Liam McNally
The wetlands in Thornhill Park are still a “mood-killer” for residents according to Thornhill Park Working Group member Matthew Pearse, who called on council to hold responsible parties to account for the second time on Monday, February 26.
Thornhill Park’s main wetland is a two-hectare area near the corner of Paynes Road and the Western Freeway.
In June last year Star Weekly reported that the wetlands were suffering from constant flooding and a lack of maintenance.
At the time Melbourne Water, which took over responsibility for the wetlands from developer Wel.Co in late 2022, said a retarding basin was needed to ensure excess stormwater runoff continued to flow north towards Kororoit Creek, and it would be completed by Christmas 2023.
This would allow for landscaping works to begin the following autumn to address the maintenance issue.
Mr Pearse said that in November, it seemed as if Melbourne Water’s project was taking shape, as flooding levels in the wetland receded, but, after a wet summer flooding, is now even worse in some areas.
“Residents cannot use areas of the wetlands due to pathways being flooded, unsafe makeshift walking tracks have formed. The area is becoming an eyesore as Melbourne Water has not maintained the weeds, rubbish since they took over the area,” he said.
“Residents do not feel safe walking in parts of the area and dumpings are occurring.
“The current timeframe was autumn this year for construction works on the wetlands area in time for spring planting but that timeline is now redundant due to the water levels being at the heights they are.”
A Melbourne Water spokesperson said that the retarding basin was completed on time, but the issue was that significant rain slowed construction of a drainage channel that would connect it to Kororoit Creek and help drain the wetlands.
“While significant summer rain has slowed our progress, once these are joined they will maintain water levels in the area,” they said.
“Weather permitting, we hope to complete this work in late April, early May so that we can turn our attention to landscaping, which we hope can be delivered over the course of the next year.”
In response to Mr Pearse’s public question at the council meeting, Melton council City Futures director said council will contact Melbourne Water to highlight the concerns relating to the wetland.
