Zeally Sands wetland improvements

Published on 27 June 2024

Surf Coast Shire Council is starting work to improve the function of sediment ponds and drains in Torquay’s Zeally Sands constructed wetland.

The wetland, between Rippleside Drive and The Sands, is part of the stormwater network for the Torquay north catchment and is the last constructed wetland in the system before the stormwater enters The Sands Amenity Lake system.

It provides an important function filtering the stormwater before it enters The Sands amenity lakes.

“This wetland is part of the north Torquay stormwater network which feeds into the adjoining culturally and environmentally significant Karaaf wetlands, and this project is part of our wider ongoing work addressing the quality and volume of stormwater impacting the Karaaf,” Mayor Liz Pattison said.

“A recent review of the network highlighted need for clearing the Zeally Sands wetland sediment ponds and drains to improve their effectiveness.

“We thank residents living near the wetland for their understanding as we complete this important environmental work, which should be complete by the end of July.”

Work will start on 1 July and excavation will be underway for several weeks, removing sediment, dense vegetation and rocks from Amenity Lake and Wetland 3 Sediment basins, as well as central and southern open swale drains.

Contractors will have strict sediment management controls in place to help prevent disturbed sediment running from the wetland before it can be removed by excavator.

Rocks will be returned and plants replaced once the maintenance excavation is complete.

All work will be completed under the supervision of qualified ecologists. Fauna such as fish and eels will be relocated within the wetlands before excavation starts.

Sediment removed from the ponds will be temporarily stored to dry in the adjoining Timara Park, and vegetation taken to dry at a vacant space near Grass Tree Park before being mulched.

Traffic management will be in place around the works.

People seeking more information can email info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au or phone 5261 0600.