Recovery updates

Below you will find progress updates relating to the Stony Creek recovery effort.

Recovery update

Published on 6 July 2021

With the help of students from Gowrie Clare Court Kindergarten, a new frog pond area with more than 500 plants has been created at Cruickshank Park, Yarraville to encourage the return of frogs to the area and create new habitats.

Recovery update

Published on 23 July 2020

More than 3000 indigenous plants have been planted along Stony Creek, including a section of Cruickshank Park, in the first achievement delivered as part of the Stony Creek Rehabilitation Plan.

Recovery update

Published on 13 May 2020

Construction of the Stony Creek Pedestrian Footbridge in West Footscray is complete with the new bridge now open to the public. Council has overseen the design and construction of the project, with works taking just 11 weeks to complete, beginning in early February and concluding in early May.

Recovery update

Published on 28 February 2020

The vision for Stony Creek is one step closer with the adoption of the Stony Creek Future Directions Plan 2020 at Tuesday’s City Development Special Committee meeting (25 February).

Recovery update

Published on 29 November 2019

Maribyrnong City Council is currently developing an update to the 2011 Stony Creek Future Directions Plan. The new masterplan will address the length of the Creek as it passes through the city and incorporate a masterplan for Cruickshank Park.

Recovery update

Published on 1 November 2019

After extensive consultation and development, the final Stony Creek Rehabilitation Plan was launched at a community event in September.

Recovery update

Published on 6 September 2019

The Stony Creek Rehabilitation Plan will be officially launched at a community event this Sunday 8 September from 11am–2pm in Cruickshank Park.

Recovery update

Published on 23 August 2019

The EPA has now issued a clean-up notice that requires the landowner to remove all high risk waste from the premises by 17 August 2020.

Recovery update

Published on 16 August 2019

Melbourne Water and EPA Victoria continue to conduct assessments to understand the scope and extent of further remediation works between the fire site and Paramount Road.

Recovery update

Published on 9 August 2019

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.

Recovery update

Published on 2 August 2019

The first stage of sediment excavation work within Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road has been completed.

Recovery update

Published on 26 July 2019

So far, approximately 1,800 cubic metres of contaminated sediment has been removed from the Creek, which is equivalent to three quarters of an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Recovery update

Published on 19 July 2019

Specialists in land contamination will undertake more soil testing at the site. This will help gain insight into the impact of the remediation works and to help inform additional works if needed.

Recovery update

Published on 12 July 2019

Contaminated sediment from the Creek continues to be processed and treated on site and transported off site to a secure landfill site.

Recovery update

Published on 5 July 2019

More than half of the stockpiled contaminated material at the fire site has been treated and removed to a secure landfill site.

Recovery update

Published on 28 June 2019

Last week, excavation of sediment continued to progress well towards Paramount Road, with contaminated sediment removed from a 500 metre length of the Creek.

Recovery update

Published on 21 June 2019

Desilting works from an 800 metre section of the Creek are expected to be complete by mid-July, weather permitting. As a result of the fire incident, this was the most heavily contaminated section of Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published on 14 June 2019

Improved weather this week has meant that the stockpiled contaminated material at the fire site has been treated and processed, ready to be removed off-site.

Recovery update

Published on 7 June 2019

Approximately 200 cubic metres of treated material has been removed from the site and has been disposed at a secure landfill site.

Recovery update

Published on 31 May 2019

It’s been a wet week onsite, with over an inch of rainfall in the last week. Fortunately, there haven’t been any major issues on site as a result of this high rainfall.

Recovery update

Published on 24 May 2019

Almost three quarters of the stockpiled contaminated material has been processed quickly and efficiently by the large machinery at the fire site.

Recovery update

Published on 17 May 2019

Large machinery has been onsite this week to process and treat remaining contaminated material quickly and efficiently.

Recovery update

Published on 10 May 2019

Contaminated material from the spoil stockpile (located at the fire site) has been processed and treated with specialised equipment so that it can be safely removed off site.

Recovery update

Published on 3 May 2019

EPA is advising that this week’s forecast for possible thunderstorms and heavy rain may raise odour levels around Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published on 18 April 2019

Desilting works between the fire site and Paramount Road are progressing well, we are now awaiting testing results to inform treatment of this material before transporting it off site to a secure landfill.

Recovery Update

Published on 12 April 2019

Desilting works between the fire site and Paramount Road are progressing better than expected – approximately 750 cubic metres of contaminated sediment has been removed from a 200 metre section of the creek where the fire occurred.

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.

Recovery update

Published 29 March 2019

The desilting work of Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road commenced on 28 March, which saw contaminated sediment removed by excavators and other machinery, and temporarily stockpiled and contained at the fire site, where it can be prepared for safe disposal to a secure landfill.

