Services Offered to Patterson Lakes Customers
We are responsible for managing the Patterson Lakes’ waterways and flood protection structures using funds collected through a special precept rate.
What is a ‘precept rate’?
In addition to the normal drainage rate that all Melbourne home owners pay, Tidal Waterways and Quiet Lakes property owners in Patterson Lakes pay a special service charge for works and services that are specific to their waterside properties. This is known as the precept rate, and is approved by the Victorian Government’s Essential Services Commission which independently regulates the prices and service standards of businesses supplying water, sewerage and related services.
Our Role at Patterson Lakes
The precept rate helps us provide services such as flood protection and maintenance to residents in the Tidal Waterways and Quiet Lakes areas. When Patterson Lakes were developed it was agreed that we would manage the waterways within these areas.
- Patterson Lakes Maintenance Agreement 1973 (original) (PDF, 3.2mb)
- Patterson Lakes Maintenance Agreement 1973 (user friendly) (PDF, 26kb)
History of Patterson Lakes
What is now the suburb of Patterson Lakes was previously part of the Carrum Carrum Swamp.
It was drained in 1879 when the man-made Patterson River was created and at that time, the P Lakes area was used as farmland up until the 1960s. High levees built along the Patterson River protected the low-lying area from large floods.
In the early 1970s, the Patterson Lakes Partnership and others began constructing the lakes and tidal waterways system.
The development was approved by the local councils of the day on the condition that the lakes and waterways would remain under the control and management of a waterway authority.
Patterson Lakes Advisory Committee
The Patterson Lakes Advisory Committee (PLAC) advises Melbourne Water on the resident’s views on all matters relating to the commissioning, operating and maintenance of the Tidal Waterways and Quiet Lakes. The committee consists of Tidal Waterways and Quiet Lakes property owners and Melbourne Water officers.
See also:
- Water Quality Monitoring at the Quiet Lakes
- Letter and Information about Patterson Lakes and Quiet Lakes - April 2010 (PDF, 423kb)
- Media Release - Survey Helps Plot Way Forward for Patterson Lakes
- Quiet Lakes Survey Report Summary (PDF, 89kb)
- Quiet Lakes Community Survey Final Report (PDF, 228kb)