One of the easiest things we can all do to protect our creeks, rivers and bays from harmful pollutants found in urban stormwater run-off is to build raingardens that act as a natural filtering system. Imagine instead of concrete gutters and kerbs, we built roadside raingardens, while every resident owned a raingarden planted with native drought tolerant vegetation.

Raingardens are self-watering, easy-to-maintain, low cost and there are many different types including planter boxes, downpipe diversions, rainwater tank overflow diversions, infiltration raingardens and swales.

Already some land developers and many local councils are building raingardens to help improve the health of our waterways. The Wicks Reserve Bio-infiltration Basin in Knox, the Edinburgh Gardens raingarden in North Fitzroy and the Darling Street raingarden in East Melbourne are just a few examples. Melbourne Water is also working with councils, community groups and now residents as part of its 10,000 Raingardens Program.

Let’s hope our newest housing developments become shining examples of innovative, environmentally friendly, water wise suburbs that are the envy of the world. In the meantime, you can also play a part in helping our waterways by building your own raingarden at home. It’s easy!

You can find everything you need to know about the different types of raingardens, the best plants to use, and instruction sheets on how to build one at www.melbournewater.com.au/raingardens. Be part of the count towards 10,000 raingardens across Melbourne and register your raingarden today.

What do you think? Do you have a raingarden? What kind of raingarden would you like to build at home?

Edinburgh Gardens Raingarden, Fitzroy North

By Melbourne Water