B. CHRONOLOGY

19 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 20 B.01 INTRODUCTION

CHRONOLOGY - A SHORT HISTORY A Living Creek A Sewer Creek A Recreation Creek An Environmental Creek Landscapes are never static - they undergo continual This describes the creek prior to white settlement, This describes the despoliation of the creek and Early in the twentieth century, there is growing The 1960’s and 70’s heralds a growing environmental change and evolution. A chronology is a way of including the important role it would have played in its treatment as a open sewer. Due to the lack of recognition of the need to provide suitable spaces for awareness, with a significant shift in community understanding the evolution of the creek by arranging Wurundjeri life as a meeting and gathering place. vegetation, erosion of the delicate creek embankment recreation for a growing population with more time on attitudes towards the creek. There is growing events in their order of occurrence in time. It Grasslands and patches of open woodland dot the occurs and sedimentation becomes a major problem it’s hands. The only cheap and available land is flood recognition of the ecological and social importance summarises the different periods in the creek’s history, landscape, with deep pools of water. It reminds us along the creek . Health concerns become common prone land along the creek, which leads to the location of the creek and the need to protect and improve and describes how attitudes towards the creek have that the creek was once a source of abundant wildlife place and calls are made to undertake ‘improvement’ of recreational and sporting facilities along the creek. the creek from further works. The establishment of resulted in the creek we have today. and was an integral component of the ecology of the works to the creek. Flooding is a regular occurrence. The seeds are sown for a linear park along the creek, community groups seeking to improve the creek’s region. Within a short period, the creek has been significantly although it fails to be constructed. health and function is a critical development. Like any landscape, the Moonee Ponds Creek is at altered in form and appearance. one moment in a long and ever changing journey. An Agricultural Creek An Urbanised Creek A Future Creek Understanding this evolution and how differing This describes the arrival of Europeans, the A Drainage Creek The post war period marks a significant phase in Today, Melbourne faces important decisions about attitudes have shaped the creek is an important step establishment of Melbourne, and the sub-division After the establishment of the Melbourne the growth of Melbourne with substantial migration the type of city we would like to inhabit, and how in managing this inevitable change into the future. of the land to the high water mark of the creek. The Metropolitan Board of Works, works commence to from war ravaged Europe fuelling the rapid urban we should live our lives. There is almost universal landscape was cleared, fencing was erected and sewer the city and solve ongoing flooding issues along expansion of housing to the north along the creek. recognition of the magnitude of human intervention in The chronology represents an important collaboration farming commenced. Sheep grazing was followed the creek. Many people are concerned about health To service the new suburbs and the construction of global natural systems, and the need to significantly between the project team, Council and the Friends by wheat and other grains. Sand mining took and safety along the creek and the MMBW embark a new international airport, as well as support the change our management of the natural and urban of the Moonee Ponds Creek. This rich vicual history place along the creek. The land was celebrated on a long term drainage scheme for the creek, which growing ownership of private vehicles, a new freeway ecosystems. Melbourne commences it’s ‘second gold has become a community display to be used at public for its productiveness and the first State Farm was includes substantial alterations to it’s alignment and is constructed on the creek floodplain. The creek is rush’ with substantial population growth and urban events. It communicates the need to understand the established on the banks of the creek in Parkville. form, including construction of the concrete lining. significantly realigned and channelised. development rapidly reshaping the city. past to effectively design the future.

