Thursday, 31 October 2019

 Ms SANDELL (Melbourne) (11:49): (1387) My question is to the Minister for Water, regarding the maintenance of Moonee Ponds Creek. Minister, will the litter traps in Moonee Ponds Creek be redesigned to better protect the creek from pollution and rubbish? Each month my office receives an update from the volunteer group Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek. The group does some really important work in monitoring the creek’s health and preserving and restoring its natural environment, and I would like to thank them for their efforts. Unfortunately, their updates often include photos of the creek’s overflowing litter traps and poor water quality. My constituents inform me that the current design of the litter traps is not effective and the safeguards in place to protect the creek need to be redesigned and improved. The health of our rivers and creeks is vital for supporting native flora and fauna and for maintaining green space in the inner city. I encourage the government to take all steps necessary to improve and protect the creek’s health for the community to enjoy into the future.