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Waterways - Working together in new areas

May 2008

Patrick McCormick and David Littlewood

If you could put your finger on one of the biggest changes we’ve experienced as a community in our understanding of the environment, perhaps it would be the realisation that we live in an interconnected world.

In 2005, in a practical indication of this change, Melbourne Water was asked to take up responsibility for waterways management across the majority of the Port Phillip and Westernport region (the organisation has already been serving in this role in Greater Melbourne for over 80 years).

The change means that Melbourne Water has now become the responsible authority for major drainage systems, waterways and floodplain management over an additional 5000 square kilometres. In this role, Melbourne Water will be undertaking over 3000 kilometres of weed control and revegetation around waterways over the next five years.

While there has not been a region-wide waterway manager until more recent times, many councils and community organisations have been caring for rivers and creeks on a local scale — Melbourne Water is acknowledging and linking into this committed network.

In 2006 a 204 hectare parcel of land between Myrniong Creek and the Werribee River, was gifted to Conservation Volunteers Australia. Ken Beasley is overseeing the organisation’s efforts to restore this site, known as ‘the Island’.

Ken Beasley, Conservation Volunteers Australia, stands on the 'island' a parcel of land between Myrniong Creek and the Werribee River.

“It’s an area of significance but it faces several challenges,” he says looking out over the site.

Ken points down the hill to Myrniong Creek, indicating where Melbourne Water will soon be removing willows and other weeds.

“It’s terrific that Melbourne Water will be doing the hard yards down there,” he says. “They’ll be looking after that area by the creek; we’ll handle the middle and upper slopes. It’s a layered approach – I guess you could see it as a bit of a metaphor for how we all have to bring our skills together to protect our environment.”

To the north, the Friends of the Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve have been working with Melbourne Water to restore their local wetlands on Jacksons Creek.

Ian Sutherland, President of the Friends of the Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve, stands next to Jacksons Creek.

The group, founded in 1994, have worked tirelessly to weed and revegetate the area; they estimate that they have planted around 15,000 indigenous plants.

Ian Sutherland — the group’s president — explains that it’s relationships that make the work possible: “We’ve found that word of mouth and building partnerships has been the key to getting people involved and achieving results,” he says.

“Hume City Council has been terrific and we’ve now got the added support from Melbourne Water as well. It all makes for very positive outcomes. You particularly notice the support on the larger jobs, like removing willows; you do need and appreciate that extra help.”

To the south-east, the combination of environmental protection and education is also engaging the local community. Hilda Falls, located in South Gippsland, outside Loch, has a wonderful array of native plant life.

While the area retains its natural beauty, it has also had to withstand the assault of weeds, most obviously blackberries.

Tony Gardner, Landcare Australia, is working with local community and Melbourne Water to eradicate weeds from Hilda Falls, located in South Gippsland.

The local community, with support from Landcare’s Tony Gardner have been taking action to eradicate the infestation.

Work has been ongoing for two years and the improvement is clear. “The landowners and community around here have been great stewards; it’s really impressive to see,” says Tony.

“We’ve been working with Melbourne Water to get things right. Fortunately, a lot of our programs are complementary, and we recently signed a data sharing arrangement.”

“I can now go out on site, switch on my laptop and pull up all the info we need from their system, for example, on fence lines or vegetation classes. It means we can make real headway when it comes to the bit where we go and get our hands dirty,” he adds with a laugh.

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