... a sewer creek ... an urbanised creek

... an agricultural creek ... a drainage creek

... a living creek ... a recreation creek ... a future creek

... an environmental creek

1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2060 21 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 22 23 |Chainof Ponds a livingcreek... whilst others fish eels andyabbies. for mussels andbird collecting eggs, andflakes.tools, blades Someare from thecreekquartz bankto make A smallgroup are of harvesting people seen. canbe ponds deep of red river gumsaseries majestic grass... Past thetwisting trunks of through spears of russet themeda scattered yellow-box trees pushing and bushturkeys roam through the amphitheatre Emus slopes. of basalt stretches outinto abroad valley “... of thickgrassy asea woodland altered The most apparent thelandto thepractice was suittheir purposes. activities of of these firestick farming whereby large areas of landwere to burnt off encourage new growth of grasses of andshrubs. Source: Moreland City Thematic History fibrous madeinto be could reeds for ropes, nets canoes; andbaskets. We may thinkthat theinteraction by remained theirintervention. that unspoiled of eachgroup thelandscape Yet passive, withthelandwas theI whoinhabited thislandwere ourfirstThe Indigenouspeople explorers, landmanagement withtheland,they to theirlong association andsurvival colonisers practices and pioneers. developed Over theirarea. specific Large trees provided bark a great, blue, saltwater lagoon...“ saltwater a great, blue, golden murnong terminating daisies in forests of casuarinaandcarpets of sudden torrent flows steadily through The shrubs alongthecreek bank. the richlycoloured rocks anddense by arushof water pushingagainst connected still alive, come ponds When theheavy rains the deep, come water ribbons.... thestarchy-sweetcollecting roots of standsA woman inwater thighdeep Coordination Committee Source: TheTale Ponds Ponds Moonee Creek, of theMoonee explanation. Kolasa ElderAlice highlighted thethree is highlighted, there isalackofaccompanying where cultural instances In some Aboriginal heritage but repeat information. much ofthesame cited asanexample. are These ofdifferent vintages The interpretation panelsat Strathnaver Reserve were The interpretation that ispresent lacks coordination. onnaturalfocuses rather thancultural heritage. the studyarea. Where interpretation ispresent this of interpretation cultural ofAboriginal heritagein interpreted inthestudyarea. There isageneral lack the way inwhichcultural heritageiscurrently The Elders expressed several around concerns Interpretation OfCultural Heritage as follows: Wurundjeri expressed attachments were orconcerns themaincategoriesDuring thewalk, underwhichthe forms document withinthis plan. animportant contained intheCulturalcontained Values Recording members oftheproject team. Thefollowing notes are the studyarea withsixWurundjeri elders, aswell as of awalk alongdifferent ofthecreek within sections Ian Travers Ltd), (Extent HeritagePty andtook theform The recording was of organised withtheassistance practical way. interpreted values canbe these inameaningfuland associated withthecreek corridor, andways inwhich meanings heldby theIndigenouscommunity traditional andcontemporary cultural values and oftherecordingpurpose isto identify andunderstand ofthedevelopment part oftheplan.The important (CHVR) was undertaken by theWurundjeri, asan In July2016,aCultural HeritageValues Recording Cultural Values Recording WURUNDJERI DISCUSSIONS Travers (Extent Valley, Heritage)for of Moonee theCity 2016 01 Moonee Ponds Creek -CulturalMoonee Values Recording, Ian 01 which an idealapproach to preventing erosion. and exposure oftree roots. Revegetation as was seen such measures to employed prevent ofvegetation loss Creek Reserve. Aunty Kolasa Alice was keen to see at employed work andnetting theFive being Mile creek banks prevented –for example through therock The Elders were keen erosion to further ofthe see Erosion/Revegetation to thestudyarea.species to to slowed be encourageneeded thereturn ofthese for TheElders many felt oftheIndigenousspecies. it to improve drainage), andthewater was now too fast had madethecreek flow faster (as was theintention andintroduction rockchannelisation rapids ofbasalt However, UncleBobby pointed outthat the the nets. and bangingonthewater withsticks to drive theminto would have spears orfishnets, first used layingrocks marmoratus), andthat to catch men themAboriginal brim (genus Acanthopagrus)(Gadopsis andblackfish likely to have populated thecreek would have included He camouflaged). related being thatspecies thefish by looking for theirwhite pincers (theirbluebodies right timeto catch crayfish, andthat so you would do the itwould be andyellow’) nice wattle (‘when blooms Elder Bobby Mullinsrelated that traditionally whenthe environment. to thewater see ahealthier flowing asthisimplied The Elders expressed theopinionthat itwas good ofWaterImportance any accompanying story orother information. opinion that thesculptures were confusing without history ofthewaterway. Aunty was ofthe Alice the sculptures are intended to tell thestory ofthe from River from Red Gumsourced theMurray River, entitled ‘TheTotems’ Romanis, 2003.Made (Glenn related sculptures whichtogether form theseries inspected duringtherecording.inspected Strathmore Reserve, andBoeing (left) Heights (tight), as ‘The Totems’, GlenRomanis (2003)inTravancore Park, ndigenous people scarred andndigenous people Chronology |24

1845 a living creek... The Elders felt revegetation along the lines of the Signposts for the latter works point to them being major thoroughfares behind residential and other vegetation along Mascoma Street, near the basalt undertaken under a ‘Nation Building Project Economic development, and the pronounced gully in which ford in Strathmore, would be appropriate, and the Stimulus Plan’ of the Commonwealth Government, the creek runs through most of the study area often denser vegetation along the inaccessible section and this suggests that there may be some overlap, and means that it is even invisible from the adjacent of creek at Primrose Street was also considered thus possible contradiction, between management reserves. This is completely the reverse of the pre- favourably. programs. contact situation.

