City of Melbourne councillors will next Tuesday consider a plan to revitalise Moonee Ponds Creek and lead to the creation of a chain of parks, wetlands, paths and new open spaces for the fast growing inner north.
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment portfolio Councillor Cathy Oke said the Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan was an exciting opportunity for Council to advocate on behalf of residents for Melbourne’s forgotten waterway.
“The plan we will consider is an important advocacy tool and, if endorsed, sets out a range of opportunities to create people-friendly neighbourhoods in the growing inner city.
“The City of Melbourne is a water city, and we want all our waterways to be celebrated appropriately. When it comes to managing Moonee Ponds Creek it is critical that all stakeholders involved work together to revitalise this critical inner city infrastructure.
“I look forward to considering a plan that shows, with the right investment and coordination, we can increase biodiversity, flood mitigation, new bike paths and more space for recreation,” Cr Oke said.
The plan will be considered by Councillors at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday August 20, following endorsement of a draft Plan in March.
Chair of the Finance and Governance portfolio Councillor Arron Wood said a vision for the waterway was vital as more people moved into the area.
“Five major urban renewal areas back onto Moonee Ponds Creek, including Arden where 15,000 people are expected to live by 2051. As the population increases, we want these new residents to enjoy open spaces and recreational areas along this important green spine,” Cr Wood said.
“The City of Melbourne doesn’t own or manage the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor and we will need to ensure our ongoing close partnerships with the Victorian Government, land owners, neighbouring councils and community groups continue.”
The plan received more than 200 contributions from the community, with the majority of people in support of the proposed vision. The engagement process led to changes to the proposed plan to include better litter collection and improved access to creek-side land at Bent Street in Kensington.
Cr Oke said that the lower reaches of Moonee Ponds Creek are set to become some of the most intensely developed parts of Greater Melbourne.
“This only makes it more important that work is done to rehabilitate the creek. On behalf of our current and future residents it is critical that we advocate for the delivery of a series of projects to increase its ecological, economic and recreational value, this plan is part of that advocacy” Cr Oke said.
The Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan is available here.
