By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The contentious transformation of Troups Creek West Wetland in Narre Warren North is complete.
And it seems at least popular with a wide variety of birds and frogs that have flocked to the Ken Browne Reserve ponds since bulldozers retreated.
Since August, Melbourne Water had drained the lake, rid it of about 600 exotic carp and created several interlinking wetlands.
The aim was to filter stormwater that runs down to Port Phillip, as well as provide grey-water for a neighbouring housing estate.
A formal concrete path has been added to the site.
Senior project manager Jason Brown said the diversity of habitat for animals had been improved.
“There are now more plants, which improve stormwater treatment and provide animal habitat, but areas of open water have also been retained.”
Mr Brown said water levels, kept low to help establish plants, would be restored to “normal” over coming months.
During a tour of the wetland, resident Ray Darbritz voiced concerns about the lack of trees and shade around the enormous banks.
The luscious revegetation of Frog Hollow Reserve was cited as an example.
Mr Darbritz also suggested extending the track so it fully encircled the wetlands.
Mr Brown said trees and shrubs could not be planted on the large retaining walls of earth to the south of the wetlands. It was against national dam regulations because they compromised the walls’ structural integrity.
He said the retarding basin was designed to withstand one in 100-year floods, protecting homes that line the reserve’s perimeter.
