The Maribyrnong River

The Maribyrnong River flows from the slopes of Mount Macedon to Port Phillip Bay and has borne witness to the occupation and development of western Victoria. It has been home to aboriginal tribes for at least 40,000 years and has played a vital part in the rapid developments that have occurred in the past 150 years.

In earlier days its waters formed a natural boundary for the early city of Melbourne and a barrier to be bridged or forded in order to travel west to the grazing lands and the goldfields. Its banks provided docking for the local and international trading ships.

More recently, the river of the west is regaining its own pride and is no longer an industrial casualty.

The Maribyrnong River, its tributaries and its valley with riverside parks and wetlands are the most important public open spaces and community assets in Melbourne’s west. The protection of these resources is vital to people of the western suburbs, and Melbourne in general, as places for relaxation and recreations such as fishing, walking, jogging, and bird observing and cycling. We are custodians of the Maribyrnong Valley, and have a responsibility to care for it for the benefit of future generations.

The river valley focus is an invaluable breathing space in the highly developed and industrialized environment. The river corridor connects the bush beyond Brimbank with the city parks, providing a crucial passage for wildlife including birds, bats, insects, reptiles, mammals and frogs.

Floodplains along the river should remain undeveloped and allowed to accommodate periodic floods.

The Maribyrnong River and its valley must be preserved from the residential and commercial encroachment, so that this irreplaceable public asset can be passed to future generations with pride.

What We Do

Members are welcome to participate in all the group’s activities.

• Riverside care projects including planting and weeding eradication.
• Liaison with other stakeholders in the Maribyrnong river area.
• Community activities including “Clean-Up” days.
• Representing FMV at public forums and planting meetings.
• Lobbying government for a better deal for the Maribyrnong.
• Contributing to our publications, website & documents.
• To raise public awareness of the Maribyrnong River Valley and its potential as a natural and recreational resource.
• To try to safeguard this natural asset from over development, noxious and introduced vegetation and pollution; also to prevent further loss of indigenous plants and animals.
• To prevent misuse and degradation of the Maribyrnong valley and to assist in its rehabilitation: communicating with authorities and other Friends groups to organize plantings to assist in Revegetation.
• Collaboration with councils and government departments on environmental issues and development proposals in the area (such as the north Maribyrnong defence site). Representation on consultative and advisory committees.
• Participation in community activities including festivals, outings, river sight seeing cruises and visiting locations of interest.
• Special projects: preparing promotional material including our bird book, video and heritage signs.

How FMV Works

Membership is open to all those who are interested in any way to help in the preservation and enhancement of the Maribyrnong Valley. Members can be involved in regular Revegetation and conservation activities.

Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month. All members and interested persons are welcome to attend. Guest speakers are invited regularly. Check our website for location.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held on the first Wednesday in August, and a members’ social function is held on the first Wednesday in December. Check our website for location.

Email: maelor@melbpc.org.au, marivcru@bigpond.net.au

Postal Address: P.O. Box 266, Ascot Vale, VIC 3032.

Representatives of local councils and authorities are invited to attend committee meetings, providing a valuable exchange of information.

Click here to download the Member Application Form

The Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley is an incorporated association under

the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 of Victoria.

The Rules of the Association can be found here,

Rules of Association.