Recovery update

Published on 5 April 2019

Desilting works to remove contaminated sediment in Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road are progressing well. This involves scraping and digging out the fire impacted sediments from the creek and allows for effective sampling to occur, enabling determination of the depth of contamination - as well as verification of remediation works.

Further excavation of this part of the creek may be required to effectively remove any contamination that has infiltrated deeper into the soil. Works may also be required to ensure that the creek’s stability is protected. To prevent contaminants being washed downstream while these works are underway, creek flows are being diverted around the immediate area via an above-ground bypass pipe and pumping equipment.

During the remediation works there may be an increase in odours released, we ask that residents report any odours to the EPA on 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842). EPA insists that members of the community do not access the fire site or the creek between the fire site and Paramount Road as heavy machinery will be operating along the creek. EPA has also increased the frequency of Stony Creek sampling (water and sediment) to fortnightly intervals while the remediation works are being undertaken. EPA will also monitor immediately after significant rain events to assess whether contaminants are being mobilised and carried downstream.

We anticipate that the remediation works will take approximately 10-12 weeks to undertake, weather permitting. The delivery of this recovery work is being coordinated across multiple agencies and is guided by advice from contaminated land specialists. The recovery efforts are highly complex and has required careful planning due to many factors, including ensuring the safety of all agency staff and contractors, the nature and extent of contaminants, treatment and disposal options of contaminated sediment, and access for machinery.

Rehabilitation planning

A summary report from the two-day Stony Creek rehabilitation community workshop which was held on 17 and 24 March will be available on Melbourne Water’s Your Say page soon.

All of the community recommendations from the workshop – as well as the feedback received online and from the ‘pop up’ information events held in February – will be used to start writing the rehabilitation plan.

Over the coming weeks, Council will work closely with Melbourne Water, EPA Victoria and other agencies to outline clear objectives, refine the identified actions from the community workshop (if necessary), and define roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for the rehabilitation plan.

M102 Water Main Renewal Project

Works on the M102 Water Main Renewal Project have moved further east along Somerville Road, with traffic management (including concrete barriers) now in place between Adaleigh Street and Tuppen Street. Adaleigh Street is currently closed to vehicle traffic with works crossing the intersection. This street will be reopened over the coming weekend, at which time Maryston Street will be closed. Residents in Adaleigh Street have been instructed to access their properties via the ‘Right-of-Way’ lane between Adaleigh Street and Maryston Street. When Maryston Street is closed, residents of that street will be asked to use this laneway via Adaleigh Street. The project has worked with Maribyrnong Council to ensure properties are accessible during works using this ‘Right-of-Way’. All works near Kingsville Primary School are now complete and the road surface of Charlotte Street (east) and Julian Street have been restored.

Conditions in Cruickshank Park remain the same, with temporary fencing in place protecting the new growth of grass where the water main passed through. Overall, the project remains on track and is progressing to schedule.

More information on the project’s progress is available on the Melbourne Water website.