The final Stony Creek Rehabilitation Plan has now been released, one year on from the West Footscray industry fire which contaminated the much-loved local waterway.
Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne and Member for Footscray Katie Hall launched the final plan at a community event to thank those who contributed feedback for their input and support.
The ten-year plan builds upon rehabilitation work already underway to clean up contamination and begin restoring the creek back to good health.
The Plan sets out longer-term goals and actions to continue the recovery efforts and ensure Stony Creek is protected as a local asset into the future.
The Stony Creek community have been involved in developing this plan every step of the way, providing vital local insights and helping to ensure the Plan aligns with community values and expectations.
The plan has been jointly developed by Melbourne Water, the community, EPA Victoria and Maribyrnong City Council, and is in line with Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy.
The rehabilitation plan builds on the initial emergency and recovery works undertaken by Victorian and local Government agencies which included removing contamination caused by the fire.
The Plan is also in line with the Government’s Waterways of the West initiative which aims to improve the environmental health and amenity of waterways throughout the western Melbourne region including the Maribyrnong and Werribee Rivers, Moonee Ponds Creek and tributaries.
Quotes attributable to Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne
“Waterways are central to local communities and the residents around Stony Creek have been strong advocates for its future.”
“Their views have been heard loud and clear and this feedback has been incorporated into the Rehabilitation Plan to make sure any actions align with the community’s values, aspirations and expectations.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“We know how valued Stony Creek is to the local community, and how passionate people are about its recovery and rehabilitation.”
“The support and input from the Stony Creek community into this process has been phenomenal and I thank everyone involved for their continued advocacy.”