As part of Melbourne Water’s Living Rivers program, communities throughout the city have received a share of nearly $1.5 million in funding.
The City of Boroondara’s Chandler Park Wetlands project in Kew was successful in securing $300,000 in the latest round of Living Rivers funding towards construction costs, with Council also matching funding to contribute to these works.
“This project is a priority action from our Integrated Water Management Strategy, and we are delighted its merit has been recognised by DELWP and Melbourne Water through grant funding,” Mayor of Boroondara, Phillip Healey, said.
“Not only will it bring significant environmental benefits for our waterways but it will create a beautiful natural setting for passive recreation and an enhancement for the Main Yarra Trail.”
The project is one of 24 around Melbourne which aim to deliver reduced volumes of stormwater entering the waterway system, and ensuring water that does enter the system is not polluted.
Melbourne Water Catchment and Water Quality Manager, Kirsten Shelly, said the program was helping deliver better outcomes in local communities, and for the overall health of Melbourne’s waterways and bays.
“Reducing the amount of stormwater that reaches our waterways and drainage systems has multiple benefits; first, reducing the volume of stormwater runoff entering our waterways, and improving the quality of any water that does flow in, means healthier rivers and creeks, and better water quality in our bays,” Ms Shelly said.
“Additionally, it means lower demand on our drainage network which reduces the risk of flooding and increases the lifespan of our drainage infrastructure.
“Finally, we know that all water is a valuable resource, so this grant program also promotes local projects that target stormwater harvesting and reuse.
“We’re excited to see how Boroondara will deliver its innovative Chandler Park project and the benefits this will bring to the local community and the broader waterway network.”
In total, $1.49 million has been offered through this round of funding for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years.
Each project funded by the grants program is unique, however previous projects have included design and construction of stormwater treatment systems, stormwater harvesting schemes, flood risk and priority areas mapping, litter investigations, grass species nutrient removal, pollution monitoring, and preparing communication and education material and programs.