There was recognition that the pre-contact Refuse/Water Quality Opportunities should be taken to ‘open’ the environment could not be recreated, but that The Elders felt strongly that the water quality of the environment around the creek - for example by the reintroduction of Indigenous species would creek needs to be improved, and measures should establishing views into and along the corridor. nevertheless improve the health of the environment be taken to reduce the amount of refuse entering Future planning should seek to raise the profile of and facilitate cultural strengthening amongst the the creek. Reduction of stormwater ingress was the creek and assert its previous role within the Aboriginal community. considered an important factor in achieving these landscape, both by establishing physical connections goals. Wurundjeri ecologist Fiona McConachie and disseminating information. commented that the recently introduced Indigenous The Elders would welcome any measures that could Remnant Trees And Other Vegetation revegetation at Boeing Reserve was fairly generic recreate the slower and more interrupted conditions and typical of the mix of species employed of the pre-contact creek, and thus more suited to The Elders were in favour of retaining remnant vegetation wherever possible, but generally no by Melbourne Water in similar situations. She Indigenous species e.g. brim, blackfish and crayfish specific occurrences were identified as of particular commented that it was difficult to source Indigenous that would have drawn Aboriginal people. species because of the cost of maintenance and significance. The exception was a very large tree on supply, but that it would be good to get more local Anonymity of the Creek private property 50m from the creek at 97 Fenton suppliers. It was suggested that a change in mindset A particular concern for the Wurundjeri Elders was Street, Ascot Vale, which the Elders estimated to be regarding Indigenous species is required, and the extent to which the Moonee Ponds Creek is around 300 years of age. that improved supply would establish a positive anonymous in the modern urban environment of the Holistic, Long Term Management cycle promoting further expansion of the corpus of study area. There is some recognition of the Aboriginal The landscape and waterway should be managed species employed. use of the study area in the vicinity of the creek –for holistically. There is a need to establish a consistent example the naming of the nearby Myrnong Crescent Aunty Alice expressed a wish to see native food plan and approach for the long-term. Within this, it is in Ascot Vale, but this is currently very low profile. plants, including murrnong, cultivated in the study vital to keep channels of communication open with the area. The creek was a focus for Aboriginal people prior Aboriginal community. to European colonisation and would have been 01 It was observed that a number of older (although understood within a wider landscape containing not remnant) trees had been felled recently in IMAGE CREDITS cultural routes, songlines and landmarks. But the study area, in particular along the section of 01. Eucalyptus Camaldulensis, Murrup agricultural and then urban encroachment have Gurrong Yan (Spiritual Creek Walk) 1845 ”...There is a good deal of it which is perfectly clear of timber, other parts are wooded about creek paralleling Mascoma Street in Strathmore. Woodlands Historic Park. 16.02.16. Source: as thickly as the open parts of an English park, while in those most heavily timbered the trees are left the watercourse largely concealed from Site Office Chris Sawyer generally from about ten to 30 yards apart, with grass growing under them, and the ground perfectly 02. Diprotrodan optatum . Source: free from brushwood of any kind, though flowing shrubs are interspersed here and there.... the main twilightbeasts.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/ characteristic of the country is remarkably civilized appearance. It is difficult when you see trees an-adorable-goofy-looking-giant/ intermixed with the most graceful flowering shrubs, grouped with all the effect which a landscape could desire, and growing from a green sward, entirely free from over growing weeds or brushwood, “Australia’s first inhabitants have a history of not to fancy that the hand of man had been engaged in combing and arranging the elements of more than 40,000 years, their descendants have natural beauty.” Source: Red Gums and Riders A History of Gellibrand Hill Park developed intimate knowledge and spiritual Diprotrodan, the largest known marsupial 02 connection to their natural environment”, ever to have lived roams the landscape until Murrup Gurrong Yan (Spiritual Creek Walk) extinction some 46,000 years ago. Woodlands Historic Park ‘The name 'Mone Mone' was first used by Hoddle when he instructed H.W.H Smythe to survey the area in 1837. It was assumed that Mone Mone was an 1835 Port Phillip region first Moonee is the name of a Woiworung indigenous word due to its grammatical structure, but Hoddle did not record settled by Europeans elder, Moonee Moonee (or Morundub), its meaning.’ The Agus newspaper in September 1934 claimed that Moonee who died in 1845 at the age of sixty-six. Moonee Ponds meant ‘plenty of small flats’. According to the Victorian Aboriginal Languages ‘Monee Monee’ was the name of a Wurundjeri-willam man who died in service with the Native Corps in 1845. Source: www.mvcc.vic. 1839 Melbourne’s population 3,000 gov.au/about-the-council/local-history/aboriginal-history.aspx?m=1

>40,000B.02 BCEA LIVING CREEK 1835 1845 1845

25 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 26 an agricultural creek...

“By 1845, the previously unsown soils Farmer’s Society. It held its first annual

of farms along the Moonee Ponds ploughing match on 27 July 1848 on 03 04 06 Creek and the Merri Creek were Coiler Robertson’s La Rose property IMAGE CREDITS 05 producing enormous yields. This overlooking the Moonee Ponds Creek. 01. La Rose Farm in Moonee Ponds 1848, Illustration of the first organised ploughing match farming landscape contained half the in the port Phillip District, The match drew enthusiastic interest organised by the well known Duncan Family. Friends of new colony’s acreage under grain, the Moonee Ponds Creek / from all quarters of the Port Phillip Moonee Valley Memes / Grant their crops including wheat, barley, Aldous ‘The Stop-Over that District and marked the beginning stayed’ (A history of Essendon) oats and maize as well as potatoes, 02. Geological Parish Plans, 1864, of today’s Royal Melbourne Show. Department of Lands and vegetables, vines and other plantings. Survey It also clearly highlighted the role 03. Pascoe Vale Railway Station, 1890, Moreland City Library 04. Pascoe Vale Road Looking The early prominence of local farming of farming in the district and its South, 1900, Moreland City Library was reflected in the formation of the growing importance as an organised, 05. Moreland Road, The Land of Promise, West Brunswick, Moonee Ponds Farmer’s Society, competitive activity.” 07 1888, State Library of Victoria 1854 - John Daly established his Hill Farm on 06. Pascoe Vale Railway Station, Source : Moreland Thematic History, City of Moreland, pg 44 the slopes of the Moonee Ponds Creek west of 1898, Moreland City Library. which later became the Port Phillip Margaret Terrace (now Pearson Street). 07. Plan of the Parish of Jika between 1837 & 1850, State 1854 Fawkner Street bridge constructed Library of Victoria

1857 Pascoe Vale Road bridge constructed

1889 Victoria dock excavates, with fill used to fill swamp 1858 Experimental farm of 575 ha created in Parkville

1860’s sand mining occurs along the banks of the 1887 Coode Canal opens, with cut creek. Sand is used for road construction. used to fill the West Melb swamp 1937 Hoddle surveys the Mone Mone Creek - a chain of ponds running into a salt-water swamp adjoining the west By 1860’s West Melbourne Swamp transformed into boundary of Melbourne Reserve with an unsightly and unhealthy mire the intention of dividing the land into 1879 ‘Batman Lagoon’ was drained and filled to sections. (ALD. p. 3) create the North Melbourne railway yards 01 1861 Melbourne’s population reaches 125,000

