Nikki Kowalczyk is the Maribyrnong waterways co-ordinator for the newly founded organisation Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association.
“We are an offshoot from the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, which is part of a global movement called the Waterkeeper Alliance,” she said.
“It was my idea to create this organisation, and at the moment we are still in the process of founding this new organisation.”
To promote her new venture, Ms Kowalczyk created a film titled, ‘Maribyrnong, Mirrangbamurn: Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association’.
“We thought it would be useful to provide greater context and raise awareness of threats to the river and speak to the need for this new organisation,” she said.
“So we created the film as a way to announce the launching of the organisation and provide context as to why this organisation is important in the Maribyrnong catchment.
The film features elders, residents, Ms Kowalczyk and Maribyrnong councillor Bernadette Thomas.
“We spoke to the threats that the Maribyrnong river faces and what needs to be done to protect it,” Ms Kowalczyk said.
The 15-minute film began filming at the beginning of the Maribyrnong River through to the Yarra river.
“It captures the rural part of the river through to the urban working river, you can really see the big changes in the landscape,” Ms Kowalczyk said.
Ms Kowalczyk said the association is advocating for protection and enhancement of waterways in the Maribyrnong catchment.
“We have been advocating for improved planning controls, improving the design guidelines,” she said.
“We have also been sitting on a number of discussion panels and forums, providing that community for the concerns about river health.
“The community has been very active in designing the strategy and what needs to be prioritised, showing unanimous support for the establishment of this organisation.”
Jennifer Pittorino
