Kelletts Road Drain Wetland Project – a Healthy Waterways Initiative
Click the image to view Knox City Council's Master Plan for Stamford Park.
The Waterways Alliance, on behalf of Melbourne Water, is constructing a wetland adjoining the Kelletts Road Drain outfall in Stamford Park, Rowville.
Once completed in late 2010, the $5 million wetland will help improve water quality by naturally treating stormwater run-off in Kelletts Road Drain before it enters Corhanwarrabul Creek and eventually Port Phillip Bay. It will also provide habitat for wildlife including birds, frogs and platypus.
What’s happening during construction and when?
Building the wetland can be broken down into two main steps:
- Earthworks and construction – November 2009 to July 2010
Approximately 115,000 cubic metres of soil will be excavated to build the wetland. The majority of this soil will be temporarily stockpiled on site for future use by council. An inlet and outlet structure will be constructed including a platypus access to the wetland. - Planting and landscaping – July to December 2010
Over 162,000 native plants will be planted to complete the wetland. Non aquatic plants will be planted in late winter and early spring. Planting of aquatic plants will follow in November and December.
How will the project impact local residents?
We are committed to minimising the impacts of our works on the community; however residents may experience some noise from machinery working at the site during construction hours 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 3pm on Saturdays.
The wetland will be constructed in stages to minimise the amount of soil exposed at any one time and reduce the amount of dust created. Water carts will also be used to minimise dust throughout the construction process.
Why build a wetland in Stamford Park?
The Kelletts Road Drain wetland is part of Knox City Council’s plan for Stamford Park and is an important part of Melbourne Water’s programme to improve water quality and reduce nitrogen levels entering the Corhanwarrabul Creek and Port Phillip Bay.
This wetland system is expected to remove about 1,800 kilograms of nitrogen a year from the Kelletts Road Drain. It will also improve water quality by removing other pollutants and sediments.
Contact us
For more information about the project call the Waterways Alliance on 03 9287 7334 or contact us online.