Over the years Melbourne Water has fostered meaningful partnerships with our customers and community through existing grants in waterway and stormwater management.
The following projects showcase the broad variety of partnerships that Melbourne Water supports, and the community and environmental benefits.
An indicative list of the types of projects we can help fund is included in our Program Guidelines.
2024 grant recipients
Achieving best practice through excluding livestock from waterways and farm dams
- Project overview
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Ken has worked with Melbourne Water for several years undertaking several projects to improve the health of waterways that flow into a Deep Creek. Ken's property is 41ha and has large tracts of remnant vegetation, there are a four dams on this property, one has been fenced out through the program.
Ken constructed approx. 875m of permanent electric rural fencing to exclude stock from the dams, drainage lines and remnant vegetation, helping to improve water quality and maintain dams integrity. Wet paddocks were fenced separately using landclass fencing to help manage soil and reduce pugging and erosion.
An off Stream Stock Watering System was installed consisting of a header tank, polypipe and stock troughs so that livestock don’t need to access the waterway or dams directly to drink. A reticulated water supply helps to protect water quality for the farm, and now allows Ken to manage the livestock and rotationally graze the animals around the farm with ease as water supply is no longer limiting. Rotational grazing also helps to improve groundcover and helps to reduce soil erosion. Water is pumped from a dam to the header tank which then is gravity fed to the troughs. A gravity reticulated system provides a controlled water flow to 4 troughs reducing water consumption.
Project included the engagement of a contractor to plant 720 plants to reduce erosion, increase biodiversity and to help with filtering of sediment and nutrients from the drainage lines and dams.
Whole farm planning and mapping
Amount funded: $1,545.50
- Project overview
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Landholders Kate and Peter moved to the property from the city and don't have any farming experience however are really keen to learn and adopt best practices. They decided to continue with a remarkable history of collaboration with Melbourne Water, where the whole property creek frontage was fenced.
The property was lacking internal/landclass fencing and there was only a small farm dam for stock watering which was pumped directly from Deep Creek. After the site assessment the project assessor recommended a 10 year action plan to enhance the waterway health and biodiversity protection. The plan included:
- Farm mapping: Land class fencing of environmentally sensitive and water sensitive areas, paddock locations
- Stocking rates (dry sheep equivalent) based on an average year identified
- A farm water supply and budget (how much water is required, where is it coming from i.e. tanks/creek, reticulation system mapped including header tank size and pipe size and location)
The whole farm plan enabled Kate and Peter to understand their properties physical features and how they would like to progress their revegetation and waterway protection away from the waterway and to set up paddocks based on slope and soil type which helps to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Landholders are already discussing with Melbourne Water future funding to implement actions and activities recommended in the whole farm plan.
Stream frontage re vegetation
Amount funded: $10,138.70
- Project overview
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Landholders Maree and Kevin have received funding from Melbourne Water since 2016 to undertake waterway health activities such as revegetation and weed control . The previous owners had cattle running on a spring located on their property which runs for about 200 metres of frontage of Menzies Creek.
This most recent grant was different from the previous ones because after a lot of grazing pressure from deer and wallabies, landholders wanted to try some larger guards to protect the Mountain Ash eucalypts that they are trying to reinstate back into the landscape. Maree and Kevin contributed funding to bolster the funding of the 10 initial larger guards Melbourne Water provided.
500 plants were planted across the whole of the 200m frontage where the landscape is very steep. Unfortunately, due to the terrain conditions the installation of deer exclusion fencing has not been feasible.
Integrated water management program
Amount funded: $105,818.284
- Project overview
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Janette and Andrew own a grazing property in Almurta with frontage to the Bass River. Integrated water management has been a key feature in the development of this property. Surface water management and waterway management integrated with sustainable farming practices improves the condition of waterways on the property and reduces the risk of sediment and nutrient flowing into waterways. Fencing all the waterways has created a network of re vegetation linking areas of bushland, wet swamp areas, planted areas of agroforestry and paddocks with multi species pasture. The increased benefits for stock, landholder and biodiversity are amazing.
