We’ve been working with our project partners, community representatives and residents to reimagine a number of creeks across Melbourne.
By working together we’re transforming stormwater drains and creeks into natural waterways and desirable open spaces, where people can interact with nature in cooler, healthier environments. This approach means that the people most likely to use the creek and its open space have influenced the designs to meet their needs and preferences. And, designs are informed by local knowledge, community values and priorities.
Comprehensive flood modelling is always undertaken to ensure that there will be no increased flooding risk to the local community or downstream users as a result of these projects.
Take a look at some of the sites below.
D1 Drain Werribee
Water is essential to our way of life. That’s why we’re transforming part of the D1 Drain in Werribee to create a beautiful open space where you can interact with nature and each other in a cooler, healthier environment. We're passionate about creating a desirable open space with better connections to your local area, that enhances the community's physical and mental health, today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Located between Heaths Road and Derrimut Road in Werribee, the Reimagining Your D1 Drain Werribee project will naturalise a 980 metre section of creek, known as the D1 Drain.
In October we asked you to tell us how you currently use the D1 Drain in Werribee and share your ideas to create a natural waterway and inviting public space.
Thank you for all of your ideas and feedback. Community consultation to directly shape the design concepts for the space has now closed.
To find out more, visit Reimagining Your D1 Drain Werribee.
Blind Creek – Lewis Park
The Reimagining Blind Creek – Lewis Park project will create a desirable open space where people can interact with nature and each other. In addition to naturalising the creek, there will be three new wetlands, a range of paths, a boardwalk and other amenities for the community to enjoy.
The section of Blind Creek to be naturalised extends from Scoresby Road into the Lewis Park Precinct.
In 2018, we worked with Knox Council to engage people most likely to use Blind Creek and its open space to discuss our plans for the area and seek input into the proposed designs. The final design was informed by local knowledge, community values and priorities.
We finalised the design in late 2022 and began construction in early 2023. This project is due to be completed in mid to late 2024.
To find out more, visit Reimagining Your Blind Creek Lewis Park.
Moonee Ponds Creek, Strathmore and Oak Park
Melbourne Water is leading the delivery of the Reimagining Moonee Ponds Creek project on behalf of the Chain of Ponds Collaboration Group and in partnership with Merri-bek City Council, Moonee Valley City Council, Greater Western Water, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung partners.
After two phases of community engagement Design Concept C proved to be the most popular, so we finalised the design in early 2022 and commenced construction in August 2022. These works are expected to finish in 2023.
To find out more, visit Reimagining Your Moonee Ponds Creek.
Arnolds Creek, Melton West
in 2021, we completed works to reimagine a 1.4 kilometre section of Arnolds Creek in Melton West. The project included removing the concrete channel and existing stormwater pipe to create a natural waterway, and planting native plants.
As part of the design we adopted contemporary urban design and landscaping ideas and incorporated suggestions from the community. Thank you to everyone who shared ideas, values and preferences for the design of the area.
Blind Creek, Boronia
We have also completed works on our site at Blind Creek, Boronia, ‘daylighting’ a 650-metre section from Manuka Drive to Scoresby Road. Check out our video which shows the site before and after our works to naturalise the creek and create a vibrant open space for local community to enjoy!
Stony Creek at Sunshine Hospital, St Albans
In March 2019 we held a number of face-to-face and online engagement activities for the Reimagining Stony Creek at Sunshine Hospital project. This included:
- talking to parents and junior players at Club Italia Sporting Club
- holding pop-up information sessions at Sunshine Hospital
- hosting a community barbecue at Grantham Green Reserve
- holding workshops with students from St Albans Meadows Primary School and Jackson School.
Through these activities we heard from more than 500 people and identified what was important about Stony Creek for this community.
While we are committed to delivering this Reimagining your Creek at Sunshine Hospital project in the future, we have put this project on hold as we prioritise activities on the Upper Stony Creek Transformation site for the local St Albans and Sunshine North community.
Tarralla Creek, Croydon
We have completed works at Tarralla Creek, renewing the are from Dorset Road to Eastfied Road Croydon. To inform the co-design, we established a Community Advisory Group and held community engagement events.