Protecting Dobsons Creek from degradation Wicks Reserve Bio-infi ltration Basin

The gradual increase in the amount of sealed areas we have — eg. house/garage roofs, hard-standings, concreted paths, bitumened roads, carparks etc. — has resulted in the degrading of our waterways with impurities and pollutants. Such pollutants picked up from sealed surfaces by rain directly deposit into our creeks, through our stormwater drainage systems.

Council has a plan to reduce these pollutants entering our waterways, with a proposed project involving the construction of a bio-infi ltration basin within Wicks Reserve on the Basin-Olinda Road, The Basin.

The Wicks Reserve Bio-infi ltration project aims to protect Dobsons Creek from the impacts of urban stormwater, by:

• Reducing the frequency, rate and runoff entering the creek back towards the original and natural ‘pre-development’ level.

• Reducing the amount of sediment, nutrients, heavy metals and other pollutants entering the creek.

The project will help improve and maintain the health of Dobsons Creek, beautify the area and create better access to Wicks Reserve. It would be considered a great success if more platypus return once again, and thrive in the area. Construction work is proposed to start around January - February 2011.

Any comments, queries or concerns in relation to the project, should be made no later than Wednesday 21 July 2010 to Daniella Gerente. t 9298 8000 e daniella.gerente@knox.vic.gov.au

Knox City Council is working with Melbourne Water on a project to protect

Dobsons Creek, the highest value waterway in the municipality. This project involves constructing a bio-infi ltration basin within Wicks Reserve on the Basin-Olinda Road, The Basin. The bio-infi ltration basin will intercept fl ows coming from the urbanised catchment to the south.

Artist impression of the proposed bio-infi ltration basin and the associated boardwalk, seating, and water tank decorated mural.