02 1862 La Rose bridge constructed 1870 Great floods rage throughout 1840 The terrain of La Rose farm was still in its natural state, being Victoria. (S. M. Notes) described as: “very lightly timbered with the she oak, the light 1848 Moonee Ponds Farmers’ Society: - The newly wood and the honey suckle, a fine criterion of the richness of the formed society held its first ploughing match at 1863 The State Government granted 20 acres 1872 - Royal Commission (Low Lands soils, and the expense of clearing any portion of it for agricultural or La Rose (Pascoe Vale) a property owned by Mr. of swampy land, known as the Moonee Ponds Commission) “to enquire into and report horticultural purposes will be trifling. Its gently undulating surface Robertson. (ALD. p.8) Reserve, to the Council for a reserve. (J.M. - EHS) upon certain matters connected with the low abounds with the most desirable sites for villa residence.” Moreland 1851 Victorian Gold lands on the south and west of the city.” with Thematic History Rush commences, particular interest in swamp reclamation. leading to a huge 1849 Severe flood along MPC - “great quantities of influx of immigrants. 1870’s MPC already experiencing the effects of farm produce, agricultural implements, casks, hides, Melbourne’s population increased runoff due to agriculture and residential continued to come down from the Moonee chain of 1843 First sales of land throughout reaches 23,000 development within the basin 1874 Loemans bridge constructed Strathmore on Moonee Ponds Creek ponds...” reports the Argus B.03 AN AGRICULTURAL CREEK 1851 1860 1862 1870 1874 1837 1843 1849 1854 1879 1889 1835 1900

27 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 28 05. The Ladies Rifle Club at the Moone Ponds Creek, The Australasian, May 31 1902. a sewer creek... 06. Moonee Ponds Creek, 1922,Moreland City Library 07. Weekly Times November 2 1918, Trove. 08. A Bridge over Moonee Ponds Creek, pre 1920, Moreland City Library “The growth of Melbourne during the 09. Albion Bridge looking at Essendon, pre 1938, Moreland City Library second half of the 19th century was 10. Bridge over Moonee Ponds Creek, Essendon from Albion Street, Pre 1938, Moreland City accompanied by a deterioration in Library 11. The Age, Decemeber 30 1887, Trove. sanitary conditions; human wastes 01 were discharged directly in open 05 IMAGE CREDITS 03 drains; cesspools, ill kept privies and 01. Along the Valley of the Moonee Ponds Creek at Glenroy, 1930, Moreland City 08 Library. earth closets abounded; and night 02. Moonee Ponds Creek after the Storm, Brunswick West, 1915, Melbourne Museum soil was dumped in close proximity to 03. North Melbourne Advertiser, September 1891, Trove. 04. View down Albion Street, pre 1938, Moreland City Library. residential areas”.

Development of the Moonee Ponds Creek Drainage System, MMBW, 1981

04 06 07 09

02 "We are not going to inflict another article on the Moonee Ponds Creek upon our readers, but think it only just to compliment both the Western Ward vigilance committee, and the town council on their united action with regard to this nuisance, and also to show appreciation of the step taken by the latter 1891 Parliament creates the Melbourne in passing a resolution inviting the neighbouring municipal bodies to a conference on the all important Metropolitan Boards of Works (MMBW) subject of bringing the filthy state of the creek under the cognizance of the Government. It must be patent to everyone that this question is beyond the sphere of municipal politics, and as the cost of cleansing the Moonee Ponds Creek is far too great to be borne locally, the Government may be fairly asked to place a sum on the estimates for the performance of the work. " The Advertiser “Independent.” Saturday, 11 December 3Rd, 1887. 1891 An Influenza out-break had made serious in-roads in Flemington and Essendon. Ten years ago it was known as “fog fever” or “dandelion fever” Now it is called “la grippe” and “influenza”. (E.G. 8/10/91) Royal Commission into the sanitary conditions in Melbourne undertaken. “Almost every watercourse 10 1934 Inquiry led by MMBW into flood or lagoon within the metropolitan area is ... used as a mitigation measures along the creek receptacle for sewerage. Although the general mass of 1892 English Cholera: - A number of cases were reported night soil is kept out of the channels, the liquid sewerage in the Essendon District. (E.G. 11/2/92) flowing in them is foul and dangerous to health.” 1900 The Rat plague: A house to house inspection was 1920’s and 1930’s connection of urban areas to the Melbourne swamp described as “foul beyond description” nearing completion. A total of 458 rats had been presented Metropolitan sewerage network, helping to reduce waste 1890’s Inner Melbourne sewer construction begins to Council for the 2d bounty. The reward was raised to 3d a into the creek, although many unsewered properties 1930’s Moonee Ponds Creek no longer head. (E.G. 10/5/00) remain, as well as industrial discharge into the creek. the open sewer it had been due to completion of sewerage network 1889 local councils complain about the disgraceful state 1899 Typhoid Fever reported in the Moonee 1904 Diphtheria Outbreak: - The Ascot Vale State of the creek and request railway Dept to clean it. Ponds area. (E.G. 5/1/99) School was forced to close for several days following 1921 serious epidemic in North Melbourne and the outbreak of diphtheria in the District. (E.G. 16/6/04) Kensington reported in the Age attributed to the filthy state of the creek. “it is a mere gutter of filth.” 1911 Flood in lower reaches of MPC 1930’s bank erosion becomes a major 1890 The Sanitary report from the Commission: “The Moonee 1899 Cleaning the Moonee Ponds Creek: - problem along the middle reaches Ponds Creek is a shallow tidal creek with sandy bed, covered Preliminary work commencing from the Racecourse 1914 -1918 World War I 1880’s - 1930s - siltation and vegetation along of the creek, accecerbated by illegal thickly (a foot or two deep) with sewage sludge, and forming a Road end, was carried out by 20 PWD workmen. creek reduced hydraulic capacity of the channel sand mining. Timber retaining walls main trunk outlet for sewerage from ... Brunswick ... [This] foul Forty extra hands from the Labour Bureau were 1919 Influenza Epidemic: New regulations were constructed to prevent combat erosion. [creek is] bubbling with decomposition, and [it is] notorious for later employed to assist. The total cost of the project foreshadowed due to the severity of the second outbreak. the insufferable stench which arises from [it]”. was £4,500. (E.G. 30/3/99) Patients now must be isolated and all cases reported. It was 1926-28 lower section of MPC cleaned out reported that 12 deaths had been recorded at the Essendon by MMBW Hospital over the past 14 days. (E.G. 8/5/19) B.04 A SEWER CREEK 1891 1920 1900 1919 1889 1891 1899 1911 1926 1934 1890 1930

