The Melbourne Water program, Reimagining Your Creek, which has been transforming city creeks and waterways into accessible and environmental community hubs, has been recognised with the prestigious Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Victorian Award of Excellence for Infrastructure.
The projects involved were the revitalisation of Arnolds Creek in Melton (pictured below) and Blind Creek in Boronia (pictured above), with Melbourne Water partnering with REALMstudios and Alluvium Consulting to carry out the environmental makeovers.
Reimagining Your Creek Program Manager, Neil Featonby, said a 1.4km section of Arnolds Creek and a 650m stretch of Blind Creek were transformed from concrete-lined channels into natural waterways.
“This has created natural and open spaces for the community to enjoy and we’re delighted with the outcome for the creeks and surrounds,” Mr Featonby said.
“It provides a way for people to reconnect with nature and their local waterway – the landscaping includes paths and bridges and we’ve planted more than 400,000 native aquatic and riparian plants.
“This revegetation will also improve biodiversity along the creeks and offer welcome shade in hot months.”
Blind Creek in Boronia (pictured, courtesy of Rory Gardiner), which was hidden for over half a century, has sprung back to life thanks to the Reimagining Your Creek program.
A community space has also been created at Arnolds Creek in Melton (pictured, courtesy of Rory Gardiner), allowing people to interact with nature.
“Melbourne Water and the Reimagining Your Creek team are very excited to win this Award of Excellence for Infrastructure,” Mr Featonby said.
Other projects in the pipeline as part of the Reimagining Your Creek program include Tarralla Creek in Croydon and Moonee Ponds Creek at Strathmore and Oak Park.
Melbourne Water’s Reimagining Your Creek program is now shortlisted for the national Landscape Architecture Award to be presented in October.
