At Melbourne Water we understand the value of open space to community health and wellbeing.

That’s why we're exploring ways to create new open space in Glenroy, providing additional opportunities to exercise, relax, socialise and connect with nature.

As a community, we’re facing challenges associated with rapid population growth including, urban density, more dense suburbs with smaller backyards, coupled with the effects of climate change - all of which make access to green open spaces for communities to recreate and connect to nature even more important.

Activation of retarding basins as open space can help deliver multiple benefits to the community. While the core retarding basin function will remain the primary function of this site, additional recreation and open space have been considered where risks to this primary function can be appropriately managed.

Melbourne Water aims to realise multiple benefits for the community, while safely delivering our core services that include management of our drainage network and mitigating flood risk in your local area.

Glenroy has been identified as being in need of more green open space, according to Merri-bek City Council's Open Space strategies.

The Glenroy neighbourhood contains multiple retarding basins which have the potential to provide increased open and green areas for passive recreation and the enjoyment of natural spaces.

The transformation and activation of the retarding basins in Glenroy could also be used as a model for opening retarding basin sites in other suburbs around Melbourne.

Retarding basins are large artificial low-lying areas of land that play an important role in reducing flood risk to our neighbourhoods by retaining heavy rainfall and holding it temporarily to prevent overloading of drains and waterways.

Retarding basins are critical in urban areas where pavements, driveways and other hard surfaces mean that less water can soak into the ground.

Water levels can rise quickly, so you should never visit a retarding basin during rainfall or when it is flooded.

Keeping our communities, and the native wildlife that also call Melbourne home, safe is essential to our way of life today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Watch this video to learn more.

View a summary of how we've responded to community feedback in our Phase 3 engagement summary.

The decision and management of dog parks is undertaken in consultation with local councils, as the responsible open space manager, on a case-by-case basis. Each site is determined based on local conditions and values (e.g. presence of sensitive biodiversity) and the provision of options for dog parks within the context of the surrounding area.

Yes. The primary function of these spaces remains as flood retarding basins, ensuring that surrounding property and assets are not inundated during a flood.

As such there will be times during and after storm events when the water levels within these spaces will rise and then rapidly drain. Our designs consider the protection of assets and community whilst continuing to perform this vital function.

It’s important that visitors are informed of the dangers during these rare events and we’ll continue to partner with Council to ensure the safety of the community.

Melbourne Water and Merri-bek City Council will share responsibility for management of these green spaces.

Melbourne Water will continue to perform flood and drainage management which may require the closure or partial closure during storm events or during operations to maintain effectiveness of the drainage assets to perform.

We are also undertaking a collaborative approach with other key stakeholders. We're committed to working together to consider opportunities to increase open space in your local area.

The transformation of these retarding basins is intended to improve the environmental values of the sites by increasing vegetation and biodiversity, providing enhanced habitat, and places for the community to connect with nature.

Existing trees and native plants would be retained wherever possible, and protected during construction.

Works would be subject to the required planning permits and relevant local and state environmental protection regulations.

Now that the concept designs are final, there are a number of steps we need to finalise before we move into construction.

In the remainder of 2024 through to 2025, further planning and assessments need to be completed including with our partners at Merri-Bek City Council regarding ongoing land management arrangements.

In 2025–26, function and detailed designs will need to be finalised, and funding confirmed.

We will keep the local community around each site informed well in advance about any upcoming works.

The activation of these sites will provide new open space in your local neighbourhood for your enjoyment and use by the local community.

During the construction phase there may be some minor disruption from noise or access along local streets.

We will endeavour to minimise disruption to local residents and keep you informed of any upcoming works.