The projects involved several activities:- fencing along waterways and dams
- Reticulated water supply installation
- Re vegetation (3500 plants) of waterways using species that can tolerate wet ground conditions
- Contribution for new crossings to facilitate fencing of waterways
- Assistance with developing a surface water management plan which was a key factor for developing Integrated water management on the farm
Dole Reserve stormwater harvesting wetland
Amount funded: $ 1,786,648
- Project overview
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Construction of a 1500 m2 wetland with 2.8 ML capacity of underground storage tanks to irrigate seven sports ovals, improve climate resilience and improve stormwater quality to the receiving waterways.
This project has two key outcomes: building capacity in council, as well as construction of a wetland and stormwater harvesting system.
The history of this project started with council employing a WSUD engineer to a position co-funded by Melbourne Water, now fully funded by Darebin City Council. This role focused mainly on completing WSUD planning referrals and auditing small-scale WSUD assets such as tree pits and rain gardens.
Darebin City Council had identified ten potential sites to construct wetlands in its 2017 Stormwater Prioritisation Report. To build the experience and knowledge required to progress these projects, Council decided to embark on the delivery of one large-scale WSUD asset. Dole Reserve was chosen due to the high potential impact in reducing potable water consumption by using stormwater to irrigate seven sports ovals at this site. This project is also a great opportunity to increase the level of engagement and education about WSUD projects and water quality to residents and visitors.
Outcomes expected:
- Once completed, the Dole Reserve wetland is expected to harvest 37.8 GL and infiltrate 10.7 GL of stormwater each year.
- The wetland will increase connectivity and quality of habitat for the endangered frog species that are in decline in the Darebin Creek.
- The site upgrade will lead to increased walking and cycling connectivity with 560 m2 of new footpath and new elevated boardwalk boosting community connection, recreation and amenity.
- The project will contribute significantly to achieving the ‘City of Darebin Council Action Plan 2017 – 2021’ potable water reduction targets and ’Darebin Watershed Strategy 2015-2025’ nitrogen removal reduction targets.
- The project will build capacity within Darebin City Council and assist business continuity in the delivery of future WSUD projects.
Integrated water management strategy and action plan
Amount funded: $157,300
- Project overview
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Under Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways, Melbourne Water continues supporting councils’ capacity building and planning in WSUD and IWM by funding projects that support staff training as well as the development of local strategies and policy and practice tools.
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Partnering with Whittlesea City Council, we co-funded several projects that led to the creation of the municipal-scale Integrated Water Management (IWM) strategy ‘Whittlesea Water For All – Our Water Strategy 2020-2030’ and associated action plan.
The strategy was developed with input from both community and institutional stakeholders, including through a community survey, a series of workshops, and a community reference panel. Whittlesea benchmarked their progress against the strategy using the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities’ Index and Transitions Dynamics Framework.
A WSUD asset condition report was also conducted as a part of the project. This activity evaluated selected council-owned assets and validated their condition. This provided council with an understanding of current asset condition and supported development of a good plan for maintenance and correction works for the capital works program for the coming years.
Stormwater modelling training was delivered to 15 staff to build further capacity in assessment of development applications. The audience included representatives from
Planning, Engineering, Design, Delivery and Sustainable Environment.This body of work was undertaken with support from several projects co-funded by Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways, including:
- WSUD Asset Condition Audit
- WSUD Education and Compliance Officer
- Stormwater Harvesting Condition and Performance Audit
- Local planning policy implementation and capacity building
- Production of IWM Guidelines (In progress)
Past recipients
Protection and enhancement of wetlands on Phillip Island
Recipient: Phillip Island Nature Parks
Amount funded: $16,500 (completed January 2022)
- Project overview
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Since 2011, Phillip Island Nature Parks (PINP) has received funding from Melbourne Water each year to tackle invasive weeds in the wetlands and coastal saltmarsh that it manages. These areas are vital to many bird species including the little penguins for which Phillip Island is famous.
As most land on the island has been disturbed at some time through farming, industry or housing, there are many different species of weeds to control.
“To achieve real and lasting long-term change, you need an integrated, targeted, long-term weed control program,” Senior Ranger – Coast and Wetlands, Mark Merryful. “Melbourne Water has given us the financial security to hire contractors year after year which has helped us suppress weeds and protect biodiversity.”
Nature Parks also matched Melbourne Water’s funding on a range of other conservation activities including rabbit control, re vegetation, and monitoring, resulting in improvements in biodiversity.
