Sassafras Creek stormwater project underway this month
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Construction of the Sassafras Creek stormwater project is underway and will reduce significant creek erosion and pollution caused by stormwater and debris.
Drivers should expect delays during the 12 week project.
Trucks will be entering and leaving the site along the Mountain Highway when construction starts.
There may be some minor delays in accessing and exiting Prince St and Woodlands Ave, due to trenching works.
The project is co-funded by Council and Melbourne Water and involves installing a new stormwater system under the Sassafras Village Green.
The works will include closing the green to excavate and install tanks four metres beneath the surface.
The underground tanks will capture and retain the stormwater before it is slowly released to Sassafras Creek, to reduce erosion in the creek
They will temporarily hold up to 450kL of stormwater - the size of 2.5 standard household pools and filter pollution from the stormwater, removing litter and contaminants, further improving the water quality of the creek.
Cr Noel Cliff said erosion was damaging the creek’s ecosystem, impacting threatened species, including the native Dandenong Burrowing Crayfish.
“The new tanks and drainage will filter pollution and debris from the stormwater before it’s slowly released into the creek, mimicking natural flows. This will aim to prevent further erosion,” Cr Cliff said.
“Reducing the water volume and flow rates will allow the Dandenong and Sherbrooke Amphipod, Dandenong Burrowing Crayfish and Slender Tree Fern to remain supported.”
“I’d like to thank the Friends of Sassafras Creek group for raising the issue with Council, after noticing fast moving stormwater was wearing away the creek and forming a deep gully.”
Cr Noel said that pasture land and forests allowed rainwater to filter into the soil but in developed residential areas stormwater flowed directly into drains before entering the creeks.
“Stormwater runoff collects damaging pollutants such as chemicals, oils and heavy metals from cars and rubbish, impacting our waterways,” Cr Cliff said.
“The drainage systems allow large volumes of stormwater to flow directly to waterways.
“While this is efficient it can lead to a negative environmental outcome. Erosion of stream banks is common and this is precisely what has been happening to the creek.”
Stormwater run-off from the Mountain Highway and Mount Dandenong Tourist Road will enter the new tanks through pipes that drain the water. The memorial path will be temporarily removed during the works and will be reinstated on completion.
The project will be completed by Easter.
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What day will construction begin? What day will construction begin? Tuesday 29 January. The project is expected to be completed in 12 weeks. How will traders and car parking be affected? How will traders and car parking be affected? Car parking on the Mountain Highway side of the Village Green will not be available during construction. Existing car parking at the corner of Chudleigh Crescent and Mountain Highway will be unaffected by the works and will be available. Can the area be accessed on foot? Can the area be accessed on foot? The entire Village Green will be closed and fenced off to ensure safety. The footpaths can be accessed to access the shops and walk to town. Will traffic be impacted? Will traffic be impacted? Yes, traffic will be impacted and delays are anticipated on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Mountain Highway. There will be lane closures throughout the 12 week period. Lane closures will be communicated to the community throughout the project. There will be an increase in heavy vehicles using the road which may result in increased noise and dust. Every effort will be made to reduce these impacts. Variable Message Signs will be placed at various surrounding locations to warn drivers of the works and to help slow traffic down during the construction period. Council has liaised with Dandenong Ranges Tourism Network and local schools to ensure bus services and parents are aware of the delays. Works will be suspended in the event of a Total Fire Ban day. How much will the project cost? How much will the project cost? The project is co-funded by Melbourne Water and Council. The total project cost including design and construction is $500,000. What will the project involve? What will the project involve? Six specially designed underground stormwater tanks will be installed beneath the Sassafras Village Green and connected to Sassafras Creek via underground drainage. The underground tanks will capture stormwater that has flowed off paved surfaces and roads during rain. The tanks will hold and filter the stormwater before it is slowly released into Sassafras Creek. This reduces erosion of the creek and provides a cleaner source of water, improving waterway health. The first part of the project will involve pit excavation, boring of pipe work and tank excavation. Why is this project important? Why is this project important? Our waterways are important for biodiversity habitats and water catchments, as well as for their recreational value for locals and visitors. The Sassafras Creek is an iconic creek that supports a diverse ecosystem, within this creek there are six threatened species including: - Dandenong Burrowing Crayfish (Engaeus urostrictus) - Sherbrook amphipod (Austrogammarus haasei) - Dandenong amphipod (Austrogammarus australis) - Kallista stonefly (Leptoperla kallistae) - Slender Treefern (Cyathea cunninhamii) - Skirted treefern (Cyathea cunninghamii X marcesens) What will happen to the Dandenong Ranges bushfires memorial path? What will happen to the Dandenong Ranges bushfires memorial path? Council contractors will ensure that the pavers in the memorial path, created as part of the community recovery process following the 1997 Dandenong bushfires, will be professionally removed, stored safely and reinstated following completion of the works.