Kororoit Creek Preservation and Maintenance Program
In September, I announced a $450,000 grant that will serve to protect and preserve the precious land surrounding Kororoit Creek at the Altona Memorial Park for generations to come.
This grant will be used for maintenance works for the Eastern Reserve Area of the cemetery grounds, which is full of environmentally significant native flora, as well as land of cultural significance for the Wurundjeri people who hunted, fished and camped along Kororoit Creek for thousands of years.
The new plan includes the planting of new trees and shrubs, a new weeding program, new fences and the preparation of a new site for future burials in the southwest corner.
$150,000 of this funding has been provided by Melbourne Water, through its Waterways of the West Action Plan, in which a Ministerial Advisory Committee will engage with communities and Traditional Owners to identify priority projects and to bring to life community expectations and local values, and to protect the rich Aboriginal heritage of these areas.
Thank you to Hobsons Bay City Council, Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Melbourne Water, neighbours Toyota and of course the ever passionate Geoff and the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek for spearheading and supporting this important project.
It was great to be invited to the Park by the GMCT and the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek to celebrate the beginning of this fabulous new partnership. I can’t wait to see the progress that will occur on this beautiful piece of land. The Kororoit Creek is an icon of Melbourne’s west – and protecting it is the least we can do to honour its deep importance to our community.