Creeks and waterways

Waterways and creeks are integral to a healthy environment, as they provide important habitats and breeding grounds for a range of animal and plant species.  Numerous creeks and drainage lines are found close to the Peninsula Link project area, including:

• Boggy Creek
• Tamarisk Creek
• Watsons Creek
• Devil Bend Creek
• Tuerong Creek.

These creeks contain a number of plant and animal habitats, including those of a small number of protected species.
The project team are committed to protecting these creeks and waterways before, during and after the construction of Peninsula Link.

To protect these waterways, temporary crossings will be constructed over local waterways to allow appropriate access for earthworks activities, the construction of bridges and prevent works from directly impacting these waterways. Additionally, the following measures will be undertaken.

• There will be some restrictions on works within Boggy, Tamarisk, Balcombe, Watsons, Devilbend and Tuerong Creeks.
• All bridges and waterway crossings will be designed in accordance with Melbourne Water Guidelines and no dredging or reclamation will be undertaken without prior notification in writing to Melbourne Water.
• A program of landscaping and revegetation will be undertaken following completion of works, to promote healthy waterways and establish riparian vegetation and animal habitats.
• Monitoring of surface water quality to ensure there are no impacts on water quality during construction.

Wetlands

Two important wetlands are located in or adjacent to the alignment; the Pobblebonk Reserve Wetland and Willow Road Wetland.  These wetlands provide potential habitat for Swamp Skink and local frog species, and fall within the footprint of Peninsula Link. 

Environmental control measures will be implemented to minimise any impacts on wetlands including:

• marking as no go zones where appropriate
• utilising appropriate construction methods
• clearly marking the construction and wetland boundaries
• providing suitable erosion and sediment controls
• where possible, retaining vegetation within the corridor.

Groundwater

Groundwater levels are dependent on land use, local topography and geography, as well as climate conditions.  The alignment has been designed to avoid areas where groundwater is likely to be encountered, however in some areas groundwater will be impacted by construction works. These areas include Loders and Willow Roads, and other areas where construction methods involve ground cutting. In these areas, the Projects Environment Team will undertake regular monitoring to determine whether groundwater levels are being managed appropriately during works.

Water conservation

Construction and the continued maintenance of Peninsula Link will use water sensitive design to limit the amount of water used. Where possible:

• water will be captured for use during construction and stored in constructed sediment basins
• swales (or low tracts of land to manage water runoff), rain gardens, spill basins and retention ponds will be used to capture rain and water runoff for use on the surrounding landscape.

 Information

Protecting our creeks and waterways information sheet