By 2040 the City of Melbourne’s population is projected to double. As urban development accelerates, high performance green and blue infrastructure will be critical in alleviating pressure on the city whilst providing amenity for expanding communities. The Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan is a civic minded urban renewal study that advocates environmentally sustainable infrastructure and open space initiatives along Melbourne’s most significant creek corridor.

The vision encourages social and ecological interaction with the foreshore through creek naturalisation. Northwest Melbourne was once characterised by winding wetlands that would swell into fast flowing watercourses during heavy rain. As the city densified the ponds were replaced and disengaged from surrounding communities. Permeating surrounding communities these restored ecological systems will provide a chain of parks and wetlands, transforming the existing dead space that currently separates the creek from the urban fabric of the city.

Integrating design and policy, the opportunities plan seeks to change our relationship and perception of water. As an advocacy document it is the first step in enabling the City of Melbourne and VPA to present a unified strategic vision that can be developed into a business case and deployed over time.

Stretching from Brunswick Road to Docklands the study creates an innovative framework to open dialogue with land owners and key stakeholders to guide future development. The City of Melbourne oversaw the recently concluded public exhibition and consultation period. The next stage in the project will be to develop an implementation plan which is to be led by the Victoria Planning Authority. The VPA will now evaluate costing for high priority areas with recommendations anticipated later in the year.

Aboriginal Nation: Kulin Nation.

Sub consultants: Wave Consulting

Snapshot:

Guided by the vision of Moonee Ponds Creek as a thriving creek corridor that supports the liveability and resilience of the city, the strategic opportunities are a manifestation of six key goals:

Water Management: A resilient creek adapted to extreme weather events

Open Space: A diverse network to support the growing needs of the city

Biodiversity: A healthy waterway and thriving ecosystem

Movement: A highly accessible and connected creek corridor

History & Culture: A celebrated past and shared vision for the future

Collaborative Governance: Advocacy for transformational change