September 2024 Project Update
Click to review the Proposed Design Document
The Forest Creek Revitalisation Project Implementation Group is a
partnership between six organisations:
Dja Dja Wurrung; Department of Energy, Environment and
Climate Action (DEECA); Mount Alexander Shire Council; North Central Catchment Management Authority; Castlemaine Landcare Group; and the Friends of Campbells Creek.
Castlemaine Landcare convenes the partnership and helps to coordinate the activities of each participating partner.
When we consulted the community about the design in 2022, the initial feedback was to:
– create a more natural, winding, low-flow channel to encourage a contained, visible flow path
– form a series of deep pools
– create small rock riffles to provide aeration of water and pools in higher flow areas to encourage a more dynamic environment
– remove large sections (but not all) of existing reeds (Phragmites)
– plant grasses and zones of native, aquatic plants (macrophytes), linked upstream and downstream, that will serve as a cover and food source for fish, frogs and (hopefully) platypus
– include habitat features such as logs and rocks (subject to the ability to fix such features in place)
– ensure that the works do not worsen any flooding.
Above the channel walls, the feedback was to landscape and link paths and native vegetation along the corridor, include quiet spots, and recognise Indigenous history and heritage.
To date we have been very successful in raising funds to progress work. This is a complex project, with significant costs, requiring funding bids from all partners. Since our initial progress report to you, the
Dja Dja Wurrung have won an Integrated Water Management Grant from DEECA and a further grant
has been received from DEECA specifically to remove sediment and contaminated soil from within the channel.
The functional and detailed designs to revitalise the creek within the channel walls have been completed and channel landscaping plans drafted, with sufficient funds remaining to remove contaminated sediment and to construct and landscape a short trial section of the creek from Ten
Foot Bridge to the end of the first waterhole near Urquhart Street. We continue to apply for funds to complete the in-creek works and move to landscaping and construction above the channel walls.
To implement the partners’ and community’s wishes, the design has addressed complexities of existing creek conditions such as:
– the channel was originally designed to convey the excessive amounts of mining sludge downstream as effectively as possible, not to retain aquatic pools
– an abundance of sand-sized sediment still enters the channel from upstream, which works against creating a winding stream and retains the threat of rapid sedimentation
– ensuring that the more diverse range of species to be planted in the channel, which are smaller than the Phragmites they will replace, will not worsen flooding, and can be sustained.
More generally, the flood modelling and engineering challenges of such a flood prone creek, the overall hydrology of the creek and the degree of contaminated soil removal required have added to the complexity and the costs of the project.
During our initial public consultations, we made a commitment that we would come back to those of you who expressed an interest in being kept informed about the eventual landscape design. Now that
the draft in-channel landscape design has been completed, we are again inviting your feedback.
Click to review the Proposed Design Document
If you would like to make a comment about the design, you can email the Castlemaine Landcare Group. Your feedback by the 18th October would be appreciated. We will then collate your feedback
and provide it to the partners who are delivering this aspect of the project.
In between, we will commence work to remove the sediment from sections of the creek and initiate the trial section.
If you have any questions, please email us and we will reply to you.
Kaye Swanton
Co-convenor
Forest Creek Revitalisation Project Implementation Group
Email: castlemainelandcaregroupinc@gmail.com
Download the brochure.
Further information on the overall project is also available by emailing castlemainelandcaregroupinc@gmail.com
Community consultations, concept design and project costings.
This Forest Creek Revitalisation Project is the next step in the work undertaken by Professor Ian Rutherfurd, University of Melbourne. His options paper for the rejuvenation of the creek, commissioned by CLG through a National Landcare Grant, recommended:
* enhancing the natural creek form along 600m of creek
* preserving the historic channel walls
* improving native vegetation and habitat
* encouraging native fauna
* enhancing stream stability.
To progress these recommendations, further definition of the scope of works and associated costs is required to better understand the risks and opportunities of the works, and to consult with the community to gain essential inputs.
This revitalisation project will develop a scoping study with a concept design to rewild and rejuvenate a designated section of the creek, giving consideration to:
* hydrology
* flood and fire risk
* sediment movement
* stream stability
* Aboriginal and built heritage
* ongoing maintenance.
Corresponding project costings will be developed for all components of the project. Community consultations, based on a stakeholder analysis, will be undertaken via online workshops, and face-to-face meetings with relevant individuals and groups, along with neighbourhood door knocking and letterbox drops inviting participation in consultations.
The community benefits of this project are:
* a more attractive creek with improved environmental values e.g., a more natural stream form, diverse habitat, birdlife and wildlife
* reduced weed and reed proliferation
* protection of the historic stone walls
* creation of walking paths for an enhanced community amenity.
Castlemaine Landcare Group 