Are you interested in supporting Monbulk Creek’s threatened platypus population, reducing your water bill and helping to mitigate local flooding?
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus Project is offering FREE rainwater tanks for properties in the Monbulk Creek catchment area to help safeguard the Monbulk Creek and reduce the impact of stormwater in the hills.
The aim of the project is to install a network of rainwater tanks across the Monbulk Creek catchment area which will help protect the health and integrity of Monbulk Creek, improve water quality and environmental water flows, ensuring a sustainable environment for both wildlife and residents.
If you own a property in Upwey, Tecoma, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South or Selby and would like to learn more about Tanks for Platypus and get involved, contact Council on 1300 368 333 or via tanksforplatypus@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Sign up for the Tanks for Platypus Project
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
Platypus in Monbulk Creek
The Monbulk Creek platypus population is the last known breeding population in the Dandenong Ranges. The Victorian Government formally listed the Victorian platypus population as vulnerable in 2021. The Tanks for Platypus Project aims to protect platypus in the Monbulk Creek by protecting habitat and increasing environmental flows.
Enhanced environmental flow
Environmental flow is the amount of water needed in streams to keep them healthy, even during dry seasons. Tanks for Platypus Project tanks are connected to stormwater drainage that runs directly to Monbulk Creek, and the fitted Tank Talk ® technology allows the project to stage automatic water releases from the tank network when environmental flows get low. This helps support healthy water levels in the creek, particularly in platypus breeding seasons.
Protect Monbulk Creek
By supporting environmental flows and decreasing the volume of stormwater run-off that goes directly into the creek, Tanks for Platypus help to improve water quality, enhance habitats and support biodiversity in the Monbulk Creek catchment.
Water Savings
Project participants will receive a free, fully installed water tank they get to keep after the project ends, and where possible, plumbing to their toilets to reduce household water usage and save on water bills.
Sign up for the Tanks for Platypus Project
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
Tanks for Platypus will help protect the health of Monbulk Creek, improve water quality and environmental flows, ensuring a sustainable environment for both wildlife and community.
The project is installing rainwater tanks equipped with specialised Tank Talk® technology on private and public properties in the Monbulk Creek catchment.
Tank Talk® enables real-time monitoring to manage stormwater:
- Water can be released from project tanks prior to rain, reducing the risk of local flooding
- In dry periods, a steady flow of water can be released to improve water levels in the creek, supporting wildlife populations.
Successful applicants will be eligible for a rainwater tank equipped with Tank Talk® technology to be installed at no cost and can use the collected rainwater for flushing toilets and watering gardens.
The bottom 50% of water in project tanks will be allocated to environmental flows during the project period (2025-2029), with the top 50% of the tank available for household use. Participants will be able to monitor their tank to see how it’s performing and the effect it has on streamflow in Monbulk Creek through our online portal. Please see the FAQ section for more detail.
Sign up for the Tanks for Platypus Project
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
Own a property in Upwey, Tecoma, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South or Selby? You may be eligible for a free tank! Contact us at 1300 368 333 or tanksforplatypus@yarraranges.vic.gov.au. We’re installing 300 tanks between 2025 and 2029—don’t miss out!
Sign up for the Tanks for Platypus Project
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
Sign up and we’ll guide you every step of the way:
- Fill out an Expression of Interest form (it only takes a minute!), or contact tanksforplatypus@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
- We’ll confirm eligibility and book your first site visit with our project facilitators. They’ll check your stormwater drainage, legal point of discharge, and the best location for your tank.
- Next, a licensed plumber will conduct a second site assessment to confirm plumbing connections and prepare a detailed scope for installation. This ensures everything is safe and tailored to your property.
- You’ll receive the scope and participation terms to review and approve.
- Once approved, we’ll order your custom tank and schedule installation. Due to current demand, installation usually occurs 1–3 months after assessments.
- After installation, we’ll fit the Tank Talk® technology and show you how to use your tank and track its impact online.
Plus, you’ll be part of research exploring how communities connect with water and place - helping shape future sustainability projects!
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
How long does the project go for?
The project is estimated to finish at the end of 2029 but may be extended if extra grant funding is sourced.
What are the Tanks for Platypus and how do they work?
Each water tank will be fitted with real-time technology called Tank Talk® that transforms a regular rainwater tank into one that can be operated remotely to release water based on weather forecasts and stream conditions. Visit Iota to learn more about Tank Talk®
Participants will have access to 50% of the tank to flush household toilets, or in some cases, to water gardens, with the bottom 50% of the tank reserved to support the creek.
At the end of the project (2029) the Tank Talk® technology will be removed from the tank, leaving you with access to 100% of the tank water and a fully operational tank that will continue to flush your toilets and water your garden.
What information will be collected?
