Revisiting the Chirnside Park Main Drain

In 2005, the Chirnside Park Main Drain was built after a year of organisation, collaboration and design. The design looked like the image below and incorporated an existing basket based gross pollutant trap (GPT). An effective diversion ensures the right flows are sent into a sediment basin and the rest are bypassed around.

This project was constructed online and included a series of wetland cells, a pool and riffle system, ending in a retarding basin with wetland in the base. It was built as part of a low density residential project while Jamie was at Millar | Merrigan.

Today we can see the vegetation has well established. The trees are providing great canopy and shade cover for lower levels of vegetation surrounding the waterbodies and waterway. The ephemeral vegetation is dense and has great habitat value protecting local fauna from predators.

Throughout the visit, we saw numerous forms of wildlife across the site. A handmade sign highlighted snakes were also a common resident of the area.

The site is looking great after almost 20 years in the ground. The local community has embraced the asset with numerous walkers, joggers and dogs ciruculating on the tracks as we walked around.

We are so proud of the asset and how it is so loved by those who use it.