Gavan O’Neill from Melbourne Water examines the Werribee River. 84629 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By XAVIER SMERDON
THE banks of the Werribee River have risen dramatically as about 600 million litres of water was released.
Melbourne Water released the deluge into the river on 16 July to improve its overall health.
At its peak there will be 70 million litres of water flowing into the stream every day.
Gavan O’Neill, Regional Manager of Waterways West, said the first release of water was part of a total allocation of 1000 megalitres, or roughly 1000 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Mr O’Neill said it was the first-ever environmental release into the Werribee River and reflected the region’s improved water storage levels after almost two years of good rainfall.
“In the West of Melbourne the Werribee River is the most significant waterway,” Mr O’Neill told Star.
“This is a relatively small but extremely significant flow in the river that will boost its environmental values.”
Mr O’Neill said the release of water would mimic the natural water flows and flush sediment which would trigger vegetation growth.
“When the vegetation recovers it will greatly improve the quality of the river,” he said.
“We recently found evidence of platypus breeding which we have not seen since before 2009.”
The water will continue to be released into the river for the next two weeks.
