We petition:                                                                           6 January 2024 

The Hon. Harriet Shing MP, Minister for Water, for Housing and for Equality    
The Hon. Steve Dimopoulous MP, Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Sport and Major Events and for Outdoor Recreation, Victoria 

OBJECTION TO THE ELWOOD MAIN DRAIN DUPLICATION PROJECT

 
• AN APPEAL TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA TO PROTECT  
PORT PHILLIP BAY FROM CHEMICAL AND PATHOGEN DISCHARGE IN 
THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BAYSIDE AND PORT PHILLIP FROM THE 
ELWOOD MAIN DRAIN DUPLICATION PROJECT AS PROPOSED BY 
MELBOURNE WATER 
• TO EMPLOY SUSTAINABLE UPSTREAM INTEGRATED WATER 
MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN THE ELSTER CREEK CATCHMENT 

Object to the expansion of drainage systems to discharge untreated stormwater into Elwood and Brighton Beaches. The expansion of these outmoded water management systems without integrated solutions will mean increased: - risks to human health and the survival of our already endangered marine life, including Port Phillip Bay dolphins. 

The construction of massive drains does nothing to stem the flow of 
pathogens, toxins and other pollutants carried by stormwater into our 
local beaches. If it proceeds, the Elwood Main Drain Duplication 
Project will do nothing to advance more environmentally sustainable 
measures such as: stormwater retardation, bio-retention, harvesting 
and re-use.  

  
In 2018, the Improving Stormwater Management Advisory Committee 
reported that: 
Conventional drainage-engineering approaches to managing 
stormwater will damage the ecological health of waterways, and 
beaches will close more often from poor water quality. 

Simply doing more of the same ignores the need to filter sediment and 
wastes from stormwater, and the use of wetlands and retention basins. 

Support this call for a more enlightened and sustainable approach, for 
the sake of the health and enjoyment of our community and our marine creatures by signing our petition. 

Our beaches and Bay deserve to be open and safe for everyone and 
every creature. 

Isaac Hermann,                                                           
Elwood  local historian and author