29 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 30 IMAGE CREDITS

01. Creek above Flemington Road, 1962, a drainage creek... MMBW, Melbourne Water. 02. Creek above Flemington Road after works, 1962, MMBW, Melbourne Water. 03. Moonee Ponds Creek Main Drain above Flemnington Road, 1977, MMBW Melbourne Water. In response to the increasing frequency 04. 1963 flood, Audrey Biggs, Friends of the Moonee Ponds Creek and severity of flooding as a result of 05. Floods in Pascoe Vale and Strathmore 01 02 03 Photographer: Mr Alexander Grimms, urban development and loss of floodplain 04 FoMPC 06. Plan of Flemington Road works, 1962, capacity, the Melbourne Metropolitan MMBW, Melbourne Water. 07. Typical section of Hilda Street works, 1960, Board of Works (MMBW) commence a MMBW, Melbourne Water. 08. Creek in flood 1940’s Hope St West sixty year project to reconstruct the Creek Brunswick, Mrs Audrey Biggs, FoMPC 09. Hope Street Brunswick after flood, 1940’s, as an urban drain designed to evacuate Audrey Biggs, FoMPC 07 10. Hilda Street works, 1960, MMBW, Melbourne Water. stormwater from the City as quickly and 05 11. Moonee Ponds Creek 1977, MMBW, efficiently as possible, resulting in the Melbourne Water. 06 12. Creek improvement works, Westmeadows, concrete drain we have today. 1976, MMBW, Melbourne Water 11 These works resulted in the straightening

12 1960 MMBW proposal to acquire land for retarding basin upstream (Jacana) of the Creek’s meanders, lining of and to undertake selective works north of Ormond road to alleviate flooding the creek and tributaries placed in underground drains (e.g. Melville Creek 1961-2 Somerset Street Coburg works - new embankment, banks pitched

08 09 10 1961 Works to creek around Moreland Road bridge

1933 Christmas Day flood along entire length of creek, estimated to be the 1:200 year flood, with erosion of banks along some sections 1953 MMBW improvement plan for realignment of MPC 1962-3 works upstream of Flemington Road bridge including major of creek, Hope St bridge washed away between Broadmeadows and Flemington Road with aim realignment, new channel with concrete invert 1923 Metropolitan Drainage and Rivers Act passed, to alleviate bank erosion and eliminate pools that become stagnant in dry weather. overall plan never executed due to entrusting MMBW with the management of rivers, 1934 For the third time in the year the homes of residents of low lying areas of 1963 severe flood market garden inundated near Gaffney street creeks and watercourses within the City Kensington were flooded. The Keilor Shire Council announced an offer, with the cost, but sections were completed later. This plan contains support of the Government, for 200 blocks of excellent residential land for the cross sections that show MPCV’s future as a drain. re-location of residents presently living in flood prone areas. (E.G. 6/12/34) 1963-4 Waxman Parade works completed - major 1924 Major floods along the Creek with embankment realignment, new concrete channel. breaches above Flemington Road in Debney’s 1945 To prevent winter flooding of the Creek, the MMBW 1955 new bridge constructed at Albion street. included Paddock propose to straighten its course. A Committee decided on works to the creek channel north and south a basis of arbitration to recompense land owners affected by the project. (E.G. 14/6/45) 1966 - Works to creek near Donald Avenue Essendon 1981 MMBW publishes a proud history 1925 MMBW undertakes investigation into flooding documenting the “Development of the along lower sections of the Creek 1950’s and 60’s MMBW received complaints about bank Moonee Ponds Creek Drainage System” 1946 flood - highest flows along MPC since 1933, erosion from property owners, as well as concern about marking an end to a particular era in the 1967 Jacana retarding basin constructed which erosion along creek at Gaffney Street hazards to children caused by steep, crumbling banks. Creek’s history. considerably changes flow regime through the creek 1926-1940 MMBW carries out improvement works along tributaries, including underground drains and 1947 MMBW organises conference with local pitching 1958-60 Hilda Street works undertaken by MMBW - authorities to discuss proposal to realign and involving realignment of creek, new concrete channel reconstruct creek between Flemington and Ormond constructed, toes of bank lined with bluestone. This was 1967-70 - major realignment works to the creek 1975-77 Works north from Gaffey to 1920-1940 - floodplain between Flemington and Roads and build a new road along side. the first major works to the creek post war. between Flemington Road and bell street Margaret Streets completed, the last section Ormond Roads substantially filled by land developers, of concrete lining and straightening. Growing partic around the MV racecourse, reducing flood community concern regarding the extent of capacity 1948 MMBE works to Hodkins Nursery in Pascoe works and the poor visual outcome. Vale 1959 Improvement works to Pattinson St, Essendon

