Cr Susan Bissenger, project manager Chris Lyne, Cr Sarah Race, Rye Community Group Alliance chair Mechelle Cheers, and integrated water management officer Brenda Lee at the wetland.
Rye Coastal Wetland has been awarded the Stormwater Victoria Industry Award 2022 for Infrastructure Excellence, Mornington Peninsula Shire announced today. In a media release, the shire said the award “recognises excellence in stormwater infrastructure projects that have been delivered and are now operational”.
“Our first coastal bio infiltration basin – also known as a coastal wetland – at the Rye foreshore is the largest stormwater treatment asset in a coastal environment on the Peninsula,” the shire said. “The community-driven project overcame significant challenges, including sand migration, high tides, storm surges, and high groundwater levels, to produce a highly effective natural filtration system treating the stormwater prior to reaching the bay.
“Since its construction, the coastal wetland has been delivering improved water quality discharge into Port Philip, enhanced visual amenity of the site, enhanced biodiversity (and) a boardwalk with improved access to the beach.”
Mayor Anthony Marsh said the project was the first of its kind on the Peninsula. “We are incredibly proud to be leading the way in stormwater management through our first coastal bio infiltration basin,” Cr Marsh said. “This project not only delivered an amazing asset on our foreshore that cleans the water entering Port Phillip but has been exemplary in showing collaboration between many different government departments/grant programs, consultants, local community and shire teams.”
Cr Sarah Race said: “This project improves the water quality directly into Port Philip, not only making it safer for our community but also the overall environmental health of the water and marine wildlife.”
Cr Susan Bissinger said: “This community-initiated, innovative project will see a natural process filtering our stormwater run-off to ensure cleaner water is entering the bay, it will also blend seamlessly into our foreshore area. Great for our community and our marine environment.”
This project came about from discussions between the shire and the Rye Community Group Alliance and was paid for by the shire, the State Government and Melbourne Water. Go here to find out more.
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