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Mordialloc Creek has been neglected for over a decade under the State Labor Government in what a local Upper House MP calls environmental vandalism and a risk to personal safety.

Inga Peulich, State Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Communities told State Parliament that despite Mordialloc Creek being the electoral boundary between Mordialloc and Carrum, nothing has been done by the two local MPs to preserve the health of the creek.

“Under the watch of Mordialloc’s Janice Munt and Carrum’s Jenny Lindell, murky silt and heavy metals have been allowed to accumulate in the creek that is now destroying the waterway, polluting the bay, posing a risk to boat operators and corroding boat engines,” Ms Peulich said.

“Reports from local boating enthusiasts indicate that the creek is not maintaining its depth and is clogged with muddy silt due to a decade of neglect.”

“Boat operators are being slugged with hefty repair bills from damaged engines because of the silt entering their engines and many are experiencing difficulties when entering the creek,” Ms Peulich said.

Local residents, boaties and two local candidates, Lorraine Wreford for Mordialloc and Kingston Deputy Mayor Donna Bauer for Carrum, have rallied for the beautification of this cherished waterway starting with annual dredging of the creek.

“Top of the list is dredging of the heavily silted creek to ensure that the depth of the water from the boat ramp at Governor Road to the entrance of the Creek is maintained to allow for safe boating activities,” Ms Peulich said.

“In 2001 Carrum MP Jenny Lindell raised the issue in Parliament, so she was aware that dredging was needed, but nothing has been done and the neglect has allowed the build-up of toxic material to the extent that boat operators are being advised to avoid Mordialloc Creek.”

“Not only have the authorities failed to undertake the annual dredging at the entrance of the creek, but dredging from the ramp to the railway bridge has not occurred as promised and the creek is reported to be below 0.5 metres in spots,” Ms Peulich said.

“Many boat operators are concerned about the thick sludge which they describe as being heavily contaminated with heavy metals and are advising other boat operators via boating blogs to avoid the creek all together.”

Ms Peulich said that she had received strong representations from local Liberal Candidates, Donna Bauer and Lorraine Wreford who asked that the mater be raised in Parliament.

“Despite State Government coffers being lined with revenue from record fines and taxes, the Kingston Council has still not received the $7.5 million dollars that is required for dredging of the creek,” Ms Wreford said.

“The serious environmental decline of this important waterway is deplorable, especially as it empties into our bay,” Ms Bauer said.

“Certainly the annual dredging has not occurred and I have called on the Minister for Environment and Climate Change to ensure that annual dredging does occur, and that Kingston council is appropriately funded in order to make sure that the waterway remains safe for boat users and no longer clogged with muddy silt,” Ms Peulich said.

In another embarrassing twist Mordialloc Creek litter traps are overflowing with rubbish which has not been emptied, whilst another trap appears to be non functional.

“The inaction of the two local Labor MPs over the 11 years of Labor governance is damaging our environment and placing lives at risk,” Ms Peulich said.