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Maribyrnong River

The Maribyrnong River’s journey begins near the country town of Lancefield. After passing through market gardens near Tullamarine Airport, it makes its way through Keilor, Essendon, Footscray and Yarraville, eventually meeting the Yarra River near Westgate Bridge. For some time the river was called Saltwater River.

Maribyrnong River

  • The river’s traditional owners are the Woimurrung and Boonwurrung tribes. It is believed that ‘Maribyrnong’ means ‘I can hear a ringtail possum’.
  • The State Government rates its water quality, habitat and stability as ‘good’, its aquatic life as ‘moderate’ and its vegetation and flow as ‘poor’.
  • As the second major river in metropolitan Melbourne, the Maribyrnong has played an important part in Melbourne’s cultural, agricultural and industrial developments as well as featuring prominently in the city’s recreational pursuits.
  • Despite its great values, the river is yet to receive an additional 3 GL in environmental flows promised by the Victorian government in the Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy in 2005.