B.05 A DRAINAGE CREEK 1953 1959 1960 1970 1933 1934 1945 1947 1977 1980 1923 1926 1920 1981

31 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 32 IMAGE CREDITS

01. The Essendon Ladies Rifle Club, The Australasian, May 31st 1902. a recreation creek... 02. Oak Park 1975, Northern Melbourne Waterways Study, 1975, Preston Institute of Technology / City of Moonee Valley Library. 03. Plan for General Development Report of the Metropolitan Town 04 Planning Commission 1929 Source: Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning. 04. Northern Melbourne Waterways Study, 1975, Preston Institute of The development of a linear park Technology / City of Moonee Valley Library. 05 02 05. Riders at the North Essendon Board Track Source: http:// along the Moonee Ponds Creek cyclingscrapbook.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/the-saucer-track-and- board-tracks-that.html was first proposed back in 1929. 06. The North Essendon Board Track Source: http://treadlie.com.au/ tracking-time/ After the Second World War there 07. Northern Melbourne Waterways Study, 1975, Preston Institute of Technology / City of Moonee Valley Library was increasing interest in providing recreational and open space

opportunities for the rapidly growing 04 population with increasing spare time and affluence. The creek’s floodplain provided cheap and available land to accommodate these activities.

07 06 1929 The Plan for General Development clearly shows the Moonee Ponds Creek as a major lineal park, linking inner Melbourne with the edge. An extensive study was undertaken to ensure there was sufficient access to public recreational space. The plan suggests the purchasing of additional areas to strengthen the lineal connections and preservation of beautiful and scenic locations. There was a great concern that the expansion and population of the city was not adequately meeting the requirements 1984 “Woodlands” Historic Park opened to the public for public recreation. The Commission states “ Abundant evidence is available to substantiate the views of city planners, the medical profession, and psychologists 1984 The City of Essendon unveiled plans to convert the banks of the that proper outdoor recreation has the most beneficial Moonee Ponds Creek and neighbouring areas into a linear park. The plan effect on the health, morels and business efficiency of 01 involved the construction of noise barriers and a 11 kilometre path from the communities, and consequently on the national life.” 1929 06 northern most part of the city near the trestle bridge to the southern most Plan for General Development Report, Metropolitan Town 03 08 point, south of Ormond Road. This was part of a larger Federal Government Planning Commission 03 employment initiative, together with State and Councils, to create a 27 kilometre linear path. (E.G. 11/7/84)

1939 - 1957 The North Essendon Board Track was seven laps to the 1963 Mr. S. Merrifield, speaking in the 1974 The Essendon Council informed the Department of Youth Sport mile (229m) and boasted very tight radius bends making it difficult House, expressed concern at the shortage and Recreation that it supported the Department’s idea of providing to ride but spectacular to watch. It flourished, drawing great crowds 1949 Broadmeadows Shire Council acquires of recreation land in the district He stated special bicycle paths around Melbourne and promised cooperation for to watch overseas imports and Australia’s best track riders including large areas of land for recreation grounds at Oak that there were presently only 330 acres of any of the Department’s proposals or moves to use the banks of the 1986 Boeing Reserve (Strathmore Heights) officially opened Patterson and Mockeridge. http://treadlie.com.au/tracking-time/ Park (11 acres) and Lebanon Park (17 acres), the land in the City of Essendon set aside for Moonee Ponds Creek for one of its paths. (E. G. 6/3/74) by unveiling a plaque at the Community Day organised by the latter being capable of accommodating two or this purpose while 415 acres were required. Essendon City Council. A wide range of activities were set up to three football ovals. (E.G. 24/3/49) He was critical of the encroachment of enable families and residents to celebrate the occasion. (C.N. 1939 Residents of North Essendon were up in arms against the recent parts of council parks for the exclusive use 1975 Northern Melbourne Waterways Study undertaken 16/09/86) action of the Broadmeadows Shire Council in granting permission to the of some bodies, reducing the recreational proprietors of the board cycling track, formerly located at the Exhibition 1956 Melbourne hosts the Olympic Games land available for use by the local citizens. Oval, Melbourne, to erect the track and stands on an area of land in (B.G. 16/1/63) 1977 The last section of the concrete channel (formerly the Talbot Street, North Essendon. (E.G. 28/9/39) Moonee Ponds Creek) behind Ormond Park at the rear of the 1965 The Essendon Council Moonee Valley Football Club pavilion, was soon to be fenced 1995 A bicycle path was in the process of granted a piece of land in off after a small boy rolled down the forty foot high slope and being constructed along the banks of tlle 1947 Albion Street residents discuss plans for the 1958 The west bank of the Moonee Woodland Street, North 1966 Despite further protests nearly drowned. (E.G. 3/8/77) Moonee Ponds Creek, the Essendon section Essendon, near the Reynards development of the Albion Street Reserve. A petition signed Ponds Creek, from Bell Street to from residents, the Melbourne & extending from the city’s northern boundary Road Bridge to the Northern by 157 residents was presented outlining the importance of a Dynon Road, Footscray, was to Metropolitan Board of Works granted near the trestle bridge to Moreland Road in Invitation Pigeon Racing Club reserve in the area to serve the 250 children. The reserve was be made an open park following a permit for the Pigeon Racing Club the south. (E.G. 6/3/85) on which the Club plans to 1977 Moonee Ponds Creek Open Space Study completed, City re-named “Montgomery Park”. (E.G. 24/7/47) a decision by the Board of Works. to retain its Clubhouse on vacant land erect a club-house. (E. G. of Broadmeadows (E.G. 20/2/58) north of the Cross Keys Reserve. (E.G. 2/6/65) 30/11/66) B.06 A RECREATION CREEK 1947 1939 1947 1958 1963 1974 1977 1984 1986 1929 1990

