Werribee oing togete o elt te Catchment Works Program to support the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy

Getting involved Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy this Strategy visit: seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and information between communities and stakeholders, and to Next steps empower participation and influence waterways management through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to Becoming a committed partner explore what’s next. Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has developers, Traditional Owners, farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future. www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment.

130 1 Version published on 25/06/2018 Acknowledgement of Country Contents A shared Strategy You are invited to participate in finalisation of the Strategy by commenting on the draft Strategy and committing to its implementation. To find out how, visit: The communities, stakeholders and Melbourne Water, who Overview 2 Our rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries are shared places yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways together are responsible for implementing the Healthy Waterways of enormous significance for Aboriginal culture, social Werribee: Co-designing our future 4 Strategy, acknowledge and respect Wathaurung and Wurundjeri gathering, the environment and economic productivity. Catchment Works Program and other Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians. We Program logic 6 The Catchment Works Program supports the region-wide Strategy recognise the diversity of their cultures and the deep connections The community, stakeholders and scientists are telling us our region’s waterways are at a tipping point. Continue as we are by providing a flexible framework for managing waterways they have with the land and water of Werribee catchment. Cultural and economic values 8 and we risk further decline in waterway condition across the in the Werribee Catchment that takes into account variable climatic and development conditions and changing community We value partnerships with them for the health of people Waterway values 9 region, threatening the significant economic, social, cultural and country. and environmental values our waterways provide. Working needs. It includes: Waterway Targets and Performance Objectives 10 collectively toward prioritised objectives and targets offers • An overview of the values in the catchment including challenges The communities, stakeholders and Melbourne Water, who everyone a way to not only stem the decline but also unlock and opportunities together are responsible for implementing the Healthy Sub-catchment programs the significant natural capital our waterways offer. Waterways Strategy, pay their respects to Elders past and Rivers and Creeks 12 • A vision, goals and long-term targets (10–50 years) for present, and we acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Wetlands 42 The draft Healthy Waterways Strategy was developed using the catchment Wathaurung and Wurundjeri and other Traditional Owners’ Estuaries 114 a process of co-design to develop a shared Strategy. By bringing • Long-term targets (10 – 50 years) for waterway values and obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their Getting involved 131 together professional expertise with the lived experience of waterways conditions supported by 10 year performance traditional lands and waters. landholders, community groups, developers, Traditional Owners objectives for 14 sub-catchments, 35 representative wetlands Our partners and other stakeholders, it aims to support collaborative and 5 estuaries in the catchment. waterways management.

Have your say

There are a number of ways you can have your say on this draft Strategy. Werribee What are waterways? Catchment Online Throughout this Strategy yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways the term waterway refers collectively to rivers and Email [email protected] creeks, wetlands and Phone 131 722 estuaries

For translating and interpreting services call 131 450. Teletypewriter (TTY) users can phone 133 677.

2 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 01 Acknowledgement of Country Contents GettingA shared involved Strategy YouAnyone are invitedcan get to involved participate by joining in finalisation Friends, Landcareof the Strategy or other byvolunteer commenting groups on and the becoming draft Strategy part of and our committingcommitted catchmentto its implementation.community. To sign-up To find yourself out how, or visit:organisation as a partner to The communities, stakeholders and Melbourne Water, who Overview 2 Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy Our rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries are shared places yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterwaysthis Strategy visit: together are responsible for implementing the Healthy Waterways ofseeks enormous to put the significance community for at theAboriginal centre culture,of waterways social Werribee: Co-designing our future 4 yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways Strategy, acknowledge and respect Wathaurung and Wurundjeri gathering,management. the Itenvironment proposes systems and economic to share productivity. knowledge and Catchment Works Program and other Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians. We information between communities and stakeholders, and to Program logic 6 TheNext Catchment steps Works Program supports the region-wide Strategy recognise the diversity of their cultures and the deep connections empowerThe community, participation stakeholders and influence and scientists waterways are telling management us our region’s waterways are at a tipping point. Continue as we are byAs providingthe Healthy a flexible Waterways framework Strategy for moves managing towards waterways being they have with the land and water of Werribee catchment. Cultural and economic values 8 through capacity building and citizen science. and we risk further decline in waterway condition across the infinalised, the Werribee we are Catchment holding workshops that takes in into each account catchment variable to climatic and development conditions and changing community We value partnerships with them for the health of people Waterway values 9 Becomingregion, threatening a committed the significant partner economic, social, cultural explore what’s next. and country. and environmental values our waterways provide. Working needs. It includes: Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Waterway Targets and Performance Objectives 10 developers,collectively towardTraditional prioritised Owners, objectives farmers and targetsother government offers The communities, stakeholders and Melbourne Water, who • Anbeen overview invaluable of the in creating values in collective the catchment targets including and performance challenges agencies.everyone aIt way is only to notby workingonly stem together the decline that butwe canalso achieve unlock together are responsible for implementing the Healthy Sub-catchment programs andobjectives opportunities that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthythe significant waterways natural into capital the future. our waterways offer. www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways Waterways Strategy, pay their respects to Elders past and Rivers and Creeks 12 • A vision, goals and long-term targets (10–50 years) for for ways to participate. present, and we acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Wetlands 42 PeopleThe draft play Healthy a major Waterways part in ensuring Strategy that was the developed Werribee using the catchment Wathaurung and Wurundjeri and other Traditional Owners’ Estuaries 114 catchmenta process of remains co-design a place to develop of natural a shared beauty Strategy. and somewhere By bringing • Long-termWe look forward targets to (10 seeing – 50 those years) interested for waterway in celebrating values and obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their Getting involved 131 thattogether people professional can enjoy. expertise with the lived experience of waterwaysthe work achieved conditions to date, supported and outlining by 10 year how performance the feedback traditional lands and waters. landholders, community groups, developers, Traditional Owners For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. objectiveswe received for informed 14 sub-catchments, the writing of 35 the representative draft Strategy. wetlands Our partners and other stakeholders, it aims to support collaborative Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s and 5 estuaries in the catchment. waterways management. We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment.

Have your say

There are a number of ways you can have your say on this draft Strategy. Werribee What are waterways? Catchment Online Throughout this Strategy yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways the term waterway refers collectively to rivers and Email [email protected] creeks, wetlands and Phone 131 722 estuaries

For translating and interpreting services call 131 450. Teletypewriter (TTY) users can phone 133 677.

130 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 3 01

It is predicted that under a changing climate there will be less rainfall, Overview SUB-CATCHMENTS but more intense rainfall events, causing flooding and erosion, and WETLANDS - Western Treatment Plant transportation of higher sediment and nutrient loads to the bay. The Werribee catchment, covers the catchments for Little River, 1 Cherry Creek 8 Lollypop Creek The sewage treatment plant, which has 2 Kororoit Creek Lower 9 Parwan Creek Werribee River, Lerderderg River, Toolern Creek, Skeleton Creek Population modelling shows that the Werribee catchment will operated since 1897, supports an 3 Kororoit Creek Upper 10 Skeleton Creek and Kororoit Creek, which all drain into the northwest area of increase from some 600 thousand people to over 1.3 million in the internationally-recognised Ramsar bird 4 Laverton Creek 11 Toolern Creek habitat where more than 280 bird species Port Phillip Bay. next 30 years, which will require an additional 10,000 dwellings 5 Lerderderg River 12 Werribee River Lower have beenrecorded. per year. Much of this will be in the new urban development 6 Little River Lower 13 Werribee River Middle The catchment occupies an area of 2,695 square kilometres. stretching out from Melbourne to Melton and Bacchus Marsh 7 Little River Upper 14 Werribee River Upper About 20 per cent of the area retains its natural vegetation, to the northwest, and west towards Werribee and Little River. 65 per cent is used for agriculture and 10 per cent is used for The City of Wyndham Vale and City of Melton are two of the urban development – confined to greater Melbourne and larger fastest growing municipalities in Australia. Sub-catchment townships within the catchment. Blackwood boundaries A drier climate in an increasingly paved landscape poses a very real Basalt plains dominate the region’s geology and the landscape threat to the long-term values of the rivers and creeks, wetlands Wetlands 5 varies from steep-sided hills and gorges to flat plains. These and estuaries while at the same time increasing the importance of 14 Lerderderg plains form part of Victoria’s western volcanic plains grassland those spaces as a green and cool respite from the urban landscape. Rivers ecosystem (now highly fragmented), which lie in the rain and Creeks Toolern Vale shadow of the Otway Ranges and are the driest area south of the If current policy and levels of investment are maintained, without Ballan 3 Parks and reserves 13 Great Dividing Range in Victoria. improvement, then it is likely that the Werribee catchment will 11 33 experience declines in environmental and social values over the Bacchus Marsh Agriculture is the predominant land use, with forestry occurring next 50 years. There is a real need to take action to avoid an Glenmore Melton 23 ESTUARIES 15 18 24 27 10 in the upper parts of the catchment. The market gardens located otherwise inevitable decline in waterway health. 9 Parwan 2 around Bacchus Marsh and Werribee are key suppliers of 34 vegetables for local, national and international markets. Opportunities 1 Kororoit Creek 13 Sunshine North 2 Laverton Creek 12 10 Water storages, including the Melton, Pykes Creek, Djerriwarrh, With collective action, many of the catchment’s significant 3 Little River Colbrook and Merrimu reservoirs, provide water supply for the environmental values can be maintained or improved. For example, 4 Skeleton Creek 7 8 4 1 29 managing stormwater in growth areas will reduce erosion, improve 5 Werribee River 2 1 Bacchus Marsh and Werribee irrigation districts, and drinking 21 4 3 11 25 1 16 water for local townships. Since the 1980s there has been an instream vegetation and conditions for macroinvertebrates 6 Williamstown (waterbugs), fish, frogs and birds. Fish values can be supported 14 22 17 increase in the volume of recycled water used to supplement 4 RIVER - Lerderderg River water supplies for irrigated agriculture. And in some of the through removal of fish barriers and increasing the water available 8 Werribee 28 7 12 Little River newer urban areas, recycled water is provided to houses for for the environment. Supporting the extent and quality of 6 5 Lerderderg State Park provides a great non-drinking water uses. streamside vegetation will support bird values. For the catchment’s 30 32 9 19 20 escape from the busy urban lifestyle. 31 3 wetlands and floodplains, improvements to water regimes and The park has a wide variety of walking The waterways in this catchment are diverse, ranging from large habitat can support frogs and other environmental values. trails, a camp ground and great picnic 26 2 35 5 rivers to small ephemeral creeks. Adjacent to the coast there are spots to enjoy this Heritage listed river. significant wetlands and estuaries that provide important habitat Wathaurung and Wurundjeri and other Traditional Owners and for animals such as migratory shorebirds, the threatened Altona Aboriginal Victorians place cultural importance on the Werribee skipper butterfly, and the Growling Grass Frog. The health of catchment’s waterways. This draft Strategy needs their WETLANDS these waterways are strongly linked to land use, with the upper involvement to share those values and help with collective reaches in a more natural condition than those in the rural and decision and actions to conserve them. There is also great 1 Altona Treatment Plant 10 Deans Marsh, Rockbank 20 Point Cook Wetlands - 28 Truganina Swamp, opportunity to manage waterway corridors as places for urban areas. 2 Balls Wetland Complex 11 Greens Rd E Wetland No. 2 Spectacle Lake Laverton Creek communities to connect, recreate and travel, for example by (Western Grassland (Western Grassland 21 Rabbitters Lake and Swamp 29 West Quandong Swamp Despite the significant impacts from agriculture and urban increasing and maintaining access along and to waterways, Reserve) Reserve) (Western Grassland (Western Grassland development across the catchment, waterways continue to through paths and boat launching facilities. 3 Baths Swamp (Western 12 Jawbone Reserve Reserve) Reserve) support multiple and varied uses and values, including water Grassland Reserve) 13 Jenz Swamp 22 Richmonds Grass Swamp 30 Western Treatment Plant - supply, flood mitigation, and significant plant and animal species. As the waterway manager for the region, Melbourne Water is ready 4 Black Forest Rd Wetland 14 Kirksbridge Rd W Wetland (Western Grassland Paul & Belfrages Wetland to implement its share of this Strategy. However, action by (Western Grassland (Western Grassland Reserve) 31 Western Treatment Challenges Melbourne Water alone is not sufficient to unlock the full value of the Reserve) Reserve) 23 Rockbank No. 1 Plant - Ponds catchment’s waterways. If this Strategy is to be effective it needs 5 Black Swamp 15 Kororoit Creek No. 3 24 Rockbank Railway Swamp 32 Western Treatment Plant Climate change will exacerbate some existing problems and collective action; from State policy agencies, State regulators, 6 Cheetham Wetlands 16 Laverton RAAF Swamp 25 Target Range Swamp - Ryans Swamp create new ones. Water temperatures will increase, leading local government and other land managers such as Parks Victoria. 7 Cherry Lake, Cherry Creek 17 Live Bomb Wetland (Western (Western Grassland 33 Wetland at Holden Road to a change in species composition, and changing patterns 8 Cobbledicks Ford cluster Grassland Reserve) Reserve) Diggers Rest Even more so, it needs collective action by the development sector, of aquatic and riparian plants and animal communities. Sea (Western Grassland 18 Paynes Rd Swamp 26 The Spit Nature 34 Wetland near Rolling landholders, Traditional Owners and community groups. Working levels will rise and storm surges will become more frequent, Reserve) 19 Point Cook Wetlands - Conservation Reserve Thunder Raceway together we can realise the full value of the catchment’s exposing our estuaries and coastal wetlands to erosion and 9 Cunningham’s Swamp RAAF Lake 27 Troups Rd Swamp 35 Wyndham Vale Swamp waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. seawater inundation.

