Westbreen Creek, K.W. Joyce Reserve from
West St Drain confluence to end Cornwall Rd, Pascoe Vale – planned 2006
This is a
400-metre section of degraded urban waterway which runs through public open
space and has generated substantial community interest. The waterway is largely
piped both up and downstream of the project area and is also piped under
The key features
of the project are:
- Reshaping of
steep banks to improve conditions for revegetation
- Removal of
sediment to establish several ephemeral pools in popular seating/viewing areas
- Establishment of
indigenous vegetation along the creek
- Upgrade of
existing infrastructure including culverts and sewer crossings to meeting
current Melbourne Water standards, including screening where possible to reduce
visual impacts
- Retain views of
the creek from the shared path and improve landscape amenity from seating
areas.
The Friends of
Westbreen Creek were consulted during the development of concept/detailed
design for this project.
Melbourne Water
completed the civil component (earthworks) of the project in late 2008 and will
begin revegetation in the coming months, with the bulk of revegetation to occur
in 2009. Weed control has also occurred,
involving the removal of various woody weed species and removal of ground cover
weeds in preparation for revegetation.
The site has
several site constraints that
have proved a challenge during delivery of this project. These include: close proximity of shared path
to the creek, existing poor quality ‘fill’ located along sections of the creek
bank and shallow natural bedrock in several locations. Melbourne Water is working around these
constraints and is committed to delivering a high quality product that improves
the amenity and environmental values of this section of Westbreen Creek.
This project will
contribute approximately $130,000 of investment to Westbreen Creek.