Local environment in Knox

Article originally published in Ferntree Gully News.

There have been a lot of exciting things happening in our local nature spots and reserves. Last month, volunteers gathered to help maintain these spaces as part of Clean Up Australia Day, with many hands pitching in to look after our local environment.

Wetlands coming to Koolunga

Knox Council has announced plans to introduce a new wetland area at Koolunga Native Reserve. As part of the move, part of the existing creek through Koolunga will be redeveloped to help treat stormwater run-off before it reaches the Blind Creek Tributary, and help prevent flooding.

The aim is to introduce the wetland by May/ June this year. The new works will also include new plant life to help improve diversity, as well as aquatic wetland plants to provide safe breeding areas for fish, turtles, birds and frogs. There will also be a new seating areas and path links.

Council held two information sessions through March for community consultation, with much discussion about the proposed changes already. To have your say or view the plans, visit the website.

Pictured: Knox City Council and Melbourne Water staff, Cr Yvonne Allred, Jackson Taylor MP, and members of Friends of Blind Creek.

Celebrating Blind Creek

The reimagining of Blind Creek has been officially celebrated – with Friends of Blind Creek Billabong, Melbourne Water, Jackson Taylor MP and Cr Yvonne Allred all in attendance to help commemorate the project.

The project has been a huge success in bringing water and wildlife back into the creek, while also creating a beautiful public space for all our community to enjoy. Works began in October 2019 and were completed by May 2020, with stepping stones, new pathways and a pedestrian bridge introduced to revitalise the area.

If you haven’t wandered along Blind Creek Trail between Fair Park Scoresby Road and Manuka Drive, do yourself a favour and enjoy!

Blue-billed Duck. Photo: Barbara Oehring.

New life at Lake Knox

There’s also been exciting news at Lake Knox, with a baby Blue-billed Duck recently born at the lake. This is a significant development for the site, as the Blue-billed Duck is listed as an endangered species in Victoria.

Lake Knox has been at the centre of protests due to government plans to fill in the lake and make way for housing developments. Development Victoria has long argued that, despite the Blue-billed Duck being an endangered species, keeping the site as a wildlife sanctuary is not necessary as the ducks have not been known to breed there.

The birth of this new baby duckling clearly refutes this. Stay tuned!

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