A recreational hotspot in Melbourne’s Croydon, Tarralla Creek is an important community area that borders several local playing fields and contains amenities such as its 10-kilometre bike trail and large creek reserve.
To enhance liveability in the area, the Reimagining Tarralla Creek project began in 2020, and has transformed a 500-metre section of Tarralla Creek and Croydon Wetlands into a naturalized green space.
The project was continued into 2022 to improve water sustainability with the implementation of stormwater harvesting solutions to irrigate nearby sporting areas. Contemporary urban design and landscaping have enriched the site and improve the health of the waterway and surrounding environment.
Part of the Integrated Water Management Program, by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, this initiative looks to create better outcomes for communities through collaborative approaches to planning and managing our water cycle.
13 Megalitres: Water Harvesting in Tarralla Creek
SPELChamber was supplied and implemented to capture, treat, and re-use water across the site. This irrigation system will supply water to four separate sporting facilities and parks – Fred Geale Oval, Croydon Oval, Springfield Park, and Town Park field.
Minimizing reliance on potable water, the SPELChamber supplies the detention and re-use capabilities required by the large catchment – and helps to reimagine environmentally-friendly water use across the unique site.
Incorporating 1 megalitre of stormwater harvesting capacity, this infrastructure supports a long-term vision for eco-friendly design across the reserve. Capturing runoff that coalesces in the site’s stormwater drainage network, the project is expected to save over 13 million litres of water per year.
Stormwater harvesting allows the collection of rainwater from a variety of impermeable surfaces, such as carparks, roads and footpaths. As an alternative to mains water, stormwater harvesting results in the alleviation of pressure on the water network – and the ability to help restore natural water cycles in the urban environment.
Providing resilience to climate change, and addressing the needs of a growing local population, this stormwater solution will future-proof the surrounding area and help to create better water outcomes in the local area.
