Sunshine North’s Upper Stony Creek is to be transformed from a concrete drain into a natural, re-vegetated creek.
Work on the $11.35 million project will begin this month after the tender was awarded to civil construction company Entracon.
The 1.2-kilometre stretch of the creek between Furlong and Gilmour roads will be rehabilitated, with the work to include the planting of 2200 indigenous trees and installation of walking paths.
Brimbank council will oversee the project and will maintain the site once it is completed.
Mayor Margaret Giudice said the project would have wide-ranging benefits.
“This project will inject new life into this community, helping to improve health and wellbeing and providing opportunities to build social connections,” she said.
“This project will also create a new wetland system that will provide treated stormwater for irrigation and trees.”
The joint-venture project is funded by the federal government ($4.76 million), the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning ($2.04 million), Melbourne Water ($1.82 million), City West Water ($1.22 million), Development Victoria ($987,000) and Brimbank council ($100,000).
Greenfleet, a not-for-profit group “dedicated to connecting people with real climate action”, will make a contribution valued at $424,000 towards re-vegetation.
Greenfleet chief executive Wayne Wescott said the project would help cool the city.
“Greenfleet is delighted to be contributing to this key urban re-vegetation initiative,” he said. “It’s now urgent that we take practical action to protect our climate and ensure a greener future for our cities.”
City West Water strategy and planning general manager Cameron FitzGerald said the transformation was a big step towards greening the west.
“The Upper Stony Creek transformation project will help deliver Greening the West’s vision to enable sustainable, liveable, healthy communities,” he said.
Work is expected to be completed by September next year.
