Tuesday, 22 September 2026

 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (23:22): (2815) It is a great privilege to work in an electorate whose residents are prepared to advocate so passionately to protect the environment. I want to congratulate and commend two passionate young constituents, Chris and Lennon from All Kids Junior Landcare. They have launched a petition to clean up a section of Stony Creek which borders two critically endangered grasslands and threatened species habitats. Their petition was signed by 400 residents and was tabled at Maribyrnong City Council on 18 August, specifically requesting that council work with Melbourne Water to improve a neglected part of Stony Creek between the Matthews Hill Reserve and Braybrook grasslands by arranging a clean-up of accumulated litter; assessing and appropriately managing invasive weeds obstructing the creek; investigating the persistent offensive odour, poor water condition and possible sources of pollution; and improving ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of this section of the creek.

The petition is backed by a 2022 RMIT study for Melbourne Water, which identifies this area as a litter hotspot and recommends assessing a litter trap at Matthews Hill and Braybrook grasslands. While existing Stony Creek plans identify litter control, better access, habitat restoration and ecological links as priorities, plans to treat contaminants and trap litter have not been progressed by Melbourne Water. Melbourne Water have advised that the rubbish needs to be removed professionally, as it is unsafe for a community to clean up. The Sunshine superhub project affects the adjoining rail corridor, and Chris and Lennon have rightly summarised that with works yet to commence there is a narrow window to improve access to the creek, remove the rubbish, control the litter and restore the ecological link between the two grasslands.

I congratulate Chris and Lennon for spearheading this action. It is great to see our next generation of young activists taking the lead to better their community. With the monstrous NextDC data centre threatening the creek’s health downstream in West Footscray, we need people-powered conservation more than ever. So the action I seek is that the Minister for Water direct Melbourne Water to liaise with Maribyrnong council to undertake the necessary works to restore this neglected section of Stony Creek.