33 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 34 IMAGE CREDITS

01. Victoria St Bridge Looking South, Mrs Audrey Biggs, an urbanised creek... Friends of the Moonee Ponds Creek (FoMPC) 02. Looking south west from Forster Court, Pascoe Vale South, 1965, FoMPC 03. Tullamarine Freeway above Felmington Road during construction, 1969, Herald & Weekly Times Collection, State Library of Victoria After World War II, a new era of increasing 04. Tullamarine Freeway, 1975, James O Nicholls, State Library of Victoria (SLV) prosperity arrived, fuelled by high prices 05. Special Project No. 4 (Tullamarine Fwy), MMBW Planning and Highways Branch,1967,State Library of Victoria 09 for Victoria’s wool, increased government 06. Tullamarine Freeway, 1977, Melbourne Water 06 spending on transport and education, and 07. Tullamarine Freeway, 1977, Melbourne Water 08. Tullamarine Freeway (View 2), 1975 James O Nicholls, SLV the stimulus of renewed high immigration. 09. Bell Street Interchange Tullamarine Freeway, Val Foreman, National Archives of Australia These inflows rapidly transformed the city’s 10. A. Grimm’s home during construction, Greenbank Crescent Pascoe Vale South,1951, Mr Alexander Grimms, FoMPC demographic profile and many aspects of its 01 11. Winifred Street, Oak Park, 1950’s, FoMPC life. This new growth required new spending on infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals, which had been neglected during 08 the long decades of recession. The footprint

The Tullamarine Freeway, which was officially opened by Sir of the city rapidly expanded, placing further Henry Bolte on the 3 February 1970. The Moonee Ponds Creek was realigned during the construction of the freeway, as can 02 be seen in Figure 4, which is an aerial view facing south from pressures on the Moonee Ponds Creek. Brunswick Road taken in 1969. The image clearly indicates the extent of earthworks along the Freeway itself, and shows that the 07 realignment of the Moonee Ponds Creek in a concrete channel had been completed. The land west of the Moonee Ponds Creek in this area south of Brunswick Road does not appear to have been extensively modified during the construction of the 11 Freeway or the realignment of the creek. This area is now within Travancore Park.” 1950 Melbourne’s main airport Essendon Airport officially designated an international airport

1970 The Boeing 747 makes its first commercial flight from New York to 03 04 London for Pan American. The incentive for creating the giant 747 came 1954 Plan for Melbourne identified need for 05 10 from reductions in airfares, a surge in air-passenger traffic and increasingly major road to Broadmeadows along the Creek crowded skies.

1963 Boeing 727 completes a 76,000-mile world 1950’s to70’s Major urban development occurring in Creek 1970 The new bridge, part of the Bell Street interchange of the Tullamarine tour to 26 countries. basin, with the creek experiencing more frequent flood flows Freeway providing a direct link for west bound traffic from Bell Street to due to urban expansion and infilling and development of the 1959 Government announces new airport to be built at Tullamarine Pascoe Vale Road and the Freeway, was officially opened to the motoring floodplain and approves the acquisition of 2,167 hectares of land at public. This completed the construction of the Bell Street interchange by the Tullamarine for the purpose of establishing a new International 1963 The Minister for Public Works informed Mr. K Wheeler, MLA Country Roads Board. (E.G. 8/7/70) Airport. Jet powered DC-8 enters service simultaneously for Essendon, that 87 homes would be affected by the proposed new freeway between Bell Street, Pascoe Vale and Lancefield The fate of the Creek has been closely aligned with the development of the Road, North Essendon. Full acquisition of 72 of the homes would aeronautical industry. The original decision to locate Melbourne’s airport at Essendon be required for Stage 1 and the houses would be acquired over early in the 20th century, followed by the rapid advancement of jet propulsion a period of 5 years at a cost of £400,000. The construction of the technology in the wake of the Second World War, led to the rapid development of the commercial airline industry. By the 1960’s it became apparent that there was 1980 Melbourne’s population freeway was estimated to cost a further £850,000. (B.G. 16/1/63) reaches 2,800,000 1960 Residents of Strathmore were greatly concerned at the insufficient runway space at essendon to accommodate the larger and larger jet news that the Country Roads Board planned to build a freeway airplanes, in particular being developed by Boeing, prompting the government through the centre of their splendid residential suburb. It was 1969 The Moonee Ponds Creek was diverted to make way for to purchase land at Tullamarine for a new international airport. The subsequent estimated that 75 allotments would be affected. (E.G. 6/7/60) the Tullamarine Freeway and the old course, which passed development of the freeway linking the airport to the city and its alignment along through the grounds of the Strathmore High School was filled the southern portion of the creek was an impetus for the massive realignment and 1970 Melbourne Airport was opened to international in to enable the grounds to be better utilised. (E. G. 20/8/69) channelisation works that dominate the creek valley today. operations by Prime Minister John Gorton

B.07 AN URBANISED CREEK 1970 1954 1959 1960 1963 1950 1980

35 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 36 an environmental creek...

