Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Our community is fortunate to be bordered by three waterways, each bringing its own unique environmental, social and wellbeing value to our community.
These are living, beathing, flowing ecosystems that must be protected.
As the Member for Northcote, I have continuously fought for greater protection and investment in the Yarra River, Darebin Creek and Merri Creek – and the wildlife that make their home here.
My family are blessed to live very close to the Merri Creek and I know how valued and vital this beautiful waterway is to our community.
It is a place where families can come together, connect with nature and is home to many unique and sensitive biodiversity values.
I have been honoured to meet and work with Friends of Merri Creek and the Merri Creek Management Committee and am immensely grateful for their support, insight and expertise.
I support their vision for the future – including ensuring there are better governance and planning arrangements in place to protect the Merri Creek and that there is an update of the Merri Creek and Environs Strategy 2009-2014.
A re-elected Andrews Labor Government has committed to introducing planning controls on the Merri and Darebin Creeks which will safeguard our creeks from inappropriate development, create wildlife corridors, protect the waterways and restore the natural environment.
Labor will also establish a $10 million Green Links Fund to support revegetation along our creeks, rivers, and waterways – so local councils and community groups can plant trees, help revegetate our waterways and protect our wildlife.
The Andrews Labor Government has already begun planning the marram baba Merri Creek Regional Parklands with Minister D’Ambrosio launching the consultation and engagement with the community in July this year.
A Future Directions Plan is being drafted for release in early 2023. At 2,778 hectares of open space, this will be one of the largest conservation parks in Greater Melbourne. I support this work.
Labor is also working to deliver better connectivity and bridge the missing links in the Capital City Trail and Merri Creek Trail Strategic Cycling Corridor. Our $1.2 million investment will allow planning to get underway and explore best options for the community.
The Merri Merri Parkland Prospectus is a detailed and thoughtful proposal to advance the restoration of a continuous biodiverse, open-space corridor through Melbourne’s northern suburbs for people and wildlife.
Labor’s commitments give certainty to the future of the Merri Creek, and provide tangible investment in its wellbeing for generations to come.
I’m pleased to support this work and if re-elected, I will continue to work collaboratively with FoMC, MCMC, local residents, my federal Labor partners and the many local councils along the Merri to maximise opportunities to improve the health of our waterways, improve community access and protect biodiversity.