Waterways Local Update

Transcription

1 Waterways Local Update Melbourne Water s work to improve waterways and provide flood protection in the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. $775,971 IN COMMUNITY FUNDING MONITORED WATER QUALITY IN WATERWAYS 705 FLOOD INFORMATION REQUESTS REVIEWED Melbourne Water is responsible for 8,400 km of rivers and creeks, 428 wetland treatment systems and more than 1,400 km of regional drainage systems in the Port Phillip and Westernport region. This work is funded by the Waterways and Drainage Charge, which is paid by property owners and collected by water retailers on our behalf. Some of the waterways in your local area that Melbourne Water cares for include: Balcombe Creek Drum Drum Alloc Creek Manton Creek Stony Creek Dunns Creek Chinamans Creek Main Creek Merricks Creek Image: Main Creek, Main Ridge

2 Healthy waterways Maintenance and new projects Each year we create and maintain healthy waterways by removing litter, debris and excess sediment. We remove and spray weeds, cut grass and plant native trees and shrubs. 6 km Revegetation 84 km Weed control 2 m 3 Sediment/ silt removal 190 m 3 litter/ debris removal We plant native trees and shrubs along waterways to provide habitat for birds and animals. Revegetating waterways and replacing weeds with native plants prevents erosion and improves water quality. Introduced and noxious weeds can choke waterways and take over from plants that provide healthy habitats for birds and animals. Silt and sediment is removed for drainage and flood protection and to prevent pollution building up in our waterways. Excess silt and sediment in waterways and wetlands can impact habitat for native plants and animals. Litter can have devastating consequences for native animals and plants living in waterways. Debris such as leaves and grass cuttings can restrict the flow of water to cause floods and change the habitat for platypus and fish. Stormwater We work closely with Council and local communities to better manage stormwater to protect the environment, provide alternative water sources and improve the stormwater that flows into local waterways. Through our Living Rivers program, we worked with Council and contributed $227,000 to projects that assist waterway health and create sustainable stormwater management solutions in your area. Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/livingrivers Environmental water We work with government agencies, councils, industries, landowners and the community to provide the allocated water needed in rivers to maintain healthy natural ecosystems. Worked with Southern Rural Water and Council to understand the role that groundwater plays Creating a conceptual model of the role that groundwater plays in the Mornington Peninsula catchment helps us enhance and manage ecosystems that are dependent on groundwater. Waterways Local Update

3 Monitoring and research We regularly undertake extensive monitoring, investigations and research to help us better understand how we can improve local waterways. Undertook monthly water quality monitoring at 10 sites within your area. These tests measure: water temperature dissolved oxygen salinity (conductivity) ph level nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Kjeldahl nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus) indicators of faecal contamination (E. coli) metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) Monitored sediment at Balcombe Creek, and Merricks River and Balcombe Creek estuaries Undertook a Westernport environment research program with Council Improved the management of stormwater to protect our waterways Investigated more effective methods for revegetation and weed control along waterways Further explored integrated water management Our water quality monitoring program is designed to assess broad-scale, long-term trends in water quality (typically over eight to 10 years). We use this data to help identify pollution sources and inform the community about local water quality. We monitored sediment to improve our knowledge of contaminants and help guide our management of waterways. Gaining a better understanding of the area helps protect the health of the Westernport catchment. We explored such things as using artificial wetlands and trees for filtration to better manage stormwater and rural land runoff. These investigations help us to revegetate, control weeds and desert ash, and manage pollution to improve the health of our waterways. This work provides us with better understanding on how to manage multiple water sources more efficiently and effectively, with improved techniques in water biodiversity. Waterways Local Update

4 Planning for future development We plan for future development to ensure growing communities do not threaten local waterways. We also advise and assist new developments to ensure they do not increase flood risk. 685 referrals 161 development 705 flood stormwater for land subdivisions reviewed applications reviewed information requests reviewed applications for works near Melbourne Water assets and works such as bridges, shared pathways and jetties reviewed connection applications reviewed To ensure proposed land subdivisions meet current standards for drainage and stormwater quality. To make sure that growing communities don t increase flood risk. To provide flood information to property owners and people interested in purchasing or redeveloping property. To ensure waterways, and the plants and animals that live there, are protected from the potential impacts of building works. To ensure waterways and the plants and animals that live there, are protected from the potential impacts of construction works. Flood protection While floods are natural and we can t stop them all from occurring, we aim to minimise the damage they cause to people, places and communities. We manage the regional drainage system and work with Council, the Victorian State Emergency Service, the Bureau of Meteorology, property owners and developers to make sure flood information is up to date. We provide flood warning services, prepare flood response plans, and identify and construct new flood protection projects in areas with the greatest need. Continued our hydrological data collection Used for development referrals, flood mitigation projects, flood warning analysis during emergency situations and other areas. 62 volunteers in your area provide us with rainfall data by recording information from a rain gauge in their backyard. These figures and the data from our automated gauges, provides us with valuable rainfall information. Find out more at melbournewater.com.au/communityrainreaders Waterways Local Update

5 Working with the community The involvement of community groups, volunteers, land managers and farmers supports our management of local waterways and regional drainage systems. If you d like more information about funding opportunities please call or river.health@melbournewater.com.au Funding provided Grant For $489,673 Stream $102,048 Community $184,250 Corridors Frontage Management Grants of Green Private land owners and managers for works that protect or enhance riverbanks, such as weed control, fencing and planting native trees. Volunteer and community groups for works that protect or enhance riverbanks on public land, raise awareness, and provide training and education to protect local waterways. Councils and public land managers for projects such as weed control, fencing and creating management plans. We also worked with the local community on several events and initiatives throughout the year. Who we worked with Local community Main Creek Landcare Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group Friends of Daangean Friends of Endeavour Fern Gully Friends of Warringine Creek Main Creek Landcare Manton & Stony Creek Landcare Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association Sunshine Reserve Conservation & Fireguard Tanti Creek Friends Merricks EstuaryWatch Group Watson Creek Landcare McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park Red Hill South Landcare Main Creek Landcare Balcolmbe Estuary Reserves Group Mt Martha (BERG) Rosebud Park and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management What we did Hosted a Waterbug Census training day at The Briars about macroinvertebrates and how to monitor them in local waterways, attended the Agribusiness Council Summit and provided information and resources about Frog Census. Hosted Waterbug Census monitoring sessions and provided resources. Provided water quality monitoring support and hosted a stand at the February Family Day to raise awareness of the estuary. Provided water quality monitoring support. Hosted an education session with VCAL students about Frog Census and provided information about river health. Held Frog Census information sessions to highlight the importance of frogs and how people can contribute to frog conservation through the Frog Census program. Provided support to encourage regeneration and improve the water quality of Hopetoun Creek. Provided support for weed control and education on the importance of the environment around Waterfall Creek and its contribution to the health of Port Phillip Bay. Waterways Local Update

6 Waterwatch is a citizen science program that encourages communities to monitor platypus, frogs and waterbugs as well as the water quality of their local river or creeks. We empower our volunteers to collect data, protect the waterways environment and share their knowledge. Visit melbournewater.com.au/waterwatch or call to find out more. e-issn: (Online) Copyright Melbourne Water Corporation July 2016 Waterways Local Update