More than $1 million will be spent to restore Stony Creek after toxic runoff from a suspicious factory fire in Melbourne's west killed off wildlife including fish and birds.
The state Labor government has announced funding to pump 70 million litres of contaminated water out of the waterway, install equipment to contain the contaminants and remove affected wildlife.
"We're cleaning up the creek and returning it to the state it was before the fire," Water Minister Lisa Neville said on Thursday.
"Critical works have already taken place to remove contamination and prevent the spread of contaminates - and we won't stop until it's all gone."
The funding includes $700,000 for removal, disposal and remediation works at Cruickshank Park, Golf Course to Hyde Street, Paramount Road to Geelong Road and Francis Street to Golf Course.
It also includes $350,000 for water sampling, testing and monitoring by the EPA to determine the impact of the fire on the waterway.
The findings will help create the final recovery plan.
The blaze at the West Footscray factory started in the early hours of August 30 with an acrid smoke plume shutting schools and businesses, and run-off from the factory flowing into Stony Creek.
Weeks after the blaze, residents are still being told by the authority to keep themselves and pets away from the waterway due to contamination.
At this stage, authorities are unsure how long it will take for the creek to return to normal.
People are being warned not to eat fish caught in the creek or in lower part of the Yarra River from the West Gate Bridge.
The latest funding adds to $600,000 already invested by Melbourne Water as part of the initial clean-up work already undertaken at the creek.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Environment Protection Authority, and Melbourne Water are working with the Maribyrnong Council on a long-term plan to help the waterway recover.
The EPA is still monitoring air and water quality in affected areas and advising on potential human health impacts.
Australian Associated Press
