1 July 2008
BETTER FLOOD PROTECTION AND A NEW WETLAND FOR CLAYTON
Clayton residents near Namatjira Park are set to benefit from better flood protection and a new wetland, through a $1.5 million investment by Melbourne Water.
The project recently received full support from Kingston City Council, which is upgrading other facilities at the park.
General Manager of Waterways, Chris Chesterfield, said an upgrade to an existing 2.5ha retarding basin would help prevent flooding while a wetland would act as a natural filter to purify stormwater.
“Established areas like Clayton can generate large amounts of stormwater runoff even from a moderate amount of rain, because there are fewer non-concrete areas where it can soak in,” said Mr Chesterfield.
“That water has to go somewhere, so retarding basins are used to hold large amounts of runoff until it can be steadily drained away.”
The Clayton Flood Retarding Basin was built almost 40 years ago, and now that the surrounding area has grown, it needs to be upgraded. Mr Chesterfield said the project would include creation of a wetland inside Namatjira Park to help filter stormwater before it enters Mordialloc Creek.
“When rain washes down a street, it picks up a build up of pollutants that then go into our waterways, and can make life difficult for frogs, fish and other animals that live in them.
“By diverting stormwater runoff into a wetland instead, those impurities are filtered out naturally by plants and time – so that when the water does finally get into creeks, it’s much cleaner.”
The improved approach to managing stormwater at Namatjira Park will allow for existing fencing and earth mounds to be removed, effectively opening up more space for park users. The project also includes construction of a boardwalk and shared pedestrian/cycle paths.
“Through this and other projects, Melbourne Water is spending almost $8 million over five years to improve the health of Mordialloc Creek by building wetlands,” said Mr Chesterfield.
“We are very pleased to have the full support of Kingston City Council for this project, and look forward to working with them to deliver it.”
Melbourne Water will hold information sessions at the Namatjira Bowls Club to give the community a chance to learn more about the project, before construction starts in December 2008. These sessions are expected to be held in late August, with more detail available closer to the time.
Melbourne Water recently launched an advertising campaign explaining simple things people can do to reduce pollution through stormwater runoff. The ‘I love living here’ campaign features a platypus, growling grass frog and blackfish asking people to bin their rubbish, avoid washing paint brushes in the gutter and removing oil stains in the driveway. More information is available on the Melbourne Water website.
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846