- Published:
- Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 2:41 pm
Labor is helping to save more of our precious drinking water and keep our local waterways healthy.
Minister Shing joined Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino to visit Birdsland Reserve near Belgrave where a new smart wetland will be built, using real-time technology to better manage water flow into Monbulk Creek.
The Hazelvale Creek Smart Water Wetland will improve water quality, reduce stormwater impacts and help protect the Dandenong Ranges’ last breeding population of platypus, while also creating a healthier waterway and stronger connection to nature for the local community.
This $1.6 million project was co-funded with the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, which will be leading the project.
It will add to existing smart rainwater tanks in the area to help limit the extremes of having too much or not enough water running to support the health of the creek.
This is part of the government’s $24 million in new Integrated Water Management (IWM) grants to co-fund projects across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria with local councils and water corporations.
A range of projects can now get underway across Melbourne including for Hume City Council’s $2.7 million O'Brien Street stormwater harvesting project that will upgrade a flood basin into a stormwater treatment wetland, providing significant benefits to the Sunbury community, while retaining flood mitigation functions.
The design at Sunbury caters for projected growth and future climate scenarios. The wetland will supply water to irrigate Sunbury Cemetery and Kathleen Aitken Park.
The Sunbury Recycled Water for the Environment Pilot will trial an upgrade to the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant to supply recycled water to Jacksons Creek.
Applications are currently being assessed for IWM co-funding of works in regional Victoria.
Water is our most precious resource, which is why Labor is making every drop count by helping projects that reduce pressure on drinking water supplies and protect local waterways.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing
“We know that water is our most precious resource, which is why we’re investing in projects that reuse water locally while protecting the waterways and environments people love.”
“Birdsland Reserve is a great example of what can be achieved through long-term investment and strong local partnerships – improving water management and making the Dandenong Ranges an even better place to visit or call home.”
Quote attributable to Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino
“We’re improving the health of our waterways, supporting biodiversity and helping preserve the natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges for generations to come.”