402 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 03

Analysing feedback “How much $$ is available for Werribee River in Werribee: Collaboration process A total of 298 comments were received on the preliminary targets Ballan (urban area)” Co-designing our future for Werribee catchment. Two thirds of these came through the – from discussion on Werribee River Middle and Upper targets discussions held at the collaboration workshop and the remainder One of Melbourne Water’s responsibilities is to create long-term August 2017 - Werribee catchment through the Your Say page and follow-ups with stakeholders. “Want to explore more opportunities for urban plans that ensure the Werribee catchment’s waterways are collaboration commenced The comments covered a broad range of issues and opportunities. healthy, liveable and accessible for future generations. growth regarding stormwater management, and The underlying theme was of support for setting targets and need to move quickly and influence Precinct Collaborative process performance objectives at the sub-catchment scale. But they Structure Plans” In August 2017, the Werribee Catchment Collaboration September 2017 need to be ambitious and have sufficient detail to drive actions. – from discussion on Lollypop Creek targets commenced the process to identify and develop the refreshed Vision, goals and waterways values defined Improving support for revegetation and management of key Healthy Waterways Strategy for the Werribee catchment. The threats such as weeds and pest animals was frequently This feedback has resulted in performance objectives being collaboration was made up of interested community members, mentioned. There was also questions about the willingness of improved through additional context – to specify where works are organisations and agencies to: March 2018 agencies to invest over the long term in maintenance such as needed, providing quantitative outcomes and making reference to Preliminary Targets released weed control. • Develop a vision and goals for their catchment related projects (e.g. Landcare projects). Targets set in the draft • Explore issues, opportunities and aspirations within the catchment “For Laverton Creek Estuary, add education of Strategy now reflect a higher level of aspiration. • Identify where stakeholders need to focus their efforts and energy. recreational impacts on shorebirds (e.g. dog Maps were updated to show where the best strategic value for March 2018 works is – including improving vegetation buffers, removing fish In developing this draft Strategy, three workshops were held with walkers and kite surfing). Hobsons Bay Council Engagement on Preliminary Targets barriers and prioritising areas for better stormwater management. over 65 participants representing around 30 organisations currently undertaking engagement walks and attending at least one workshop (the back pages list events ‘Dogs Breakfast’ etc.” organisations that participated in this process). – from discussion on Laverton Creek June 2018 Most recently the collaboration considered preliminary targets Draft Strategy released for the catchment and feedback from this process was used to “Great to see strong objectives/targets around develop this draft Strategy. riparian vegetation and canopy cover. I am keen to see targets around litter reduction, weed reduction June 2018 and environmental water opportunities.” Engagement on Draft Strategy – from resident in response to Kororoit Creek Lower targets

End-August 2018 Final Strategy Figure 2 Feedback categories and responses

Feedback related to conditions Responses to feedback End-October 2018 Government approval

Figure 1 Collaboration process for Werribee catchment Access 7% Revise target/ performance objective 16% Habitat 12% Suggestion 17% Instream Connectivity 5% Clarification 20% Litter 6% Typo/edit 12% Participation 13% Investigate 7% Stormwater 10% Noted/context 27% Vegetation 19% Follow-up/contact 1% Water for Environment 6%

Water Quality 6%

Unaligned 15%

604 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 05 Analysing feedback Anyone“How much can get $$involved is available by joining for Friends, Werribee Landcare River or other in Werribee: Collaboration process Getting involved A total of 298 comments were received on the preliminary targets volunteerBallan (urban groups andarea)” becoming part of our committed catchment Co-designing our future community.– from discussion To sign-up on Werribee yourself River or organisation Middle and as Upper a partner targets to Waterwaysfor Werribee are catchment. community Two assets thirds – of and these this came draft throughStrategy the this Strategy visit: seeksdiscussions to put held the communityat the collaboration at the centre workshop of waterways and the remainder One of Melbourne Water’s responsibilities is to create long-term August 2017 - Werribee catchment yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways management.through the Your It proposes Say page systemsand follow-ups to share with knowledge stakeholders. and “Want to explore more opportunities for urban plans that ensure the Werribee catchment’s waterways are collaboration commenced Theinformation comments between covered communities a broad range and of stakeholders, issues and opportunities. and to healthy, liveable and accessible for future generations. Nextgrowth steps regarding stormwater management, and Theempower underlying participation theme was and ofinfluence support forwaterways setting targetsmanagement and need to move quickly and influence Precinct As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being Collaborative process performancethrough capacity objectives building at and the citizensub-catchment science. scale. But they finalised,Structure we Plans” are holding workshops in each catchment to In August 2017, the Werribee Catchment Collaboration September 2017 need to be ambitious and have sufficient detail to drive actions. Becoming a committed partner explore– from discussion what’s next. on Lollypop Creek targets commenced the process to identify and develop the refreshed Vision, goals and waterways values defined Improving support for revegetation and management of key Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Healthy Waterways Strategy for the Werribee catchment. The threats such as weeds and pest animals was frequently This feedback has resulted in performance objectives being developers, Traditional Owners, farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance collaboration was made up of interested community members, mentioned. There was also questions about the willingness of improved through additional context – to specify where works are agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve organisations and agencies to: March 2018 agencies to invest over the long term in maintenance such as objectivesneeded, providing that we quantitative all share and outcomes want to achieve.and making Check reference to healthy waterways into the future. Preliminary Targets released weed control. www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways • Develop a vision and goals for their catchment related projects (e.g. Landcare projects). Targets set in the draft People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. • Explore issues, opportunities and aspirations within the catchment “For Laverton Creek Estuary, add education of Strategy now reflect a higher level of aspiration. catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating • Identify where stakeholders need to focus their efforts and energy. recreational impacts on shorebirds (e.g. dog Maps were updated to show where the best strategic value for that people can enjoy. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback March 2018 walkers and kite surfing). Hobsons Bay Council works is – including improving vegetation buffers, removing fish In developing this draft Strategy, three workshops were held with we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. Engagement on Preliminary Targets For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. barriers and prioritising areas for better stormwater management. over 65 participants representing around 30 organisations currently undertaking engagement walks and Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s attending at least one workshop (the back pages list events ‘Dogs Breakfast’ etc.” We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. organisations that participated in this process). – from discussion on Laverton Creek to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set June 2018 ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment. Most recently the collaboration considered preliminary targets Draft Strategy released for the catchment and feedback from this process was used to “Great to see strong objectives/targets around develop this draft Strategy. riparian vegetation and canopy cover. I am keen to see targets around litter reduction, weed reduction June 2018 and environmental water opportunities.” Engagement on Draft Strategy – from resident in response to Kororoit Creek Lower targets

End-August 2018 Final Strategy Figure 2 Feedback categories and responses

Feedback related to conditions Responses to feedback End-October 2018 Government approval

Figure 1 Collaboration process for Werribee catchment Access 7% Revise target/ performance objective 16% Habitat 12% Suggestion 17% Instream Connectivity 5% Clarification 20% Litter 6% Typo/edit 12% Participation 13% Investigate 7% Stormwater 10% Noted/context 27% Vegetation 19% Follow-up/contact 1% Water for Environment 6%

Water Quality 6%

Unaligned 15%

13004 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 705 Program logic VISION

Monitoring, The Werribee catchment community values, enjoys and actively participates in The draft Healthy Waterways evaluation Vision Strategy has been developed and reporting managing the health, connectivity and resilience of our rivers, estuaries and wetlands. from a program logic based on a shared vision about: achieving a series of goals, identifying waterway values, and setting GOALS Performance Catchment Goals targets and performance objectives Communities objectives to track progress 1. Waterways and water resources of the Werribee catchment support and are supported by balanced and sustainable towards the vision and goals. practices within industry, agriculture and the growing population. 2. Innovation and knowledge guides appropriate use of our waterways. 3. Viable, healthy, resilient and connected ecosystems across the catchment. Waterway Waterway targets values 4. Special places (rivers, creeks, wetlands and estuaries) within the catchment are recognised and managed for their significant values. 5. Our community appreciates the values of our waterways very highly and is engaged to positively and actively Figure 3 Program logic for developing the Strategy contribute to waterway outcomes.

806 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 07 Getting involved Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy Program logic VISION this Strategy visit: seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and Monitoring, The Werribee catchment community values, enjoys and actively participates in The draft Healthy Waterways evaluation Vision information between communities and stakeholders, and to and reporting Next steps Strategy has been developed empowermanaging participation the and health,influence connectivity waterways management and resilience of our rivers, estuaries and wetlands. through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being from a program logic based on finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to a shared vision about: achieving Becoming a committed partner explore what’s next. a series of goals, identifying Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has developers, Traditional Owners, farmers and other government waterway values, and setting GOALS been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance Performance Catchment Goals agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check targets and performance objectives Communities healthy waterways into the future. www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways objectives to track progress People1. playWaterways a major andpart water in ensuring resources that ofthe the Werribee Werribee catchment supportfor ways and to participate. are supported by balanced and sustainable towards the vision and goals. catchmentpractices remains within a place industry, of natural agriculture beauty and thesomewhere growing population.We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people2. Innovation can enjoy. and knowledge guides appropriate use of our waterways.the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For this3. Viable,Strategy healthy, to be effective, resilient itand needs connected collective ecosystems action. across the catchment. Waterway Waterway Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together targets values waterways4. Special – economic, places (rivers, cultural, creeks, social wetlands and environmental. and estuaries) within tothe achieve catchment the targets are recognised and performance and managed objectives for their we’ve set significant values. ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment. 5. Our community appreciates the values of our waterways very highly and is engaged to positively and actively Figure 3 Program logic for developing the Strategy contribute to waterway outcomes.

13006 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 907 Waterway values

Cultural and Economic Values Economic values Good waterway condition provides the essential building block The holistic approach to waterway management means for liveability, growth and prosperity. Rivers provide water for managing waterways for cultural, economic, social and Victoria’s five million people and support agriculture, recreational environmental values. A region-wide approach is used for fishing and commercial industries. Declining waterway condition can lead to direct economic costs for communities. Recognising cultural and economic values. Cultural – More than 3500 Economic – values vary Birds value is moderate, Fish value is low for rivers but the economic values of waterways is essential to appreciating the Aboriginal sites have been across the catchment. with 350 bird species being high for estuaries. Across the wide scope of ecosystem services – the benefits that humans Cultural values recorded in the Werribee In the upper and middle recorded including 134 species catchment there are 21 The cultural values of waterways are based on the physical and receive from nature. catchment, with most of parts farm dams and of waterway specialists. There freshwater species, 13 of which spiritual connection of Traditional Owners to their lands and these being artefact waterway diversions are many wetlands recognised are native, which includes the waters. This draft Strategy commits to working with Traditional Goals scatters occurring within support agriculture, and on for their significance as bird nationally significant Australian Owners to reconnect with their Country so that the cultural • Waterways are recognised as important natural capital 100 metres of a the floodplains, wetlands habitat including: Cheetham Grayling in the lower Werribee significance of waterways can be restored. providing regionally-significant ecosystem services, value watercourse. are being reinstated to Wetlands, The Spit Nature River. There are also several and benefits increase the value of urban Conservation Reserve, estuarine species, including Cultural heritage includes culturally and spiritually significant properties. Western Treatment Plant and Black Bream, Yellow-eye places, stories and traditions for past and present Aboriginal • Waterway management will progressively incorporate Point Cook Wetlands (RAAF Mullet, Estuary Perch, communities. Places of significance include sacred sites, ceremonial frameworks for ecosystem accounting and valuation more and Spectacle Lakes). Small-mouthed Hardyhead. sites, fish traps, burials, scarred trees, camp sites and settlements. formally into reporting systems.

Goal Performance objectives • Traditional Owners have a recognised role as custodians • Incorporate environmental-economic accounting into the ongoing of waterways and their cultural values. Their unique adaptive management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting to perspective and knowledge allows them to set the agenda support the delivery of the Healthy Waterways Strategy by 2023. for waterway management and actively participate in Frogs value is moderate Macroinvertebrates Platypus are distributed in Vegetation is moderate for caring for their Country. overall, however there is (waterbugs) score is those parts of the Werribee rivers, and low for wetlands limited records in many areas moderate overall. Scores River system (includes and estuaries, which is Monitoring, evaluation to provide an accurate are higher in the forested Lerderderg River) that have mainly as a result of the Performance objectives and reporting (MER) assessment. Threatened headwaters, but impacted reliable summer flow modified nature of the • Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians have an increased species include Growling in other areas due to land regimes. The population is catchment. Higher values expertise in Aboriginal culture, contemporary land and water A detailed monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) Grass Frog, Bibron’s Toadlet use intensification and considered threatened due occur in the forested upper management, waterway science and lore plan will be developed together with the catchment and the Southern Toadlet; urbanisation. to low numbers, continuing catchments and in the although neither of the two long-term decline and coastal areas, which • Partnership projects are extended or develop into new forms. collaboration forums to support adaptive management from planning to Strategy completion. The monitoring, toadlet species have been severe impacts of past includes the Ramsar listed Expertise developed in one project is applied in others evaluation and reporting plan will: recorded since the drought. wetlands of Western • Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Victorians are Millennium Drought. Treatment Plant. supported by industry partners, but set the agenda for waterway • Present the program logic underpinning the draft Strategy management by proactively developing communications, • Clarify the assumptions associated with the program logic resolutions or project scopes and seeking industry partners and identify strategies to manage potential risks • Aboriginal cultural awareness training is available to all industry • Identify the key questions for evaluation and establish professionals and is actively pursued processes to monitor progress within the framework • Cultural competency is valued as a career skill and leads to of the statewide monitoring program ongoing relationships • Clarify the communication and reporting needs and Amenity is high for streams, Community connection Recreation, is high for • Partnerships are fostered between Traditional Owner groups and identify the processes required to support these needs wetlands and estuaries is high for streams, streams, wetlands and research groups, and Traditional Owner groups and community • Enable lessons learned from monitoring and evaluation based on community wetlands and estuaries estuaries based on groups to be gathered and inform improvement satisfaction, but is likely based on community community satisfaction, to decline in response to satisfaction, but is likely but is likely to decline due • Public events led and/or organised by Traditional Owners are • Consider the monitoring, evaluation and reporting needs population growth and to decline in response to to population growth and regular and frequent. and practices of collaborating organisations urbanisation. population growth and urbanisation. • Facilitate synergies with the MER undertaken to support urbanisation. the Regional Catchment Strategy. The MER plan will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains current and relevant to informing adaptive management.

1008 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 09 Waterway values

Cultural and Economic Values Economic values Getting involved Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Good waterway condition provides the essential building block volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to The holistic approach to waterway management means for liveability, growth and prosperity. Rivers provide water for Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy this Strategy visit: managing waterways for cultural, economic, social and Victoria’s five million people and support agriculture, recreational seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways environmental values. A region-wide approach is used for fishing and commercial industries. Declining waterway condition management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and can lead to direct economic costs for communities. Recognising cultural and economic values. informationCultural – betweenMore than communities 3500 andEconomic stakeholders, – values and vary to Birds value is moderate, Fish value is low for rivers but the economic values of waterways is essential to appreciating the Next steps empowerAboriginal participation sites have andbeen influence across waterways the catchment. management with 350 bird species being high for estuaries. Across the wide scope of ecosystem services – the benefits that humans As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being Cultural values throughrecorded capacity in the building Werribee and citizenIn science. the upper and middle recorded including 134 species catchment there are 21 The cultural values of waterways are based on the physical and receive from nature. catchment, with most of parts farm dams and finalised,of waterway we specialists. are holding There workshops freshwater in each species,catchment 13 of towhich spiritual connection of Traditional Owners to their lands and Becomingthese being a committed artefact partner waterway diversions exploreare many what’s wetlands next. recognised are native, which includes the waters. This draft Strategy commits to working with Traditional Goals Caringscatters for ouroccurring waterways within involves community,support agriculture, councils, and on Communityfor their significance input to theas bird draft Healthynationally Waterways significant Strategy Australian has Owners to reconnect with their Country so that the cultural • Waterways are recognised as important natural capital developers,100 metres Traditional of a Owners, farmersthe floodplains, and other government wetlands beenhabitat invaluable including: in Cheetham creating collectiveGrayling targets in theand lower performance Werribee significance of waterways can be restored. providing regionally-significant ecosystem services, value agencies.watercourse. It is only by working togetherare beingthat we reinstated can achieve to objectivesWetlands, thatThe Spitwe allNature share and wantRiver. to Thereachieve. are Checkalso several and benefits healthy waterways into the future. increase the value of urban www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterwaysConservation Reserve, estuarine species, including Cultural heritage includes culturally and spiritually significant properties. Western Treatment Plant and Black Bream, Yellow-eye for ways to participate. places, stories and traditions for past and present Aboriginal • Waterway management will progressively incorporate People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee Point Cook Wetlands (RAAF Mullet, Estuary Perch, communities. Places of significance include sacred sites, ceremonial frameworks for ecosystem accounting and valuation more catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Weand look Spectacle forward Lakes). to seeing those interestedSmall-mouthed in celebrating Hardyhead. sites, fish traps, burials, scarred trees, camp sites and settlements. formally into reporting systems. that people can enjoy. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. Goal Performance objectives Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together • Traditional Owners have a recognised role as custodians • Incorporate environmental-economic accounting into the ongoing waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set of waterways and their cultural values. Their unique adaptive management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting to ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment. perspective and knowledge allows them to set the agenda support the delivery of the Healthy Waterways Strategy by 2023. for waterway management and actively participate in Frogs value is moderate Macroinvertebrates Platypus are distributed in Vegetation is moderate for caring for their Country. overall, however there is (waterbugs) score is those parts of the Werribee rivers, and low for wetlands limited records in many areas moderate overall. Scores River system (includes and estuaries, which is Monitoring, evaluation to provide an accurate are higher in the forested Lerderderg River) that have mainly as a result of the Performance objectives and reporting (MER) assessment. Threatened headwaters, but impacted reliable summer flow modified nature of the • Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians have an increased species include Growling in other areas due to land regimes. The population is catchment. Higher values expertise in Aboriginal culture, contemporary land and water A detailed monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) Grass Frog, Bibron’s Toadlet use intensification and considered threatened due occur in the forested upper management, waterway science and lore plan will be developed together with the catchment and the Southern Toadlet; urbanisation. to low numbers, continuing catchments and in the although neither of the two long-term decline and coastal areas, which • Partnership projects are extended or develop into new forms. collaboration forums to support adaptive management from planning to Strategy completion. The monitoring, toadlet species have been severe impacts of past includes the Ramsar listed Expertise developed in one project is applied in others evaluation and reporting plan will: recorded since the drought. wetlands of Western • Traditional Owner groups and Aboriginal Victorians are Millennium Drought. Treatment Plant. supported by industry partners, but set the agenda for waterway • Present the program logic underpinning the draft Strategy management by proactively developing communications, • Clarify the assumptions associated with the program logic resolutions or project scopes and seeking industry partners and identify strategies to manage potential risks • Aboriginal cultural awareness training is available to all industry • Identify the key questions for evaluation and establish professionals and is actively pursued processes to monitor progress within the framework • Cultural competency is valued as a career skill and leads to of the statewide monitoring program ongoing relationships • Clarify the communication and reporting needs and Amenity is high for streams, Community connection Recreation, is high for • Partnerships are fostered between Traditional Owner groups and identify the processes required to support these needs wetlands and estuaries is high for streams, streams, wetlands and research groups, and Traditional Owner groups and community • Enable lessons learned from monitoring and evaluation based on community wetlands and estuaries estuaries based on groups to be gathered and inform improvement satisfaction, but is likely based on community community satisfaction, to decline in response to satisfaction, but is likely but is likely to decline due • Public events led and/or organised by Traditional Owners are • Consider the monitoring, evaluation and reporting needs population growth and to decline in response to to population growth and regular and frequent. and practices of collaborating organisations urbanisation. population growth and urbanisation. • Facilitate synergies with the MER undertaken to support urbanisation. the Regional Catchment Strategy. The MER plan will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains current and relevant to informing adaptive management.

13008 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 1109 Waterways Targets and Performance Objectives Rivers and Creeks Performance Objectives

Waterway value targets are established to ensure goals are on 5 Improve long term outcomes for waterways by continuing to • Progressively implement stormwater harvesting in the lower and • Establish 435 km and maintain 648 km of continuous vegetated track. These values reflect community aspirations for waterways support capacity building programs for stormwater and rural middle reaches of the Werribee River and Toolern and Lollypop buffers (using EVC benchmarks and to at least a level 3 and ensure management is directly linked to desired outcomes. land managers. Creeks. Once this catchment has reached its anticipated long vegetation quality) along at least 80% of priority reaches Targets for these waterway values are set on a timescale of term urban footprint (2050), this will require around 16.9 GL/ (including sections of Werribee River (including tributaries), 6 Increase participation rates in education, capacity building, 10-plus years. year of stormwater harvested and 3.0 GL/year infiltrated. Ensure Little River, Lollypop Creek, Skeleton Creek, Laverton Creek, incentive programs and citizen science activities to enable DCI levels in these priority catchments do not increase beyond Cherry Creek and Kororoit Creek). In addition, increase In order to improve waterway values, waterway management greater level of environmental stewardship for our waterways. current levels and headwater streams are retained as features in vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 22 km focuses on ensuring waterway conditions are appropriate. 7 Develop a better understanding of the potential impacts of the landscape for environmental and social benefits. to support social values. There are many conditions that influence the waterway values; emerging contaminants of concern such as microplastics, however, to provide strategic direction for management, a suite • Investigate options to increase environmental water reserve by • Reduce nutrient and sediment runoff from rural land through pesticides and pharmaceuticals. of critical conditions is selected to inform management activities. 7 GL/year by 2028 to meet ecological watering objectives and improved management of 320 ha of land including works to Targets for these waterway conditions are set on a timescale 8 Have in place methods to assess volume and source of litter cover projected shortfalls. Any water recovery for the protect and increase vegetation along headwater streams. to inform litter reduction programs. environment will be considered through the sustainable water of 10-plus years. • Provide connectivity for fish along major waterways through strategies, markets and use of alternative water. Performance objectives are written to guide activities and to 9 Ensure priority headwater streams are protected from urban removal of 18 barriers by 2028. This will improve fish passage in indicate progress towards improving the waterway conditions. development and retained as features in the landscape for • Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime Werribee River between the estuary and Melton Reservoir, in Improving the conditions improves the waterway values in the environmental and social benefits. in refuge reaches to support instream values. Little River between the estuary and Little River township and in Toolern Creek through Melton. long- term. 10 Undertake risk assessments, condition assessment and • Investigate and mitigate threat of erosion in six priority waterways using a risk based approach – includes: Kororoit • Conserve all currently listed water dependent species and Catchment-wide performance objectives - Werribee prioritisation of additional wetlands in the Werribee catchment. Creek Lower, Lollypop Creek, Skeleton Creek, Toolern Creek, communities (20 fauna species, 104 flora species and 39 EVCs) 11 Improve capacity and stewardship of wetlands on private land. The following performance objectives are relevant to the whole Werribee River Lower and Werribee River Middle. through habitat protection, research and monitoring. of catchment and will be reported against in a similar manner 12 Assess Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands to determine to the performance objectives for the sub-catchments. • Maintain 196 km of high and very high quality vegetation • Conserve all currently listed water dependent species and management requirements, and use this information to initiate (vegetation quality levels 4 and 5) through effective monitoring communities (16 fauna species, 106 flora species and 37 EVCs) These performance objectives will be completed by 2028. program to improve condition of these types of wetlands on and management of threats. through habitat protection, research and monitoring. private land. 1 Address emerging threats to waterway values using a risk based approach to protect significant values and habitat 13 Ensure that wetland vegetation communities are adequately through annual planning. protected from urban and rural threats through appropriate interpretation and guidance on wetland vegetation and 2 Implement climate-ready revegetation by selecting plant species, community types in the application of the native vegetation provenances and vegetation communities that are suited to projected planning controls for wetland vegetation. future climatic conditions. 14 Develop a better understanding of groundwater dependent 3 Protect waterways and Port Phillip Bay by maintaining constructed ecosystems and look for opportunities to maintain or wetlands for their designed purpose or deliver same outcome by improve these. alternative means. 15 Continue to manage and deliver existing environmental water 4 Protect waterways and Port Phillip Bay by adopting a risk-based to the regions rivers and wetlands. approach to mitigating sources of pollution. 16 Create cooler, greener and more liveable communities through urban cooling.

17 Ensure that the use of recycled water for environmental purposes will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be consistent with the Victorian Government’s policy on the use of recycled water.

18 Improve understanding of existing rules around land management practices and increase resourcing for enforcement, capacity building and behaviour change.

19 Provide systems to share knowledge and information between communities and stakeholders; to empower communities to participate and influence waterways management.

1210 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 11 Waterways Targets and Performance Objectives Rivers and Creeks Performance Objectives Getting involved Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy Waterway value targets are established to ensure goals are on 5 Improve long term outcomes for waterways by continuing to • Progressively implement stormwater harvesting in the lower and this• Establish Strategy 435 visit: km and maintain 648 km of continuous vegetated seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways track. These values reflect community aspirations for waterways support capacity building programs for stormwater and rural middle reaches of the Werribee River and Toolern and Lollypop yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterwaysbuffers (using EVC benchmarks and to at least a level 3 management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and and ensure management is directly linked to desired outcomes. land managers. Creeks. Once this catchment has reached its anticipated long vegetation quality) along at least 80% of priority reaches information between communities and stakeholders, and to Targets for these waterway values are set on a timescale of term urban footprint (2050), this will require around 16.9 GL/ Next(including steps sections of Werribee River (including tributaries), 6 Increase participation rates in education, capacity building, empower participation and influence waterways management 10-plus years. year of stormwater harvested and 3.0 GL/year infiltrated. Ensure Little River, Lollypop Creek, Skeleton Creek, Laverton Creek, incentive programs and citizen science activities to enable through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being DCI levels in these priority catchments do not increase beyond Cherry Creek and Kororoit Creek). In addition, increase In order to improve waterway values, waterway management greater level of environmental stewardship for our waterways. finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to current levels and headwater streams are retained as features in vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 22 km focuses on ensuring waterway conditions are appropriate. Becoming a committed partner explore what’s next. 7 Develop a better understanding of the potential impacts of the landscape for environmental and social benefits. to support social values. There are many conditions that influence the waterway values; Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, emerging contaminants of concern such as microplastics, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has however, to provide strategic direction for management, a suite • developers,Investigate options Traditional to increase Owners, environmental farmers and other water government reserve by • Reduce nutrient and sediment runoff from rural land through pesticides and pharmaceuticals. been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance of critical conditions is selected to inform management activities. agencies.7 GL/year It by is 2028 only byto workingmeet ecological together watering that we objectivescan achieve and objectivesimproved that management we all share of and 320 want ha of to land achieve. including Check works to Targets for these waterway conditions are set on a timescale 8 Have in place methods to assess volume and source of litter healthycover projected waterways shortfalls. into the Any future. water recovery for the www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterwaysprotect and increase vegetation along headwater streams. to inform litter reduction programs. environment will be considered through the sustainable water of 10-plus years. People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for• Provide ways to connectivity participate. for fish along major waterways through strategies, markets and use of alternative water. Performance objectives are written to guide activities and to 9 Ensure priority headwater streams are protected from urban catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Weremoval look forward of 18 barriers to seeing by those2028. interested This will improve in celebrating fish passage in indicate progress towards improving the waterway conditions. development and retained as features in the landscape for • thatIdentify people opportunities can enjoy. to maintain or improve the flow regime theWerribee work achieved River between to date, theand estuary outlining and how Melton the feedback Reservoir, in environmental and social benefits. in refuge reaches to support instream values. Little River between the estuary and Little River township and in Improving the conditions improves the waterway values in the For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. long- term. Toolern Creek through Melton. 10 Undertake risk assessments, condition assessment and • WorkingInvestigate together, and mitigate we can threat realise of the erosion full value in six of priority the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways using a risk based approach – includes: Kororoit • Conserve all currently listed water dependent species and Catchment-wide performance objectives - Werribee prioritisation of additional wetlands in the Werribee catchment. waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set Creek Lower, Lollypop Creek, Skeleton Creek, Toolern Creek, communities (20 fauna species, 104 flora species and 39 EVCs) 11 Improve capacity and stewardship of wetlands on private land. ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment. The following performance objectives are relevant to the whole Werribee River Lower and Werribee River Middle. through habitat protection, research and monitoring. of catchment and will be reported against in a similar manner 12 Assess Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands to determine to the performance objectives for the sub-catchments. • Maintain 196 km of high and very high quality vegetation • Conserve all currently listed water dependent species and management requirements, and use this information to initiate (vegetation quality levels 4 and 5) through effective monitoring communities (16 fauna species, 106 flora species and 37 EVCs) These performance objectives will be completed by 2028. program to improve condition of these types of wetlands on and management of threats. through habitat protection, research and monitoring. private land. 1 Address emerging threats to waterway values using a risk based approach to protect significant values and habitat 13 Ensure that wetland vegetation communities are adequately through annual planning. protected from urban and rural threats through appropriate interpretation and guidance on wetland vegetation and 2 Implement climate-ready revegetation by selecting plant species, community types in the application of the native vegetation provenances and vegetation communities that are suited to projected planning controls for wetland vegetation. future climatic conditions. 14 Develop a better understanding of groundwater dependent 3 Protect waterways and Port Phillip Bay by maintaining constructed ecosystems and look for opportunities to maintain or wetlands for their designed purpose or deliver same outcome by improve these. alternative means. 15 Continue to manage and deliver existing environmental water 4 Protect waterways and Port Phillip Bay by adopting a risk-based to the regions rivers and wetlands. approach to mitigating sources of pollution. 16 Create cooler, greener and more liveable communities through urban cooling.

17 Ensure that the use of recycled water for environmental purposes will be considered on a case-by-case basis and be consistent with the Victorian Government’s policy on the use of recycled water.

18 Improve understanding of existing rules around land management practices and increase resourcing for enforcement, capacity building and behaviour change.

19 Provide systems to share knowledge and information between communities and stakeholders; to empower communities to participate and influence waterways management.

13010 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 13 11 Rivers and Creeks

Rivers and Creeks value targets

Macro- Community Birds Fish Frogs invertebrates Platypus Vegetation Amenity connection Recreation

Rivers and Creeks

Potential trajectory The draft targets developed through collaborative actions

Current state Of Waterways Values

Current trajectory The likely outcome if current policies and effort continue

Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Sub-catchment averaged by stream length (km)

Rivers and Creeks Sub-catchments Rivers and Creeks condition targets

Water Water Water Stormwater for the Vegetation Vegetation quality - Instream Physical quality - Litter condition environment extent quality environment connectivity form Access recreational absence Participation Cherry Creek Kororoit Creek Lower Kororoit Creek Upper Rivers and Creeks Laverton Creek Lerderderg River Potential trajectory The draft targets developed Little River Lower through collaborative actions Little River Upper

Lollypop Creek Current state Parwan Creek Of Waterways Values Skeleton Creek Toolern Creek Current trajectory The likely outcome if current Werribee River Lower policies and effort continue Werribee River Middle Werribee River Upper Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Sub-catchment averaged by stream length (km)

1412 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 13 Rivers and Creeks Getting involved Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to WaterwaysRivers areand community Creeks value assets targets– and this draft Strategy this Strategy visit: seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways Macro- yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterwaysCommunity management. It proposes systemsBirds to shareFish knowledgeFrogs andinvertebrates Platypus Vegetation Amenity connection Recreation information between communities and stakeholders, and to Next steps empower participation and influence waterways management through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being Rivers and Creeks finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to Becoming a committed partner explore what’s next. Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Potential trajectory Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has developers,The draft targets Traditional developed Owners, farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance agencies.through It collaborative is only by actions working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future. www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways

PeopleCurrent play state a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. catchmentOf Waterways remains Values a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For thisCurrent Strategy trajectory to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. WorkingThe likely together, outcome we if current can realise the full value of the Werribee’s policies and effort continue We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set ourselves for healthier waterways in the Werribee catchment. Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Sub-catchment averaged by stream length (km)

Rivers and Creeks Sub-catchments Rivers and Creeks condition targets

Water Water Water Stormwater for the Vegetation Vegetation quality - Instream Physical quality - Litter condition environment extent quality environment connectivity form Access recreational absence Participation Cherry Creek Kororoit Creek Lower Kororoit Creek Upper Rivers and Creeks Laverton Creek Lerderderg River Potential trajectory The draft targets developed Little River Lower through collaborative actions Little River Upper

Lollypop Creek Current state Parwan Creek Of Waterways Values Skeleton Creek Toolern Creek Current trajectory The likely outcome if current Werribee River Lower policies and effort continue Werribee River Middle Werribee River Upper Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Sub-catchment averaged by stream length (km)

13012 Werribee - Healthy Waterways Strategy 15 13 Cherry Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Cherry Creek was once a drainage line with a series of shallow wetlands and ponds on basalt plains state trajectory trajectory populated by native grasses around Laverton and Altona. Today its form has been substantially modified to improve drainage and reduce flooding on nearby industrial land. A large coastal swamp We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. The urbanised sub-catchment means poor water quality and non-natural in its lower reaches has been formed into a retarding basin and the very popular recreation area, flow regimes, which lead to a likely riparian bird score of low. Significant species include three egrets: Eastern Great, Intermediate and Little. Cherry Lake. Sedgeland around the lake is home to the rare Altona skipper butterfly and several species of waterbirds. Modifications to the creek have significantly reduced native vegetation, Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat which is largely a result of extensive channel modification for flood although some native grassland reserves remain in the catchment. protection, urbanisation and the impacts of stormwater. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, flows (particularly stormwater) and water quality are expected to increase the rating to moderate over the long term whilst also supporting less common native fish. Targets

Waterway Frog score is very low since very few of the expected species of frog were recorded. With appropriate management the score could be improved to low. Waterway value targets are established values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as very low due high levels of urbanisation which has led to poor habitat, excessive flows and poor water quality. There 10 - 50 years are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. The potential trajectory is rated as very low given the substantial improvements required in urban stormwater management, instream habitat improvements and riparian revegetation to increase the rating to low in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Cherry Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. 10+ years

MAP Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as very low overall as a result of large scale landuse change. There are 20 listed water dependent species remaining and 3 BCS endangered Performance objectives the waterway conditions. EVCs. Through revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the rating to moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High improve to very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very low and the target is low. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (1 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km and the target is high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Increase access along waterways from 5% to 31% (about 3 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new 2 Access no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry urban areas users. The current state is low and the target is low.

Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Water Quality – Recreational Maintain recreational water quality at Cherry Lake (suitable for secondary contact). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups and capacity building programs for business/industry. Engage with Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation schools to increase citizen science participation. is very low and the target is low.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is very low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

14 Cherry Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Cherry Creek was once a drainage line with a series of shallow wetlands and ponds on basalt plains state trajectory trajectory populated by native grasses around Laverton and Altona. Today its form has been substantially modified to improve drainage and reduce flooding on nearby industrial land. A large coastal swamp We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. The urbanised sub-catchment means poor water quality and non-natural in its lower reaches has been formed into a retarding basin and the very popular recreation area, flow regimes, which lead to a likely riparian bird score of low. Significant species include three egrets: Eastern Great, Intermediate and Little. Cherry Lake. Sedgeland around the lake is home to the rare Altona skipper butterfly and several species of waterbirds. Modifications to the creek have significantly reduced native vegetation, Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat which is largely a result of extensive channel modification for flood although some native grassland reserves remain in the catchment. protection, urbanisation and the impacts of stormwater. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, flows (particularly stormwater) and water quality are expected to increase the rating to moderate over the long term whilst also supporting less common native fish. Targets

Waterway Frog score is very low since very few of the expected speciesAnyone of frog were can recorded. get involved With appropriate by joining management Friends, the score Landcare could be improvedor other to low. Waterway value targets are established Getting involved values volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment to ensure goals are on track. targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as very low due high levels of urbanisation which has led to poor habitat, excessive flows and poor water quality. There 10 - 50 years are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. The potentialthis Strategytrajectory is ratedvisit: as very low given the substantial improvements required in urban stormwater seeks to put the community management,at the centre instream of waterways habitat improvements and riparian revegetation to increase the rating to low in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus areand no stakeholders,longer expected to beand found to in Cherry Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building and citizen science. Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as very low overall as a result of large scalefinalised, landuse change. we are There holding are 20 listed workshops water dependent in each species catchment remaining and to3 BCS endangered Performance objectives the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerEVCs. Through revegetation and management of threats theexplore long term what’s outcome next.is to improve the rating to moderate. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS (10 - 50 YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future. Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction,www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. for ways to participate. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High improve to very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousnessourselves for (DCI), healthier which is the waterways proportion of thein theimpervious Werribee surface catchment.in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very low and the target is low. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (1 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km and the target is high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Increase access along waterways from 5% to 31% (about 3 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new 2 Access no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry urban areas users. The current state is low and the target is low.

Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Water Quality – Recreational Maintain recreational water quality at Cherry Lake (suitable for secondary contact). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups and capacity building programs for business/industry. Engage with Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation schools to increase citizen science participation. is very low and the target is low.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is very low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 15 Kororoit Creek Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES Kororoit Creek, which begins in the rural foothills of the Great Dividing Range around Gisborne and Current Current Potential Sunbury, comprises two main branches, East and West Kororoit that join on the basalt plains above state trajectory trajectory Melton. The creek enters the western suburbs of Melbourne at Caroline Springs and Deer Park and passes through substantial areas of industrial land use and other urban areas before meeting Port Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of Phillip Bay at Altona. The growling grass frog is present in some sections of the creek, as are native climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. water rats (Rakali), and remnant native grasslands form habitat for the endangered striped legless Powerful owl and shorebirds egrets lizard. Significant remnant stands of saltmarsh and white mangroves can be found in the lower Fish are currently rated as low due to a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, including impacts from urban stormwater. Barriers to fish movement also reaches, which are also home to a large number of waterbirds including rare and threatened restrict access of a number of migratory species. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted species. There is considerable evidence that the creek was used extensively by Aboriginal people under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, flows (including urban stormwater management) and removal of fish barriers are expected to before European settlement. increase the rating to high over the long term. Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Waterway value targets are established should be maintained as moderate. Significant species include the Growling Grass Frog and Brown (Bibron’s) Toadlet. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely as a result of urban stormwater impacts, and a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and will decline to very 10 - 50 years low with continued urbanisation and climate change. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. Improvements to instream and riparian habitat through revegetation and stormwater management is expected to maintain the rating at low. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Kororoit Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low as much of the riparian vegetation is degraded from extensive landuse modification. Without management of existing threats like pest Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives plants and animals and in the face of climate change the rating is likely to drop to very low. There are 29 listed water dependent flora species remaining and 4 BCS the waterway conditions. endangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparian vegetation and management of key threats will improve the overall sub-catchment rating to moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very low and the target is low. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet. moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (22 km) and maintain existing vegetation (3 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Increase access along waterways from 33% to 39% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access urban areas woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of business/industry Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation through waterway health education. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is very low and the target is moderate.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches along Kororoit Creek to protect instream environmental values state is very low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values (including impacts of urbanisation) objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is very high.

16 Kororoit Creek Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES Kororoit Creek, which begins in the rural foothills of the Great Dividing Range around Gisborne and Current Current Potential Sunbury, comprises two main branches, East and West Kororoit that join on the basalt plains above state trajectory trajectory Melton. The creek enters the western suburbs of Melbourne at Caroline Springs and Deer Park and passes through substantial areas of industrial land use and other urban areas before meeting Port Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of Phillip Bay at Altona. The growling grass frog is present in some sections of the creek, as are native climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. water rats (Rakali), and remnant native grasslands form habitat for the endangered striped legless Powerful owl and shorebirds egrets lizard. Significant remnant stands of saltmarsh and white mangroves can be found in the lower Fish are currently rated as low due to a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, including impacts from urban stormwater. Barriers to fish movement also reaches, which are also home to a large number of waterbirds including rare and threatened restrict access of a number of migratory species. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted species. There is considerable evidence that the creek was used extensively by Aboriginal people under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, flows (including urban stormwater management) and removal of fish barriers are expected to before European settlement. increase the rating to high over the long term. Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedshould be maintained as moderate. Significant species include the Growling Grass Frog and Brown (Bibron’s) Toadlet. values volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment to ensure goals are on track. targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as low largely as a result of urban stormwater impacts, and a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and will decline to very 10 - 50 years low with continued urbanisation and climate change. Therethis are noStrategy known listed visit: species in this sub-catchment. Improvements to instream and riparian habitat seeks to put the community throughat the revegetationcentre of and waterways stormwater management is expected to maintain the rating at low. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus areand no stakeholders,longer expected to beand found to in Kororoit Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP Vegetation is rated as low as much of the riparian vegetation is degraded from extensive landuse modification. Without management of existing threats like pest Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to Performance objectives plants and animals and in the face of climate change the rating is likely to drop to very low. There are 29 listed water dependent flora species remaining and 4 BCS the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerendangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparian vegetationexplore and management what’s ofnext. key threats will improve the overall sub-catchment rating to moderate. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future. Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction,www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. for ways to participate. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousnessourselves for (DCI), healthier which is the waterways proportion of inthe the impervious Werribee surface catchment. in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very low and the target is low. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet. moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (22 km) and maintain existing vegetation (3 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Increase access along waterways from 33% to 39% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access urban areas woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of business/industry Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation through waterway health education. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is very low and the target is moderate.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches along Kororoit Creek to protect instream environmental values state is very low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values (including impacts of urbanisation) objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is very high.

130 17 Kororoit Creek Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Kororoit Creek, which begins in the rural foothills of the Great Dividing Range around Gisborne and state trajectory trajectory Sunbury, comprises two main branches, East and West Kororoit that join on the basalt plains above Melton. The creek enters the western suburbs of Melbourne at Caroline Springs and Deer Park and We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in passes through substantial areas of industrial land use and other urban areas before meeting Port targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Phillip Bay at Altona. The growling grass frog is present in some sections of the creek and also native water rats (Rakali) can be found. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of lack of flows, suitable instream and riparian habitat, poor water quality and barriers to migration. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to fish passage, instream and riparian habitat, water quality and flows through management of future stormwater impacts is predicted to increase the rating to high in the long term. Targets

Waterway Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frog were recorded. With dedicated management the score should be maintained at high. Waterway value targets are established values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low as a result of a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and poor water quality from rural activities. There are no 10 - 50 years known listed species in this sub-catchment. Management of stormwater and flows and improvements to riparian vegetation is predicted to improve the rating to moderate. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Kororoit Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall and predicted to decline further unless threats are adequately managed. There are 7 water dependent listed species remaining Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives and 4 BCS endangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparian vegetation and management of key threats will improve the overall sub-catchment rating to the waterway conditions. moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is high and the target is high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Frog (value) Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet moderate and the target is high.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Rockbank and Plumpton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) along the main Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater stem of Kororoit Creek remains below 0.4% upstream of Monaghans Road. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.8 no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry ML/y and infiltrating 0.7 ML/y, which is about 10.4 GL/y and 1.8 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary. users. The current state is very high and the target is moderate.

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (38 km) and maintain existing vegetation (5 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups and build capacity of land owners through rural programs. Increase Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is very low and the target is moderate.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Investigate opportunities to improve wetland water regime to meet ecological watering objectives, improve ecosystem services, cultural and social value. state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is very low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

18 Kororoit Creek Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Kororoit Creek, which begins in the rural foothills of the Great Dividing Range around Gisborne and state trajectory trajectory Sunbury, comprises two main branches, East and West Kororoit that join on the basalt plains above Melton. The creek enters the western suburbs of Melbourne at Caroline Springs and Deer Park and We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in passes through substantial areas of industrial land use and other urban areas before meeting Port targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Phillip Bay at Altona. The growling grass frog is present in some sections of the creek and also native water rats (Rakali) can be found. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of lack of flows, suitable instream and riparian habitat, poor water quality and barriers to migration. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to fish passage, instream and riparian habitat, water quality and flows through management of future stormwater impacts is predicted to increase the rating to high in the long term. Targets

Waterway Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frogAnyone were recorded. can Withget dedicatedinvolved management by joining the Friends,score should Landcare be maintained or at other high. Waterway value targets are established Getting involved values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low as a result ofcommunity. a lack of instream To and sign-up riparian habitat, yourself and poor or waterorganisation quality from asrural a activities. partner There to are no 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy known listed species in this sub-catchment. Management ofthis stormwater Strategy and flowsvisit: and improvements to riparian vegetation is predicted to improve the rating to seeks to put the community moderate.at the centre of waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and no longerstakeholders, expected to be and found to in Kororoit Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as low overall and predicted to decline further unless threats are adequately managed. There are 7 water dependent listed species remaining Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives and 4 BCS endangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparianfinalised, vegetation and we management are holding of key threatsworkshops will improve in each the overall catchment sub-catchment to rating to the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnermoderate. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity high but likely to input decline toin long-term the draft if environmental Healthy Waterways values decline; target Strategy is to improve has to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is high waterways and the target in is high.the Werribee catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Frog (value) Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet moderate and the target is high.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Rockbank and Plumpton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) along the main Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater stem of Kororoit Creek remains below 0.4% upstream of Monaghans Road. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.8 no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry ML/y and infiltrating 0.7 ML/y, which is about 10.4 GL/y and 1.8 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary. users. The current state is very high and the target is moderate.

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (38 km) and maintain existing vegetation (5 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups and build capacity of land owners through rural programs. Increase Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is very low and the target is moderate.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Investigate opportunities to improve wetland water regime to meet ecological watering objectives, improve ecosystem services, cultural and social value. state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is very low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 19 Laverton Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES Laverton Creek originates in Ravenhall immediately south of the Western Freeway and passes Current Current Potential through Derrimut, Truganina and Laverton before discharging to Port Phillip Bay at Altona. The main state trajectory trajectory tributaries include Kayes and Dohertys drains, which join the creek in its lower reaches. The creek originally terminated in Truganina Swamp but a channel was constructed to drain water to the bay Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of following flooding in the 1960s. The original grassland ecosystem has largely been replaced by climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. farmland or housing. Patches of remnant landform and vegetation such as rocky escarpments are Shorebirds are a significant bird group in this sub-catchment. significant surviving features of the creek. Important remnants of the vast coastal saltmarsh that Fish are currently rated as low due to channel modifications and extensive stormwater impacts resulting in a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat. linked the estuaries of these waterways survive in protected reserves such as Truganina Swamp. Barriers to fish movement also restrict access for some migratory species. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and These waterways also incorporate significant heritage values. widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, stormwater and fish passage are expected to increase suitability of habitat for less common native fish species, particularly in the lower reaches. Targets Frog score is low since only some of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined impacts of urbanisation and climate change driven changes to Waterway Waterway value targets are established surface flows and water quality are likely to see the score remain at Low. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as very low due high levels of urbanisation which has led to poor instream and riparian habitat, excessive flows and poor 10 - 50 years water quality. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. Improvements to flows and water quality through urban stormwater management combined with revegetation is predicted to increase the rating to low the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Laverton Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low as much of the riparian vegetation is degraded with only isolated patches of high quality reaches remaining in the upper reaches. The Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving rating is predicted to decline to very low due to persistent and emerging threats such as pest plant and animals and climate change. There are 26 water Performance objectives the waterway conditions. dependent listed species remaining and 2 BCS endangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparian vegetation and management of key threats will improve the overall sub-catchment rating to moderate in the long term. 1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very low and the target is low. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (14 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). and the target is high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Increase access along waterways from 25% to 44% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new 2 Access no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry urban areas users. The current state is low and the target is low.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation owners in upper catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 2 km) through effective monitoring and management Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. state is very low and the target is moderate. check

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

20 Laverton Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES Laverton Creek originates in Ravenhall immediately south of the Western Freeway and passes Current Current Potential through Derrimut, Truganina and Laverton before discharging to Port Phillip Bay at Altona. The main state trajectory trajectory tributaries include Kayes and Dohertys drains, which join the creek in its lower reaches. The creek originally terminated in Truganina Swamp but a channel was constructed to drain water to the bay Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of following flooding in the 1960s. The original grassland ecosystem has largely been replaced by climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. farmland or housing. Patches of remnant landform and vegetation such as rocky escarpments are Shorebirds are a significant bird group in this sub-catchment. significant surviving features of the creek. Important remnants of the vast coastal saltmarsh that Fish are currently rated as low due to channel modifications and extensive stormwater impacts resulting in a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat. linked the estuaries of these waterways survive in protected reserves such as Truganina Swamp. Barriers to fish movement also restrict access for some migratory species. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and These waterways also incorporate significant heritage values. widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to vegetation, stormwater and fish passage are expected to increase suitability of habitat for less common native fish species, particularly in the lower reaches. Targets Frog score is low since only some of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined impacts of urbanisation and climate change driven changes to Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedsurface flows and water quality are likely to see the score remain at Low. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as very low due high levels of urbanisation which has led to poor instream and riparian habitat, excessive flows and poor 10 - 50 years water quality. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment.this Strategy Improvements visit: to flows and water quality through urban stormwater management seeks to put the community combinedat the centre with revegetation of waterways is predicted to increase the rating to low the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and no longerstakeholders, expected to beand found to in Laverton Creek as a result of large-scale urbanisation, lack of suitable habitat and isolation from the Werribee and Maribyrnong River populations. Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as low as much of the riparian vegetation is degraded with only isolated patches of high quality reaches remaining in the upper reaches. The Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving rating is predicted to decline to very low due to persistent and emerging threats such as pest plant and animals and climate change. There are 26 water Performance objectives finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to the waterway conditions. dependent listed species remaining and 2 BCS endangered EVCs. Increasing the cover of riparian vegetation and management of key threats will improve the Becoming a committed partneroverall sub-catchment rating to moderate in the long term.explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity high but likely to input decline toin long-term the draft if environmental Healthy Waterways values decline; target Strategy is to improve has to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The forcurrent healthier state is very waterways low and the target in the is low. Werribee catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (14 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). and the target is high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Increase access along waterways from 25% to 44% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new 2 Access no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry urban areas users. The current state is low and the target is low.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation owners in upper catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 2 km) through effective monitoring and management Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. state is very low and the target is moderate. check

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is low and the target is low.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 21 Lerderderg River Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory The Lerderderg River rises in the Lerderderg State Park and flows south to join the Werribee River downstream of Bacchus Marsh. The main tributary of Lerderderg River is Goodman Creek, which We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in rises near Mt Bullengarook in the Lerderderg State Park and joins upstream of Darley. Lerderderg targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species include the Powerful Owl. River is an important environmental asset and is one of two Victorian Heritage Rivers in the Port Phillip and Westernport region. The Lerderderg has retained many of its natural features and supports a range of environmental, geological and cultural values. Fish is currently rated as low which is partly expected for a headwater stream but also drive by flow stress and a number of fish barriers in the lower reaches (including the diversion weir in the lower reach and Melton Reservoir). Without removal of substantial barriers to fish movement the rating for fish is predicted to remain low in the long term.

Targets Frog score is very high since all, or almost all, species of frog were recorded there relative to those expected given the survey effort. With appropriate Waterway Waterway value targets are established management the score should be maintained as very high. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as very high in the Lerderderg River as the catchment is largely forested with good instream and riparian habitat. There 10 - 50 years are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. Monitoring and maintenance of existing high quality habitats including ensuring vegetation condition does not decline will ensure the rating remains as very high. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are currently rated as low as a result of a lack of stream flows and potentially barriers to movement in the lower reach. Platypus may occasionally use the lower reach near the confluence with the Werribee River. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as high with very high quality in the forested reaches. The riparian vegetation has structural elements present and high connectivity. A Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving number of existing threats including pest plants and animals, recreational access and climate change are predicted to reduce the rating to moderate if not Performance objectives the waterway conditions. adequately addressed. There are 20 listed water dependent species remaining and 8 BCS endangered EVCs. The long term outcome is to maintain the current high rating with a focus on areas of high quality. 1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to improve to very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Increase participation rates from high to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is very 1 Participation through rural programs. Increase participation through promotion of high value areas (e.g. Lerderderg State Park). high and the target is very high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Lerderderg River and 2 Water Quality - Environmental no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry Goodmans Creek. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. users. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches along Lerderderg Gorge to protect instream environmental values woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is high and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 278 km) through effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality protected. state is very high and the target is very high. check

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (8 km) and maintain existing vegetation (275 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). state is very low and the target is low.

Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Vegetation Quality and threats objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is high and the target is very high.

22 Lerderderg River Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory The Lerderderg River rises in the Lerderderg State Park and flows south to join the Werribee River downstream of Bacchus Marsh. The main tributary of Lerderderg River is Goodman Creek, which We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in rises near Mt Bullengarook in the Lerderderg State Park and joins upstream of Darley. Lerderderg targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species include the Powerful Owl. River is an important environmental asset and is one of two Victorian Heritage Rivers in the Port Phillip and Westernport region. The Lerderderg has retained many of its natural features and supports a range of environmental, geological and cultural values. Fish is currently rated as low which is partly expected for a headwater stream but also drive by flow stress and a number of fish barriers in the lower reaches (including the diversion weir in the lower reach and Melton Reservoir). Without removal of substantial barriers to fish movement the rating for fish is predicted to remain low in the long term.

Targets Frog score is very high since all, or almost all, species of frog were recorded there relative to those expected given the survey effort. With appropriate Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedmanagement the score should be maintained as very high. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as very high in the Lerderderg River as the catchment is largely forested with good instream and riparian habitat. There 10 - 50 years are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. Monitoringthis and Strategy maintenance visit: of existing high quality habitats including ensuring vegetation condition does not seeks to put the community declineat the will centre ensure theof ratingwaterways remains as very high. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus areand currently stakeholders, rated as low asand a result to of a lack of stream flows and potentially barriers to movement in the lower reach. Platypus may occasionally use the lower reach near the confluence with the Werribee River.Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as high with very high quality in the forested reaches. The riparian vegetation has structural elements present and high connectivity. A Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving number of existing threats including pest plants and animals, recreational access and climate change are predicted to reduce the rating to moderate if not Performance objectives finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to the waterway conditions. adequately addressed. There are 20 listed water dependent species remaining and 8 BCS endangered EVCs. The long term outcome is to maintain the current Becoming a committed partnerhigh rating with a focus on areas of high quality. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity moderate but likely input to decline to the in long-term draft Healthy if environmental Waterways values decline; Strategy target is hasto improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is to improve to very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is very waterways high and the targetin the is veryWerribee high. catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Increase participation rates from high to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is very 1 Participation through rural programs. Increase participation through promotion of high value areas (e.g. Lerderderg State Park). high and the target is very high.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Lerderderg River and 2 Water Quality - Environmental no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry Goodmans Creek. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. users. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches along Lerderderg Gorge to protect instream environmental values woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is high and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 278 km) through effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality protected. state is very high and the target is very high. check

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (8 km) and maintain existing vegetation (275 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). state is very low and the target is low.

Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Vegetation Quality and threats objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is high and the target is very high.

130 23 Little River Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Birds (riparian) score is low, meaning few of the expected riparian bird species were recorded. Poor water quality, vegetation clearance and changes to natural Little River rises in the northern section of the Brisbane Ranges National Park and flows through the flow regimes mean the riparian bird score will remain low. Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important townships of Balliang and Little River before joining Port Phillip Bay in the Western Treatment Plant. Ramsar Wetland.

Fish are currently rated as low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, barriers to fish migration and flow stress. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. There are no known listed species in the sub- catchment. Improving riparian vegetation, fish passage and flows is predicted to increase the rating to very high over the long term .

Targets Frog score is very low since very few of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined effects of reduced rainfall and flows, and urban land use Waterway Waterway value targets are established intensification mean the score is likely to remain very low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets

10 - 50 years Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low primarily from lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, and flow stress. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With significant improvements to riparian vegetation the rating is expected to increase to high over the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are currently rated as very low, due to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and lack of flows. While there are unconfirmed records of platypus in the lower reaches, they are likely to represent transient use of this sub-catchment. 10+ years

MAP Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmented as a result of large scale landuse change. There are 21 listed water dependent species remaining Performance objectives the waterway conditions. and 5 BCS endangered EVCs. Through revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the rating to moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Access Increase access (about 2 km of path) by improving and extending path network along river around Little River township and to coastal wetlands moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (23 km) and maintain existing vegetation (3 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase support for Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation community/environment groups as population increases. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Little River to protect instream environmental values and platypus state is very low and the target is very high.

Identify opportunities to reduce the key threat of summer low flow stress by addressing causal factors such as farm dams, climate change, diversions or Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment urbanisation. state is very low and the target is very high.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along the Little River from the mouth to Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd, by removing five fish barriers in the Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Instream Connectivity lower reaches objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 4 km) through effective monitoring and management Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. check WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

24 Little River Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Birds (riparian) score is low, meaning few of the expected riparian bird species were recorded. Poor water quality, vegetation clearance and changes to natural Little River rises in the northern section of the Brisbane Ranges National Park and flows through the flow regimes mean the riparian bird score will remain low. Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important townships of Balliang and Little River before joining Port Phillip Bay in the Western Treatment Plant. Ramsar Wetland.

Fish are currently rated as low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, barriers to fish migration and flow stress. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. There are no known listed species in the sub- catchment. Improving riparian vegetation, fish passage and flows is predicted to increase the rating to very high over the long term .

Targets Frog score is very low since very few of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined effects of reduced rainfall and flows, and urban land use Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedintensification mean the score is likely to remain very low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as low primarily from lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, and flow stress. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With significant improvements to riparianthis vegetation Strategy the visit:rating is expected to increase to high over the long term. seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and currently stakeholders, rated as very low,and due to to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and lack of flows. While there are unconfirmed records of platypus in the lower reaches, they are likely to represent transient use of Nextthis sub-catchment. steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management MAP through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmented as a result of large scale landuse change. There are 21 listed water dependent species remaining Performance objectives finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to the waterway conditions. and 5 BCS endangered EVCs. Through revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the rating to moderate. Becoming a committed partner explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity high but likely to input decline toin long-term the draft if environmental Healthy Waterways values decline; target Strategy is to improve has to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is very waterways high and the targetin the is veryWerribee high. catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Access Increase access (about 2 km of path) by improving and extending path network along river around Little River township and to coastal wetlands moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (23 km) and maintain existing vegetation (3 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase support for Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation community/environment groups as population increases. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Little River to protect instream environmental values and platypus state is very low and the target is very high.

Identify opportunities to reduce the key threat of summer low flow stress by addressing causal factors such as farm dams, climate change, diversions or Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment urbanisation. state is very low and the target is very high.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along the Little River from the mouth to Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd, by removing five fish barriers in the Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Instream Connectivity lower reaches objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 4 km) through effective monitoring and management Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. check WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

130 25 Little River Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Little River begins in the northern section of the Brisbane Ranges National Park and flows through Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of the towns of Balliang and Little River before joining Port Phillip Bay at the Western Treatment Plant. climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. Little River is ephemeral and runs through an important landscape, which includes significant native Significant species include the Powerful Owl and Eastern Great Egret. grassland and grassy woodlands associated with the remnant river red gums that line the river. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat barriers to fish migration and flow stress. There are no known listed species in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improving riparian vegetation, fish passage and flows is predicted to increase the rating to high over the long term .

Targets Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frog were recorded. With dedicated management the score should be maintained at high. Significant Waterway Waterway value targets are established species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets

10 - 50 years Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as moderate due a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, and flow stress. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With significant improvements to riparian vegetation the rating is expected to increase to very high over the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are currently rated as very low due to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and lack of flows, although platypus are not known to occur in this sub- catchment 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall as most of the sub-catchment is highly modified and fragmented. There are some areas of high quality vegetation remaining in Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives the upper reaches (Stony Creek) around the Brisbane Ranges National Park. There are 46 listed water dependent species remaining and 10 BCS endangered EVCs. the waterway conditions. Through revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the rating to moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to improve to very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (116 km) and maintain existing vegetation (74 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 28 km) through effective monitoring and management Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry check users. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase participation through Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation promotion of high value areas (e.g. Brisbane Ranges National Park). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land. This may include Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Water Quality - Environmental establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is low and the target is very high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Little River Upper to protect instream environmental values state is low and the target is high.

Identify opportunities to reduce the key threat of summer low flow stress by addressing causal factors such as farm dams, climate change, diversions or Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water for Environment urbanisation. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

26 Little River Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Little River begins in the northern section of the Brisbane Ranges National Park and flows through Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of the towns of Balliang and Little River before joining Port Phillip Bay at the Western Treatment Plant. climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. Little River is ephemeral and runs through an important landscape, which includes significant native Significant species include the Powerful Owl and Eastern Great Egret. grassland and grassy woodlands associated with the remnant river red gums that line the river. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat barriers to fish migration and flow stress. There are no known listed species in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improving riparian vegetation, fish passage and flows is predicted to increase the rating to high over the long term .

Targets Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frog were recorded. With dedicated management the score should be maintained at high. Significant Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedspecies include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as moderate due a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, and flow stress. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With significant improvements to riparian vegetationthis Strategy the rating visit: is expected to increase to very high over the long term. seeks to put the community at the centre of waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and currently stakeholders, rated as very lowand due to to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and lack of flows, although platypus are not known to occur in this sub- catchment Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as low overall as most of the sub-catchment is highly modified and fragmented. There are some areas of high quality vegetation remaining in Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives the upper reaches (Stony Creek) around the Brisbane Rangesfinalised, National Park. we There are are holding 46 listed waterworkshops dependent in species each remaining catchment and 10 BCSto endangered EVCs. the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerThrough revegetation and management of threats the longexplore term outcome what’s is to improve next. the rating to moderate. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity moderate but likely input to decline to the in long-term draft Healthy if environmental Waterways values decline; Strategy target is hasto improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is to improve to very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is very waterways high and the targetin the is veryWerribee high. catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (116 km) and maintain existing vegetation (74 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is moderate.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 28 km) through effective monitoring and management Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry check users. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase participation through Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation promotion of high value areas (e.g. Brisbane Ranges National Park). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land. This may include Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Water Quality - Environmental establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is low and the target is very high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Little River Upper to protect instream environmental values state is low and the target is high.

Identify opportunities to reduce the key threat of summer low flow stress by addressing causal factors such as farm dams, climate change, diversions or Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water for Environment urbanisation. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

130 27 Lollypop Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory Lollypop Creek is an emphemral stream that drains farm land west of Werribee township, before Birds (riparian) score is low, meaning few of the expected riparian bird species were recorded. The urbanising sub-catchment means poor water quality, entering the Western Treatment Plant (WTP) and discharging to Port Phillip Bay near the 145W vegetation clearance and changes to natural flow regimes will mean the riparian bird score remains low. Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur in outlet. Cherry Tree Creek is a tributary of Lollypop Creek that joins just prior to entering WTP. Black this area, which includes an internationally important Ramsar Wetland. Swamp is a natural floodplain depression on Lollypop Creek between Black Forest Road and Bulban Road. Fish are currently rated as low largely due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and urban stormwater impacts. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and improved management of stormwater is expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets Frog score is very low since very few of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined effects of reduced rainfall and flows, and urban land use Waterway Waterway value targets are established intensification mean the score is likely to remain very low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low due to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and urban stormwater impacts. There are currently no known listed 10 - 50 years species in this sub-catchment. Habitat improvements as well as progressive management of urban stormwater is expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Lollypop Creek as a result of large-scale landuse change, particularly urbanisation, lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, including flows, and isolation from the Werribee River population. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall primarily as a result of large scale urbanisation and persistent threats such as pest plants and animals. There are 16 listed water Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives dependent species remaining and 3 BCS endangered EVCs. Through progressive revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the waterway conditions. condition to moderate.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is high and the target is high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (17 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is moderate.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development in the upper reaches of Cherry Creek (e.g. Mambourin) so directly connected Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater imperviousness (DCI) of Cherry Creek remains below 0.2% at Princes Freeway. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.2 no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry ML/y and infiltrating 0.5 ML/y. users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Increase access (about 2 km of path) along waterways by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new urban areas of Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access Wyndham Vale and west part of Werribee woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation owners through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. is very low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Lollypop Creek to protect instream environmental values. state is very high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values (including impacts of urbanisation) objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

28 Lollypop Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory Lollypop Creek is an emphemral stream that drains farm land west of Werribee township, before Birds (riparian) score is low, meaning few of the expected riparian bird species were recorded. The urbanising sub-catchment means poor water quality, entering the Western Treatment Plant (WTP) and discharging to Port Phillip Bay near the 145W vegetation clearance and changes to natural flow regimes will mean the riparian bird score remains low. Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur in outlet. Cherry Tree Creek is a tributary of Lollypop Creek that joins just prior to entering WTP. Black this area, which includes an internationally important Ramsar Wetland. Swamp is a natural floodplain depression on Lollypop Creek between Black Forest Road and Bulban Road. Fish are currently rated as low largely due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and urban stormwater impacts. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and improved management of stormwater is expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets Frog score is very low since very few of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined effects of reduced rainfall and flows, and urban land use Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedintensification mean the score is likely to remain very low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment to ensure goals are on track. targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as low due to a lack of instream and riparian habitat, and urban stormwater impacts. There are currently no known listed 10 - 50 years species in this sub-catchment. Habitat improvements as wellthis as progressive Strategy management visit: of urban stormwater is expected to increase the rating to moderate in seeks to put the community theat longthe term. centre of waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and no longerstakeholders, expected to be and found to in Lollypop Creek as a result of large-scale landuse change, particularly urbanisation, lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, including flows, and isolation from the WerribeeNext River steps population. 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall primarily as a result of large scale urbanisation and persistent threats such as pest plants and animals. There are 16 listed water Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to Performance objectives dependent species remaining and 3 BCS endangered EVCs. Through progressive revegetation and management of threats the long term outcome is to improve the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnercondition to moderate. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS (10 - 50 YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future. Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction,www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. for ways to participate. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousnessourselves for (DCI), healthier which is the waterways proportion of thein imperviousthe Werribee surface catchment.in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is high and the target is high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (17 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is moderate.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development in the upper reaches of Cherry Creek (e.g. Mambourin) so directly connected Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater imperviousness (DCI) of Cherry Creek remains below 0.2% at Princes Freeway. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.2 no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry ML/y and infiltrating 0.5 ML/y. users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Increase access (about 2 km of path) along waterways by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new urban areas of Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access Wyndham Vale and west part of Werribee woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation owners through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. is very low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Maintain critical flow components in refuge reaches in Lollypop Creek to protect instream environmental values. state is very high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values (including impacts of urbanisation) objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 29 Parwan Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Parwan Creek rises near Fiskville and runs in an easterly direction through Glenmore and Rowsley We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in towards Maddingley before joining the Werribee River south of Bacchus Marsh at Parwan. targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Eastern Great Tributaries of Parwan Creek include Spring and Yaloak Creeks. The Parwan Creek Management Unit Egret. includes the northern area of the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and flow stress. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and flow are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets

Waterway Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frog were recorded. With dedicated management the score should be maintained at high. Waterway value targets are established values to ensure goals are on track. targets

10 - 50 years Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as moderate due to a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat. There are no known listed species in this sub- catchment. It is expected that improving riparian vegetation will result in a very high rating in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Parwan Creek as a result of a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and flow stress. Without extensive targets improve waterway values. improvements to instream and riparian habitat as well as substantial changes to stream flows, this sub-catchment is unlikely to support platypus in the long term 10+ years other than occasional uses of the lower reach near the confluence of the Werribee River.

MAP Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmented as a result of large scale landuse change and persistent threats. There are 21 listed water Performance objectives the waterway conditions. dependent species remaining and 10 BCS endangered EVCs. Managing threats will be required to prevent further decline.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (9 km) and maintain existing vegetation (16 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is very 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). low and the target is low.

Determine extent of and maintain high quality vegetation along the upper reaches of the Parwan River adjacent to, and around, the Werribee Gorge State Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality Park through effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry additional high quality reaches are also protected. users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase participation Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation through promotion of high value areas (e.g. Brisbane Ranges National Park). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 is very low and the target is low.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

30 Parwan Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Parwan Creek rises near Fiskville and runs in an easterly direction through Glenmore and Rowsley We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in towards Maddingley before joining the Werribee River south of Bacchus Marsh at Parwan. targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Eastern Great Tributaries of Parwan Creek include Spring and Yaloak Creeks. The Parwan Creek Management Unit Egret. includes the northern area of the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Fish are currently rated as very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and flow stress. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and flow are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets

Waterway Frog score is high since most of the expected species of frogAnyone were recorded. can Withget dedicatedinvolved management by joining the Friends, score should Landcare be maintained or at other high. Waterway value targets are established Getting involved values volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment to ensure goals are on track. targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as moderate due to a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat. There are no known listed species in this sub- 10 - 50 years this Strategy visit: seeks to put the community catchment.at the centre It is expected of waterways that improving riparian vegetation will result in a very high rating in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Parwan Creek as a result of a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and flow stress. Without extensive targets improve waterway values. information between communities and stakeholders, and to improvements to instream and riparian habitat as well as substantialNext steps changes to stream flows, this sub-catchment is unlikely to support platypus in the long term 10+ years empower participation and influenceother than occasional waterways uses of themanagement lower reach near the confluence of the Werribee River. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building and citizen science. Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Vegetation is rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmentedfinalised, as a result ofwe large are scale holding landuse changeworkshops and persistent in each threats. catchment There are 21 to listed water Performance objectives the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerdependent species remaining and 10 BCS endangered EVCs.explore Managing what’s threats will next. be required to prevent further decline. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS (10 - 50 YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future. Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction,www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. for ways to participate. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousnessourselves for (DCI), healthier which is the waterways proportion of thein theimpervious Werribee surface catchment.in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (9 km) and maintain existing vegetation (16 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is very 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). low and the target is low.

Determine extent of and maintain high quality vegetation along the upper reaches of the Parwan River adjacent to, and around, the Werribee Gorge State Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality Park through effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry additional high quality reaches are also protected. users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Support participation in Landcare and other rural programs that improve waterway habitats and build capacity of land owners. Increase participation Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Participation through promotion of high value areas (e.g. Brisbane Ranges National Park). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is very low and the target is moderate.

Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 is very low and the target is low.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. No data exists for this sub- catchment.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

130 31 Skeleton Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Skeleton Creek originates near the Western Freeway in Truganina and passes through Hoppers Current Current Potential Crossing and Point Cook before discharging to Port Phillip Bay near Altona Meadows via the state trajectory trajectory Cheetham Wetlands. Tributaries to Skeleton Creek include Dry Creek, Forsyth Road Drain and Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of Cheetham Creek. The waterways are important corridors for recreation and natural habitat in an climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. area where industrial landuse once dominated, but is now rapidly transforming into residential Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important Ramsar wetlands. areas. The ephemeral nature of these creeks, stemming from the relatively low rainfall and underlying volcanic rock, has made them vulnerable to modification. The original grassland Fish are currently rated as low due to a lack of riparian and instream habitat, including impacts of urban stormwater and barriers to migration. There are no ecosystem has largely been replaced by farmland or housing. Patches of remnant landform and known threatened species found in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species vegetation such as rocky escarpments are significant surviving features of Skeleton Creek. predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and progressive improvements to stormwater and fish barriers in the long term, is expected to benefit a number of less common species. Targets Frog score is low since only some of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined impacts of urbanisation and climate change driven changes to Waterway Waterway value targets are established surface flows and water quality are likely to see the score remain at low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets

10 - 50 years Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely due to the impacts of urban stormwater. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With improvements to riparian vegetation, flows and progressive management of urban stormwater, the rating is predicted to increase to moderate in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are no longer expected to be found in Skeleton Creek as a result of large-scale landuse change, lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and isolation from the Werribee River population. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall due to large scale landuse change and is predicted to decline to very low with persistent threats and climate change. There are Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives 30 listed water dependent species remaining and 1 BCS endangered EVCs. With improvement works the rating is predicted to increase to moderate in the long the waterway conditions. term.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is low and the target is moderate. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 6 km) through effective monitoring and management Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (36 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is high and the target is low.

Increase access along waterways from 27% to 35% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access urban areas. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners in upper Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. is very low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Investigate opportunities to improve wetland water regime to meet ecological watering objectives, improve ecosystem services, cultural and social value. state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is very high.

32 Skeleton Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Skeleton Creek originates near the Western Freeway in Truganina and passes through Hoppers Current Current Potential Crossing and Point Cook before discharging to Port Phillip Bay near Altona Meadows via the state trajectory trajectory Cheetham Wetlands. Tributaries to Skeleton Creek include Dry Creek, Forsyth Road Drain and Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of Cheetham Creek. The waterways are important corridors for recreation and natural habitat in an climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. area where industrial landuse once dominated, but is now rapidly transforming into residential Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important Ramsar wetlands. areas. The ephemeral nature of these creeks, stemming from the relatively low rainfall and underlying volcanic rock, has made them vulnerable to modification. The original grassland Fish are currently rated as low due to a lack of riparian and instream habitat, including impacts of urban stormwater and barriers to migration. There are no ecosystem has largely been replaced by farmland or housing. Patches of remnant landform and known threatened species found in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species vegetation such as rocky escarpments are significant surviving features of Skeleton Creek. predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation and progressive improvements to stormwater and fish barriers in the long term, is expected to benefit a number of less common species. Targets Frog score is low since only some of the expected species of frog were recorded. The combined impacts of urbanisation and climate change driven changes to Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedsurface flows and water quality are likely to see the score remain at low. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment to ensure goals are on track. targets community. To sign-up yourself or organisation as a partner to Waterways are community assetsMacroinvertebrates – and this are draftcurrently Strategy rated as low largely due to the impacts of urban stormwater. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. With 10 - 50 years this Strategy visit: seeks to put the community improvementsat the centre to riparian of waterways vegetation, flows and progressive management of urban stormwater, the rating is predicted to increase to moderate in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and no longerstakeholders, expected to beand found to in Skeleton Creek as a result of large-scale landuse change, lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and isolation from the Werribee River population. Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management through capacity building and citizen science. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP Vegetation is rated as low overall due to large scale landuse change and is predicted to decline to very low with persistent threats and climate change. There are Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to Performance objectives 30 listed water dependent species remaining and 1 BCS endangered EVCs. With improvement works the rating is predicted to increase to moderate in the long the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerterm. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involves community, councils, Community input to the draft Healthy Waterways Strategy has Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS (10 - 50 YEARS) - 50 (10 TARGETS VALUES WATERWAY How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions healthy waterways into the future. Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction,www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is to maintain as high. for ways to participate. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere We look forward to seeing those interested in celebrating that people can enjoy. Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousnessourselves for (DCI), healthier which is the waterways proportion of thein theimpervious Werribee surface catchment.in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is low and the target is moderate. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 6 km) through effective monitoring and management Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. moderate and the target is moderate.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (36 km) and maintain existing vegetation (1 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is high and the target is low.

Increase access along waterways from 27% to 35% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access urban areas. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners in upper Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current state 4 Participation catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. is very low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water for Environment Investigate opportunities to improve wetland water regime to meet ecological watering objectives, improve ecosystem services, cultural and social value. state is low and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 values. The current state is low and the target is very high. WATERWAY CONDITIONS (10+ YEAR TARGETS) YEAR (10+ CONDITIONS WATERWAY Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is very high.

130 33 Toolern Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Toolern Creek is a small tributary of the Werribee River. The creek rises near Toolern Vale and flows We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in through Melton and Melton South, separating the industrial and residential areas. The creek forms targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. a confluence with the Werribee River at Exford immediately downstream from the Melton Reservoir. Much of the lower parts are planned for urban growth. Fish are currently rated very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, barriers to migration and stormwater impacts. There are no known threatened species found in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation, improved management of stormwater and removal fish barriers are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term. Targets Frog score is very high since all, or almost all, species of frog were recorded there relative to those expected given the survey effort. With appropriate Waterway Waterway value targets are established management the score should be maintained as very high. Significant species include Brown (or Bibron's) Toadlet. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely due to urban stormwater impacts and a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat. There are no known 10 - 50 years listed species in this sub-catchment. With improvements to riparian vegetation and improved management of stormwater the rating is expected to increase to high in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are currently rated as very low as a result of a lack of instream and riparian habitat, as well as a lack of flows. With improvements to riparian habitat, the management of urban stormwater and provision of suitable flows, the rating it predicted to increase to low in the long term. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as low due to large scale landuse change and is predicted to decline to very low with persistent threats and climate change. There are 7 listed Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives water dependent species remaining and 7 BCS endangered EVCs. Improving the quality and extent of riparian vegetation will increase the rating to moderate in the waterway conditions. the long term.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Melton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of Toolern Creek remains below Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is low 1 Stormwater 3.4% at confluence with Werribee River. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.6 ML/y and infiltrating 0.6 ML/y, which and the target is moderate. is about 2.8 GL/y and 0.5 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Extent Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet. no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (29 km) and maintain existing vegetation (10 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Determine extent of and maintain high quality vegetation along the upper reaches of Toolern Creek near the Lerderderg State Park (Pyrete Range) through Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality state is very low and the target is moderate. reaches are also protected.

Increase access along waterways from 14% to 20% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Access urban areas state is moderate and the target is very high.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Participation owners in upper catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along Toolern Creek from confluence with Werribee River to the headwaters by removing barriers at Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Instream Connectivity Melton South (near Exford Road) and High St, Melton values. The current state is very low and the target is moderate. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

34 Toolern Creek Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory

Toolern Creek is a small tributary of the Werribee River. The creek rises near Toolern Vale and flows We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in through Melton and Melton South, separating the industrial and residential areas. The creek forms targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. a confluence with the Werribee River at Exford immediately downstream from the Melton Reservoir. Much of the lower parts are planned for urban growth. Fish are currently rated very low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, barriers to migration and stormwater impacts. There are no known threatened species found in the sub-catchment. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation, improved management of stormwater and removal fish barriers are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term. Targets Frog score is very high since all, or almost all, species of frog were recorded there relative to those expected given the survey effort. With appropriate Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedmanagement the score should be maintained as very high. Significant species include Brown (or Bibron's) Toadlet. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely due community.to urban stormwater To impactssign-up and yourselfa lack of suitable or organisation instream and riparian as a habitat. partner There to are no known 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy listed species in this sub-catchment. With improvements tothis riparian Strategy vegetation visit: and improved management of stormwater the rating is expected to increase to seeks to put the community highat the in the centre long term. of waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and currently stakeholders, rated as very lowand as toa result of a lack of instream and riparian habitat, as well as a lack of flows. With improvements to riparian habitat, the management of urban stormwater and provision of suitableNext flows, stepsthe rating it predicted to increase to low in the long term. 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as low due to large scale landuse change and is predicted to decline to very low with persistent threats and climate change. There are 7 listed Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives water dependent species remaining and 7 BCS endangeredfinalised, EVCs. Improving we the are quality holding and extent workshops of riparian vegetation in each will catchment increase the rating to to moderate in the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerthe long term. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity moderate but likely input to decline to the in long-term draft Healthy if environmental Waterways values decline; Strategy target is hasto improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is high waterways and the target in is thevery high.Werribee catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Melton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of Toolern Creek remains below Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is low 1 Stormwater 3.4% at confluence with Werribee River. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.6 ML/y and infiltrating 0.6 ML/y, which and the target is moderate. is about 2.8 GL/y and 0.5 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Extent Target three areas (min. 2 ha) for habitat improvement for Bibron's Toadlet. no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry users. The current state is high and the target is moderate.

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (29 km) and maintain existing vegetation (10 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Determine extent of and maintain high quality vegetation along the upper reaches of Toolern Creek near the Lerderderg State Park (Pyrete Range) through Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Vegetation Quality effective monitoring and management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality state is very low and the target is moderate. reaches are also protected.

Increase access along waterways from 14% to 20% (about 5 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Access urban areas state is moderate and the target is very high.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Participation owners in upper catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along Toolern Creek from confluence with Werribee River to the headwaters by removing barriers at Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Instream Connectivity Melton South (near Exford Road) and High St, Melton values. The current state is very low and the target is moderate. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 35 Werribee River Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Werribee River originates in the Wombat State Forest on the Great Dividing Range, and flows for state trajectory trajectory about 110km south-east via to the north-western shores of Port Phillip Bay. The lower reaches flow Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of through market gardens in Werribee South, with considerable areas of the catchment also used for climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. open space and recreation (such as golf courses) and housing. Land clearing, agriculture and Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important Ramsar-listed wetland. urbanisation have contributed to widespread erosion, increased nutrient levels and salinity, and loss of habitat for aquatic life. Fish are currently rated low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, flow stress (including urban stormwater impacts) and several barriers to migration, such as the Werribee diversion weir. Threatened Australian grayling have been recently recorded in the lower reaches. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation, increased flow and removal fish barriers are expected to increase the rating to very high in the long term. Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Waterway value targets are established should be maintained as moderate. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely due to a lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and urban stormwater. There are no known listed 10 - 50 years species in this sub-catchment. With improvements to riparian vegetation and progressive treatment of urban stormwater, the rating is expected to increase to moderate in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to Platypus is currently rated as low in Werribee River as a result of lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and being disconnected from populations further targets improve waterway values. upstream. Improvements to riparian habitat and management of other key threats such as flow stress, urban stormwater (including litter) the rating is predicted 10+ years to improve to moderate in the long term.

MAP Vegetation is rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmented as a result of large scale landuse change and persistent threats. There are 7 listed water Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives dependent species remaining and 7 BCS endangered EVCs. Improving the quality and extent of riparian vegetation will increase the rating to moderate in the long the waterway conditions. term.

1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to very high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High very high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (24 km) and maintain existing vegetation (24 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is high.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Eynesbury and Melton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of the Werribee Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater River remains below 1.1% at Cobbledicks Ford. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.5 ML/y and infiltrating 0.5 ML/y, no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry which is about 2.9 GL/y and 0.4 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary. users. The current state is very low and the target is high.

