Media Release
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Mayor urges Melbourne Water to stay true to their word
Moonee Valley Mayor, Cr Narelle Sharpe, is calling on Melbourne Water to stay true to their
agreement and construct a stormwater drain traversing Aberfeldie Park, rather than pursuing the
alternate ‘bubble-up pit’ plan they’ve proposed that could see the popular sports field flooded with
untreated stormwater during heavy rainfall events.
Council has been working with Melbourne Water on the Aberfeldie Main Drain (AMD) project since
February 2013 and has been fully supportive of the project and its aims to improve stormwater
drainage and better protect Aberfeldie homes from the impacts of flooding.
However up until July 2015, Melbourne Water had advised Council and the local community that the
drain would traverse Aberfeldie Park all the way to Maribyrnong River. Under the new proposal,
which Council was recently informed about, the drain would empty into a ‘bubble-up pit’ at the
northern end of Aberfeldie Park.
Cr Sharpe said she has serious concerns about the alternate proposal, both in terms of the impact
on Aberfeldie Park and the lack of consultation with Council and local residents.
“This bubble-up pit plan has seemingly been proposed as a cost cutting measure. But Melbourne
Water hasn’t taken into account the impact this could have on Aberfeldie Park with disruptions to
availability and usability of the sports field and the potential for significant erosion. This is
particularly concerning given the major capital investment Council has undertaken in new facilities
at the park, including the Ladies Cricket Pavilion – which is just 75 metres from the proposed
bubble-up pit.
“As well as exposing the Aberfeldie Park to greater risk of surface water flooding and soaking, the
bubble-up pit option would also direct untreated stormwater towards the reserve – which is not best
practice. And the pit would also have a visual impact on the park,” said Cr Sharpe.
Cr Sharpe said Melbourne Water invited Council to participate in a ‘multi-criteria assessment
workshop’ in September assessing the original project Council had endorsed against the new
‘bubble-up pit’ option.
“We felt the criteria used was problematic, however we were informed that regardless of our
participation, ‘both parties would be bound by the results of the assessment’. This cavalier attitude
from Melbourne Water is troubling, as we feel the decision on whether to accept this increased risk
of flooding should lie with the land owner (Council) and the local community.
“Given the magnitude and implications of the changes sought – and the fact that this project has
been in the public domain for over a year – I think it’s only reasonable that the bubble-up pit option
should be dropped by Melbourne Water and they should proceed with original plan we agreed
upon,” said Cr Sharpe.
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Letitia Duncan, Media and Communications Team Leader
Mobile: 0408 570 106; Email: media@mvcc.vic.gov.au