We heard from 53 people about allowing for a shared path along Monbulk Road. We understand this path is in Yarra Ranges Council’s Draft Paths and Trails Plan 2024-2034, and we await more detail to assess the full impacts.

We’ll consider a range of factors such as vegetation removal, existing services and assets, permits and approvals, and cost, before making any decision. We will continue to work with Council to assess the path’s viability.

Melbourne is one of a few cities globally with protected catchments, which provide some of the cleanest drinking water with minimal treatment.

Silvan Reservoir, classified as the highest-category protected catchment, is now at risk due to its aging and compromised fence. To meet our obligations to protect this critical infrastructure, we must replace the fence with a high-security barrier. This will ensure we can continue delivering top-quality water without extensive and costly treatment.

As we move to the tender and detailed design phase of the project, we will have more information about the kind of fencing we will use. Once the detailed design work is complete, we will be able to share images of what we expect the fence will look like.

We do not intend to use razor/barbed wire and appreciate all the comments we received about protecting local wildlife. We are also working with a specialist to advise us on ways to enhance fauna crossings through the new fence.