BRIMBANK Council has joined a project aimed at revitalising the Maribyrnong Valley.
It comes as a major investment in the river is welcomed by its users, friends group and local businesses.
The state government last week announced $1.04 million for the river valley project, which will work to control rabbits, remove woody weeds and revegetate with native species along the 82-kilometre river valley.
A total of $3.6 million will be directed at the river project over the next two years.
St Albans resident and Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley president, Judy Ingram, said she was pleased the council would also provide funding.
“Joint efforts like this project are few and far between.
“It’s just wonderful there’s a long-term commitment in place to improve the state of the river,” she said.
“Parts of the river are in a shocking state, completely overrun with weeds and rubbish. I’m delighted the project will start at the Brimbank end.”
Friends member Frank Kinnersly hoped a significant portion of funding would be directed to the river trail between Avondale Heights and Brimbank Park, which has been closed for two years.
Council chairman Peter Lewinsky said the project would provide visual, environmental and social benefits.
He supported plans for a continous trail along the Maribyrnong River corridor that would link Taylors Lakes, Keilor and Sydenham.
“By extending the trail and improving open space along the river, we’ll be creating more recreational opportunities for residents, enhancing the environment and potentially increasing tourism.”
Boat operator Peter Somerville, who has run tours on the Maribyrnong River for more than 30 years, said allocating money for the valley was a smart move, but development around the river needed to be modest.
“I love to see investment in the Maribyrnong Valley, but I don’t want to see anything like the development along the Yarra.
“We have two main rivers and two distinct lifestyles to go with them.”
