BRIMBANK City Council has backed long-term plans to conserve the Maribyrnong River.
The council last month voted to support the draft design guidelines of the Maribyrnong River Valley Urban Design and Landscape Project, which calls for the preservation of the natural landscape of the West’s premier river.
The guidelines outline new planning and development provisions that will ensure the natural landscape, recreational and urban values of the river valley are maintained over time.
The draft outlines the vision of the Maribyrnong River as “a healthy flowing river, reflecting open spaces and cultural landscapes in order to make clear its journey from a natural to working river”.
The river is to provide a range of entertaining experiences, including a river which supports indigenous vegetation, the draft states.
Brimbank mayor Natalie Suleyman said the Maribyrnong River was one of the municipality’s most important natural assets.
“It has a complex and interesting history dating back some 40,000 years to when the original inhabitants of the region, the Wurundjeri people, inhabited the Maribyrnong Valley,” she said.
“Since then it has seen several periods of agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential development, and the creation of major recreational areas such as Brimbank Park and the Organ Pipes National Park.
“Brimbank is proud to be part of this team working towards the long-term protection and enhancement of the river so that current and future generations of local residents can take part in a range of recreation and leisure activities on the water and its surrounds, as well as appreciating its heritage, flora and fauna.”
The draft vision makes several recommendations, including investigating the proposed boundaries of the Maribyrnong River linear park and undertaking a strategic planning study for the future of land in North Sunshine to provide direction on how to protect native vegetation and river valley values.
The council will also call on the State Government to consider the public acquisition of areas of high conservation value along the river.
The council has also requested the review and clarification of some of the report’s recommendations, particularly in relation to the historic chronology of the river; defining the natural river category for the river length in Brimbank and recognition of the River Valley housing estate.
Brimbank council will review the final version of the guidelines when completed. The draft is a joint initiative of the Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Moonee Valley and Hume, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The project received $70,000 state government funding,following a successful submission from the councils involved.
