WORKS START ON NEW WETLAND IN KNOX
From the Minister for Water
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Works have started on a $5 million wetland in Rowville which will help to improve the health of local waterways.
Water Minister Tim Holding today marked the start of construction of the new Kelletts Road Drain Wetland, adjacent to Caribbean Gardens.
“The Brumby Labor Government, Melbourne Water and local catchment management authorities are working to improve the health of rivers, creeks and waterways across Victoria,” Mr Holding said.
“This new wetland will significantly improve water quality in the Corhanwarrabul Creek and create habitat for thousands of birds, fish and other animals
“The Kelletts Wetland will help to stop pollutants in stormwater from getting into the local creek and ultimately Port Phillip Bay. Stormwater run-off can carry pollutants including nitrogen, motor oil and animal droppings that affect the health of fish and platypus and can cause algal blooms.”
More than 162,000 native plants will be planted as part of the Kelletts Wetland project, creating a new habitat for birds, fish and other animals.
Melbourne Water has committed to building the Kelletts Wetland as part of a broader redevelopment of Stamford Park by the Knox City Council. The project is expected to be completed late next year.
The wetland will be constructed by the Waterways Alliance – a partnership between Melbourne Water, Ecodynamics, Fulton Hogan and SMEC.
Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane said the project would be a great asset for the region.
“The Kelletts Wetland is expected to remove about 1,800 kilograms of nitrogen a year from the Corhanwarrabul Creek, preventing it flowing into Port Phillip Bay,” Mr Leane said.
“Wetlands act as natural filters that soak up and break down pollution in stormwater before it gets into local rivers and creeks.”
Victoria’s biggest man-made wetland, Dandenong Creek Wetland, is also being constructed nearby in the City of Knox and it will prevent about 28 tonnes of nitrogen a year from getting into our waterways.
Melbourne Water has a target to remove 100 tonnes of nitrogen from the waterways system by 2010 to improve the health of Port Phillip Bay.
Water Minister Tim Holding today marked the start of construction of the new Kelletts Road Drain Wetland, adjacent to Caribbean Gardens.
“The Brumby Labor Government, Melbourne Water and local catchment management authorities are working to improve the health of rivers, creeks and waterways across Victoria,” Mr Holding said.
“This new wetland will significantly improve water quality in the Corhanwarrabul Creek and create habitat for thousands of birds, fish and other animals
“The Kelletts Wetland will help to stop pollutants in stormwater from getting into the local creek and ultimately Port Phillip Bay. Stormwater run-off can carry pollutants including nitrogen, motor oil and animal droppings that affect the health of fish and platypus and can cause algal blooms.”
More than 162,000 native plants will be planted as part of the Kelletts Wetland project, creating a new habitat for birds, fish and other animals.
Melbourne Water has committed to building the Kelletts Wetland as part of a broader redevelopment of Stamford Park by the Knox City Council. The project is expected to be completed late next year.
The wetland will be constructed by the Waterways Alliance – a partnership between Melbourne Water, Ecodynamics, Fulton Hogan and SMEC.
Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane said the project would be a great asset for the region.
“The Kelletts Wetland is expected to remove about 1,800 kilograms of nitrogen a year from the Corhanwarrabul Creek, preventing it flowing into Port Phillip Bay,” Mr Leane said.
“Wetlands act as natural filters that soak up and break down pollution in stormwater before it gets into local rivers and creeks.”
Victoria’s biggest man-made wetland, Dandenong Creek Wetland, is also being constructed nearby in the City of Knox and it will prevent about 28 tonnes of nitrogen a year from getting into our waterways.
Melbourne Water has a target to remove 100 tonnes of nitrogen from the waterways system by 2010 to improve the health of Port Phillip Bay.
