FINES from industrial polluters are being used to fund backyard rain gardens.
The Environment Protection Authority is spending $50,000 on the Darebin Creek Raingarden Pilot Project, funded by fines collected from a company prosecuted for discharging raw sewerage into Jumping Creek at Warrandyte South.
The EPA is creating 60 raingardens, designed to filter stormwater from downpipes, through plants, sand, soil and gravel, before entering the Darebin Creek.
Darebin Creek management committee co-ordinator Adrian Infanti said raingardens also slow the rate of water entering the creek, which helps reduce the impact of heavy rainfall and minimises erosion.
Details: dcmc.org.au or call 9499 4454.
