Liam McNally
Do you live along Arnolds Creek, or visit there for play or exercise?
Melton council is looking at ways to continue improving the area over the next decade, and is seeking input from locals to better understand how it’s used.
Arnolds Creek flows into the Werribee River which is an important waterway and wildlife corridor for Melbourne’s western suburbs.
When Melton’s township was being built significant work occurred on Arnolds Creek which transformed it from a natural meandering waterway to one with concrete channels and underground drains to mitigate flooding during storms.
However, modern environmental engineering has taught city planners that natural waterways, with meandering paths and ephemeral wetlands, are better at managing stormwater of water and reducing impacts on nearby properties.
Restoring waterways to their natural state also ensures better environmental outcomes for the birds, butterflies and frogs.
In 2020 Melton council launched the Reimagining Arnolds Creek project in partnership with Melbourne Water, which resulted in a 1.4km section of Arnolds Creek, being rehabilitated into a natural waterway and attractive open spaces with native vegetation.
Council is now launching a new project, ‘Arnolds Creek – Coming Back to Life’, partially funded by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.
Council wants residents to share their thoughts in a five-minute survey on what makes Arnolds Creek special, how you use it, and what you think of the already-rehabilitated stretch of the creek.
Melton mayor Lara Carli said Arnolds Creek is a “valuable wildlife corridor”, home to over 130 animal species and 129 species of plant.
“We’re asking locals what you think about Arnolds Creek – how you spend time near the creek, what you’ve noticed nearby, what parts you love and what parts you think could do with some attention,” she said.
Details: conversations.melton.vic.gov.au/ArnoldsCreek
