Maribyrnong council has updated the timeline of works on Footscray Park’s Western Lawn.
Despite ongoing delays, Maribyrnong council has aimed to have the grass laid to take advantage of the peak growing season to be able to return an improved Western Lawn to the community by December 2023.
Maribyrnong council closed the Western Lawn to the public late last year to enable a multi-million dollar upgrade to support an increase in a range of cultural, recreational and sporting opportunities at Footscray Park.
The floodwater inundation across the area during the October flood event closed a number of the council’s parks and reserves for some months, including Footscray Park, delaying the start of planned works.
Given the site’s history, the council had anticipated a certain level of soil contamination and planned to remove soil as part of the reconstruction to improve drainage.
Following the flood event, council staff members have also had to deal with the additional challenge of encountering a layer of silt between one and five centimetres thick which was deposited across the entire site.
Maribyrnong council has reviewed geotechnical investigations undertaken at the commencement of the project and additional testing was undertaken to understand appropriate management.
Maribyrnong council has been conducting further soil sample results over the previous week to assist with planning, but results to date indicated no additional health risks which were not already advised at the time of the flood.
Another well-loved asset impacted by the floods was the playground at Footscray Park, with damage to several sections of the boundary fence, various play equipment, and the ground coverings, with temporary fencing remaining in place until Maribyrnong council can address the damage from the flood.
The ponds would continue to remain fenced off following two accidents which occurred in 2021 and are still under investigation by the Coroner.
Details: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Works-and-projects/Western-Lawn
