Waterways Local Water’s work to improve waterways and provide flood protection Update 2015-16 in the .

Melbourne Water is responsible for 8,400 km of rivers and creeks, 73 km 428 wetland treatment systems and more than 1,400 km of WEED CONTROL regional drainage systems in the and Westernport region. ALONG WATERWAYS This work is funded by the Waterways and Drainage Charge, which is paid by property owners and collected by water retailers on our behalf. Within your local area, Melbourne Water cares for the following SURVEYS IN MULLUM waterways: MULLUM CREEK • • Ruffey Creek • • IMPROVED • • Andersons Creek SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT • Jumping Creek Healthy waterways

Maintenance and new projects Each year we create and maintain healthy waterways by removing litter, debris and excess sediment. We remove and spray weeds, cut grass and plant native trees and shrubs.

What we have done Why

Introduced and noxious weeds can choke waterways and take over 73 km Weed control from plants that provide healthy habitats for birds and animals. Silt and sediment is removed for drainage and flood protection and to prevent pollution building up in our waterways. Excess silt 3 Sediment/ and sediment in waterways and wetlands can impact habitat for 180 m silt removal native plants and animals. Litter can have devastating consequences for native animals and plants living in waterways. Debris such as leaves and grass cuttings 3 litter/ can restrict the flow of water to cause floods and change the 46 m debris removal habitat for platypus and fish. Removed noxious and environmental weeds, including Japanese Worked with Council to protect and enhance native Honeysuckle and blackberry, in preparation for Council to vegetation along Andersons Creek in Warrandyte revegetate with indigenous plants. Provided feedback and technical advice to support the completion City of Manningham of the Mullum Mullum Trail.

Stormwater We work closely with Council and local communities to better manage stormwater to protect the environment, provide alternative water sources and improve the stormwater that flows into local waterways.

What we have done Why Contributed to the installation of extensive rain This work will reduce nutrients entering local waterways, improve gardens and an underground stormwater harvesting drinking water and help to raise awareness of stormwater treatment tank as part of a new highball stadium development and harvesting. Provided funding to begin integrating zero additional The project provides an opportunity to trial and develop maintenance on water sensitive urban design designs and documentation to be adopted in all new works and into Council’s capital works program reconstruction projects.

Through our Living Rivers program, we worked with Council and contributed $143,750 to projects that assist waterway health and create sustainable stormwater management solutions in your area. Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/livingrivers

Waterways Local Update 2015 –16 | 2 Environmental water We work with government agencies, councils, industries, landowners and the community to provide the allocated water needed in rivers to maintain healthy natural ecosystems.

What we have done Why Worked with the Victorian Environmental Water Releasing water from upstream storages mimics flows that would Holder to deliver three environmental flows to the naturally be there if the river wasn’t dammed. This improves water Yarra River quality and habitat for native wildlife.

Monitoring and research We regularly undertake extensive monitoring, investigations and research to help us better understand how we can improve local waterways.

What we have done Why Undertook monthly water quality monitoring at Our water quality monitoring program is designed to assess seven sites within your area. These tests measure: broad-scale, long-term trends in water quality (typically over eight to 10 years). We use this data to help identify pollution sources and • water temperature inform the community about local water quality. • dissolved oxygen • salinity (conductivity) • pH level • nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Kjeldahl nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus) • indicators of faecal contamination (E. coli) • metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) Undertook weekly monitoring at one site to better We use this data to identify any pollution sources and provide understand recreational health risks during the information to the community. summer period Annual platypus surveys in Mullum Mullum Creek Improved knowledge of platypus population health and from the Yarra River, Tikalara Park to Eastlink distribution allows us to nurture this important species. Undertook fish surveys in Mullum Mullum, The surveys helped evaluate the benefits of new vertical-slot Bushy and Jumping creeks fishways installed in 2012 and complemented another monitoring program of fishway performance. Monitored sediment in the Plenty and Yarra rivers This monitoring improves our knowledge of contaminants and guides our management of the waterways. Improved the management of stormwater to We explored such things as using artificial wetlands and trees for protect our waterways filtration to better manage stormwater and rural land runoff. Investigated more effective methods for These investigations help us to revegetate, control weeds and desert revegetation and weed control along waterways ash, and manage pollution to improve the health of our waterways. Further explored integrated water management This work provides us with better understanding on how to manage multiple water sources more efficiently and effectively, with improved techniques in water biodiversity.

Waterways Local Update 2015 –16 | 3 Planning for future development

We plan for future development to ensure growing communities do not threaten local waterways. We also advise and assist new developments to ensure they do not increase flood risk.

What we have done Why

referrals for land To ensure proposed land subdivisions meet current standards 485 subdivisions reviewed for drainage and stormwater quality.

development 47 applications reviewed To make sure that growing communities don’t increase flood risk.

flood information To provide flood information to property owners and people 119 requests reviewed interested in purchasing or redeveloping property. applications for works near Melbourne Water assets and works such as bridges, shared pathways To ensure waterways, and the plants and animals that live there, 35 and jetties reviewed are protected from the potential impacts of building works.

stormwater connection To ensure waterways and the plants and animals that live there, are 14 applications reviewed protected from the potential impacts of construction works.

Flood protection

While floods are natural and we can’t stop them all from occurring, we aim to minimise the damage they cause to people, places and communities. We manage the regional drainage system and work with Council, the Victorian State Emergency Service, the Bureau of Meteorology, property owners and developers to make sure flood information is up to date. We provide flood warning services, prepare flood response plans, and identify and construct new flood protection projects in areas with the greatest need.

What we have done Why Worked with stakeholders to review plans and Ensure proposed works will not impact the floodplain, path of hydraulic reports to assist with upgrading the over-land flow, assets and waterways, and that the project is Donvale sewer feasible, safe and possible for community use.

11 volunteers in your area provide us with rainfall data by recording information from a rain gauge in their backyard. These figures and the data from our automated gauges, provides us with valuable rainfall information. Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/communityrainreaders

Waterways Local Update 2015 –16 | 4 Working with the community

The involvement of community groups, volunteers, land managers and farmers supports our management of local waterways and regional drainage systems. If you’d like more information about funding opportunities please call 131 722 or email [email protected]

Funding provided Grant For

Stream Private land owners and managers for works that protect or Frontage enhance riverbanks, such as weed control, fencing and planting $13,553 Management native trees. Volunteer and community groups for works that protect or enhance Community riverbanks on public land, raise awareness, and provide training and $18,389 Grants education to protect local waterways.

Corridors Councils and public land managers for projects such as weed $76,387 of Green control, fencing and creating management plans.

We also worked with the local community on several events and initiatives throughout the year.

Who we worked with What we did City of Manningham Held Platypus Picnic school holiday sessions as part of the Platypus Census program. Doncaster Garden Club Hosted a Frog Census information night in Doncaster to highlight the importance of frogs and how people can contribute to the conservation of local frogs through the Frog Census Program.

Waterwatch is a citizen science program that encourages communities to monitor platypus, frogs and waterbugs as well as the water quality of their local river or creeks. We empower our volunteers to collect data, protect the waterways environment and share their knowledge. Visit melbournewater.com.au/waterwatch or call 131 722 to find out more.

e-ISSN: 1838-2428 (Online) Copyright © Melbourne Water Corporation July 2016 Waterways Local Update 2015 –16 | 5