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Activity closed 28/10/2022 at 11:59 PM

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Neil Featonby

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Victor Mu

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Andrew Bailey

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Jacqueline Howard

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Frequently Asked Questions

The reimagining D1 Drain will naturalise 980m of waterways and 4.2Ha of open space within the Heathdale Glen Orden Basin, between Derrimut Road and Heaths Road in Werribee. The area connects residents, schools, community and youth centres, sports grounds, and health care.

We chose this area because of the benefits that we can create for the community through the Reimagining Your Creek Program. The proposed works will increase the ecological value and visual amenity of the site and will help connect the community to key services, nature, cooler green space, and the waterway system which runs through the area. The location near the Werribee Business District means improvements will benefit lots of people.

The process of naturalising the area means converting drainage channels into a more naturalised state, typically mimicking to some extent the former history of the waterway. Naturalising the drain will result in desirable green open space where people can interact directly with water, nature, and each other.

The degree of naturalisation varies between projects, particularly depending on the availability of space, flooding impacts, potential for contamination and cost.

Some examples of naturalisation may involve things like creating new paths for community access, a focus on planting land and water species to improve biodiversity and create a cooler environment, as well as assets such as community viewing platforms, pedestrian bridges, stepping stone crossings, and benches and tables.

Help us design the project area! We are committed to listening to your ideas and bringing them to life through what is called a co-design process. That means that the community plays a key part in shaping the final project design. You can do this by sharing your thoughts.

We are working closely with Council and local interest groups and businesses to make sure we’re hearing about what matters most in your community.

Throughout the project design, we will let you know how your ideas are shaping the project.

Feedback and insights into important elements of the creek will help to inform the designs for reimagining this section of the D1 Drain. Our project team will develop community-informed concept designs after Phase 1 engagement and seek further input on the concept designs in Phase 2.

Reimagining Your Creek D1 Drain project will be split into two engagement phases before beginning construction in late 2023.

The project timeline offers more information.

Through the co-design process we will investigate opportunities to improve habitat and biodiversity whilst also maintaining the function of the retarding basin and exploring community aspirations for the space.

This will likely include revegetating the area with indigenous plants that improve water quality and increase biodiversity; maintaining established trees where possible to keep the space shady and cool; and utilising logs and other natural debris to provide enhanced habitat for native species.

Through the co-design process we will investigate opportunities to improve the ecological function and water quality of the waterway whilst also maintaining the function of the retarding basin and exploring community aspirations for the space.

There may be some works that result in minor disruptions and limited access to the area. For most of the project timeline, the community will continue to have full access to walking trails. We will keep you informed and let you know beforehand if there will be disruptions.

You may notice changes to access to the pedestrian path at times. All residents local to the area will be informed of any disruptions and project updates before we start that work.

The D1 Drain was constructed in the 1980’s to carry drainage flows during wet weather, to protect local and upstream properties from flooding. At the project site, it comprises of an above ground concrete channel.

Our objectives for urban waterways are:

To connect waterways with the broader landscape and enhance life and liveability.
To connect diverse and thriving communities of plants and animals.
To provide amenity to urban and rural areas and engage communities with their environment.
To enhance environmental, economic, social and cultural values.

We will continue to maintain the drainage function within this site and will work with Wyndham City Council for the ongoing management and maintenance of the project site.