Recovery update

Published on 22 March 2019

EPA and Melbourne Water are about to commence desilting work of Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road. This work is anticipated to continue for between 10 to 12 weeks.

Recovery Update

Published on 15 March 2019

Stony Creek clean-up work has commenced with desilting work likely to start next week. Debris and other materials are being cleared and stockpiled at the site to enable the efficient removal of sediment.

Recovery update

Published on 8 March 2019

This week, Melbourne Water began on-site preparations to remove at least 500 cubic metres of contaminated sediment from Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road.

Recovery update

Published on 1 March 2019

Council, Melbourne Water and EPA presented at the first Stony Creek Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting on 28 February, and will continue to meet on a monthly basis to to advise on the development and implementation of the Recovery Plan for Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published 22 February 2019

Water and sediment results from the 17 January sampling have been received and assessed, and the results are now available on the EPA website.

Recovery update

Published 8 February 2019

On Wednesday evening, approximately 10mm of rain fell in the Stony Creek catchment. Inspections the following morning revealed minimal impact to downstream areas.

Recovery update

Published 15 February 2019

Council has appointed consultants to prepare a feasibility study on improving stormwater quality flowing to Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published 1 February 2019

Specialist arborists are continuing to remove trees and other vegetation surrounding Stony Creek in sections and will be completed in the coming weeks.

Recovery update

Published on 11 January 2019

Booms and hay bale bunds continue to trap floating contaminants throughout Stony Creek. Results from samples collected by the EPA on 12 December have just been received and will be assessed over the next few days. EPA expect these results will be available in the week of 14 January.

Recovery update

Published 25 January 2019

EPA continues to advise people to avoid coming into contact with water from Stony Creek. Seek medical help if you feel unwell.

Recovery update

Published on 18 January 2019

Melbourne Water and the Environment Protection Authority EPA continue to work closely together on the removal of upstream sources of contamination between the fire site and Paramount Road.

Recovery update

Published on 4 January 2019

Results of all water and sediment monitoring to 29 November have been analysed and the EPA website was updated on 31 December.

Recovery update

Published on 21 December 2018

On Thursday, EPA conducted an additional inspection of the fire site and downstream parts of Stony Creek following the heavy rainfall. This inspection was to confirm the effectiveness of site controls and no contaminants were observed to be leaving the site.

Recovery update

Published on 14 December 2018

Following this week’s heavy rainfall, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is advising residents of West Footscray, Kingsville and Yarraville that odour levels around Stony Creek may raise.

Recovery update

Published on 7 December 2018

EPA is working closely with Melbourne Water to monitor the effectiveness of the clean-up of Stony Creek upstream of Paramount Road and to ensure the appropriate management of contaminated sediments is removed from the waterway.

Recovery update

Published on 30 November 2018

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) conducted air sampling at two locations along Stony Creek on the 16 November due to community concerns about odour and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from the flash flood that occurred on 6 November.

Recovery update

Published on 23 November 2018

Following the rainfall this week, Melbourne Water crews inspected the floating booms and hay bale bunds and replaced as necessary. Overall there was minimal damage, although some debris was cleaned-up around Waratah Street.

Rain likely to impact Stony Creek

Published on 20 November 2018

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is advising residents of West Footscray, Kingsville and Yarraville that this week’s forecasted heavy rain is likely to raise odour levels around Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published 16 November 2018

Debris around Waratah Street was identified by the Friends of Stony Creek and Melbourne Water has now cleaned up this area. Booms and hay bale bunds continue to trap floating contaminants throughout Stony Creek.

Recovery update

Published on 9 November 2018

Following the heavy rainfall earlier this week, teams from Melbourne Water and EPA were on site at Stony Creek on the morning of 7 November collecting water samples.

Recovery update

Published on 2 November 2018

Strategies for the clean-up of Stony Creek immediately downstream of the fire site are being developed by Melbourne Water and the EPA.
Most of the vegetation affected by sludge has been removed between Paramount Road and Francis Street, including in Cruickshank Park.

Recovery update

Published on 26 October 2018

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.

Recovery update

Published on 19 October 2018

The focus this week is removal of black sludge along the creek bank between Paramount Road and Geelong Road. These works are progressing well as methods are refined.

Recovery update

Published on 12 October 2018

All the agencies involved are committed to working together and importantly with the community including Friends of Stony Creek and Friends of Cruickshank Park to deliver on the recovery plan for Stony Creek.

Council now lead agency in West Footscray/ Tottenham fire recovery

Published on 14 September 2018

Rehabilitating Stony Creek and the health and wellbeing of residents will continue to be the priority of Maribyrnong City Council, as it moves into the role of lead agency.

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