<< BACK TO CONTENTS A fresher and healthier Maribyrnong River is the result of environmental flows that are protecting one of Melbourne’s most-valued and frequently used waterways. Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek join to form the Maribyrnong River, which runs south through Yarraville in the heart of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. There are no formal environmental water entitlements available to deliver flows through the river, so the VEWH and Melbourne Water have bought unused water from irrigators for the last three years, to maintain the river’s water quality. “Dry conditions since 2012 have meant reduced flows in the Maribyrnong River system, and this has put pressure on river health and aquatic habitats,” explained Melbourne Water Senior Environmental Water Resource Planner Simon Catzikiris. There has been much less run-off to the system over the last few years including in Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek. Despite the return of wetter conditions this year, there was still not enough water making its way into the Maribyrnong River system. “Conditions dried again over summer and autumn, so water for the environment was delivered from Rosslynne Reservoir to Jacksons Creek in March and May 2017. A total of 304 megalitres provided the fresh flows needed to help support the health and sustainability of the river’s ecosystem,” Simon said. Populations of platypus and fish including migratory short-finned eels, galaxias and flathead gudgeons call the Maribyrnong River home. Water for the environment refreshed pools, improved fish passage and supported aquatic plants. Without this water, the condition of the animals and plants in Jacksons Creek would have continued to decline. An added 1 bonus of the water for the environment is a cleaner, healthier river for the community to enjoy for recreation. Waterway manager: Melbourne Water Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Upper Jacksons Creek Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 3041 In 2016–17, water allocations copurchased by Melbourne Water and the VEWH contributed to the delivery of 304 ML of environmental water to meet objectives in upper Jacksons Creek in the Maribyrnong system, where no permanent environmental water holdings are currently held. Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park in Keilor, by Simon Catzikiris, Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 32
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