Flooding risk reduced for two inner Melbourne suburbs

Flash flooding in 2011 damaged several homes in two of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. A $40 million project has sought to reduce that risk, also taking advantage of a chance to open up the space.

Melbourne Water’s Rohan Escreet, Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos, Glen Eira Cr Tony Athanasopoulos, Stonnington Cr Sally Davis and Melbourne Water’s Kerin McMahon look at the new space. Picture: Wayne Taylor

A $40 million project more than two years in the making to reduce flood risks in two eastern suburbs is nearing its end, with the bonus of an upgraded parkland area now complete.

Torrential rain caused widespread flash flooding across Melbourne in February 2011, as 200mm of rain fell, damaging several homes in Murrumbeena and Malvern East.

The flooded East Malvern RSL sub-branch bowling greens in February 2011, as photographed by Madelin Craig.

The Melbourne Water project is duplicating 2km of drain from Railway Parade to Gardiners Creek, while connectivity has also been improved by opening up the neighbourhoods to more green spaces from Riley Reserve in Murrumbeena, increasing access to bike routes for commuters and cyclists.

As part of the project, a dividing embankment between north and south Murrumbeena was removed, taking advantage of the Murrumbeena Rd level crossing removal.

The entire project is due for completion early next year.

It is hoped that after flood mitigation works this water depth measure will not need to be used. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Project manager Rohan Escreet said the end result was two-fold, in reducing the risk and severity of flooding, while also enhancing “the natural beauty of the area and connectivity by opening up the space”.

Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos was thrilled with the community outcomes, especially the two-for-one tree replacement that has resulted in even more trees planted along Sydare Ave.

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Glen Eira Mayor Margaret Esakoff said the lush green grass which now adorned Riley Reserve was the first of many upgrades which would see a range of improvements to Riley Reserve, Springthorpe Gardens and Boyd Park.

“These projects will provide a significant uplift to the parks and encourage further use and activity,” she said.