Recovery update

Published 8 February 2019

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

An inspection of the Stony Creek Backwash was undertaken on Wednesday morning and it appears that the impacted saltmarsh is continuing to recover and new mangrove seedlings are establishing, which is a good sign of recovery.

Specialist arborists have completed works to remove affected trees and other vegetation, and all booms and hay bale bunds continue to be inspected twice a week.

On Wednesday evening, approximately 10mm of rain fell in the Stony Creek catchment. Inspections the following morning revealed minimal impact to downstream areas. Odour levels were slightly elevated close to the creek upstream of Geelong Road, but was not noticeable in adjacent residential areas.

The results from water and sediment samples collected by EPA on 17 January have just been received and will be formally assessed.

EPA officers continue to carry out regular inspections of the fire site to monitor compliance with statutory notices and ensure appropriate risk controls are in place.

An environmental consultant has been engaged by EPA to assess the level of impacts resulting from the fire along Stony Creek between the fire site and Paramount Road. The consultant will assist EPA and Melbourne Water by providing remediation targets and a validation plan as part of the clean up efforts within Stony Creek.

Reinstatement of the creek bed, after the pipe for Melbourne Water's M102 Water Main Renewal project was laid under Stony Creek two weeks ago, was completed last week and creek flows have returned as normal. Works are now progressing east along Charlotte Street towards Julian Street.

Remediation works in Cruickshank Park should be completed over the next few weeks. This includes the hydro-seeding of affected grassed areas, which will be protected with temporary fencing to allow the grass to establish; reinstatement of the concrete shared user path and removal of all project equipment; and the removal of the fenced laydown area. More information on the project’s progress is available on the Melbourne Water website.

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