The Maribyrnong River, which flows from the slopes of Mount Macedon to Port Philip Bay, has borne witness to the occupation and development of western Victoria. It was 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 last 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 later, the goldfields. It’s banks provided docking for 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 valley with its riverside parks and wetlands are the most important public open spaces and community assets in Melbourne’s west. The protection of these assets is vital to people of the western suburbs and Melbourne in general, as places for relaxation and recreations such as fishing, walking, swimming, jogging, 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 forms an invaluable breathing space in a highly developed and industrialized environment . It is a link in the river corridor that provides a crucial passage for wildlife including frogs birds bats insects reptiles and mammals. Floodplains along the river must remain undeveloped and allowed to accommodate periodic floods.

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