27 September 2018

We appreciate you taking the time to share your local insights, design preferences and ideas. We’re using this information and the key themes to prepare concept designs, which we expect to be available to share with you by November 2018.

We’re also collaborating on this project with the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, Maroondah City Council, Yarra Valley Water and local community representatives, to create a desirable open space where people can interact with nature.

Infographic summarising engagement activities

Your feedback

Key themes

We asked for your ideas to shape the design of a section of the creek.

  • Natural environment

    Enhancing Tarralla Creek as a beautiful, tranquil destination where visitors can connect with nature and where local fauna and flora can thrive.

    • Introducing local, native fauna and flora to the area to make it a more pleasant space
    • Maintaining and enhancing the wetlands to improve overall environment
    • Enhancing the appearance and functionality of the creek
    • Managing and reducing litter around the area

  • Access and connectivity

    Creating a welcoming space that is easy for all to access.

    • Making it an easily accessible to the public
    • Creating a safe environment for adults, children, and pets to visit
    • Creating an area where cyclists and pedestrians alike can enjoy safe and ease of travel
    • Ensuring people can safely cross the creek

  • Recreation, relaxation and meeting place

    Creating a place for rest, play, and learning.

    • Consider installing facilities (drinking taps, rest shelters, etc.) to make the area more suitable for joggers and dog walkers
    • Create a sense of community by installing noticeboards and local art
    • Provide opportunities for learning

  • Safety

    Ensuring the area feels safe to all.

    • Consider installing smart lighting to increase safety
    • Ensure dogs are always on leashes

You said…

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“Area for pond dipping for children to learn about the environment and what creatures can be found in ponds and creeks”

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"Increased planting of native bird-attracting trees and plants would be welcomed to enhance this walking space”

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"Add artistic sculptures or features to attract families and children. Needs to visually detract from wire fencing and factories along current path"

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“It would be great to enhance the wetland for fish and frogs and maintain for future enjoyment”

How you use the space now

Dog walking
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Running
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Cycling
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Enjoying nature
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Community Advisory Group

We recruited 20 passionate people to provide their local knowledge, ideas and suggestions and to share information about the project. This group will meet to validate our initial designs and confirm they include community aspirations.

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Image of advisory group talking
image of advisory group talking at table with maps
Image of advisory group talking at table

Vision

The community’s vision and aspirations for the design include:

  • Creating a beautiful, tranquil destination
  • Connecting people and nature
  • Enriching environmental values
  • Ensuring the space feels safe and is accessible and clean
  • Creating a learning space

Site constraints

While we aim to incorporate your key priorities and ideas into the design, some suggestions won’t be included.

For example, we were asked to create ponds suitable for fishing. As Tarralla Creek is an urban waterway with piped sections both upstream and downstream, it is a very challenging environment for fish to survive. The ponds that we create will be great for birds, frogs and aquatic plants, but not fish.

We need to consider the potential costs and long-term maintenance impacts of suggestions. All ideas will be shared with Maroondah City Council for further consideration as part of its long-term planning commitments.

Next steps in 2026

We’ve revisited the concept plans co-designed with the community for Tarralla Creek in 2018. As part of the new Stage 2 project, we’ll be delivering both the Stage 2 and Stage 3 plans that were included in those earlier concepts.

Since it’s been a few years since we last engaged with the local community, we want to check in and hear your thoughts before we move forward with the final design plans.