Cleaner water

A MAJOR water project that capitalises on landscaping techniques to protect and improve stormwater quality was officially launched in Emerald last Thursday.
The Water Sensitive Urban Design drainage project will see the capture of sediments, pollutants and heavy metals from water in Nobelius Heritage Park before it flows into rivers and waterways, including Wattle Creek.
Water Minister Tim Holding launched the $500,000 initiative, a partnership between the State Government, Melbourne Water and the Cardinia Shire Council.
The project aims to ensure future environmental and ecological benefits for the heritage-significant site.
It includes the installation of sediment pits, swales and rain gardens along Wattle Creek’s existing drainage.
It is anticipated that 125kg of nitrogen and 15 tonnes of sediments will be removed from the site each year, protecting the landscape from erosion.
Melbourne Water’s General Manager of Waterways Chris Chesterfield said stormwater was the biggest threat to waterways because of the pollutants it carried from hard surfaces such as roads and roofs.
“This project is a great example of partnering with local government to lower stormwater pollution as well as reduce erosion through water sensitive urban design,” he said.
Cardinia Shire councillor Ed Chatwin said the use of water-sensitive urban design at Nobelius Heritage Park was a first for the Cardinia Shire Council. It has already been nominated for a number of industry awards.
Cr Chatwin, who has been involved in the project since December 2005, said the basic aim of the system was to slow and retain water to allow the natural process of plants cleaning it.
Speaking at the launch, Cr Graeme Legge reflected on the rich history of Nobelius Heritage Park, which has been operating as a nursery for more than 100 years.
He recalled how ornamental and fruit trees had been dispatched to South America, South Africa and India.
Cr Legge said it was pleasing the water project had added to the beauty the heritage-listed park.
“This project is a leading example of how Water Sensitive Urban Design drainage can be incorporated into environmentally sensitive and steep-terrain sites and look spectacular,” he said.
Mr Holding said the launch of the water project was timely.
“All Victorians think and talk about water more than we ever have before,” he said.
“This is a beautiful place and it’s been made more beautiful by this project.”
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato agreed.
“Melbourne Water is so impressed with the results that it plans to showcase this project across its organisation and the broader water industry, and continue working with Cardinia Shire to identify further opportunities for similar projects,” she said.