At Fishers Wetland, next to Churchill Island, eight seasons of undertaking weed control in remnant vegetation has significantly reduced the amount of tall wheat grass threatening the endangered coastal saltmarsh. While kikuyu remains a problem, several native grass species have reappeared naturally, alongside 90,000 new plants. PINP is now able to tackle neighbouring land that also needs rehabilitation.
In an exciting development, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team chose Churchill Island and another PINP reserve to release this critically endangered marsupial. Releases of other endangered animals are likely to follow.
This makes the PINP’s ongoing efforts to control invasive weeds and pests even more important.
Melbourne Ballpark Altona: stormwater harvesting scheme
Recipient: City West Water (completed late 2021)
Amount funded: $80,000
- Project overview
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Home to the Melbourne Aces Baseball Team, Melbourne Ballpark, also known as the State Baseball and Softball Centre, has previously relied on drinking water supplies to maintain its playing fields and surrounding grounds.
Thanks to a collaborative stormwater harvesting project between City West Water, Melbourne Ballpark, Hobsons Bay City Council, Melbourne Water and the then Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (now Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action), the centre will have access to 10 million litres of stormwater a year from the Laverton Stormwater harvesting scheme as an alternative water supply for irrigation.
To meet the actual and future Ballpark stormwater demands for irrigation, Melbourne Water is co-funding an automated transfer system including 300 metre pipeline to deliver stormwater to the centre. The project will double the capacity of the Laverton scheme from 10 to 20 Megalitres a year, delivering more benefits to the community and reducing the use of drinking water.
Stormwater harvesting not only saves drinking water, it also creates green, recreational spaces for the community to enjoy and prevents stormwater pollution from entering our waterways. The stormwater being harvested at Laverton would otherwise flow down the drain and into Port Phillip Bay, so the project is also preventing stormwater pollution and litter from entering local waterways.
Gresswell Habitat Link catchment improvement
Recipient: La Trobe University (completed October 2020)
Amount funded: $19,500
- Project overview
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Nangak Tamboree is a biodiverse waterway found on the Melbourne Campus of La Trobe University which connects with Darebin Creek, the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, Gresswell Habitat Link and Gresswell Forrest. It has cultural and historical value to the Wurundjeri people and is home to several threatened flora and fauna species.
La Trobe University’s vision for Nangak Tamboree is to create an inviting, open and culturally aware space that protects biodiversity and connects communities. Part of this vision is to help protect the waterway, university and community from extreme weather events and reduce the severity of flooding on the wetlands.
Protecting this eco-corridor and ensuring its resilience to severe weather events is a shared environmental responsibility. La Trobe University partnered with Melbourne Water, Darebin City Council, the then Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (now Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action), Parks Victoria, Strathallan Golf Club and the community to reduce the severity of flooding on the wetlands to design and build a waterway channel, low level bund (used to control the flow of water) and water overflow which will divert and direct flood waters into Gresswell Lakes.
The design links the natural water flow from the existing creek bed to the remainder of the waterway by decommissioning drainage works used to divert the flow to stormwater in the past. This allows the water to continue its original course to the wetland and benefits the natural habitat and local ecology.
Improving the health of Cannibal Creek
Recipient: Cannibal Creek Landcare Group (completed July 2019)
Amount funded: $22,000
- Project overview:
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For over 25 years, the Cannibal Creek Landcare Group (Group) has taken a proactive approach to improving the health of Cannibal Creek and surrounding environment.
Members met with several landholders along Cannibal Creek and supported them to apply for funding from Melbourne Water to carry out projects to keep stock out of the waterway, remove willows and other invasive weeds, control pests and revegetate degraded areas.
Practically the entire western section of Cannibal Creek is now fenced off from stock, which will significantly improve water quality and - provided that weed control is kept up - allow native plants to regenerate. Monthly working bees and planting days organised by the Group also resulted in volunteers planting several thousand native trees, shrubs and grasses supplied by Melbourne Water. These will help stabilise the banks and restore much-needed habitat for wildlife.
