Reimagining Arnolds Creek

We’re applying innovative urban design principles to provide a unique experience for the community. Read this case study to learn more.

Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing
Goal 15: Life on land

Background

Reimagining Your Creek is an innovative urban design program transforming Melbourne’s stormwater channels and underground pipes back to beautiful, natural waterways.

The program aims to improve the quality, accessibility, visual amenity and ecological value of our urban waterways, which are recognised as important ecological and social arteries that connect habitats and communities alike.

In 2017, we selected three sites for the pilot program: Arnolds Creek in Melton West, Blind Creek in Boronia and Tarralla Creek in Croydon.

Project focus

Arnolds Creek was the first to be ‘reimagined’ in early 2020. Located in a highly urbanised catchment joining the Werribee River, the creek was characterised by a concrete channel that ran up either side of a grassy reserve. This area had around one-third of the area of open space per person compared to the wider Melton Council area, which has a lower socio-economic demographic generally and the fastest growing population rate of all local government areas.

An important aim of the Reimagining Your Creek program is to create engaging spaces for community enjoyment, recreation and wellbeing. To create these public open spaces, it has been essential to work alongside external stakeholders and the local community.

For the Arnolds Creek restoration, we held a number of public engagement events and workshops in and around the site, as well as through our online portal, Your Say. In this way, communities were able to share their thoughts and ideas on the proposed design, which could then be further developed in response to community needs.

Outcomes

Reimagining Your Creek is based on applying innovative urban design concepts and principles to provide a unique experience for the community, whilst adapting a pre-existing service to deliver multiple community benefits. The design and engagement process occurred iteratively and has resulted in the community re-connecting with their waterway.

The restoration of Arnolds Creek will create a health and wellness hub by delivering a series of walking paths, boardwalks and bridges that connect the community to nature and each other, and improve pedestrian and cycling connections with other transport links.

The transformed creek will also meander through urban forest, while revegetation along the creek will create additional shade and rejuvenate the waterway. The revegetation will also improve biodiversity and provide urban cooling outcomes for the Melton West community.