- Headwater streams are diverse ecosystems and important sources of water and other resources to downstream river networks, however, they are rapidly being lost through urban development globally. When urbanization occurs, headwater streams are commonly converted to pipe networks or enlarged constructed channels. This has negative consequences for both headwater streams and downstream river networks. In recognition of their importance, Melbourne’s Healthy Waterways Strategy (HWS) includes targets for protecting headwater streams, however, we lack local information on their value as well as practical guidance on how to achieve their protection.
- To address these knowledge gaps, Melbourne Water has been collaborating on several initiatives, including: i) a mapping and monitoring program to better understand the value of local headwater streams, ii) workshops to develop a management framework with principles and tools for protecting headwater streams, and iii) a pilot co-design approach to develop innovative design solutions.
- The structure and function of headwater streams is variable and local context is important. There are many structural and non-structural tools to protect headwater streams from urban development but there is an order in which you need to do things and multiple interventions are likely required. We developed and tested a management framework to guide efforts to improve headwater stream protection in a range of global settings and levels of industry maturity.
- The HWS recognises urban growth and climate change as two of the major challenges for urban waterways, placing headwater streams at particular risk. This necessitates a robust suite of tools and guidance for implementation.
Biography
Belinda Hatt is an environmental scientist whose research aims to improve stormwater management to protect and restore urban waterways. Rhys Coleman is an aquatic ecologist who manages the waterways and wetlands research program at Melbourne Water. Moss Imberger is a freshwater ecologist interested in the effects of landuse change and other anthropogenic impacts on aquatic systems. Matt Burns is a hydrologist working on the links between urban stormwater and stream degradation. Belinda, Rhys, Moss, and Matt collaborate on headwater stream research projects through the Melbourne Waterway Research-Practice Partnership between Melbourne Water and the Waterway Ecosystem Research Group at the University of Melbourne.