As a part of the Tanks for Platypus Project, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Water will be collecting anonymised data from project tanks to determine:
- How much rainwater is captured over time in the tanks
- How much potable water a household can save by using the tanks to flush toilets
- How people engage with water and their local environment.
University of Melbourne will be sending out short surveys to project participants as a part of their research. Personal details will not be captured.
Do I need to be with a specific water provider?
Yes. You must be a South East Water customer.
Who can join the project?
Landowners in the Monbulk Creek catchment which include sections of Upwey and Tecoma, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Selby, Sherbrooke and Kallista can apply to be part of the project, however, there are specific factors that determine property suitability and not all applicants will be successful.
What factors determine a suitable property?
Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for each individual site. We will look at the associated costs, the ease of site access, landslip risk, tank size, drainage and the connectiveness to Monbulk Creek via direct connection or stormwater system.
How much does it cost to join the project?
There is no cost to join the project. Successful applicants will have full costs covered which includes installing a new rainwater tank (if landowners don’t have one), pump, Tank Talk® technology and plumbing costs. This is subject to eligibility and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Having an existing tank does not exclude participants from receiving a new tank.
How much tank water must be reserved for the project?
50% of the tank storage is reserved for the project, for the life of the project. The program is designed so it will only release what is available to the project at that time. If there is not enough water in the tank, then no releases will be made.
Who maintains the tank?
The landowner will be responsible for maintaining the tank for the life of the project (during the project) and will continue to maintain the rainwater tank after the project has finished.
Landowner/s will be responsible for cleaning the gutters, and leaf traps entering the rainwater tank. The landowner/s must not alter or interfere with the rainwater tank or its set up for the life of the project.
The Tank Talk® (OneBox®, Valve and level sensor) will be managed and maintained by the project partners.
How much power does the rainwater tank setup use?
The approximate running cost for pumping 20,800L of water per year at 1.5 KWh/KL @ 30c/KWL = $9.36/yr (This includes Tank Talk® operations). Pump rates will vary depending on usage and rainwater tank size. Visit Iota to learn more about Tank Talk®
How much could I save on my water bill?
The net savings to the household are around approximately $65/yr for a low water-using household, more if the household has a higher water usage.
How many project tanks are available through Tanks for Platypus?
The Tanks for Platypus project aims to install 300 project tanks by 2029.
Why was Monbulk Creek chosen for this location?
Monbulk Creek was identified as a priority area as it contains one of Melbourne’s few remaining populations of platypus which are under threat from stormwater pollution, litter, flooding events, habitat, and biodiversity loss.
It has been identified as a priority catchment for stormwater and flow management in the Healthy Waterways Strategy.
The site is ideal due to the presence of large water storages - Belgrave Lake and the two ponds at Birdsland Reserve - which offer an excellent head-start in creating the necessary storage to provide environmental flow releases through a network of storages to help achieve the desired flow regime in Monbulk Creek. Read Melbourne University’s Saving Melbourne’s Platypus with Smart Water Storage to find out more.
How will my tank help Monbulk Creek?
Your rainwater tank will be used to release water into Monbulk Creek when it needs it the most and this will help improve the creek flow known as environmental flow or environmental water.
Environmental flows are the flow of water needed to support the health and vitality of our natural waterways, including its aquatic life and habitats. Environmental flows are not just about the quantity of water provided, but also the timing and quality of that water - elements necessary to sustain natural ecological processes.
Visit Melbourne Water’s website to find out more about environmental water flows.
Alternatively, the rainwater tanks can also release water before heavy rainfall to help minimise flooding.
What happens to the Tanks for Platypus tanks at the end of the project?
At the end of the project there will be two choices for participants:
- If further funding is secured and the project can extend its research residents will be given the opportunity to sign another MoU to join the next phase of the project. The tank set up and Tank Talk® system will stay the same. The landowner will still own the tank and be responsible for the maintenance of gutters and leaf traps.
- Residents can opt out of the extension of the project. Residents will keep the rainwater tank and it will still flush the toilet/s but all Tank Talk® hardware and technology will be removed. The tank will no longer perform timed releases and will only overflow when full. The landowner will still own the tank and be responsible for the maintenance of gutters and leaf traps.
Can an existing tank be retrofitted?
An existing tank can be retrofitted for the project if the tank and property meets all criteria including:
- direct connection to the creek or local stormwater drains that are linked into the Monbulk Creek Catchment
- the tank is in good condition and a suitable size
- the tank location and plumbing
Each tank and property needs to be assessed before we can determine if your suitable for the project.
Who is involved?
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is a partner project of Yarra Ranges Council, Melbourne Water, University of Melbourne, South East Water and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.
The Monbulk Creek Smart Water Network’s Tanks for Platypus project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, the Victorian Government, and Melbourne Water, under the guidance of the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI), with the support of One Tree Planted, City of Ballarat, Coliban Water, Zoos Victoria, and catchment management authorities.