Star Weekly - Hobsons Bay Maribyrnong - 25th January 2023

Established in 1875 as the

proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay

25 JANUARY, 2023

12496404-AV22-21

FREE DIGITAL EDITION

SIG N U P N O W!

Greens flood inquiry call By Matthew Sims The Victorian Greens are launching plans to initiate a parliamentary inquiry into last year’s Maribyrnong River floods when Parliament returns. The Greens said the proposed inquiry will have a focus on the 2007 decision to approve the construction of a flood wall around Flemington Racecourse, despite council and community protest. Victorian Greens deputy leader Ellen Sandell said the construction of the flood wall allowed the Flemington racecourse to remain dry while houses surrounding it were inundated during the October 14 flood event. “This kind of thing can’t be allowed to continue, and the community are rightly outraged that the Labor government seems to want to sweep this under the carpet,” she said. Melbourne Water has appointed an independent expert to lead a review into the Maribyrnong River flooding event, which is open for public consultation until Friday, March 17. On Friday, October 14, 2022, significant flooding occurred within the urban catchment of the Maribyrnong River, impacting more than 500 properties across Maribyrnong and causing extensive damage. Ms Sandell said the Melbourne Water review was too limited in scope. “I’m worried the Labor government is using this limited inquiry to deflect blame, and avoid any discussion of what governments have done wrong or should do better,“ she said. “With disasters like floods becoming more common with climate change, the community deserves a proper inquiry into how we can protect lives, livelihoods and homes during climate disasters, rather than just protecting vested interests. “We urgently need a broader-ranging inquiry into these floods to explore how a decision like this could have been made in the first place, and so we can avoid it happening again.“ A state government spokesperson said the government encouraged anyone who would like to have a say on Melbourne Water’s review to participate and make a submission. “This is an independent review being undertaken by Melbourne Water and we’ll await the outcomes and recommendations.”

12563634-JC34-22

New places to explore Hobsons Bay visitors and locals now have a new way to experience the best heritage and public art has to offer. The Experience Hobsons Bay app maps places of interest throughout the region and provides users with insights into the area’s history. The digital mapping highlights public art collections, including sculptures, murals and galleries, as well as the heritage markers, street names and stories of Hobsons Bay’s history. Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said the city’s art and history are key features of its personality and identity. “We are proud to be a city that embraces public art and our heritage, and this app is a great way to introduce visitors and locals to places they might never have known about,” she said. “There are some wonderful stories to be told about the history of Hobsons Bay, or through the creativity of our artists. “This app will help all those planning a trip to our city or locals looking for a new place to explore in their own backyard.” One of the featured works is local sculptor David Murphy’s piece H2O Stint Map along the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, which takes its name and shape from two of the site’s most remarkable features: its water and its wildlife. Other artworks featured in the app include Tony Mead’s Welcome to Spotswood mural and Amanda Newman’s Colours of Seabrook mural. Details: hobsonsbay.stqry.app Matthew Sims

Sculpture artist David Murphy’s piece H2O Stint Map is featured in a new app mapping places of interest across Hobsons Bay. (Damjan Janevski) 311693_01