Recovery update

Stony Creek recovery 9 August 2019.jpg

Published on 9 August 2019 

Remaining stockpiles of contaminated sediment at the fire site continue to be processed, treated and tested before being transported off site to a secure landfill site. Only a couple of sediment stockpiles are left to process, treat and test at the fire site and should be completed by the end of next week, weather permitting.

EPA and Melbourne Water are undertaking a number of assessments to determine the scope and extent of further remediation works between the fire site and Paramount Road. Further works will also be guided by advice from specialists in land contamination after test results are finalised.

Removal of significant quantities of contaminated sediment from Stony Creek, along with EPA’s water and sediment quality monitoring results, has allowed planning for remediation works downstream of Paramount Road to begin. The latest monitoring results will be published on the EPA website early next week which demonstrate continued improvement in water and sediment quality, with most compounds below guideline values.

No indication of any impact from the dredging works conducted in the Creek near the fire site by Melbourne Water. The majority of the remaining remediation works will be carried out during the summer months, when conditions are drier and more suitable.

Inspections and monthly sampling continue to be carried out to monitor conditions in the Creek.

Feedback on the draft rehabilitation plan closed on 31 July and Melbourne Water would like to thank everyone for taking part and providing constructive comments.

During the four week consultation period there were:

  • Almost 700 downloads of the draft plan
  • 29 submissions
  • 2,800 views of the Your Say page, the highest number of views (302) was the day after the plan was released
  • Over 1,700 unique visitors with more than 2,000 visits to the Your Say page
  • Almost half (47%) of the total visitor traffic to the web page was directed from social media advertising, just over 30% were direct visits, and almost 10% of visits were directed from other websites

Feedback scores on the plan:

  • Average of 3.5/5 for meeting expectations
  • Average of 4/5 for reflecting community input

All comments on the draft plan will be carefully considered and taken into account where possible to prepare the final plan. Over the next month, Melbourne Water will be working collaboratively with Council and EPA Victoria to finalise the plan.

The final Stony Creek Rehabilitation Plan will be launched at a community event in Cruickshank Park on Sunday 8 September. Stay tuned for further details.

EPA’s ongoing advice is:

  • Avoid contact with the water in Stony Creek
  • Don’t walk along the edge of Stony Creek
  • Don't let pets swim in the area or drink the water
  • As a precaution avoid eating fish from Stony Creek
  • Seek medical help if you feel unwell
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