A new stormwater diversion system will contribute to restoring natural waterway ebb and flow in the environmentally significant Karaaf Wetlands, between Breamlea and Torquay.
Surf Coast Shire Council has completed detailed design of the system, called for project tenders, and installation is set to start later this year.
A new pump at Torquay's Esplanade Wetland will divert about 25 per cent of stormwater flows from Torquay residential areas away from the Karaaf and into an existing drainage network with outfall at the mouth of Torquay's Deep Creek.
Approval of the detailed design marks a significant milestone in Council's sustained work alongside Community Reference Group members and other key stakeholders to reduce water flows into the Karaaf to pre-development levels.
A new flow monitoring system will also be installed to monitor the volumes being diverted and the overall water flow into the Karaaf.
Council has increased maintenance of wetlands in the north Torquay catchment to help improve the quality of water entering the Karaaf, including using boats to access litter in water, and a new gross pollutant trap will be installed at Zeally Sands Wetland.
Council's commitment to reducing flows into the Karaaf is also influencing decision making on future residential growth within the area.
Deputy Mayor Tony Phelps: "We are so pleased to have reached this important point with the diversion project out to tender and look forward to the system making a significant difference helping to restore the health of the Karaaf.
"We greatly appreciate the funding support being provided by the Australian Government for the diversion system, and the support of the Community Reference Group and other stakeholders as we continue working through this long-term revitalisation project.
"We have now completed three years of environmental monitoring in the Karaaf and that will provide great baseline understanding of its condition as we progress."
The Australian Government has allocated $1.9 million through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to assist with improving the health of the Karaaf.
Member for Corangamite Libby Coker: "The Karaaf Wetlands are an environmentally significant part of our region, and this project will help restore healthier natural water flows and improve water quality over the long term.
"The Albanese Government is proud to be supporting the Surf Coast Shire with $1.9 million through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to help protect and restore this important local environment."
Council's diversion project will involve installation of a small section of new pipe connecting the new Esplanade wetlands pump with an existing drainage line along The Esplanade.
A section of existing mains pipe between Sands Boulevard and Horseshoe Bend Road will be upgraded.
Diversion into the Deep Creek outfall will not generate higher volume or greater velocity flows from the outlet pipe, but will increase flow frequency.
