Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Reimagining Your Moonee Ponds Creek project

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (11:14): I rise today to update the house on the progress of the Reimagining Your Moonee Ponds Creek project. Representing Minister Shing and Minister Pearson, the member for Pascoe Vale and I joined the mayors of Merri-bek and Moonee Valley along with Wurundjeri elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner and representatives of Melbourne Water and Greater Western Water to plant the first of 40,000 new shrubs along the banks of the creek bed earlier this month. Once a concrete drain, this part of the creek between Oak Park and Strathmore is being restored to a natural state, giving us a cooler and healthier environment where native animals and biodiversity will be able to thrive.

The project will also deliver more open space, improved paths for cyclists and walkers and a new bridge to improve active transport connections in the area. This $10 million project showcases the transformation that can be achieved when agencies and levels of government work together and listen to local communities. I thank the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek for their dedication, work and advocacy over so many years, which have transformed this beautiful place. The creek holds a special place in my heart: it is where we played as kids, and I love taking my kids there now. It is an important space for habitat and biodiversity and a significant cultural place for our First People. Only Labor is doing what matters. It will introduce planning controls on 12 key rivers and creeks, including Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek, and a Green Links fund to support revegetation, create wildlife corridors, restore the natural environment and protect our precious waterways for generations to come.