Controlled

The Mullum Mullum Creek enters the tunnel under Ringwood Street as a totally controlled flow moving placidly towards the light.

Things can only get better.

The banks are looking a lot more natural, there is room for the creek to spread a little and the path bends away a little through the vegetation. A pair of Dusky Moorhen are happy to potter about on the edge of the water.

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In 1971 the creek here was a neglected area, an open space between housing on the north and south side. Now there is the feeder road to a freeway on the north and mid height apartment blocks are going up in the south side. Fortunately the needs of the creek and its environment has been given consideration in the way things are developed.

When the road was being built as part of the Eastlink project from 2005 to 2008 various strategies were used to protect the waterway. For example; jute mat stabilisation for erosion control and a sediment fence to capture sediment and prevent it getting into the creek as shown in this EPA photograph. A big change in attitude in the 20 years from when the Bypass was built.

Continuing along the trail, the view is dominated by a large steel pedestrian ramp that takes you over the road, should you choose to go that way. It also gives a good view of what has been done to protect the creek from the increased run off from the road.

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Between the road and the creek are these settling ponds which I assume clean the water before it enters the creek.

The creek has also presented problems to the development of the commercial centre.

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In 1931 floodwaters destroyed the bridge at Adelaide Street (now absorbed by Eastland) and it was never replaced. The later photo shows the remnants continued to be used for foot traffic.

With all the building that is now going up along Nelson Street, Maroondah City Council has undertaken a huge flood mitigation project to protect against any future flood. This includes strategies to prevent rapid runoff from roads and a requirement for green areas and trees around low rise buildings. All this is celebrated in this charming sculpture of Mullum Mullum the Owl by William Eicholtz.

The creek is obviously doing quite well, as I followed the trail out of Maroondah and into Whitehorse there were plenty of pretty vistas.

Perhaps a road and a creek valley can share the same space.