The Chain of Ponds is an ambitious collaboration to “transform the Moonee Ponds Creek into an iconic Melbourne waterway that provides high social, cultural and environmental benefits”

The Moonee Ponds Creek catchment is one of Melbourne’s most urbanised and modified creek systems. Significant issues persist across the catchment, including poor water quality, introduced species, habitat fragmentation, minimal expansion of the creek corridor through land acquisition, limited linkages to open spaces, poor storm water management, litter, restricted public access and movement, poor urban design outcomes, and fragmented management and decision making.

The Chain of Ponds (CoP) Collaboration  enables representatives from local and state government, community groups, not-for-profits, water authorities and research organisations to work together and facilitate positive change and action in the catchment.

In October 2018, 15 partner organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to transforming the creek together and developed an action plan, Prospectus, to do this. And in June 2022, partners re-committed to working together for a further 3 years.

The Collaboration is guided by a Governance Group which includes representation from each of the signed members and provides the backbone to the Collaboration.

A collaboration lead role is co-funded by the partners to provide leadership and facilitation support and is guided by the Governance Group.

Benefits of the Collaborative Approach:

Attracting project funding:
• Essendon/Brunswick West pedestrian bridge (DELWP, Moonee Valley and Moreland Councils, $1m in total)
• Reimagining Moonee Ponds Creek (DELWP, Melbourne Water, Moreland and Moonee Valley Councils $9.5m in total)
• Litter Study and Assessment (Melbourne Water and IWM)

Shared advocacy and influence internally within the collaboration and externally with other organisations:
• Waterways of the West, Acquisition of land adjoining creek (e.g. John St, Oak Park)

Working together on whole-of-catchment, multi stakeholder and cross-boundary issues, including multiple perspectives and solutions from the start:

• Litter and planning outcomes along the creek
• Design Guidelines for Trails, Transport and Connectivity
• Flood Mitigation and Modelling
• Integrated Water Management

Stronger relationships and understanding between agencies, community and Friends’ groups

Access to multiple tools and working relationships to progress issues and align work:

• Working for Victoria programs – litter, access, revegetation, path, weed control
• Litter management

Interview with Rachel Lopes, Collaboration Lead, on the Collaboration, by William Conner RMIT student 2021