IMAGE CREDITS

01. All images courtesy of the Friends of the Moonee In recent decades, a significant Ponds Creek, unless otherwise noted. change in attitude towards the creek has taken place. Driven largely by the community, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of a more healthy creek to the functioning of the expanding city. While the creek cannot be returned to its former natural state, there is recognition that a new identity for the creek based upon

enhanced livability, biodiversity and 1987 More than 400 irate residents of Strathmore packed the Strathmore North Primary School hall to protest against Government plans to proceed with the escarpment freeway. The controversy centred around a reservation along the eastern border of Essendon Airport which had been held by the Government for many years, but was to be removed function must be forged. from plans to improve surface access to Tullamarine. The controversial Escarpment Route Freeway would by-pass the present dogleg route around the airport and carry four lanes of traffic through Strathmore. This would result in the demolition of 58 homes to make way for the freeway and would adversely affect the residential streets. (E.G. 25/02/87)

2013-15 Proposed East West Link shelved 1970 The first Earth Day was celebrated 1989 The Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek (FoMPC) 1994 Amalgamation of by incoming government in 2015 after was founded by our long-term president Kelvin Thomson local councils, forming strong community opposition and was originally named the Moonee Ponds Creek the City of Moonee Association. A primary aim at that time was to try Valley to protect the Creek from the CityLink freeway that 1972 The Club of Rome published their threatened the middle to lower sections report The Limits to Growth 1998 Moonee Ponds Creek Coordination 2016 Herbert Street Pascoe Vale Committee (MPCCC) formed wetland project completed on 1991 Moonee Ponds Creek Concept Plan original creek meander completed by the Moonee Ponds Creek 1970’s growing concern from community and Association and the MMBW environmental groups over the MMBW’s drainage 2011 Moonee Ponds Creek ‘improvement’ works to the Creek Strategic Plan completed 2017 Moonee Ponds Creek Catchment 1991 Aboriginal artefact sites identified along the 1999 CityLink opened in August - the Collaboration group established Creek, which was part of the territory used by the aerial roadway between Dynon Road Flood of 2005 comes close to a 1:100 Wurundjeri people and Racecourse Road was constructed year event with flood waters contained and the section north of Racecourse within the existing channel Road was an upgrade of the existing 2018 Moonee Ponds Creek 1991 Strathmore Heights Community Centre at Tullamarine Freeway. Chain of Ponds endorsed Boeing Reserve officially opened

B.08 AN ENVIRONMENTAL CREEK 2017 2016 2018 2011 1991 2005 1998 1999 1989 1994 1972 2018 1970 2016

37 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 38 Existing View near Brosnan Crescent, the future creek... Strathmore Heights

The Chain of Ponds plan invites residents, community members and stakeholders to come together to boldly re-imagine what Moonee Ponds Creek can be now and into the future. It is a call for radical and exciting ideas that will advocate positive change and begin an exciting new chapter in the life of the creek.

Proposed view looking north from Denzil Don Reserve, Brunswick West by Robert Lovick for Urban-Water Proposed view near Brosnan Crescent, Transect studio, led by Dr. Michaela Prescott, RMIT University, 2017 Strathmore Heights by Robert Lovick for Urban- Water Transect studio, led by Dr. Michaela Prescott, RMIT University, 2017 MELBOURNE’S POPULATION GROWTH 1839-2060 POPULATION Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics 10,000,000 9,000,000 8,000,000 7,000,000 6,000,000

2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 or 5,000,000 CMP 11 was held in Paris. The conference negotiated the Paris 4,000,000 Agreement, a global agreement on the reduction of climate change, the text of which represented a consensus of the 3,000,000 representatives of the 196 parties attending it. 2,000,000 1,000,000 The Moonee Ponds Creek Linear Park Master Plan commences, 0 exploring ideas to reivigerate and repair the creek. 1839 1861 1880 1891 1911 1933 1954 1971 1981 1991 2000 2020 2040 2060 01 YEAR

2015 Tullamarine Freeway widening commences 2025 Volume of traffic on Melbourne’s freeways is on course to double in just 20 years according to VicRoads data 2015 Western Distributor project announced

2040 Melbourne’s population predicted to reach 2018 Australia's population hit 25 million - “Private sector demographer Mark 6,800,000 (Source: Austalian Bureau of Statistics) McCrindle said Australia’s faster than anticipated population growth helps explain public frustration about traffic gridlock and crowded trains. Its no real By 2066, Melbourne’s population predicted to reach up Timeframe for meeting the vision to: provide innovative, collaborative and surprise that infrastructure is playing catch-up because the population has 2050 Melbourne’s population predicted to reach to 12,200,000 (Source: Austalian Bureau of Statistics) inspirational planning and management that will improve the ecological 2030 Melbourne’s population predicted to reach overshot the forecasts on which the planning was based,” he said.” The Age, 7,600,000 (Source: Austalian Bureau of Statistics) health of the Moonee Ponds Creek, support a happy, active and healthy 5,900,000 (Source: Austalian Bureau of Statistics) Friday February 12th 2016 community and protect the creek from inappropriate urban development.

B.09 A FUTURE CREEK 2018 2025 2030 2040 2050 2060 2015 2060 2070 39 | Chain of Ponds Chronology | 40