Our inland waterways provide essential ecosystem services that are important to both native flora and fauna.

Apart from providing critical biodiversity functions, waterways provide opportunities for us to appreciate the natural environment and its processes. The unique character of these environments enables us to develop a sense of place and connection. Furthermore, it offers the chance for us to understand, interpret and convey the importance of such things within the community.

The Brompton Lodge development, located some 40km south east of Melbourne at 980 – 1050 Western Port Highway, Cranbourne is approximately 101 ha in size. Previously, the site was used for cattle grazing, cropping and horse agistment. A large portion of the site was also used for sand mining.

A population of dwarf galaxias, a nationally threatened fish species was also previously identified within the site in two interconnected man-made ponds. The creation of habitat for the dwarf galaxias was a key consideration in the planning of the waterways and open space areas at Brompton.

The waterways convey creek flow events from over 560ha of upstream catchment area. Additionally, it captures stormwater collected from the immediate development context, slowing and polishing water flows prior to leaving the site. A large wetland and a series of pools and constructed creeks within the development provide important habitat and water quality functions for the local environment.

The 11ha waterway corridor contains over 300,000 native plants and provides over 10km of hike and bike path networks that connect the waterways and provide opportunities for recreation and appreciation of the natural environment.