Project Title: Dunyak Moira Fishing Ponds at Merrigum WTP
About the initiative
‘Dunyak Moira’ in Yorta Yorta language means Fishing Lake, and that is the new role for two retired raw water storage basins at the Merrigum Water Treatment Plant (WTP). (GVW) is partnering with Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club (Burnanga) to convert retired 50ML and 12.5ML storages, idle for 20 years, and their surrounds into public recreational spaces. The partnership benefits GVW, Burnanga, the local community and is continuing to gain community business support.
Diversity and Inclusion goals
- Dunyak Moira will be retained as a GVW asset and reclassified for recreational purposes with Burnanga.
- Fishing Club will have full access to the site and the committee of management founding members from inception, through to implementation and now into launching for public access.
- Burnanga will lead the launch of the site in November 2023 as a community project with welcome to country, fishing displays, demonstrations, and lessons.
- They plan to use this site for education and healing purposes for their members and community as well as fund raising with fishing events.
Impact
- The fishing ponds have been embraced by Burnanga Fishing Club as a public asset for their members and the local community to access. It provides the club and local community with access to fishponds for recreational and social purposes, and will work as a draw card for visitors to Merrigum.
Innovation
- The project has used recycled materials from other projects and retired assets to provide a leading example of circular economy including:
- Rehabilitation of retired water storages to community assets
- Placement of defective concrete pipes for fish habitat on the floor of both lagoons
- Use of retired power poles and harvested reuse irrigation timber for duck and bird nests
- Placement of large root balls recovered from storms in Victoria as fish habitat.
- Creation of an environment endemic for flora and fauna in an area deprived of a good protected sustainable environment, which is unique in this dairy community of Merrigum.