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. The event was a great opportunity to thank the community for their valuable input and support to create the plan as well as to provide an update about the actions that are underway, what will be happening over the next 12 months, and how the community can get involved.

Keep an eye out on the Stony Creek Rehabilitation Your Say page to stay up to date with the implementation of the plan.

Immediate risk to downstream environments has been significantly reduced by removing the most heavily contaminated sediment between the fire site and Paramount Road. More recently, the focus of recovery activities has been assessing a number of sediment deposition areas downstream of Paramount Road to determine if sediment needs to be removed. This will include the drainage of the ‘dog pond’ in Cruickshank Park during the week commencing 4 November to undertake sediment sampling and determine optimal desilting methodologies.

Melbourne Water continue regular inspections to monitor conditions in the creek.

In response to an article in The Age newspaper on 20 October, EPA and Worksafe attended a public meeting on Thursday 24 October called by Katie Hall MP, Member for Footscray. There were 25 attendees.

What EPA heard the following from the 25 attendees:

  • Concern about the volume of chemicals remaining at the site
  • Concern about health impacts
  • Wanting the regulators to step in to clean up the fire site
  • Wanting government to lead finding solutions to reducing the waste Victorians generate

Further information available here.

Water and sediment monitoring results from September have been assessed and the website update with the latest results. In summary, the levels of chemicals are stable with most meeting guidelines. The spikes seen in hydrocarbons and copper last month are absent with levels back to that previously seen.

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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