Council’s Sassafras Stormwater project complete in time for Anzac Day
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Construction of the Sassafras Creek stormwater project has been completed in time for the Anzac Day event to be held on Village Green.
The project which involved excavating and installing tanks four metres beneath the surface of the village green, will reduce significant erosion to the Sassafras Creek and pollution caused by stormwater and debris.
The underground tanks will capture and retain stormwater before being slowly released to the creek.
The tanks 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 the new tanks and drainage would filter pollution and debris from the stormwater before water is slowly released into the creek, mimicking natural flows.
“Reducing the water volume and flow rates will allow the Dandenong and Sherbrooke Amphipod, Dandenong Burrowing Crayfish and Slender Tree Fern to remain supported,” Cr Cliff said.
“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 often collects damaging pollutants such as chemicals, oils and heavy metals from cars and rubbish, and carries them directly into creeks and rivers, where they impact our iconic animals like platypus,” 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 Sassafras Creek.”
As part of the project the 1997 Bushfire Memorial Path has been reinstated.
The project was co-funded by Council and Melbourne Water.
The orange barrier fencing around the green will come down prior to the Anzac Day event and special event matting will be placed on the grassed area close to the memorial
Additional grass seeding will be put down after the event.
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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.