Chain of Ponds Collaboration

We’re trialling a better way of collaborating to address challenges in the Moonee Ponds Creek Catchment, transforming the creek through co-designing and co-delivering projects.

The Chain of Ponds Collaboration (also known as Moonee Ponds Creek Catchment Collaboration Group) is an historic agreement to progressively transform the creek into an iconic waterway, providing social and environmental benefits to the community.

Why this project is important

The Moonee Ponds Creek catchment is one of Melbourne’s most urbanised and modified creek systems. Historically the creek was seen solely as a drain or water conduit, leading to inappropriate development, neglect and degradation.

While past strategic plans and revegetation, weed removal and naturalisation projects have delivered some improvements, significant issues persist across the catchment. More significant progress is needed, but has been hindered by a lack of catchment-wide governance.

A shared vision and clear roles and responsibilities are key steps forward in revitalising the creek and its surrounds.

A catchment-wide approach will ensure that the creek is considered as part of the urban fabric – not a separate, hidden corridor; but entwined and linked to the different parklands, recreational areas, public transport hubs, commercial and residential precincts that surround it.

Watch the following video to discover the benefits of the approach, and how it has built a strong understanding within the group.

Moonee Ponds Creek Catchment Collaboration - transcript

What’s happening and when

The Collaboration has developed a prospectus identifying a number of priorities for advocacy and delivery. Working groups have been established around these priorities, determining ways to deliver projects using a catchment-wide approach.

Chain of Ponds: Moonee Ponds Creek Catchment Collaboration Group - Prospectus PDF|4.76 MB

Priority	Description
Collaboration governance	Defining the model of collaboration, advocacy, promotion, investigating funding sources and maintaining momentum
Strengthening planning controls	Analysing current planning scheme controls with a view to more consistency across boundaries and more effectiveness in achieving outcomes for the creek that support the collaborations vision.
Spatial data portal	Developing a visual portal for sharing knowledge and information about projects and the creek.
EcoArt	Visualising and designing immersive experiences which excite, educate and encourage contemplation.
Catchment litter program	Seeking solutions to reducing litter contamination in the creek
Transport and trails network	Identifying issues and solutions with the trail network (shared and walking trails) such as gaps, connections and maintenance and safety concerns.

The prospectus also contains a number of site-specific projects. Funding has been obtained for two of these, which are both in the early design stages and will undergo formal consultation during their development.

Connecting people to the creek: Primrose Street

This project focuses on improving access to and recreational use of the one-kilometre creek corridor south of Moreland Road.

Funded by the Victorian Government’s Boosting Recreation Use of Water Initiative, it involves:

building pathways and stairs
improving an existing ford
modifying fences
installing picnic tables, seating and wayfinding signage.

The project will also enhance visibility and safety through passive surveillance.

Brosnan Crescent naturalisation study

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Moreland and Moonee Valley councils and Melbourne Water have funded a feasibility investigation and business case to return the northernmost part of the concrete channel (near Brosnan Crescent) to a more natural land form.

The naturalised channel is envisaged to enable more pedestrian access points, connectivity and recreational facilities, as well as increase community use of a linear park along the creek.

Collaboration partners

The collaboration includes representatives from local and state government, community groups, not-for-profits, water authorities and research organisations – all with a strong interest in improving Moonee Ponds Creek.

Fifteen organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to collaboration in October 2018, and have determined to work together to deliver a shared vision for the creek.

Chain of Ponds Collaboration partners include: