“Melbourne is now entering a third wave of development and needs a compensating and balancing improvement of governance arrangements for the Yarra.” Yarra Riverkeeper

CONNECTING THE YARRA (BIRRARUNG) An Act and a Trust for our river

THE YARRA RIVERKEEPER’S RESPONSE TO PROTECTING THE YARRA RIVER (BIRRARUNG) DISCUSSION PAPER ABOUT THE YARRA RIVERKEEPER ASSOCIATION The proposed Yarra River Protection Act presents a The Yarra Riverkeeper Association is the voice of the River. once-in-a-generation opportunity to determine how we can best Over the past ten years we have established ourselves as the enhance and protect our river in the face of unprecedented pressures. credible community advocate for the Yarra. We tell the river’s story, highlighting its wonders and its challenges. We monitor its health By protecting and enhancing the river, we can help ensure that and activities affecting it. We run educational events and river tours, future generations are able to benefit from, and to enjoy, a and give informative presentations to schools, community groups, the authorities and businesses. We work closely with numerous healthy beautiful river. We need to provide stewardship for the government bodies and NGOs and advocate directly and through Yarra River just as indigenous people have provided the news media for river care. and are providing stewardship for the Birrarung. We need to make sure the new law is equal to — or better than — any For links to the reports and other key documents referred to in law anywhere that governs a significant water catchment containing Connecting the Yarra, see our websites and actfortheyarra.org.au a river that starts in wilderness areas and flows through major rural, yarrariver.org.au. urban and city landscapes. The new law needs to be efficient and effective. It needs to provide for long-term planning, for ongoing monitoring and for extensive consultation with the community. The Yarra Riverkeeper Association acknowledges Good planning by past governments and agencies has delivered a the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri and the Boon remarkable river. A river with extensive and much loved parklands Wurrung of the Kulin Nation, as the custodians of the stretching from the city to the mountains. A river that, with its land and waterways of the Yarra catchment. tributaries, provides 70% of Melbourne’s drinking water. With good planning today, we can protect the river from exploitation and we can improve it as an environmental and community asset. For example, we could recreate the corridor of green, riverine habitat that — for birds, animals and fish — eases the transition from the river down to Port Phillip Bay and from the bay up to the river. Doing REPORT FUNDED BY: so would improve the health of both the river and the bay. The Yarra and the green corridor through which it flows are under unprecedented pressure. And that pressure is escalating. Melbourne’s population is exploding. It is predicted to reach some 6 million by 2030 and some 8 million by 2050. The increase in population will put the river at greater risk. It may destroy 180 years of good planning and thousands of years of tradition. To ensure the river survives, thrives, and gets healthier, the community and the government need to take innovative and decisive action. We need a law that institutes strong, co-ordinated, management for the Yarra. Andrew Kelly, Yarra Riverkeeper “Our Yarra: Healthy, Protected and Loved.” KEY POINTS IN RESPONSE when defined against a restricted set TO PROTECTING THE of parameters, and that is a remarkable YARRA RIVER (BIRRARUNG) achievement in the face of increasing DISCUSSION PAPER development pressures. However, an alternative approach that focuses on the The Yarra Riverkeeper Association risks of deterioration that the catchment welcomes the Ministerial Advisory faces would strongly indicate that we cannot Committee’s discussion paper Protecting the afford any complacency in our management Yarra River (Birrarung). arrangements. Rather we need to build innovative and robust governance for the The Yarra Riverkeeper Association believes long term. the Committee has identified many of the issues facing the river and the green corridor 3. Innovative governance solutions through which it flows. It has also scoped in the light of increasing pressures solutions with appropriate characteristics — The Committee correctly identifies that namely: stewardship, integrity, community a third wave of population pressure and vision, community involvement, a strategic development is breaking over Melbourne plan, an Act (with an integrative focus), and much of that development is occurring improved institutional arrangements, in the Yarra watershed. That pressure is, appropriate funding, and an entity that and will, put the Yarra, its corridor and its champions the river. tributaries under intense pressure. Add In that light, the key additional points of to this mix a drying climate and we have this submission to the Committee are. pressures that we have not experienced before. In response we need innovative, 1. Require a baseline for the state of robust governance arrangements. the river to be set as a basis for a strategy plan 4. Increased efficiency in planning and management Any work done to protect and enhance the river needs to begin with a clear and The river suffers from a lack of continuity sound understanding of its current state. in decision making. Although good Any steps taken to improve water quality recommendations are made, too often a and the health of riverine landscape will be change in government or in government more efficient and effective if the people emphasis means the recommendations involved know what they’re starting with. remain unimplemented. Duplication The Association hopes the Committee’s and gaps in agency authority, and short Though the Yarra in the city is an final report, and the new Act, will include management horizons, lead to inefficient urban landscape, the river and the a requirement for such a baseline to be delivery that fails the river and the valley life that lives on, in and alongside it researched and determined. shows surprising resilience. But that and the city. resilience cannot be taken for granted. 2. Understates the impact of Pressure is mounting on the river. So Now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime decisive action needs to be taken to pollution opportunity to implement a sustainable protect the Yarra for present and future We are concerned that the discussion management model that can deliver on a generations. paper understates the extent of the river’s long-term vision — a place-based model pollution-related and stormwater issues that generates strong community interest and the risks that the catchment faces. and involvement, and can survive the ebbs The river’s water quality is good enough, and flows of regulatory interest.

CONNECTING THE YARRA 3 an acknowledgment of the failure of Let’s Act for the Yarra Report — our discretionary controls at iconic sites such first report as the Yarra. In our first report published for the Community Forum which was held in • Amending the Yarra Planning Scheme to March 2015, we identified the scope of the include mandatory setbacks and height Yarra River Protection Act Project and limits on the Yarra corridor in the city outlined the problems facing the Yarra. of Yarra. This is a further recognition of the limitations of discretionary controls. Mandatory limits were first introduced on Charting the Yarra — our second the river by Matthew Guy when he was report Planning Minister in 2012. Our second report, Charting the Yarra focused on the development of land-use • Appointing a Yarra River Protection planning and of management along the river. Reference Group and a Ministerial Three issues facing the management of the Advisory Committee (MAC) in December Yarra were identified: 2015. The Yarra River Association welcomes the 1 Fragmentation of responsibility. • Releasing the Yarra MAC Discussion initiative of the government of Victoria Many authorities share a responsibility Paper on 1 July 2016 and soliciting public in committing to improved management for the Yarra but there is no co-ordinating arrangements on the Yarra River, and as part comment and contributions. of that initiative, to appoint a ministerial authority. For some authorities, the river advisory committee. After extensive Trust will develop standardised planning We appreciated the MAC’s willingness to falls on the border of their responsibilities. community and stakeholder consultations, controls for the Yarra, and work with work with the community including with This delivers a less than optimum return on the committee published a useful and agencies to promote the river’s amenity ourselves and EJA and with the participants the time and effort put into river planning. important Discussion Paper canvassing the and significance. issues and proposing solutions on 1 July in the community forums we have 2 Inconsistencies. The lack of 2016. organised. The Yarra Riverkeeper Association had been coordination means planning is inconsistent lobbying for a one-river authority, and was along the length of the river which delivers pleased to welcome this initiative. OUR SERIES OF REPORTS less optimal outcomes. Planning for the river needs to consider the river as a INTRODUCTION The government has followed up with a As part of the Yarra River Protection Act connected whole. Decisions are sometimes number of initiatives since: Project, EJA and the Yarra Riverkeeper On July 1 2016, the Yarra River Protection made in isolation without knowledge of Association held a community forum in Ministerial Advisory Committee released • Calling together a round table of councils or consideration of what is happening March 2015. The forum was attended by Protecting the Yarra River (Birrarung) in September 2015 and announcing a downstream or upstream, or on the other some 100 people, including residents, Discussion Paper. This report is a response planned group amendment for the six side of the river. These decisions may then representatives of organizations and to that paper and it is the fourth of four councils along the lower and middle Yarra. trigger a community protest or campaign. community and councillors. The forum reports on the Yarra River. The first three included presentations from EJA, the Yarra 3 There is a lack of continuity were published with Environmental Justice • Amending the State Planning Policy Continuity. Riverkeeper, a local councilor from the City of planning over time. Good initiatives are Australia (EJA) as part of The Yarra River Framework in December 2015 to of Yarra, a platypus expert and the founder started but then left uncompleted. Good Protection Act Project (actfortheyarra.org. strengthen the wording protecting the of the Yarra Swim Company. The focus was plans are made but then shelved. This again au), which was formed by the two partners river. on discussion about the issues facing the is an inefficient use of community resources. in response to the election promise of the • Strengthening overshadowing controls Yarra and a vision for the Yarra River under ALP before the November 2014 election: below Princes Bridge to minimise a proposed Yarra River Protection Act. This As Charting the Yarra identifies, there have been many reports on the Yarra, Labor will introduce a Yarra River overshadowing of the Yarra in the was a facilitated discussion. Protection Act to guard the river corridor CBD. Under the interim controls the and these reports reflect the concerns of from inappropriate development. A new discretionary height limits are converted In conjunction with the forum the first of a the community about their river. Though to mandatory height limits, which is series of reports were published. many reports have been commissioned, the

4 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 5 term, and to create a Yarra Trust as an Charting the Yarra report. This report is independent champion of the river. also available from the Yarra Riverkeeper website (yarrariver.org.au). Connecting the Yarra — this report, our fourth OVERVIEW OF OUR This current report is a submission to RESPONSE TO THE YARRA the Ministerial Advisory Committee MAC DISCUSSION PAPER (MAC) in response to the Protecting the Yarra (Birrarung) Discussion Paper released The Association welcomes the thrust of the by the MAC. This report endorses the Discussion Paper. We endorse the statement recommendations of The Future of the Yarra of the chairman, Chris Chesterfield, in his report and of the needs identified in the opening message:

There is concern that current institutional and regulatory arrangements leave the river vulnerable to the increasing pressures The Future of the Yarra of urban development and cannot deliver report (produced by the on the community’s expectations for a Yarra Riverkeeper Association and Environmental Justice healthy river that can sustain the demands Australia identifies new and innovative models of river management based on participatory democracy. The report recommends integrated legislation and a trust to champion the river.

implementation of a report often becomes that is currently being worked on as well disconnected from the findings of a report. as the work of the Yarra Trust when it is formed, the report still remains in draft and Platypuses are an iconic species that A key 2005 report, Review of Policies and live both in the tributaries and on the the recommended Municipal Toolkits have main stem of the Yarra. The photo Controls for the Yarra River Corridor: Punt yet to be developed. above was taken in April 2016 of a Road to Burke Road – Consultant’s Report, was platypus swimming in the river in Kew. never implemented. In 2015, ten years later, The Future of the Yarra — our third The resilience of the platypus in our the value of that Review is being recognised drying climate depends on connected report habitat and populations. If populations and it is being included as a reference On 20 July 2016, the Yarra Riverkeeper are isolated as for example is that above document in State Planning Policies — Lilydale Lake, then the genetic pool Association and Environmental Justice though the report remains a draft. becomes impoverished and the isolated Australia published The Future of the Yarra: population is less resilient and at risk of More recently a detailed study, The Middle Proposals for the Yarra River Protection Act. The dying out. If a particular population dies Yarra River Corridor Study was published report provides detailed recommendations out, then it cannot be replenished by other populations expanding into that territory in July 2014 as a draft recommendations how integrated legislation could effectively in better times. This fragmentation can report. While it is reasonable to assume that be structured to effectively and efficiently place species at risk. this work will inform the group amendment manage and protect the Yarra in the long

6 CONNECTING THE YARRA of a population that seeks greater use and and public buildings on the river to rebuild enjoyment of the river environment.(p. v) connections to the Indigenous world.

We endorse his view: Section 2.2 “European settlement” (p. 9) … that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the river’s many We note that the extended delta of the values by strengthening management Yarra was drained and Albert Park Lake arrangements and ensuring a strong is the only remnant of once extensive community voice in governance and wetlands. The river that once ran clear oversight of the river. quickly became ‘muddy, polluted and unfit to drink’ (p. 9). RESPONSE TO — CHAPTER 2: As the Paper states the sewering of “STEWARDSHIP OVER TIME” Melbourne, the setting aside of forest in (P. 8) the upper Yarra as protected catchment and the setting aside of extensive parklands Section 2.1 “Aboriginal peoples’ along the river’s banks are the legacy of the relationship with the Yarra” (p. 8) foresight of the early planners. We now have a similar opportunity through the Yarra We endorse the opening statements about River Protection Act to show foresight and the importance of the Birrarung (Yarra) act to protect the Yarra for the next to the Wurrundjeri people and the Kulin 150 years. Nation. We note how much their ancestral lands have been changed since the arrival of We note that investment and regulatory the first European settlers. change has occurred in two waves. The first was in response to development of the The Wurundjeri and the Boon Wurrung of city (p. 9). The second was in the 1970s and the Kulin Nation have very long traditions 1980s. This impetus has now waned. The of connecting with the waterways of the shared trail network was part of the success catchment. The Birrarung (Yarra) has been of this second wave. While the plans were and is a vital life force in the continuity of made and implemented in the 1970s and the culture of the Kulin Nation. The Kulin 1980s, planning and implementation have peoples have a particular appreciation of now become disconnected. The institution The Yarra River and its tributaries are the landscape including its spiritual dimension, commissioning the plan is often no longer source of 70% of Melbourne’s water. Many which is woven into their stories. The Melburnians think of the brown water the body implementing the plan. A number Association endorses the flowing under Princes Bridge when they Discussion Paper’s of excellent plans for the river languish in emphasis of the connection of the Kulin think of the Yarra and are appalled at the draft. thought of drinking Yarra water. In fact, the Nation to the Birrarung and proposals for water from the upper Yarra is the finest the inclusion of the traditional owners in The pollution, degraded water quality and drinking water in a major city anywhere in the ongoing management arrangements for spread of disease identified by the Yarra the world. This is because it is drawn from pristine forests. the river. Indigenous values are not only MAC were the result of a lack of care for traditional but also contemporary, and there the river and a lack of the sort of respect are opportunities to create cultural values that the Kulin Nation had always had for along the river such as installing wetlands the river. The setting aside of a large part of of indigenous plants on and adjacent to the the upper catchment for the water supply river in the CBD. We would encourage the in 1888 was an exercise in stewardship use of the Kulin languages in naming places that reflected a long-term vision for the

8 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 9 Even though Melbourne has a long river. This desire for better management living on the bed of the river. The plants tradition of planning for parklands, Docklands has yet to succeed in providing and regulation of the river was stimulated provided habitat and helped filter sediment adequate green infrastructure or engaging by the over-exploitation of the river that out of the flow. The MAC report states effectively with the river. Opportunities had preceded it. One of the most notable that: ‘The river’s water quality is much to create a connection with the river have things about the setting aside of the upper better than it was in the 1970s …” This is been ignored and long term economic benefits for the community have been catchment is that we are still enjoying the true if the yardstick is the measurement of sacrificed for short-term privatised profit. benefit more than 130 years later — and will pathogens. It is less correct if you look at The river is a natural system but too often probably still be doing so a hundred years turbidity by reach. urban design has treated it as a facet of hence. Over-development has marched hand the built environment. This is one of the in hand with better regulation. The CAPIM report acknowledges as does challenges facing Docklands and adjacent the Yarra MAC’s Discussion Paper that the developments: How to revitalise wind- swept spaces dominated by concrete Melbourne is now entering a third wave of river ran clear when the first European high rises? Effectively, the buildings are development and needs a compensating settlers arrived in 1835 (pages 6 and page crowding the river. Any redevelopment and balancing improvement of governance 9, respectively). Currently, the EPA has needs to begin with a proper landscape arrangements. devolved management of sediments for plan. A plan that allows for some natural banks and an adequate corridor between construction sites including road repairs to local councils. Any enforcement is the built environment and the river. RESPONSE TO CHAPTER 3: intermittent at best. It is noticeable on “THE YARRA RIVER TODAY” windy days while patrolling the Lower Yarra below Spencer Street Bridge that Section 3.2 ‘River Health’ (p. 19) and wind-blown sediment is dumped from 3.3 ‘Water Quality’(p. 20) construction sites from either bank into We have concerns about a number of the river. At the time of writing, there are gaps in the draft of the report Yarra River currently uncovered mullock heaps on the Waterway Health Overview (2016) by the north bank, which have been there for the Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification two years that the current Riverkeeper has and Management (CAPIM), which is cited been patrolling the river. The management in the discussion paper (p. 19). We were of sediment may be addressed through the surprised by the statement quoted in the current review of the EPA. Discussion Paper, “Overall, the waterway health of the Yarra River is moderate when Many, if not most, of the fish living in the examining biota.” It is difficult to assess a river river below Dights Falls are marine or such as the Yarra with degraded lower reaches estuarine species inhabiting the salt water and a pristine upper catchment as an ‘average’ that lies below not the turbid freshwater in terms of health. flowing above it. Turbidity reduces photosynthesis and plants growing on the The issue of sediment pollution and its river bed. Suspended solids have a range of impact on river health is not adequately impacts including entering the gills of fish. addressed in the CAPIM Overview. The discussion of road run-off though does not Dissolved oxygen events also kill fish and address the run-off from gravel roads in the other inhabitants of waterways. Though Middle Yarra, nor the impact of turbidity these events may be of short duration, the on the health of the ecosystem of the absence of oxygen in the water means that Lower Yarra. Anecdotal evidence (personal everything dies. So these events have a communication) suggests that the river disproportionate impact on the waterway. ran clear at least in summer as far down as These dissolved oxygen events occur in Heidelberg and there were aquatic plants summer in the Dights Falls weir pool, as Detail from Statement of Planning Policy No. 4 River Yarra, 1971

10 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 11 well as elsewhere on the river in summer. a significant number are included, reflect a We need to find new coordinated ways Section 3.5 “Impact on Port Phillip They are a result of reduced flows and have very different economy. Chinese rivers are to manage the river if we are to meet the Bay” (p. 22) a significant impact on water health. often highly industrialised and enforcement increasing challenges. As the Discussion Paper states the Yarra is the of the environment laws is often lax. The At a recent meeting in the Upper Yarra at largest contributor of sediments (toxicants, selection of the river was based on the Section 3.4 “Estuary Habitat” (p. 22) Healesville conducted by the MAC, local pathogens and litter) to Port Phillip Bay ready availability of data, which also distorts The importance of the estuary is correctly farmers raised concerns about herbicides and a major contributor of nutrients. It is selection. identified in theDiscussion Paper and we and pesticides in the rural reaches. Yet there also the major contributor of fresh water endorse the comment (p. 22) that: are no mentions of herbicides and only one We appreciate that the time-frame for to the bay and that drives many ecological mention of pesticides in the CAPIM report. the CAPIM Overview may have been There has been very little study of the processes in the bay. Recent research There was a recent outbreak of eel deaths constrained but it is important that any ecology of the river estuary or investment suggests that the collapse of the sand in the Darebin Creek, a major tributary review of the Discussion Paper notes these in restoring and maintaining aquatic flathead population in the bay is a result of the Lower Yarra, which was reported to gaps. habitat in this reach… of a changed flow regime, and a lack of the EPA. It was assessed to be the result of recruitment of maturing fish from the larvae a release of the commonly used pesticide The report states that: Recently, the replacement of the traditional in the plume at the mouth of the river. The wooden piers in Docklands and Fishermans permethrin. Pesticides are also widely used This assessment at the whole of the Yarra health of the river and the health of the bay Bend has destroyed a considerable amount by the wine industry in the valley. catchment scale reveals that just over are inter-twined. This is another reason why 10% of the length of waterways is in good of underwater habitat for species growing a strategic plan needs to be drawn up for There are other pollutants to be considered to excellent condition, about 30% is in on and living around those piers. They the river as it is for the bay, and the State of including hormones, contraceptives and moderate condition and almost 60% is in were good fish and macro-invertebrate the Bays report needs to be integrated with other small molecules which are difficult poor to very poor condition. habitat. The reconstruction of the piers a state of the river report that establishes a to eliminate in water treatment. Recycled could have been designed to create baseline for the health of the river. water is released into the river from the And these assessment notes that it leaves habitat if an appropriate study had been Lilydale treatment plant and then becomes out the Lower Yarra, where condition are conducted. This is symptomatic of the Section 3.6 “Urban Parklands and part of the flows that are pumped to presumably the poorest. Our reflection on overlooking of opportunities to preserve Open Space” (p. 23) the Sugarloaf reservoir and then sent to this statement is that the condition of the and create habitat, support current in-water The parklands are the jewel in Melbourne’s Melbourne as a contribution to our drinking Yarra is demanding new and innovative ways populations and encourage new ones and crown but as the population explodes supply. These pollutants impact on wildlife, to improve and better co-ordinate the work rewild the river. An example of this sort we need to find new space for parklands especially fish and amphibians, living in the of agencies responsible for the Yarra or we of project being done properly is the work and to use existing spaces and parkland waterway. are facing a further decline in the health of currently being carried out at Blairgowrie more effectively. We need to build green the river as pressures intensify. Pier in which 5,500 sponges were The issue of inappropriately maintained infrastructure both for the benefit of people transferred from the infrastructure being septic tanks needs to be assessed and the and for wildlife. In terms of the river quite A more complete assessment of the health removed to the infrastructure replacing extent that these may also be contributing small spaces can be developed into effective of the Yarra would assess the legacy of it (Operation Sponge Blairgowrie). There not only pathogens but also hormones staging posts for wildlife migrating up and pollution in sediments in the waterway and are also opportunities to extend and create and other small molecules from medical down river. bed and the risks of remobilization of those wetlands along the river. resources. There is also the issue that once sediments It would also review sites on the Section 3.7 “Amenity” (p. 25) an area is sewered it is more likely to be banks that are likely to be heavily polluted Dights Falls is mentioned in the MAC’s developed. Development will increase the from previous uses which are placing the Discussion Paper as a barrier to fish migration The amenity of the river is dependent on area covered in hard surfacing, leading to river at risk. for the species that mature in the estuary. preserving (and improving, as more people higher stormwater run-offs of poorer quality. There are also additional barriers upstream use the river), the landscape character of the While Melbourne Water has done an with the Big Peninsula and Little Peninsula Yarra. We also query the benchmarking of excellent job reducing the pathogen levels tunnels which are also effective barriers to Section 3.9 “Characteristics of each the Yarra against other levels of major in the river over the past fifty years, that fish migration. reach” (p. 26) urban rivers. Our concern is that the improvement in water quality has plateaued, selection process is too arbitrary. The and the pressure is predicted to escalate. We propose that the vision for the river criteria included ‘Comparable developed The current plateau may be a prelude to be based on the following finer grained economy’ yet the Chinese rivers, of which decline — given those escalating pressures. approach to the division of the river into

12 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 13 reaches. Each reach has its logical beginning reach may also be heavily polluted from further into the waterway. This raises the improvement are more constrained and and end point and its own logic in terms past activities. It is also a reach of the river question of how access to the river can be needs to focus on the opportunities to of its management, authorities and unique at risk from new invasions of species. The improved and competing users managed. revive pockets of parklands, build in-river characteristics. northern seastar is an example of relatively This is being done on an ad hoc basis and is habitat, and to create ‘habitat highway’ recent infestation by an invasive species not managed with a whole-of-river view as of wetlands through the city centre. Reach 1: The Estuary — from the (http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/forestry-and- part of an overall strategy. Melbourne City Council has a strong focus Fawkner Beacon to the Bolte Bridge. land-use/coasts/marine/marine-pests/ on climate resilience and enjoys the legacy This is the biologically rich reach of the northern-pacific-seastar). A challenge for this stretch is the large of fine parklands. river where it meets the bay, and it is a number of authorities involved. Parks major port. There are substantial amounts Reach 2: Redevelopment — Bolte Victoria is the waterway manager. The shared trail is an important feature of open space, parkland and potential Bridge to Spencer Street Bridge. Melbourne Water is responsible for flood of the riverbank in this reach, though its habitat controlled by Port of Melbourne As this reach is currently under drainage and some aspects of amenity. popularity can lead to conflicts. Corporation — a dedicated agency would redevelopment, and is being converted Melbourne City Council is responsible for be able to drive this in the context of from a series of industrial sites to a series of parts of the area, while other parts remain The commercial ferries are also a feature an overall vision and strategic plan for apartment towers, there is an opportunity under the control of Places Victoria, with of this stretch. Improvement of the banks the river. Any planning on this stretch to rework the relationship of river and developers controlling particular precincts. will benefit these and other commercial needs to co-ordinate with planning by the bank. But that re-development is at risk There are few opportunities for community enterprises based on tourism. Corporation. As an estuary, this stretch is of completely disconnecting the new input to management in this reach. a particularly rich environment. The reach apartments from the river — while using includes the biodiverse plume where the the river as a way of selling the apartments. Reach 3 The city proper — Spencer fresh water of the river meets the salt of Because of this opportunity this reach is Street Bridge to Princes Bridge. The Yarra Riverkeeper regularly patrols the Yarra, monitoring what happens on the river the bay, and is where many bay fish feed different to the city reach upstream, where In the city the infrastructure of the banks has already been fixed. And initiatives for and building a detailed picture of the health of and where many river species mature after the bank infrastructure is largely fixed. The the Yarra. The Yarra Riverkeeper Association hatching upstream. There are substantial issues with Docklands are widely recognised also advocates for and educates about the opportunities for rewilding in this stretch and a key issue is the lack of naturalistic Yarra. River. of the river, The key tributaries are Stony parkland that would also provide habitat Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek and and other ecosystem services such as they are key opportunities for habitat and reducing wind speeds, providing shelter improved open space. Moonee Ponds Creek and shade, and cooling the suburb. There is currently the remains of industrialised has been insufficient consideration given drain, separated from the river by a concrete to the role of the environment in the wall. It is a surprisingly rich habitat as redevelopment. Ideally such a development it is undisturbed by visitors in its lower would commence with a landscape plan and section. In this sometimes bleak industrial a detailed environmental assessment. There landscape, there are opportunities for is current little indigenous habitat and there improving conditions for wildlife and to are opportunities to create small wetlands create a string of connected parklands and that connect the bank to the river and wetlands that form a ‘habitat highway’, create places for migratory species to rest and enable species to migrate safely up and on their journey. down river. The longer term view of what is going to happen in this reach needs to be Overshadowing is one of the key issues in considered with the potential of industrial this stretch. There are also opportunities land for habitat and open-space when it is to extend the habitat highway of connected converted into residential development. wetlands from Reach 1. Planning for such a Industrial sites, however, can sometimes ‘highway’ needs a whole-of-river perspective. provide better habitat than intensely Recreation opportunities in Victoria redeveloped residential sites. Parts of this Harbour are growing and may extend

14 CONNECTING THE YARRA The key authorities in this reach, in The stormwater entering the river from addition to Melbourne Water, are Parks tributaries along this stretch is often of very Victoria as the waterway manager and the poor quality, with Gardiners Creek often Melbourne City Council. Though excellent being among the worst offenders. work is being done, better co-ordination and an overview built into a strategic plan The key authorities are, in addition to would ensure investment is effective and Melbourne Water, are Parks Victoria as delivers for the river. the waterway manager, Melbourne City Council and the inner city councils of Reach 4 Inner suburban — Princes Stonnington, Yarra and Boroondara. There Bridge to Dights Falls. are also a number of trusts operating public The first part of this stretch includes the assets in the area. Better co-ordination beautiful, much loved and much used between these trusts with a whole-of-river parklands above Princes Bridge that were perspective would deliver a better planning set aside by Governor La Trobe in the outcome. 1840s, in a triumph of thoughtful long- sighted planning. As such a valued asset, Reach 5: Outer suburban —Dights these parklands need to be continuously Falls to Warrandyte. improved. Large areas have been excised for Again due to the foresight of early planners, sporting arenas. The remaining parklands there is extensive parkland and national need to be nurtured and protected and their park in this reach. The waterway manager is value as habitat maximised. The shared now Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria’s trail network along this section is a result important role becomes being the manager of the effective planning of the 1970s and of the extensive and connected national 1980s. Planning along the trail needs now to parks. The local councils are Banyule, consider its whole length and opportunities Nilumbik, and Manningham councils. to grow and expand the trail. Many of the An example of the sort of recreational riders on the trail come from much further pressure this stretch is under is the use of up the trail, and the impact of residential mountain bikes in Studley Park. Due to the developments upstream need to be increase in the adjacent population, and the considered in managing the trail. How long popularity of riding and outdoor activities, a with the trail be adequate for the amount of large number of mountain bikes are ridden traffic it carries? within the park on a regular basis. This is The Yarra has over 100 wetlands along its This reach is undergoing very substantial sharply increasing erosion on the tracks, length. Historically, much of what is now creating new tracks, killing vegetation, Melbourne was a series of connected wetlands pressure from urban redevelopment and the that formed the extended delta of the Yarra. intrusion of the built environment into the reducing habitat, spreading weeds and The river blackfish and waterfowl on the delta landscape of the river. disturbing wildlife. Mountain biking is providedThe muchplanning of the reports protein on forthe earlyYarra settlers. River Corridor largely unmanaged. Bikers ignore protective Of thisdivided delta, the onlyriver substantialinto sections body reflecting of changes in the There are also opportunities for improving fences, and bikes have the flexibility to watercorridor’s that remains character is Albert and Park nature. Lake. The Many first report was on wetlandsthe sectionhave now upstream become from disconnected Princes Bridge (pictured), the river along this reach with planting, reach most parts of the park. One proposal from theto Punt river Road. channel Over as theflows years, have the been reports moved as is currently being undertaken by is to put in a dedicated mountain bike path reduced.upstream The wetlands from there. are nowBelow undergoing Princes Bridge to Bolte Stonnington. When both sides of the to concentrate the riding to one part of the a steadyBridge, decline. planning The wetlands for the River have is been written in the context waterway are planted then there is an park. the kidneysof planning of the for water the City— cleansing of Melbourne. water And downstream through filtration. The wetlands have been a even more dramatic improvement in the from the Bolte Bridge, the River is the predominantly Although much of this reach is protected sink forthe biodiversity province of and the refugePort of for Melbourne wildlife. Corporation. landscape of the waterway. But this requires better co-ordination between councils. as a ‘green wedge’, it is coming under increasing development pressure. In the

CONNECTING THE YARRA 17 councils of Nilumbik and Yarra Ranges, RESPONSE TO — CHAPTER 4: Section 4.4 “Current governance Section 4.5 “Future Challenges” there are opportunities to address “THE CASE FOR CHANGE” challenges” (p. 36) (p. 40) stormwater with amendments to planning The Discussion Paper clearly identifies We strongly agree that population growth schemes. Improperly managed septic Section 4.1 “Current Legislative, key issues with current governance and changing demographics will be key tanks are an issue in this region, though regulatory and management arrangements: drivers in the need for new and better once a section is sewered it becomes more frameworks” (p. 34) governance arrangements on the river. • the nature of the partnership with attractive to developers with a further We agree with the intent of the following Aboriginal communities for managing the The challenge today is to manage the increase in impermeable surfaces that then statement: further threaten stormwater quality. river is not clearly defined. demands that Melburnians put on the …the Yarra MAC considers that the Yarra River. As the population grows, • there is no shared, overarching vision or Reach 6: Rural Warrandyte to the legislative and regulatory frameworks there will be pressure for more-intensive strategy for the Yarra River corridor. Upper Yarra Reservoir. are relatively effective for managing the development in the catchment and This section of the river is rural and that Yarra given the single-purpose approach • there is no responsibility for developing greater recreational use of the river and its is a highly valued aspect of the Yarra and by each entity. There is not, however, an and maintaining the amenity values of the environs. As the city grows, there will be its catchment. Community involvement is overarching mechanism for a joined up river. both greater appreciation of the need to crucial along the river though people in this approach that aligns the objectives and protect the Yarra and a greater number of reach often feel ignored and disconnected decisions of organisations across regulatory • a community vision for the Yarra River potentially damaging processes to protect from planning. There are differing views and spatial boundaries. corridor is not embedded in statutory it from. (p. 41) of waterway management that need to planning. All of the above quote is accurate, and We endorse this quote; if anything it be recognised. Erosion is an issue as are the key message is in the “however”. We • there is no community forum with status. understates the issues facing the waterway pesticides and herbicides entering the agree with an over-arching mechanism that and the catchment. waterway. Dams in the region significantly • there are funding constraints. co-ordinates planning along the Yarra. We reduce flows into the tributaries and also query the limitations of the remit of ultimately into the river. Many of the • inconsistent application of standards and different agencies with important aspects regulations. tributaries are governed by stream flow For many Melburnians, the Yarra is as much falling between these remits. We note: a river of trees as it is a river of water. The management plans. They are an effective green corridor is what most Melburnians see management tool that has created both • There is a lack of transparency and most often. That green corridor is a welcome community involvement and community community involvement in current relief from the built landscape, commitment. These plans means we already arrangements. part of the way to establishing a baseline assessment of part of the catchment, and • There is a disconnect between planning the committees that created them are a and implementation. model for community involvement. • We need new governance models to deal Reach 7: Forest and the closed with the pressure for development from catchment. expanding population conjoined with the impact of climate change on the waterway This stretch is managed by Melbourne and catchment. Both these pressures are Water for water supply and by Parks outside the current experience of agencies Victoria. Again visionary planning has and planning schemes. They demand protected the upper catchment. Forests new and innovative models of river and remain largely pristine and untouched. ecosystem governance. Logging was an issue raised in the community sessions around this reach of the • The river lacks an agency or body the key river. Most of the water in the Yarra comes role of which is to be the champion for from the upper catchment and flows. the river.

18 CONNECTING THE YARRA The Yarra (and all waterways and open A RESPONSE TO — CHAPTER spaces in the city of Melbourne) is under 5: “A NEW MANAGEMENT increased pressure from expanding MODEL” development. That pressure will dramatically escalate over the coming years Section 5.1 “A community vision for as the population of Melbourne explodes to the entire length of the river”( p. 44) a predicted 6 million in 2030 and 8 million We agree with the need for a unifying vision in 2050. The MAC notes that we are now for the river, and the need for the vision “to DRAFT Middle Yarra River in the third phase of explosive population Corridor Study guide the decisions of the various planning DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT July 2014 growth (the first being the first decades and service delivery organizations”. We of settlement and the second being the agree with the MAC on the six key points 1 1 post-war boom). This pressure will involve Middle Yarra River Corridor Study Draft Recommendations Report July 2014 development on the river with more high 1. a community vision that clearly outlines rise apartment blocks and new greenfield community requirements and expectations

tel (03) 3419 7226 e-mail [email protected] Planisphere planning & urban design Find out more at www.planisphere.com.au developments being constructed along the for the entire length of river over the long Level 1/160 Johnston St Fitzroy VIC 3065 river and a reduction of habitat and the term.

tel (03) 3419 7226 e-mail [email protected] Planisphere planning & urban design Find out more at www.planisphere.com.au natural character and beauty of the Yarra. Level 1/160 Johnston St Fitzroy VIC 3065 2. an integrated, overarching strategic plan There will be similar developments, on a for the river that would give effect to the smaller scale, along each and every tributary community vision.

E (Theme 1) PUNT V Retain the low scaleA of the Yarra. There will be an expansion of RD

R

E P TAL characterS of the town. BOT ST A

J

O Protect and enhance ZONE (Theme 1) HOGAN

E ST T RD the network of streets A

W SN E EAD G E V IE R

D S A V V T A

A Respect and reinforce R T O M

E D and laneways. S R S S R G

NG THOM Enhance the unpolished, PSON N LI historic grid of 'old town'. E DR D (Themes 4 & 9) A P E A

D C

I

T

N O non-engineered and S -

(Theme 4) N C OLITE ST S O I

V L DS HOPGOOD L coastal qualities of the the A PL HA E

C CLIFFORD H town. N h O Protect views of t

PD S E E W R

D

E R

Ensure a thriving and P D

I D E A n

(Theme 4) E V N I limiting signage a B R O L

F R

G vibrant local centre. W

E I (Themes 1 & 2)

DV (Theme 5) N RA BRIDGE G ROAD K

RAMSGATE C

ST O

T

C Enhan S

T

H

S

C C AMPBELL Y L S T T I T of cultu connected impervious surfaces across the H H Improve pedestrian

G 3. improved management arrangements to I

L

O

Y

G E g S throu L amenity at the Bridge Prohibit further K N GEO E N RGE H I ST L

extension of Stephens F R d t it d Parade residential area catchment including on drainage lines at ensure the Yarra Strategic Plan will be the tips of tributaries where the stormwater implemented efficiently and effectively Jones & Whitehead Land Design Partnership

REVIEW OF POLICIES AND CONTROLS FOR THE YARRA RIVER CORRIDOR: quality issues begin. with clear accountabilities for all aspects of PUNT ROAD TO BURKE ROAD management. Melbourne Water has significantly improved Consultant Report JUNE 2005 the quality of the water in the middle and 4. legislation to provide statutory backing TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT lower Yarra over the past 50 or so years. and longevity to the new arrangements and (This has also been a reflection of the give real confidence that the river will be relocation of polluting industries to China, protected over the long term. India and parts of South-east Asia.) Yet 5. a statutory reporting and audit function to in the past 10 years, those improvements provide regular reporting to government have plateaued, and the rapidly increasing and the community about progress pressures on the stormwater from delivering the plan. development in the catchment means that we need new ways to deal with the 6. clear funding and infrastructure delivery CITY OF YARRA problems. We may have passed over the arrangements. YARRA RIVER CORRIDOR STRATEGY top of the curve of the graph and may now Section 5.2 “A Yarra strategic plan” VOLUME 1: MAIN REPORT be faced with an increasing steep slide of MARCH 2015 (p 46) A selection of the covers of large declining water quality. number of planning reports written for We are in agreement with the MAC about the Yarra. A number of the more recent the importance of a strategic plan that of these reports have remained in draft would: as there is an increasing disconnect between planning and implementation. 1. outline the community vision for the full Better co-ordination as proposed under Yarra River Protection Act would length of the river (from its source to the solve this issue. bay) and each of the four reaches.

20 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 21 2. identify issues and challenges for the development process, including how implementation of the legislation -— it ADDITIONAL ISSUES ARISING corridor. Traditional Owners and the community is too frequently found that it is easy to FROM THE DISCUSSION will be involved ignore. That is one reason that we believe PAPER 3. identify demand for services along the that a ‘trust’ is necessary to champion not corridor now and in the future. • identify the relevant agencies and only the river but also the legislation and to require them to participate in the plan’s ensure that government departments and 4. prioritise river values along the corridor. development and align their actions to it Below we highlight the issues that the agencies have a clear understanding of the Association believes the MAC should 5. enable community participation and • require all decisions affecting the river and processes and benefits of the legislation. include or emphasise in the development of stakeholder engagement at a scale its environs to be consistent with the plan a final report to government. commensurate with the river’s significance. and its objectives Undervalued ecosystem services 6. develop standards and statements of • set out decision-making principles and There has been increasing recognition of outcomes for the corridor and for each processes reach. the economic value of ecosystem services, • provide referral powers as required and of the benefits people obtain from 7. establish broad strategic directions and ecosystems. Waterways are one of the detailed parameters for future planning • extend any regulatory protections and pre-eminent contributors of ecosystems and management that ensure the service delivery functions as required services, especially in a city like Melbourne protection and enhancement of the Yarra that has grown up around its river. Clearly, River and its riverscape. • outline the process for independent audit and reporting to Parliament. the first ecosystem service the Yarra delivers We would add that the strategic plan needs to Melbourne is high quality, low cost “An example of integrative to be built on a baseline assessment of the drinking water — though this service is legislation: Transport Integration Act health of the river. frequently overlooked by the citizens of the 2010” (p. 49) — and its flaw city. Section 5.3 “A Yarra (Birrarung) The MAC in the Discussion Paper The quality of the drinking water is a major Protection Act” (p.46) acknowledges the example of the Transport contributor the health of the city. People Integration Act (p 49): We endorse the views of the Yarra MAC: drink more water when it tastes better and It is clear that the current governance It [the Act} defines integrated decision- adequate consumption of water is a key arrangements do not sufficiently align making as, ‘The principle of integrated indicator of health. and coordinate the efforts of the various decision-making means seeking to Just as the value of good quality drinking entities and suffer from duplication, achieve government policy objectives water in Melbourne is taken for granted, fragmentation and inadequate Aboriginal through coordination between all levels of other ecosystem services are overlooked and stewardship and recognition of the government and government agencies and undervalued. community’s passion for the Yarra River with the private sector.’ A key service is open space and recreation, And agree with the components of the The Yarra Riverkeeper Association endorses and as the number of apartments sky- proposed act offered by the Yarra MAC: the view that: rockets in Melbourne the importance of • create the requirement to develop the The Transport Integration Act is an our existing open space network, built Yarra strategic plan and community vision, example of legislation to clarify roles and largely around and along waterways, also for tabling in Parliament. improve consistency across the many skyrockets. The value of these open spaces, agencies and portfolios whose work affects often parklands, is enhanced by biodiversity. • establish a new entity or nominate an transport services. People enjoy seeing a harmonious variety existing agency to develop the plan with of birds, vegetation and wildlife. The value Traditional Owners and community The Act has been an influence in the of biodiversity can be demonstrated by the participation. drafting of the proposal in our joint report with EJA The Future of the Yarra. But here excitement when a dolphin or a seal swims • outline the contents of the plan and its we note that the flaw has been in the up river — social media lights up.

22 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 23 Vegetation also has a cooling effect on the and a champion. The current cycle of Since the arrival of European settlers the flows city — both locally and across the city. reports stalled in draft, and the existing in the Yarra have been substantially reduced. When the Upper Yarra Dam was opened in Shade especially filtered shade is a locally roadblocks to implementation of findings 1957, it is estimated that flow in the river was important value. Vegetation also ameliorates delivers less than optimal results and is cut in half. Substantial amounts are taken out the impact of wind and is particularly a waste of resources. The effect of a co- of the waterway for drinking water and there important where high winds are generated ordinating authority will cut regulatory are also significant diversions for agriculture and even bottled water. Aesthetic dams, by high rise buildings. overlap and reduce reporting requirements and farm dams, prevent water reaching the while improving how regulators administer tributaries of the river and the river itself. Much of the city’s vegetation exists on regulations for which they are responsible. waterways. Where Docklands has failed, it An effective river agency will reduce wasted has been a lack of balance between the built time and shorten assessment times and environment and vegetated open spaces, provide clarity for developers. especially trees but also at other levels. People like plants. Concrete just does not One-stop shops do the job. A number of community participants All pollinators need habitat — food, shelter highlighted the issue of the complexity and opportunities to move around safely. of approvals for events and community Pollination in Australia unlike other places developments on the river and proposed depends as much on birds as it does on that the trust take on a role as a clearing insects, and that needs to be factored in to house for approvals. the sort of habitats provided and to how The value of considering the ecosystem services are valued. tributaries The legislation may have a more general set of baseline indicators for the health of The benefits of ecosystem services need A plan for the river needs to include the advisory role with the tributaries but it the river. This needs to be made publicly to be valued and included in any economic tributaries at some levels. The focus of the must consider the tributaries in its planning. available and the public made aware of its assessment of work on the Yarra and in a legislation, strategic plan and the ‘trust’ There is an opportunity to share planning availability through a publicity campaign. strategic plan for the river. Costings of any may be on the main stem of the river. All initiatives for waterways from councils An effective plan can only be built on a improved governance arrangements need three need to acknowledge the role of across the catchment to deliver best proper integrated understanding of the to take into account the economic benefits the tributaries and their importance. The practice in land-use planning and move Yarra. Several studies have been completed delivered by improved ecosystem services. catchment is a connected system and its towards consistency in planning schemes for Western Port and for Port Phillip, health depends on its connectedness, and (zones and overlays). In this way the yet none have been done to integrate our The role of existing agencies — contributes significantly to the resilience connectedness across the catchment can be understanding of the river — a necessary ensuring the new model is efficient of waterways and the resilience of the enhanced with all the advantages that brings prelude to effective planning. The Office A key driver in the Association’s lobbying catchment in a drying climate. Much of the for the green infrastructure and ecosystems of the Commissioner of Environmental for a one-river Act has been a desire for stormwater that flows into the Yarra is the services. Sustainability is already doing this work improved efficiency of river management result of what happens in the tributaries. for the two bays, part of which involves The importance of starting with a Planning needs to consider and allow for assessing the impact of the Yarra on Port and an improved use of government baseline study and community resources that deliver a this. Another key attribute of the tributaries Phillip. This work would be feed into better outcome, a better deployment of are they are part of a connected network The Yarra strategy plan must begin with a the strategic plan and feed into adaptive resources through a continuity of decision- of habitats. The connection means that baseline study of the river that integrates management principles as is being done making. It is important that proposed populations (in the case of plants — through all available information along the length with the Derwent Estuary Program. new arrangements reinforce the work that seed dispersal) can share genetic material. of the river and across the catchment. The is being done along the river rather than That is vital for the health of open spaces Planning — specifications and river has been extensively studied. That targets taking away from the work being done by and parklands, for biodiversity and for the information and understanding often exists existing agencies. Nonetheless planning resilience of ecosystems in the face of a in silos and the studies need to be integrated On page 18, the Discussion Paper presents for the river needs overall co-ordination drying climate. to build a complete picture and establish a an extract from the State Planning Policy

24 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 25 Framework Clause 12. We welcomed of the history of good planning with its of those corridors fall on waterways. The an innovative series of arrangements that this amendment by the government to legacy of parklands running the length of Yarra is the spine for waterways across can drive improvements in ecology and strengthen the wording in favour of the the river from Princes Bridge to the source much of Melbourne. In dryer times, species amenity and economic value of a waterway. Yarra. We note however that when cited we have an opportunity that few cities can retreat to the comparatively wetter This creative investment can then be this year at the hearing at VCAT for review have. That opportunity is to continuously Yarra. These corridors also enable people translated to other urban rivers, such as of planning application for 647 Victoria improve the waterway and provide a to connect along walking paths and shared the Maribyrnong, Werribee and Barwon. Street Abbotsford this re-wording had no resilient waterway that is best practice and trails. By keeping the potential for scalability and impact on the Tribunal’s decision. continuously delivers to people of the city, transferability in mind, the legislation and rather to aspire to have a river that is ranked One of the opportunities for taking a arrangement will be more robust as they will What has had an influence on the outcome somewhere among the middle of the pack whole-of-river approach is enabling planning be tested against a wider variety of possible was the introduction of mandatory height of urban waterways, under-delivering in to develop and connect habitat. Progress on circumstances. limits and mandatory setbacks into the terms of ecological sustainability, and the the shared trail network is largely stalled, Planning Scheme for the City of Yarra. economic return that the river could deliver and an overview and strategic plan would Guided by Ecologically Sustainable allow for the championing of extending and Development (ESD) principles More specifically and in reference to light to the city. connecting trails. It is important, we as noted in spill in the report the Tribunal commented The Importance of a long term The Future of that vision The value of long-term community the Yarra report (p. 14) that the legislation involvement reflect Australia’s ESD framework as guided It may be that in time, the Planning The most successful urban planning by the 1992 National Strategy for Ecologically The involvement of the community is Scheme will include specific controls and initiatives — such as the setting aside of Sustainable Development: important in the evolution of a vision for policies on light spill, but at present the parklands on the Yarra or the closing of the the Yarra as noted by the Yarra MAC. It is • decision making processes should reference to light spill in the Planning upper catchment — are those that have Scheme is limited to the matters referred also important in the ongoing work under effectively integrate both long and short- delivered for the future of the city. Good to above. Introduction of a more the legislation and the agency created or term economic, environmental, social and planning needs to have a long term vision comprehensive control or policies on charged with the co-ordinative management equity considerations. for the future. The Wurundjeri practised light spill needs to occur on a State wide under the Act. Community involvement mosaic burning, in cycles as long as 28 • where there are threats of serious or basis by changes to the Victoria Planning brings a robustness to long-term years and possibly longer. There is also an irreversible environmental damage, lack of Provisions affecting all Planning Schemes, undertakings. It is notable that during the increasing recognition that ecological cycles full scientific certainty should not be used rather than in response to individual time of the amalgamation of councils that function on longer time frames. Effective as a reason for postponing measures to permit applications. the Friends of Merri Creek were crucial to government resists selling off the present; prevent environmental degradation. the continuation of the work of the Merri Extending this comment more broadly instead it invests in the future for the Creek Management Committee. Ongoing • the global dimension of environmental and given the inbuilt bias of planning benefit of the community in the long run. community involvement brings transparency impacts of actions and policies should be laws towards development, it means that and therefore efficiency to governance recognised and considered. planning schemes and strategy plans need The value of citizen advocacy arrangements, as well as community, and to include specifications for environmental • the need to develop a strong, growing and Strong provisions should be built into the therefore political, buy-in on a long-term provisions to be effective and those diversified economy which can enhance legislation to provide for citizen advocacy in vision for the river. specifications need to be mandatory when it the courts, across not just planning but also the capacity for environmental protection comes to iconic places such as the river. water management. This builds robustness. The value of scalable and should be recognised. transferable arrangements The opportunity for world-class The value of connecting habitat • the need to maintain and enhance legislation for a world-class city The arrangements created under the international competitiveness in an Connected habitat is more valuable than legislation needs to be scalable, and environmentally sound manner should be Melbourne is a city with a history of good isolated fragments of habitat. Connectivity transferable to other urban water systems. recognised. planning — thought it has not been perfect, enables wildlife to migrate and for wild Given the size of the population in the and the development of a city will always • cost effective and flexible policy populations to replenish gene pools and catchment and the importance of the river put pressure on natural environments. instruments should be adopted, such as sustain resilience. Biodiversity corridors to Melbourne’s imaginative understanding Because of the role of the Yarra in the improved valuation, pricing and incentive are critical for the resilience of Melbourne of itself, there is the opportunity to create imagination of Melbourne and because in the face of a drying climate and most mechanisms.

26 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 27 • decisions and actions should provide for APPENDIX: RESPONSES in the city we are losing the small species Melburnians are shocked to be told that broad community involvement on issues TO SURVEY QUESTIONS of birds such as the superb blue wrens and 70% of our drinking water comes from which affect them. PROVIDED BY THE brown thornbills as we are reducing the the Yarra and its tributaries and that water undergrowth in backyards and in public is among the finest drinking water in the The importance of landscape MINISTERIAL ADVISORY open spaces. Connected canopy is a way for world. Yet in 1888 a Select Committee of character COMMITTEE small birds to move with safety around the the Victorian Parliament had the vision to Q1. What aspect of the Yarra canopy but there is a steady decline in large close the upper catchment and almost 140 One of the crucial elements to be preserved River and its environs would you native trees. years later we are still enjoying the benefits is the landscape. Once lost it is gone most like to see protected? of that decision with low cost, high quality forever. Protection of the Yarra needs to be Once habitat is lost, it is difficult to restore water that contributes to the health of each The landscape character of the river, of its considered on a landscape scale. A key value and takes time to return to its former and every Melburnian. Where the water environs and of its tributaries needs to be appreciated by Melburnians whether cycling condition. The large industrial sites, while tastes worse, people drink less water at a protected. This is fragile as the Yarra is not along the Main Yarra Trail or crossing the often polluting, also frequently and perhaps cost to their health. Yarra on one of its many bridges is the a large river, and its magic depends on its ironically create a range habitat niches — landscape character of the river. For some, proportions. That magic is easily destroyed for example at the Alphington Mill almost Q4. What elements would this is the key value. The gradual loss of this by intrusive development even of a half the site was vegetated. Similarly there you like to see covered in a Yarra value is one of the signs of the need for a comparatively small scale. Once developed, is ‘waste’ land in Docklands and Fishermans strategic plan? change of perspective on river management. any intrusion cannot be reversed. Once lost, Bend that is contributing to habitat on the The plan needs to be based on a scientific the magic is gone forever river but will likely be covered in concrete. assessment of the state of the Yarra, that The remit of the legislation, and any entity The opportunities for open space and integrates the existing knowledge of the established under the legislation, needs to It is a similar issue for land-use planning habitat in the redevelopment of Docklands Yarra, and establishes a baseline for the include not only the channel, bed and the along drainage lines and tributaries. Once and adjacent precincts on either side of the health of the river. There have been a banks of the river but also any contiguous drainage lines are filled in with housing, they river need to be protected. significant number of studies along the crown land, as this crown land is a critical become part of the connected impermeable river but there has been no overall publicly part of the landscape of the river. surfacing that is a major contributor to the Though not without its challenges there is available assessment of the Yarra, which deteriorating water quality (which then room to improve, and add, to habitat along could be a basis for planning, along the impacts on amenity and biodiversity). If the Yarra. lines of management plans that have been drainage lines are built over rather than done for Port Phillip and Western Port. The retained as sites for vegetation and re- Q3. What would you like to see implementation of the plan needs to follow vegetation this has substantial impact on included in a vision for the Yarra the principles of adaptive management downstream water quality. As the population River? and have annual report cards and 5 year of Melbourne increases there is increasing The Yarra is critical to imagination of objectives and 20 year goals. pressure to build over, fill in, and channelise Melbourne, as the reason the city was creeks and smaller waterways. Planning founded here in the first place. The The plan needs to cover amenity and amendments need to protect drainage lines Yarra is the city’s primary open space. recreation and identify opportunity for the and tributaries. This means that there is the community improvement of and expansion of open will and political possibility for a long space. It also needs to include better access Q2. What aspect of the Yarra term aspirational vision that looks for River and its environs would you to the river in an environmentally sensitive most like to see improved? opportunities to improve the river and its way, as well as preserving areas where corridor. The vision needs to engage with the human presence is minimised. There We would like to see habitat along the the community and educate the community should be the provision for the incremental corridor expanded and the quality of open to possibilities for the river. Too often, the extension of the shared trail, which while space improved. vision of the river has been constrained by paralleling the river does not adhere to the notion that because the river is brown path of the waterway. In this way, areas The existing habitat on the river needs it is severely polluted with pathogens. A can be preserved that are connected to the to be improved and in a way that creates common phrase is, “You’d never drink waterway. Any paths need to be constructed opportunities for biodiversity, for example it”, with reference to the water. Many in an environmentally sensitive way and

CONNECTING THE YARRA 29 construction needs to reflect opportunities plan for the Yarra. trails and improvements in water quality. • The ongoing monitoring, and to improve river habitat — for example: The challenge is to continue to deliver measurement of success of the strategy they should be necessarily accompanied The plan needs to include specified targets in the face of increasing pressures and plan could be by the lead service delivery by habitat creation through the planting and outcomes. increased planning complexity. Part of this agency. The plan needs to be regularly of indigenous trees, and the trail should efficiency will come from co-ordination and audited by a separate agency to the service Q5. What would you like to see be constructed of permeable surfacing. shared knowledge and a central repository delivery agency and the report tabled in included in legislation to protect the Opportunities for walking and canoe trails of shared information accessible to all Parliament. Yarra River? need to be included. William Barak, the partners. The remit of the management last traditional ngurungaeta (elder) of the The challenge of the legislation is to arrangement needs to cover the whole • The management model needs to Wurundjeri, walked from Healesville to build robustness and longevity into the catchment while having the greatest focus include a panel of both experts and the Melbourne on many occasions and a trail arrangements. Part of that robustness on the main stem of the Yarra. community to provide a resource for the could be constructed shadowing though will be that it delivers efficiencies of ‘trust’, to ensure that all groups along the not necessarily following exactly the route management rather than unnecessary Q6. What are your thoughts on river are properly informed and have the he took. duplication and that it distills community the options for a new management opportunity for input, and all processes commitment to its river. The legislation model for the Yarra River and its are transparent. This will reduce the The emphasis on bikes needs to be balanced should include the following elements environs? community campaigns that spring up with a valuing of the pedestrian use of the in response to particular initiatives or shared trails. ‘Goat’ tracks for bushwalkers • An independent trust As this is a once-in-a-generation development along the river. need to be considered and better opportunity to establish planning for • A community panel Q7. What are your thoughts management of mountain bikes in the the river for generations to come, the about establishing a new river corridor, which are causing significant • An assessment of state of the Yarra institutional arrangements need to be erosion and the spread of weeds. The organization to oversee robust and able to be maintained in the rise development and monitor delivery plan could propose a dedicated mountain • A strategy plan and fall of the political cycle. We support of a Yarra strategic plan? bike path in say Studley Park. Though the the following options funding for this would not be done from the • Monitoring of the strategy plan along the This is an issue that needs to be considered ‘trust’ funds but from elsewhere. In parts of lines of adaptive management • A new body, a ‘trust’, that is independent carefully. It is important that the new with a clear focus and authority. It may be the contiguous parklands mountain biking • Auditing of the implementation of organization is right-sized, and unnecessary partially embedded in the department or should be banned. The plan should examine the strategy plan and an assessment of duplication is avoided, yet the organization in another agency, but with independent ways to encourage the least damaging forms progress against the baseline. needs to be robust and independent with of recreation and educate users on the commissioners with a reporting line direct the capacity to champion the Yarra. A impact of activities on the landscape. • Regular reporting to parliament. to the minister and parliament. The river key role of the agency is to deliver better needs a champion agency, that is able to co-ordination of planning and existing River crossings are impediments to Q6. What do you think are reflect the community’s passion for its agencies along the river, with the advantage migration and expansion of bridges needs the key criteria for the evaluation river. The trust could also be a means of taking a whole-of-river view. The to be designed to with an awareness of this of the options for management of gathering community funding for organization needs to enhance work on the opportunity enhance continuity through arrangements of the Yarra River and particular initiatives along the river. Yarra and not disempower entities that are the design of the bridge. Structural features its riverscape (as outlined in section already operating effectively and therefore such as tunnels and overhead crossings need 5.4 of the discussion paper)? • The service delivery would largely be done detracting from their sense of ownership of to be included as well as ways of mimicking by existing agencies, with perhaps one the work they do. features such as continuity of canopy and The Association is in broad agreement with lead agency. The lead agency would be undergrowth. the criteria in Table 9 of section 5.4. We responsible for delivery of the vision and As the urban population expands not just endorse the general principles of efficiency the strategic plan. The initial scientific in Melbourne but across the globe the As the MAC Discussion Paper notes the and the need to use more effectively what assessment of the state of the river (along issue of urban waterways will intensify appreciation of landscape and of the already exists. Agencies have delivered the lines of the State of the Bays report) as pressure mounts on these waterways. spiritual significance of the landscape which excellent work along the Yarra over the could be done by a separate agency at the Innovation is not something that should is the heritage of members of the Kulin past years and examples include planting same time the vision is being developed. be seen as being restricted to the business Nation must be included in any strategic along the lower Yarra, the building of shared

30 CONNECTING THE YARRA CONNECTING THE YARRA 31 sector but is just as important in how we might be to create a dedicated mountain manage our habitats. This is an opportunity bike track in the park. This may be outside The party narrowly escaped drowning by the rising of river during the night.” its source. Mountains on its banks 3000 feet above the level of the sea. Robert Hoddle. wrote in ink on the verso: “Camp on Yarra Yarra River 26th November 1844 in search of to create something innovative, something the budget of Parks Victoria but may appeal A painting of the Yarra Valley by Robert Hoddle, one of Melbourne’s first surveyors. world-class, something that establishes to a private philanthropist. The Yarra Trust a benchmark for urban waterway could advocate for such particularised management. Melbourne already becoming initiatives and be a conduit for private recognised for innovative environmental funding. The Trust for Nature is an example management in an urban context and this is of a public entity that can accept donations an opportunity not only to focus that role from the community. The Trust for Nature but put a public face to it. also runs volunteer programs, and this is another activity that could be considered Q9. Is there any information or for inclusion in the Yarra Trust. issues you feel we have missed? An overarching issue faced by management Interest in the Yarra is often unduly of the river of the increased complexity of weighted in favour of the lower river, where planning faced by the river once a significant most of the people live and where most proportion of its length becomes urbanised. of the pressure on the river is apparent. This affects the whole length of the river, It is clear from community sessions that and demands a whole-of-river perspective. the community supports a whole-of-river Flows and pollution from upstream affect approach as the river is an ecosystem what happens downstream. What happens connected along its entire length. The at the tips of the tributaries affects what importance of the Yarra to the Yarra Valley happens to the water quality in the main (above Yering Gorge) though mentioned stem. The fish and other wildlife migrate the in the report does need to be further length of the river. highlighted. Environmental flows are a critical part of the overall health of the Linear ecosystems like waterways and river, and given the huge reduction in flows coastlines are particularly vulnerable to since 1835 every opportunity to add to these development pressures that destroy the very flows or enhance the use of these flows (say thing that has led people to want to be there Hoddle pumping directly into wetlands) needs to be in the first place — a beautiful naturalistic considered. environment that is on the edge of the built environment. Both beaches and waterways An education role, for example, for the new are a public good that is at risk of being organization should be considered. Other privatised. trusts such as The Shrine of Remembrance Trust play an active educational role for the Q10. Do you have any other benefit of the community. suggestions or feedback for the Yarra MAC that has not been There is an opportunity for the Trust to be addressed in previous questions? a conduit for private funding as is provided for in a number of overseas trusts, such as We have covered this in an earlier section. the Hudson River Trust. Studley Park is currently being degraded by unmanaged mountain bike recreation. New paths are constantly being opened as old paths turn into eroded gullies that eventually add to sediment load in the waterway. One solution

32 CONNECTING THE YARRA SOURCES Yarra Riverkeeper Association For links to the reports (and other relevant reports) referred to in Connecting the Yarra that are available on-line, see our websites actfortheyarra.org.au and yarrariver.org.au. Historical 0434 892 772 images are courtesy of the State Library of Victoria (p.16, p.25 and p. 33). All other photos are by Andrew Kelly, with the exception of page 15, which is by Matt Stewart, and page 7, which [email protected] is by Josh Griffiths. PO Box 210 Fitzroy Vic 3065

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Published in 2016 by Yarra Riverkeeper Association Copyright © 2016 Yarra Riverkeeper Association The industrial landscape of the Yarra is part of the cultural heritage of the river and the Printed by Trojan Press, Melbourne city. As brownfield sites are re-developed, we need the sort of strategies outlined in this report, The Future of the Yarra report and the Yarra MAC’s Discussion Paper to ensure these brownfield sites are developed appropriately, and a connection to the river is sustained and improved.

34 CONNECTING THE YARRA The Yarra Riverkeeper Association recognises the initiatives of past and present governments of Victoria to protect the Yarra. Now, through the proposed Yarra River Protection Act, we have a once-in- a-generation opportunity to further protect and improve the Yarra river for present generations and for many generations to come. This opportunity comes at a time of dramatically increased pressure on our river due to the rapid expansion of the population of Melbourne. The Association acknowledges the insightful work of the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee — Chris Chesterfield (chairman), Jane Doolan, Kirsten Bauer and Eamonn Moran QC — and the work of the supporting secretariat.

Christian Taylor on the Yarra River Photo REPORT FUNDED BY: Project. Under the aegis of the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, Christian, with the assistance of Riverkeeper volunteers is undertaking a photographic survey down the river, beginning at the Upper Yarra Reservoir to the bay. He is using a camera that takes 360° images of the waterway. These images are available on Google Maps. Christian’s work will yarrariver.org.au create a baseline measure of the river channel and banks. At regular intervals he takes water quality measurements, including turbidity. This is part of the Association’s work monitoring the health and amenity.