Reimagining Moonee Ponds Creek

Melbourne Water and the Chain of Ponds Collaboration are working with the community to reimagine a section of Moonee Ponds Creek (Brosnan Cres, Strathmore) to create a more appealing waterway, activate open space, enhance recreational opportunities along the creek and improve waterway health.

Description

This exciting project springs from a $5million grant awarded to the Chain of Ponds Collaboration as part of the Government's Building Works program - getting thousands of people back to work as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Partners include Melbourne Water, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Merri-bek Council and Moonee Valley Council. The project area includes a 400 m section of the creek in Strathmore/Oak Park. It will deliver a range of benefits including increased pedestrian access points, connectivity and recreational facilities, as well as increased community use of a linear park along the creek.

The project aims to achieve lasting social, environmental and community outcomes that will provide inspiration for future sections of the creek to be transformed.

Community Designed

In 2021, extensive community consultation took place where the community were asked what they loved about Moonee Ponds Creek, how they use the space, future improvements to the channel, and surrounding open space. Their feedback was used to develop three design concepts and they voted on their preferred one. The winning design is what has been developed today. The community's involvement throughout the journey of this project has been instrumental in achieving such positive outcomes for this much-loved creek.

latest news - February 2025

We’re nearly there!

'The project is nearly finished, we are seeing the plants take off and the creek is talking again' says Troy Pederson, The Chain of Ponds' First Nation's Liaison. 'It's a very exciting time and it's just gorgeous to see'.

“What excites me the most about this stage of the project is the community's excitement in seeing the creek transform into a more enjoyable space," says Edwina Manifold, Communications and Engagement Advisor at Melbourne Water. "People who have grown up in the area, and who advocated against further concreting of the creek, were instrumental in making this project a reality”.

Wilami Wunmabil - Cultural Immersive Trail

Wurundjeri Elders Aunty Gail Smith and Aunty Julieanne Axford have worked with fellow Wurundjeri family members and staff to create a unique cultural experience along Moonee Ponds Creek which gives the community the opportunity to 'take a walk with the Aunties'.

The experiential trail highlights cultural and natural values of the waterway, and celebrates Moonee Ponds Creek as a place owned, lived in and celebrated by Wurundjeri people. Using a mixture of signage, art and digital media, the project invites the community and trail users to learn from Elders and knowledge holders about aspects of Wurundjeri culture and history, and encourage people to become better connected and care for Country.

'Wilami Wunmabil' is Woi-wurrung language for 'home of the bustard / turkey' and named after the Australian Bustard. Giant thanks to Scott Killeen at Kelp Creative and all of his team in bringing this Trail to life.

Community Launch - 29 March 2025

We're delighted to announce a community launch and celebration of the opening of both the Wilami Wunmabil - Cultural Immersive Trail and the Reimagining Moonee Ponds Creek project on Saturday 29 March, 11am - 2pm. More details to come.

What’s next?

We can't quite believe it but conversations have begun for Stage 2! - Reimaginning Moonee Ponds Creek, after the October 2024 announcement of $16.4 million by the Federal and State Governments to continue the work underway and remove the next section of concrtete from Moonee Ponds Creek. Watch this space.

For more information about the project, visit Melbourne Water’s website.