Members Statement - Elster Creek Canal

MEMBERS STATEMENT

‘ELSTER CREEK CANAL.’

Wednesday, 1 May 2024.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:55):

My Constituency Question is to the Minister for Water in the other place. When will the State Labor Government meet with Elwood community leaders to commit to addressing the environmental issues in the Elster Creek canal and catchment?

My community cares deeply about our natural environment, and we care about the Elster Creek canal, which runs through our community like an artery.

In a call for action, residents commenced a petition which calls on the State Government to work with appropriate agencies and find an immediate remedy to the growing problem of plastic and polystyrene litter in the canal, which causes harm to wildlife and humans.

A staggering 1100 local residents have signed the petition and called for our canal to be protected from plastic litter and toxins.

What we need is a focused effort on protecting the canal and Port Phillip Bay now and into the future.

The first step in that effort is for the Minister to formally agree to meet local representatives and me to receive a copy of the petition, and I ask: when will the Minister meet with those representatives?