This park improvement project involved construction of a wetland to:

• Filter stormwater that comes off our roads and roofs, before it goes into Merri Creek.
• Create walking tracks, viewing platform and interpretive educational signage so people can learn about water, wetlands and local wildlife.
• Create habitat for the threatened species like Growling Grass Frog, that are known to live by the Merri creek, and other local wildlife.

Saturday 11 May 2024 at 10am.

• Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung.
• Mayor will speak to officially open the wetland.
• Waterbugs education event my Merri Creek Management Committee.
• Coffee cart.

What is a wetland?

A wetland is a series of shallow ponds of water surrounded by native plants and rocks that helps clean stormwater, provides habitat (home) for wildlife like local native frogs, insects and birds and provides amenity to the community.

How does the Moomba Park Wetland work?

Stormwater from an 8 hectare area to the south of Moomba Park will be diverted to the wetland system through an underground pipe. The diverted stormwater will firstly enter a pond where course sediments (gravels and sands) will settle to the bottom. The stormwater will then flow into a shallow vegetated area of the wetland where pollution (from roads and roofs) is removed through physical and biological processes. It will take two to three days for stormwater flow to pass through the water plants and be treated sufficiently to feed into a pond designed for Growling Grass Frog habitat. Clean overflows from the frog pond will flow along a small swale into Merri Creek.

The schematic below shows the layout of the wetland and how water flows through it.

What is a Growling Grass Frog?

The Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis), is a species of ground-dwelling tree frog native to south-eastern Australia.

Frogs of Australia > Litoria raniformis / Growling Grass Frog

Why did we create frog habitat?

Growling Grass Frog is listed as a threatened species in Victoria, but fortunately individuals had been recorded within the Merri Creek before construction, downstream of Moomba Park.

To encourage Growling Grass Frogs we created purpose-built habitat. Now that the wetland is established they have moved in and can now be heard making their distinct call that sounds like a growl.

What is the habitat?

We made a wetland frog pond to provide habitat. These frogs often inhabit water bodies with a diverse aquatic vegetation, including grasses. The grasses are areas for breeding, providing safety and shelter for tadpoles, and food hunting. The wetland also has rocky areas for sunbaking. The area will be enclosed by a small see through fence to help protect the frogs. It will provide also provide habitat for many bugs, insects, invertebrates, frogs, waterbirds and reptiles.

Improved Open Space	Council will improve the look and amenity of your local parkland.
Healthier waterway	Provide enough water for the existing plants in the reserve. Provide natural treatment of urban stormwater runoff before it enters the local creek (water quality treatment). Slow down stormwater runoff and increase the capacity of the floodplain to hold stormwater runoff during storms, to relieve pressure on the creek and reduce erosion. However, it will not eliminate flooding during exceptional storm/rain events.
Habitat for native and endangered wildlife	Provide suitable habitat to help recover the nationally threatened Growling Grass Frogs. Provide a safe haven for a range of aquatic wildlife and many other animals such as bugs, insects, invertebrates, frogs, waterbirds, and reptiles. Enhance diversity of local flora (plants) to improve natural cooling mechanisms across the city (reduction in urban heat islands).
Recreational opportunities	A loop walking track around the wetland, sitting area and vantage points for wildlife observation, nature discovery and natural play.
Learning Opportunities	A self-guided interpretive signage will share understanding of the ecological function of wetlands and local biodiversity.