Footscray residents keen to enjoy the Melbourne Cup public holiday today (Tuesday, November 1) at Footscray Park are urged to avoid any areas which may still be flood-affected.
The recent flooding event on Friday, October 14 inundated the Western Lawn, as well as 245 residential properties when the Maribyrnong River breached its banks.
Maribyrnong council has completed initial clean-up works to allow visitors to enjoy the view of the races from the hill.
The Environmental Protection Authority has provided advice for those eating and drinking to exercise appropriate hand hygiene given increased risk of gastroenteritis.
Maribyrnong council has closed the Western Lawn playground and the barbecues along the foreshore.
The council has provided a small number of portable toilet facilities at Footscray Park and has planned to conduct additional rubbish collections for the duration of the Cup Carnival.
Additional advice from the EPA includes using tables and chairs instead of picnic blankets, avoiding contact with soil and vegetation which may have been underwater and ensuring young children, the elderly and the immuno-compromised take extra care.
