MELBOURNE, 20 AUGUST 2020
A new wetlands system at The Grove community in Tarneit will create a thriving ecosystem for local bird and frog species, while providing picturesque open space for people of all ages to enjoy.
The wetlands and connected waterways, already under construction at The Grove, will combine 75,000 plants and breathtaking landscape design to transform a section of the community into scenic play and picnic spaces, walk and cycle paths sure to attract visitors far and wide.
While the new open space will be beautiful, it will also be functional with the wetlands set to enhance the ecological footprint of the surrounding river environments around Tarneit, providing a sustainable and effective stormwater treatment that improves the quality of water discharging into Werribee River.
“It’s very exciting to see work on the stunning new wetlands for The Grove already get under way,” says Sarah Bloom, General Manager Development Victoria for Frasers Property Australia says.
“This area will become highly valued open space for the whole community. The wetlands system covers a huge area, spanning 11 hectares, and will be a big drawcard for The Grove.
“The community is perfectly positioned between the Werribee River and Davis Creek so water is a big feature of the new community. The wetlands system expands on the river amenity and provides a sanctuary for bird and frog species in the catchment, which is a really special addition to the region.
“I think all residents of The Grove will absolutely love this new open space.”
In addition to providing an attractive outdoor space for the community, the wetlands system will also perform an important water filtration function, helping preserve the health of surrounding waterways.
“The wetlands are used to capture the sediment and nutrients in the low flow stormwater so these pollutants don’t enter the Werribee River,” says Peter Shellie, National Principal Project Manager for Urban Communities at SMEC, who are responsible for the engineering and landscape design of the impressive wetlands system at The Grove.
“There is a central waterway with two wetlands, one servicing the eastern portion of the development and the other servicing the western portion.”
Mr Shellie says aquatic plants help strip nutrients from stormwater flowing through the wetlands, before the water continues its flow to the Werribee River. The wetlands have been designed to meet Melbourne Water’s best practice requirements.
Ms Ilka Paraiso, Project Landscape Architect for SMEC says an impressive 75,000 plants will be imbedded in the wetlands park once landscaping work is complete.
“The wetlands will only have indigenous plant species and they will be sourced exclusively from seeds of local provenance to the Werribee River catchment area,” Ms Paraiso says.
“Some of the species we will have on the wetlands are Ficinia nodosa, Juncus sp.,Carex sp., and Lomandra sp. They are all indigenous grasses, groundcovers and aquatic plant species adapted to wet and semi-wet environments.”
Ms Paraiso says the Werribee River catchment is home to more than 330 bird species and the proposed wetlands will be an extended habitat for swans, ducks, coots, wedge-tailed eagles, geese, ibis, cormorants – even lorikeets – in the area.
There are also 11 frog species in the Werribee River catchment, including threatened species Growling Grass Frog and Bibron’s Toadlet. Other key species in the catchment include the Striped Legless Lizard and Golden Sun Moth. Ms Paraiso says the wetlands will provide a varied and healthy sanctuary for species in the catchment and will encourage residents of The Grove to learn more about sustainability and their local environment.
The Grove is located just 32 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, a short 31-minute train ride from the new Tarneit Train Station.
The community is already well-established at The Grove with more than 850 land lots sold and new residents settled in. Along with the wetlands, future plans at The Grove are expected to include a retail precinct, proposed primary and secondary schools, neighbourhood activity centre and sporting oval all connected to parklands and waterways and the wider neighbourhood by walking and cycle paths.
The community already has several outdoor play spaces for families to enjoy and the new wetlands space is being delivered in stages, with the entire system expected to be completed by 2022.
There are currently a range of land lots available for sale at The Grove with prices starting from $312,500.
For more information, virtual appointments can be made by visiting www.thegrove.com.au or by calling Frasers Property on 13 38 38.