By Tate Papworth
The resumption of work on the Stony Creek Transformation Project appears to be imminent.
Work on the $11 million project to transform a concrete drain back to a natural wetland hit a standstill earlier this year after costs blew out because of asbestos contamination.
The Brimbank council has been lobbying heavily for further funding from the state and federal governments to ensure the full project is delivered.
No official commitment has been made but a spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning last week told
Star Weekly they were confident work on the project would resume soon.
“The main focus of the Upper Stony Creek Transformation Project right now is cleaning up asbestos on the site and remediating the area,” the spokesperson said.
“To date, around 11,220 cubic metres of material containing asbestos has been found and remediated throughout the retarding basin and channel.
“Remaining asbestos within the project area does not pose a risk to the public.”
DELWP, Melbourne Water, Development Victoria and City West Water have contributed almost $8 million combined to deliver the project. All say they are conducting ongoing assessments to identify the best way forward.
Brimbank council has for several weeks expected a decision on the project’s future.
In July, Brimbank mayor Lucinda Congreve said the project extended beyond rehabilitating a waterway.
“This is about the west and its people. It’s about cleaning up the historic endemic waste issues that continue to impact on our community.
“Brimbank contributes millions of dollars in levy fees to the Sustainability Fund, we carry the burden of landfill and toxic waste issues and get little back in support.
“We need to finish the job at Stony Creek.”
