Trin Warren Tam-boore (Parkville)

Trin Warren Tam-boore (Bellbird waterhole) was previously five hectares of little-used land in the north-western area of Royal Park adjacent to a busy freeway. Launched officially in 2006, this area has been transformed into an urban wetland designed to treat stormwater run-off from the roads, rooftops and gutters of surrounding suburbs, provide a habitat area for wildlife and deliver recycled water for use in Royal Park.

The wetland consists of two linked ponds. The 'treatment wetland' acts as a natural filter, with banks densely covered by native Australian plants that treat and clean stormwater through natural biological processes. The processed clean water then goes to the 'storage wetland', which is used to irrigate areas of Royal Park in summer, while the remainder flows through to Port Phillip Bay.

The plants, rocks and water form a home for birds, frogs, snakes and a wide range of aquatic animals.

Design of water system - This specially designed wetland is a natural filter, treating polluted stormwater drained from the roads, rooftops and gutters of surrounding suburbs. As the water moves slowly through the deep and shallow pools of the first wetland, the biological action of thousands of aquatic plants removes nitrogen and other pollutants. Plants, microscopic organisms and sunlight all contribute, over time, to the cleaning processes in wetlands. After flowing through the treatment pond, water flows under the road into the storage pond and then overflows into Moonee Ponds Creek and Port Phillip Bay. In summer, recycled water from the storage pond is pumped, as required, to irrigate the Royal Park Golf Course and nearby sports fields.

Purifying Plants - The plants within the wetlands extract sediments, recycle nutrients and oxygenate the water. Approximately 70 000 aquatic plants of many different native species have been planted in Trin Warren Tam-boore in varying depths of water. Tall clumps of indigenous sedges, reeds and rushes, which cover the shallow banks, trap leaves, grass clippings and contaminants like heavy metals and oil..
Nitrogen is removed from the water by plant uptake and other biological processes occurring naturally in the water. The water plants and surrounding grasses, shrubs and trees all provide food and shelter for a wide range of animals, establishing a complex web of life in and around the wetland. The plants and animals of Australia's natural wetlands were important traditional resources for Aboriginal people, providing food, medicine, fire-making implements, resin glue, fibre and weaving materials.

Before European settlement, Australia's natural wetlands were important gathering places for Aboriginal people. In the language of the Wurundjeri who formerly inhabited this area, Trin Warren means Bellbird (Bell Miner) and Tam-boore is a waterhole.

Cost:

Free

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are not permitted in this vicinity.

Review:

There are toilets and a water tap near the carpark. The wetlands are only a 50m walk from the carpark.

For your own safety, be sure to wear appropriate footwear and avoid walking through long grass in warm weather due to the possibility of snakes.

There is a gravel path around the wetlands area which is ringed by grassy areas dotted with trees. There is a bird hide on the eastern side. You will see water birds and for the best experience bring binoculars.

There are plenty of picnic tables and seats in the area.

Photos:

Location

129 Manningham Street, Parkville 3052 Map

✆ (03) 9658 9658

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