Recovery update
Published on 26 October 2018
EPA, Melbourne Water and Maribyrnong City Council continue to work closely together in the implementation of the recovery plan for Stony Creek and surrounding areas.
Warning/advisory signs still provide current advice and remain in place up and down Stony Creek, including Cruickshank Park.
Water quality is much improved, but advice remains to avoid contact with water in Stony Creek. EPA is likely to reduce the frequency of water quality monitoring based on the continued stability of results. However, it will continue for several months. The latest round of water sampling in Stony Creek should be available early next week.
Targeted sediment sampling has been conducted at various points in Stony Creek, including the backwash area to help inform Melbourne Water clean-up activities. Analysis of sediment should be available next week.
Melbourne Water, EPA, Parks Victoria and Council are working closely together to understand the impact of the fire on creek sediments. This will enable us to ensure management actions for the creek and Backwash area are successful in returning the creek to its pre-fire state.
EPA’s website is being updated with the latest monitoring information as it becomes available.
Melbourne Water has been monitoring Stony Creek following the heavy rain last weekend – they are continuing to remove black sludge in Cruickshank Park and between Paramount Road and Geelong Road.
The rain damaged the booms, bunds and hay bales which are being replaced as needed this week.
Adding peat regularly in Cruickshank Park is helping to soak up contaminants, and it is then skimmed it off the surface using inductor machinery.
EPA officers have inspected the factory site on a daily basis this week to ensure effective management of risks such as contaminated water on-site and continues to work closely with site owner, tenant, specialist contractors, and other agencies with the intent of ensuring that wastes and environmental impacts at the site of the fire are properly assessed and managed.
EPA is visiting Clare Court Children’s Service to talk with kindergarten children about the impact of the fire and the recovery of Stony Creek
Melbourne Water will begin cleaning the concrete channel located in Frances Street (downstream from Cruickshank Park) next week.
Advertisements will be published in the local paper calling for nominations for the Stakeholder Advisory Panel, and Council will be approaching community groups to nominate representatives.
And – algae and frogs are returning to the creek which is a good sign of waterway health!