All rights reserved.