Development Victoria, on behalf of the project partnership, has awarded the tender to transform the Upper Stony Creek in Sunshine North, Victoria, from a concrete drain into a revegetated creek with community space and walking paths.
The tender for the $11.35 million project has been awarded to Entracon with work to begin in April 2018, and finish in September 2019.
The project will rehabilitate a 1.2km stretch of the creek, between Furlong Road and Gilmour Road, including planting 2200 new indigenous trees.
The transformation is being funded by the Australian Government ($4.76 million), Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning ($2.04 million), Melbourne Water Corporation ($1.82 million), City West Water ($1.22 million), Development Victoria ($987,000) and Brimbank City Council ($100,000).
Greenfleet will make a contribution valued at $424,000 towards revegetation.
Brimbank City Council is overseeing the project and will maintain the site once the project is complete. Development Victoria will manage construction of the project.
Mayor of Brimbank, Margaret Giudice, said the project will create much-needed open green space for the Sunshine North community to enjoy while increasing biodiversity and connections to nature.
“This project will inject new life into this community, helping to improve health and wellbeing, and providing opportunities to build social connections.
“This project will also create a new wetland system that will provide treated stormwater for irrigation and trees.”
Melbourne Water’s Integrated Planning General Manager, Chris Williams, said he was proud to be working with project partners to deliver enhanced liveability for residents around Upper Stony Creek.
“This project will transform the area into a more natural and vibrant place for local people to walk, cycle, play or relax, and we are proud to be working with the project partners to deliver on our vision of enhancing life and liveability.”
City West Water General Manager of Strategy and Planning, Cameron FitzGerald, said the project was aligned with the Greening the West initiative.
“The Upper Stony Creek transformation project will help delivery Greening the West’s vision to enable sustainable, liveable, healthy communities through urban greening. It will also create more sustainable water use, as well as enhancing health and liveability outcomes for our customers in Brimbank and across the west.”
Greenfleet Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Wescott, said urban forestry projects such as the Upper Stony Creek in Sunshine North would help to cool the city, which is a key step in climate action.
“Greenfleet is delighted to be contributing to this key urban revegetation initiative. It’s now urgent that we take practical action to protect our climate and ensure a greener future for our cities,” Mr Wescott said.
The project won the Excellence in Strategic or Master Planning Award at the Stormwater Victoria Awards for Excellence in 2016.
