Raingardens to help create healthy rivers and creeks
Melbourne Water and Junior Landcare are inviting schools and youth groups in the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment area to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to build a raingarden to improve the health of rivers and creeks.
The Junior Landcare grants program aims to raise awareness of how good management of stormwater contributes to healthy waterways. It promotes simple ways that people can improve stormwater quality at school and at home – like building a raingarden.
Raingardens receive stormwater from hard surfaces such as a downpipe from a roof, paved areas or driveways, slowing the rate of stormwater before it flows into drains and on to rivers, creeks and bays.
In public spaces such as streets, parks and schools, raingardens also filter out litter, oil, excess nutrients, chemicals and sediment that normally build up on hard surfaces such as roads, car parks, roofs and driveways.
Melbourne Water’s General Manager of Waterways, Chris Chesterfield, said stormwater runoff from suburban streets was the main polluter of rivers, creeks and bays because of what it picks up and carries into waterways.
“Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants ranging from nitrogen that causes algal blooms, to motor oil and animal droppings that can affect the health of fish and platypus,” said Mr. Chesterfield. “Raingardens are a great way to reduce the impact we have on our waterways, and they also make an attractive and water-efficient feature to the landscape.”
Funds can be used to hire a landscape gardener to manage the project, which enables applicants to focus on promoting the project to the school, parents and local community. Alternatively, raingardens can be built with guidance from teachers and raingarden instruction sheets.
Since 2003, Melbourne Water has provided schools and groups with Young Watercare Grants through the Junior Landcare Grants Scheme. Schools have used the funds to restore or maintain waterways in their local area through activities like water testing, reducing litter, water bug surveys, tree planting or protecting native flora and fauna.
For more information about the Melbourne Water Junior Landcare grant and building Raingardens visit www.juniorlandcare.com.au
