Upper Water Think Tank
What is the Upper Water Think Tank?
The Upper Water Think Tank (UWTT) is a vibrant network of individuals from the Maribyrnong catchment dedicated to enhancing understanding and advocacy for sustainable water and waterway management. Founded in response to low levels of local water literacy the Think Tank equips members with the knowledge to contribute informed opinions during government consultations and advocate for long-term water health.
With a focus on the Maribyrnong River and its creeks, the Think Tank addresses critical issues such as stormwater, drinking water, wastewater, and groundwater management. Since its establishment in 2023, it has run over 15 sessions, and engaged diverse representation from Landcare and Friends groups, through educational sessions with water industry experts and local government representatives.
As the region faces increasing population pressures and declining rainfall, the Water Think Tank fosters water-literate communities, empowering locals to participate in meaningful dialogue and drive sustainable, community-supported decisions for the future of the Maribyrnong catchment.
Greater Western Water’s Role in Water Management
Greater Western Water plays a critical role in managing urban water supply and wastewater services across western Melbourne, including areas within the Maribyrnong catchment. Their responsibilities include ensuring sustainable water use, addressing water quality, and collaborating on initiatives that balance urban growth with the health of Victoria’s waterways. Their contributions are vital to the broader management of the state’s water resources, supporting both community needs and environmental priorities.
To view the PDF from the presentation, click the link below.
Recycled Water Plants in the Maribyrnong Catchment
Wastewater treatment ensures waste water from industry and our homes is safely processed, with treated water reused or released under strict standards. Growing populations and emerging contaminants will pressure plants to innovate and adapt. Sustainable solutions and community education will be key to protecting waterways and managing future challenges effectively.
To view the PDF from the presentation, click the link below.
Waterwatch
Explore how Melbourne Water monitors waterway health and uses data from consultants, citizen scientists, and Waterwatchers. Learn about challenges in managing altered waterways, setting restoration goals, and engaging communities in data interpretation. Discover tools like the Waterwatch portal and Melbourne Water’s Water Measurement Information System.
To access the PDF from this presentation click the link below.
Groundwater
Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) rely on groundwater for some or all of their water needs. These include wetlands, springs, river baseflows, and terrestrial vegetation. In the Maribyrnong Catchment, these ecosystems are vital for supporting biodiversity and maintaining healthy waterways. In this session you’ll find out what Victoria’s agencies are doing to better understand and protect these systems.
To access the PDF from this presentation click the link below.
Stormwater and Integrated Water Management
This Water Think Tank session brought together Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Melbourne Water, and E2Design Lab to explore different perspectives on stormwater and Integrated Water Management (IWM). The discussion highlighted the need for collaborative planning to manage water sustainably, enhance urban resilience, and protect our waterways. From local government strategies to innovative design solutions, the session emphasised the importance of cross-sector approaches in addressing water challenges in the Maribyrnong catchment. To see the E2Design Lab presentation follow this link. To view Melbourne Water’s presentation follow this link. And to view the Macedon Shire presentation follow this link.
Creek Stories
The health of our local creeks reflects how much we value the places we call home. In this session, we heard from locals about their deep connections to these waterways—the stories of creeks and the people working to protect them.
For more information about our creeks and the people who care for them, visit: Creek Stories
Garden Hut Reservoir
This session took place on private property in Newham, adjacent to Garden Hut Reservoir, where decades of regeneration have created a thriving refuge for over 100 bird species and diverse aquatic life as featured in the property owner’s presentation. The visit underscored the complex challenges facing our waterways, with Greater Western Water’s presentation highlighting the pressures of climate change, urbanisation, and declining rainfall.
Garden Hut Reservoir, a key but low-cost drinking water source for Lancefield, undergoes year-round extractions, raising concerns among Water Think Tank participants about its impact on local ecosystems and long-term sustainability. The discussion reinforced the urgent need for bold government leadership and proactive community action to protect our rivers and creeks.
The Impact of Farm Dams on Waterways
This Water Think Tank session examined the growing impact of farm dams on water availability and ecosystem health, drawing on insights from the Moorabool catchment. Across Victoria, unregulated and expanding private dams are intercepting significant volumes of runoff, diverting water away from creeks and rivers, and exacerbating flow stress. This has profound implications for water security, aquatic biodiversity, and downstream users who rely on regulated access. Participants discussed the urgent need for stronger monitoring, compliance, and policy reform to ensure sustainable water management. This presentation is available upon request.
Environmental Water in the Maribyrnong Catchment
Environmental water is water that is set aside to support the health of rivers by sustaining aquatic habitats biodiversity, and water quality. In this session, Melbourne Water provided an in-depth definition of environmental water and looked at the policy and processes involved in securing environmental water in the Maribyrnong catchment. The session provided an update on the FLOWS assessment currently underway for the River. The discussion highlighted the challenges of balancing water allocations with ecological needs and the importance of securing flows to sustain the river’s health.
This session sparked a commitment from the Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association to develop a position statement on environmental flows, reinforcing the need for stronger advocacy and community engagement to ensure our waterways receive ‘ a fair share of the flow’ – the water they need to thrive.
Workshop: Mapping Our Water Future
In this session, we reflected on the journey so far, drawing on insights from our ten past sessions (see presentation here) to highlight what has truly resonated with our community. Our conversation was structured around three key themes:
1. The Journey So Far
We began by reviewing the standout moments from our previous sessions, pinpointing lessons learned, and recognising the evolving challenges in water management.
2. Identifying the Issues That Matter
Participants engaged in a thorough discussion on which water issues are most critical for our communities, the water industry, and the creeks themselves. From this we developed the Water Think Tank Prospectus, which outlines six opportunities to be further developed into practical projects:
- Cool Clear Water: Revitalise the community’s connection to local creeks through fun, safe, and celebratory events, including initiatives like testing treated water for recreational use.
- Water Fit for a Creek: Explore what a creek needs in terms of flow and water quality, integrating scientific insights with local land management practices.
- Reimagining Murnong Creek: Transform neglected urban waterways, such as in Riddells Creek, by engaging community members and experts to re-envisage and restore these spaces.
- Save Water, Save Your Money?: Examine how smarter water use can deliver both environmental benefits and financial savings, drawing on international examples and local experiences.
- The River Festivals of the Maribyrnong: Celebrate the diverse identities of the Maribyrnong River through multiple local festivals that combine community enjoyment with educational initiatives.
- The Wild World of Creeks: Foster a cultural exchange between urban and rural communities via field days, building stronger bonds and collaborative approaches to managing water challenges.
This session not only celebrated our collective learning but also set a clear roadmap for future engagement and advocacy, ensuring that our efforts in water management are grounded in community insight and industry collaboration.
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Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association’s Position Statement on Environmental Flows in the Maribyrnong Catchment
In this presentation MRWA reviewed their Position Statement on Environmental Flows in the Maribyrnong Catchment, emphasising the catchment’s crucial role in supporting biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience amid mounting pressures from reduced flows, groundwater extraction, and unsustainable water allocation.
The position statement includes 12 recommendations, an overhaul of water management practices—from returning portions of bulk entitlements and implementing robust stream flow and passing flow management plans, to regulating private water use and upgrading recycled water treatment—to secure a sustainable, resilient future for our waterways. MRWA’s position statement will be online soon.
