Melbourne Water has begun a project to widen Gardiners Creek in Glen Iris to improve flood protection for local properties.
Previous investigations showed widening the creek was the only viable solution to mitigate the risk of flooding to homes in the area.
The project is expected to take six months to complete and involves widening on both sides of a 400-metre stretch of Gardiners Creek between Burke Road Tunnel and upstream of Tooronga Road, Glen Iris.
Project manager Bill Welsford said a section of the shared path along Gardiners Creek would be temporarily diverted through the adjacent Coles property throughout the project.
“Following extensive consultation with Coles and community stakeholders, work has begun on the detour to the north of the existing path,” he said.
“We understand the frustration and concerns of local residents over the delayed start to this project, however, we are now able to offer a shorter detour for path users, away from the surrounding streets.
“We would like to thank Coles and local bike users for their help in reaching this solution,” he added.
