Stirling drainage system to be transformed into living stream

WORK is starting on a project to transform a drainage system in Balcatta and Stirling into a living stream.

The Water Corporation and City of Stirling will work together to improve the drainage system, which runs along Veronica Parkway, Honeymyrtle Turn and Grindleford Drive, and into lakes at parks in Roselea and Princeton estates.

Water Corporation will also undertake a hydrological study, including ground and surface water monitoring, to determine a strategy to improve water quality in the drainage and lake systems.

The drain alignment will be changed to reduce impacts on nearby roads.

The project was a $1.5 million State Government election commitment and Water Minister Dave Kelly said it was a great example of using nature to manage water quality in urban waterways.

“Living streams play an important role in cleaning up stormwater as it moves through the city landscape and provides new ways of improving the amenity of our public open spaces,” he said.

“Water quality within the drainage system is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play.

“Communities can help improve water quality by ensuring they do not use excessive fertiliser on gardens and ensuring rubbish is placed in bins, particularly at public parks, to keep our drains and waterways free of litter.”

Balcatta MLA David Michael said Roselea and Princeton estate residents had long been frustrated with issues occurring from the lake system.

“This project will do so much to reduce the severity of, and occurrences of some of these issues like algae and weed growth, road subsidence and rubbish accumulation,” he said.

The hydrological study will start in July and results used to plan the development of the drain into a living stream in 2019, subject to land availability.