By Parker McKenzie
As a part of a jointly funded $18 million reimaging project funded by Melbourne Water, the state government and Knox City Council, the first of over 650,000 plants that will surround a 1.6km section of Blind Creek have been planted on Friday 5 May.
Blind Creek spans three suburbs — Ferntree Gully, Boronia and Wantirna South — and the reimagining plans to convert 1.65km of underground drainage, from Scoresby Road to Lewis Park, into a natural waterway.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing, Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and Knox City Counsellor Sorina Grasso were on hand at Blind Creek to plant the first trees, alongside workers from Melbourne Water and Knox City Council CEO Bruce Dobson.
Ms Shing thanked Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders or emerging leaders working on revitalising and managing creeks in Victoria.
“As the area grows and expands, livability is at the heart of what we’re doing, but the way that we get there is through an extraordinary collective effort in natural resource management,” Ms Shing said.
“This is about making sure that we open up channels like Blind Creek that have previously been underestimated, hidden from view and not allowed to realize their full potential.”
The project was funded via $12 million from Melbourne Water, $3.5 million from Knox City Council and $2.5 million and construction started in early 2023.
Mr Taylor said projects like the one at Blind Creek are amazing for the community and it’s great to have them supported by the State Government.
“Can we just take a moment to hear that, it’s the first time we’ve heard that noise here in many years and it is absolutely wonderful,” he said, referring to the sound of the running water at the creek.
“This is some of the most exciting stuff that I’ve had the great opportunity and privilege of working on as a local member of Parliament and also previously in my time as a local councillor.”
He said the project spans three suburbs and the local community is equally as excited about the project as he is.
“Nearly 700,000 plants are going into the ground, nearly 2000 trees, boardwalks, stepping stones and all these fantastic elements for people to interact with their waterways,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’ve been a proud advocate for this project and I will always advocate for important projects like this to naturalize our waterways.”
Stage one of the project which includes returning Blind Creek to a natural creek, creating wetlands for water quality treatment and habitat, and improving access and connectivity with boardwalks is expected to be completed by next year.
Ms Grasso said she was proud of Knox City Council’s $3.5 million contribution to the project.
“It is a partnership, like all great projects are, and should be due for completion very soon, I’m excited to tell you,” she said.
“Main construction in mid-2024, with minor works to be completed in 2025.”
Another section of Blind Creek, from Manuka Drive to Scoresby Road, was completed in 2020.
Stage two of the project will focus on community amnesties in the area surrounding Blind Creek and Lewis Park.
