By Benjamin Millar
Rehabilitating heavily polluted Stony Creek should be a key aspect of a new plan being developed for the west’s waterways, according to advocates.
Friends of Cruickshank Park secretary Sue Vittori said bringing back life to the creek – devastated by chemical run-off from the August 30 West Footscray warehouse fire – should form part of the new Waterways of the West Action Plan.
A new ministerial advisory committee will work with western suburbs communities and traditional owners on the plan, which could give the Maribyrnong and Werribee rivers protection levels similar to the Yarra River.
The committee will be chaired by Chris Chesterfield, who held the same role in relation to the Yarra River Action Plan.
Mr Chesterfield said there had traditionally been a fragmented approach to planning and management of Melbourne’s key waterways.
He said heavy industrial development along the Maribyrnong River had “left a bit of a legacy” that would need to be tackled.
“There is a sense there hasn’t been a strong focus on the amenity of the river and how important it is for the liveability of the area,” he said.
Mr Chesterfield said the Werribee River was an impressive and relatively untouched waterway that hadn’t been as impacted by urban development.
“People often talk about the Werribee River as being the jewel of the west,” he said.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said the plan would make sure “there are no more Josephs Roads for starters”, referring to the previous government’s approval of high-rise towers up to 32 storeys high looming over the Maribyrnong River in Footscray.
Ms Thomson said community engagement would be vital to making sure the plan reflected local interests.
“As well as the wider community, we are making sure we include the indigenous communities as well,” she said.
Ms Thomson joined Water Minister Lisa Neville and Planning Minister Richard Wynne at Footscray Rowing Club recently to announce the plan.
Ms Neville said the Western Rivers Action Plan recognised the importance of the waterways to the community.
The government will also spend $400,000 on projects including a new pontoon on the Maribyrnong River at Footscray Park and visitor facilities at Werribee River.