A major challenge, to revegetation and regeneration involves weeds and pests, particularly deer. Again, the Group took a proactive and cooperative approach and arranged with Melbourne Water to remove willows, poplars and pines (which destroy the ecology of our waterways) from several privately and publicly owned sections along the creek. It also engaged with local businesses to help control weeds, and with licensed shooters to manage deer, foxes and rabbits.
With so many members of the community taking steps to protect it, Cannibal Creek’s future is looking a lot brighter than when this Biodiversity Project first started in 2015.
Taking action to protect platypus in Plenty River from stormwater pollution
Recipient: City of Whittlesea (completed 19 August 2018)
Amount funded: $9,616
- Project overview
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Water quality conditions can impact the main food source for our platypus. Monitoring water quality and taking action to improve it, can help look after the health of these iconic native creatures who play a vital role in our aquatic ecosystems.
Melbourne Water supported the City of Whittlesea Council in raising community awareness of water quality threats to platypus habitat by funding the installation of environmental sensors that can detect and report pollution events in real time. Placed within the Heaths Court Drain catchment, the sensors monitor pH, conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen in the Plenty River, every few minutes.
The community can view the results on an intuitive Platypus Water Quality Indicator Sign. Four different coloured lights change colour when there is a change in water quality, providing a clear visual scale of the water conditions, ranging from Poor to Excellent. Both the sensors and the sign run on solar power.
Should the sensors record a pollution event, Council officers will receive SMS message alert notifications, allowing them to investigate the incident.
The City of Whittlesea Council also developed a range of teaching modules with emphasis on coding, micro-computers and environmental sensors which will allow students to become involved in a range of citizen science projects.
There were many technical challenges in the early stages of this project including finding a suitable battery, solar panel, computer, data plan and electronic sign. Collaboration with external parties was invaluable in overcoming these and the Council is well placed to deliver similar concepts in future.
Dawson Street, Brunswick: streetscape improvements
Recipient: Moreland City Council (completed 29 December 2017)
Amount funded: $150,000
- Project overview
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Under Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways, Melbourne Water can help fund projects that support healthy waterways and resilient urban landscapes and deliver community and environmental benefits.
Partnering with Moreland City Council, we co-funded the construction of three rain gardens and nine tree pits in Dawson Street, between the Upfield railway line and Sydney Road (Brunswick).
Rain gardens are specially designed garden beds that help improve the health of our waterways and filter stormwater runoff from surrounding areas. They are often located near buildings and roads and are also called bioretention systems because they use soil, plants and microbes to biologically treat stormwater.
Moreland City Council planted the gardens with a variety of grass, shrub and tree species ordinarily not associated with rain gardens.
In addition to the rain gardens, council also extended bike lanes, widened the footpaths, upgraded the pedestrian crossing and installed bicycle hoops. The result is a shadier and safer street that helps stop stormwater runoff from polluting our waterways.
Improving farm management and water runoff
Recipient: Private landholders (ongoing projects since 2010)
Amount funded: $227,337 since 2010
- Project overview
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Glenn and Wendy manage a dairy farm on steep, sloping land in Gippsland. This means that when it rains, sediment and nutrients from land management activities can quickly wash into waterways. Over the last seven years, Glenn and Wendy, with assistance from Melbourne Water, have worked to improve on-farm management practices and the quality of runoff leaving their property.
The steep landscape on Glenn and Wendy’s property created areas which were difficult to manage and where they needed to exclude stock. Funding from Melbourne Water allowed them to fence these areas and revegetate gullies. This has improved stock management and allowed good ground cover to grow which minimises the risk of erosion and helps filter sediment and nutrients before they enter our waterways.
Glenn and Wendy also fenced off waterways and dams to improve bank stability, water quality and stock health. By removing some dams, they could direct excess surface water into waterways as environmental flow. In addition, they prevented stock from accessing other smaller dams until revegetation can establish. These dams now act as sediment traps and help improve downstream water quality.
One wet year, Glenn and many other farmers experienced landslips in the area. Giant Gippsland Earthworms, which are a threatened species were found at the bottom of the landslip. The earthworms need specific soil moisture conditions to survive, so Glenn’s farm took part in a revegetation trial to avoid planting around the earthworm colonies, or in areas upslope of them to retain soil moisture. The farmers used local plant species and carefully considered planting locations, providing further vegetation while avoiding impacts to the worm colonies.