THE HON Tanya Plibersek MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
Peter Khalil MP
Member for Wills
The Australian Government is investing over $2.1 million to improve the health of Melbourne’s Moonee Ponds Creek between Strathmore and Pascoe Vale.
The project will transform 200 metres of the creek between Oak Park and Lebanon Reserve, replacing the open concrete drain with ponds, trees and rockwork, restoring the creek’s natural qualities.
Delivered by the Chain of Ponds Collaboration, the project will improve the habitat of freshwater species, including the threatened growling grass frog, and provide the community with better access to nature.
The project will also celebrate the creek’s ongoing connection with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owners.
This is part of the Government’s $200 million investment in projects that help community groups, NGOs, councils and First Nations groups clean up and restore their local rivers and waterways. This includes activities like planting native species along creeks and building small-scale wetlands to improve water quality.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
“We want to leave nature better off for our kids and grandkids, and that means repairing damage to our environment and better protecting it for the future.
“That’s why we’re investing $200 million in projects to revitalise our urban rivers and creeks. We want to support the groups on the ground who understand the needs in their community and are working to better manage and restore their local environment.
“Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants occur in urban areas. We need to act now to protect them.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Wills, Mr Peter Khalil MP:
“This funding is crucial to the ongoing restoration of the Moonee Ponds Creek and improving conditions for our native species such as frogs, turtles, and birdlife.
“The $2.1 million investment will help restore this significant urban waterway and provide our community with access to nature and open green space between Strathmore and Pascoe Vale.
“It will also strengthen the resilience of the local area in dealing with the impacts of climate change.”
ENDS
Environment Minister’s office:
