By Fatima Halloum
Werribee Riverkeeper John Forrester has welcomed the state government’s decision to introduce additional planning controls on the Werribee River, after the waterway was initially overlooked.
An announcement on November 11 stated that a re-elected Labor government would introduce planning controls to protect “12 key rivers and creeks” including the Maribyrnong River, Kororoit Creek and Cherry Creek, but not the Werribee River.
Mr Forrester said the organisation was “very disappointed” to learn the 110 kilometre waterway wasn’t initially mentioned, and was “alarmed by the possible outcomes” posed by the exclusion.
“The Werribee catchment is home to some of the fastest growing urban development with our two major municipalities [Wyndham and Melton],” he said.
“In these last few years, we’ve discovered how valuable these waterways are.
“If we allow development to occur without modern changes to planning laws, then we’ll end up with…buildings within 30 metres of waterway, developers [would have] the right to change the shape of waterways [and] they [could] flood river red gums to make lakes, and river red gums would die.”
Star Weekly has since been told that the Werribee River will now be provided with the same protections as the 12 waterways originally mentioned.
“Werribee is a growing suburb and a great place for families to live, work and relax, that’s why we’re making sure the Werribee River is healthy, thriving and has lots of green open space now and into the future,” Werribee MP Tim Pallas said.
“Local community groups do important work to maintain and protect the precious environment along our Werribee River – this funding will ensure they have the tools and resources they need to get the job done.”
Mr Forrester said “we desperately need good waterways for our future” and subsequent generations deserve unpolluted rivers, protected wildlife and open spaces.
“This planning will ensure that in time to come, the kids will be able to see some wildlife and people will have a healthier river and…in times of stress can use the river as a public place to visit,” he said.
Mr Forrester said the funding will also give the Werribee River Association the ability to better protect the waterway’s dwindling platypus population.