Increase access (about 5 km of path) along waterways by improving connections with existing path network and extending Werribee River trail (part of Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access longer term project to have continuous trail from Melton Reservoir to the Bay). Investigate opportunities to improve access for on-water activities. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners in upper Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality – Recreational Protect recreational water quality in Werribee River to support existing recreational activities. state is low and the target is very high.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along the Werribee River between the mouth and Melton Reservoir by removing 8 barriers in the lower Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Instream Connectivity reaches and another at Cobbledicks Ford objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. values. The current state is very low and the target is moderate. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of Investigate options to increase the environmental water reserve by 7 GL by 2028 to meet ecological watering objectives and cover projected shortfalls. 8 Water for Environment naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment, which reflects targets for whole catchment. and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. No data exists for this sub-catchment.

36 Werribee River Lower Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Werribee River originates in the Wombat State Forest on the Great Dividing Range, and flows for state trajectory trajectory about 110km south-east via to the north-western shores of Port Phillip Bay. The lower reaches flow Birds (riparian) score is moderate, meaning most of the expected species occurred but some of these were only infrequently recorded. Despite the effects of through market gardens in Werribee South, with considerable areas of the catchment also used for climate change adequate investment in targeted management, such as riparian revegetation, should ensure the riparian bird score is maintained at moderate. open space and recreation (such as golf courses) and housing. Land clearing, agriculture and Several listed species of (estuarine) shorebird occur, which includes an internationally important Ramsar-listed wetland. urbanisation have contributed to widespread erosion, increased nutrient levels and salinity, and loss of habitat for aquatic life. Fish are currently rated low due to lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat, flow stress (including urban stormwater impacts) and several barriers to migration, such as the Werribee diversion weir. Threatened Australian grayling have been recently recorded in the lower reaches. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to riparian vegetation, increased flow and removal fish barriers are expected to increase the rating to very high in the long term. Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedshould be maintained as moderate. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as low largely due tocommunity. a lack of suitable To instream sign-up and riparianyourself habitat or andorganisation urban stormwater. as aThere partner are no knownto listed 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy species in this sub-catchment. With improvements to riparianthis vegetation Strategy and visit:progressive treatment of urban stormwater, the rating is expected to increase to seeks to put the community moderateat the centre in the long of term. waterways Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systemsPlatypus isto currently share rated knowledge as low in Werribee and River as a result of lack of suitable instream and riparian habitat and being disconnected from populations further targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesupstream. and Improvements stakeholders, to riparian and habitat to and management of other key threats such as flow stress, urban stormwater (including litter) the rating is predicted Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influenceto improve to moderatewaterways in the longmanagement term. As the Healthy Waterways Strategy moves towards being MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as low. It is highly modified and fragmented as a result of large scale landuse change and persistent threats. There are 7 listed water Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Performance objectives dependent species remaining and 7 BCS endangered EVCs. finalised,Improving the qualitywe are and holdingextent of riparianworkshops vegetation in will each increase catchment the rating to tomoderate in the long the waterway conditions. Becoming a committed partnerterm. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity high but likely to input decline toin long-term the draft if environmental Healthy Waterways values decline; target Strategy is to improve has to very developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. very high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The forcurrent healthier state is moderate waterways and the intarget the is Werribeemoderate. catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (24 km) and maintain existing vegetation (24 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least a Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent level 3 vegetation quality). moderate and the target is high.

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Eynesbury and Melton) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of the Werribee Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Stormwater River remains below 1.1% at Cobbledicks Ford. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 3.5 ML/y and infiltrating 0.5 ML/y, no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry which is about 2.9 GL/y and 0.4 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary. users. The current state is very low and the target is high.

Increase access (about 5 km of path) along waterways by improving connections with existing path network and extending Werribee River trail (part of Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access longer term project to have continuous trail from Melton Reservoir to the Bay). Investigate opportunities to improve access for on-water activities. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is low and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners in upper Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation catchment through rural programs. Increase support for community/environment groups as population increases. state is low and the target is high.

Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality – Recreational Protect recreational water quality in Werribee River to support existing recreational activities. state is low and the target is very high.

Increase instream connectivity provide fish passage along the Werribee River between the mouth and Melton Reservoir by removing 8 barriers in the lower Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Instream Connectivity reaches and another at Cobbledicks Ford objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. values. The current state is very low and the target is moderate. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of Investigate options to increase the environmental water reserve by 7 GL by 2028 to meet ecological watering objectives and cover projected shortfalls. 8 Water for Environment naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment, which reflects targets for whole catchment. and the target is high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. No data exists for this sub-catchment.

130 37 Werribee River Middle Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Werribee River rises in the Wombat State Forest and flows through Ballan, Werribee Gorge State state trajectory trajectory Park, Bacchus Marsh, Melton South, Werribee and the Western Treatment Plant before entering Port Phillip at Werribee South. The middle reaches lie between the Pykes Creek confluence and the We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in Melton Reservoir. Other tributaries in this area include Myrniong, Korkuperimmul, Pyrites, targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Powerful Owl Djerriwarrh and Toolern creeks and the lower reach of Lerderderg River. Water storages in the and Eastern Great Egret. Middle Werribee River management unit include the Pykes Creek, Djerriwarrh and Merrimu reservoirs. Fish are currently rated very low largely resulting from flow stress and barriers to fish migration, such as Melton Reservoir. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to flow including stormwater management in townships such as Ballan, are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Waterway value targets are established should be maintained as moderate. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as high with good instream and riparian habitat along many reaches within the sub-catchment. There are no known listed 10 - 50 years species in this sub-catchment. With further improvements to riparian vegetation and appropriate management of future stormwater impacts the macroinvertebrate rating is expected to increase to very high in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to Platypus is currently rated as low largely as a result flow stress and disconnection from populations further upstream and downstream. Improvements to key targets improve waterway values. threats such as flow stress including urban stormwater and litter is predicted to maintain platypus in this sub catchment in the face of future urban growth and 10+ years climate change.

MAP Vegetation is rated as moderate however there are areas of high quality particularly around the Werribee Gorge park and along Pyrites Creek and Djerriwarrh Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Creeks. The rating is predicted to decline to low without adequate management of existing emerging threats such weeds, pest animals and the impacts of climate Performance objectives the waterway conditions. change. There are 34 listed water dependent species remaining and 14 BCS endangered EVCs. Protection of the best areas and targeted revegetation to improve some areas will ensure the rating remains moderate overall. 1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (51 km) and maintain existing vegetation (112 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent a level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km moderate and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 111 km) through effective monitoring and Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry protected. users. The current state is moderate and the target is high.

Increase access along waterways (about 2 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new urban areas. Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access Investigate opportunities to improve access for on-water activities. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners through Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation rural programs. Increase participation though promotion of high value areas (e.g. Werribee Gorge State Park). state is moderate and the target is high.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Djerriwarrh catchment. Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality - Environmental This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is very low and the target is low.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Pyrites Creek catchment Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water Quality - Environmental downstream of Merrimu. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is high.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water Quality - Environmental Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land around Bacchus Marsh. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 Water for Environment Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment (Werribee River Lower), which reflects targets for whole catchment. naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches in Werribee Gorge and surrounds to support platypus populations and 9 Water for Environment and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and instream environmental values the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is high.

Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values 11 Vegetation Quality and threats

38 Werribee River Middle Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential Werribee River rises in the Wombat State Forest and flows through Ballan, Werribee Gorge State state trajectory trajectory Park, Bacchus Marsh, Melton South, Werribee and the Western Treatment Plant before entering Port Phillip at Werribee South. The middle reaches lie between the Pykes Creek confluence and the We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in Melton Reservoir. Other tributaries in this area include Myrniong, Korkuperimmul, Pyrites, targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Powerful Owl Djerriwarrh and Toolern creeks and the lower reach of Lerderderg River. Water storages in the and Eastern Great Egret. Middle Werribee River management unit include the Pykes Creek, Djerriwarrh and Merrimu reservoirs. Fish are currently rated very low largely resulting from flow stress and barriers to fish migration, such as Melton Reservoir. The increased current trajectory is driven by habitat suitability for common and widespread species predicted under climate change conditions. Improvements to flow including stormwater management in townships such as Ballan, are expected to increase the rating to moderate in the long term.

Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedshould be maintained as moderate. Significant species include endangered Growling Grass Frog. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as high with good instreamcommunity. and riparian To habitat sign-up along yourself many reaches or organisationwithin the sub-catchment. as a partner There are tono known listed 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy species in this sub-catchment. With further improvements thisto riparian Strategy vegetation visit: and appropriate management of future stormwater impacts the seeks to put the community macroinvertebrateat the centre ratingof waterways is expected to increase to very high in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systemsPlatypus isto currently share rated knowledge as low largely and as a result flow stress and disconnection from populations further upstream and downstream. Improvements to key targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesthreats such and as flowstakeholders, stress including andurban to stormwater and litter is predicted to maintain platypus in this sub catchment in the face of future urban growth and Next steps 10+ years empower participation and influenceclimate change. waterways management MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is science.rated as moderate however there are areas ofAs high the quality Healthy particularly Waterways around the Werribee Strategy Gorge moves park and alongtowards Pyrites being Creek and Djerriwarrh Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving Creeks. The rating is predicted to decline to low without adequate management of existing emerging threats such weeds, pest animals and the impacts of climate Performance objectives finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to the waterway conditions. change. There are 34 listed water dependent species remaining and 14 BCS endangered EVCs. Protection of the best areas and targeted revegetation to improve Becoming a committed partnersome areas will ensure the rating remains moderate overall.explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on councils,level of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity moderate but likely input to decline to the in long-term draft Healthy if environmental Waterways values decline; Strategy target is hasto improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the future.Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to seeingin long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebrating with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is high waterways and the target in is verythe high.Werribee catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (51 km) and maintain existing vegetation (112 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is 1 Vegetation Extent a level 3 vegetation quality). In addition to improve social values increase vegetation cover in existing and planned urban areas by 1 km moderate and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 111 km) through effective monitoring and Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is 2 Vegetation Quality management of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry protected. users. The current state is moderate and the target is high.

Increase access along waterways (about 2 km of path) by improving connections with existing path network and extending paths into new urban areas. Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Access Investigate opportunities to improve access for on-water activities. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from low to high; support community groups, connect with growth area communities and build capacity of land owners through Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation rural programs. Increase participation though promotion of high value areas (e.g. Werribee Gorge State Park). state is moderate and the target is high.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Djerriwarrh catchment. Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality - Environmental This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is very low and the target is low.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land in the Pyrites Creek catchment Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water Quality - Environmental downstream of Merrimu. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is high.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water Quality - Environmental Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land around Bacchus Marsh. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of 8 Water for Environment Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment (Werribee River Lower), which reflects targets for whole catchment. naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches in Werribee Gorge and surrounds to support platypus populations and 9 Water for Environment and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is high and instream environmental values the target is high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 Physical form Investigate and mitigate threats to physical form and other high values of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is low and the target is high.

Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values 11 Vegetation Quality and threats

130 39 Werribee River Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory Werribee River rises in the Wombat State Forest and flows through Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton South, Werribee and the Western Treatment Plant before entering Port Phillip Bay at Werribee We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in South. The upper reaches lie upstream of the Pykes Creek confluence, between Ballan and Bacchus targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Powerful Owl. Marsh. Korweinguboora Creek, Dale Creek and Stony Hut Creek are within this area although theses creeks do not join the Werribee River until its middle reaches. Fish are currently rated as low which is primarily due to it being a headwater system where low richness is expected, however fish barriers are also limiting their diversity. There are a number of species which are predicted to decline with impacts from climate change. Improvements to riparian vegetation and removal fish barriers in the long term are expected to prevent decline and maintain the existing fish rating.

Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Waterway value targets are established should be maintained as moderate. values to ensure goals are on track. targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as very high with much of the sub catchment forested with good instream and riparian habitat, particularly in the upper 10 - 50 years reaches. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment. Monitoring and maintenance of existing high quality habitats and improvements to areas where riparian and instream habitat is lacking is expected to maintain the very high rating in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to targets improve waterway values. Platypus are currently rated as moderate which is largely due to isolation from downstream populations. Management of flows in the face of climate change, as well as improvements to riparian vegetation in priority areas is expected to maintain the rating as moderate. 10+ years

MAP Vegetation is rated as moderate, however with this may be limited due to a lack of data for the forested areas which are likely to be very high quality. The rating is Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving predicted to decline to low without adequate management of existing emerging threats such weeds, pest animals and the impacts of climate change. There are 7 Performance objectives the waterway conditions. listed water dependent species remaining and 10 BCS endangered EVCs. Protection of the best areas and targeted revegetation to improve some areas will ensure the rating remains moderate overall. 1 - 10 years Amenity, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently moderate but likely to decline in long-term if environmental values decline; target is to improve to high. How to read the targets scores? WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions Community connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through implementing the Strategy Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if supply doesn’t keep up with population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High maintain as high.

For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection. The current state is very high and the target is very high. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Ballan) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of the Werribee River (and its Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Stormwater tributaries) remains below 0.2% upstream of Bacchus Marsh. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 5.1 ML/y and and the target is high. infiltrating 1.6 ML/y, which is about 0.8 GL/y and 0.3 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (45 km) and maintain existing vegetation (126 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry a level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is very high and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 92 km) through effective monitoring and management Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, Landcare projects and citizen science. Build capacity of land owners Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation through rural programs. state is high and the target is very high.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land and septic tanks upstream of Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality - Environmental Ballan. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is very low and the target is high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water for Environment Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment (Werribee River Lower), which reflects targets for whole catchment. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values 8 Vegetation Quality naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and threats and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

40 Werribee River Upper Sub-catchment

TARGETS SCORES

Current Current Potential state trajectory trajectory Werribee River rises in the Wombat State Forest and flows through Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton South, Werribee and the Western Treatment Plant before entering Port Phillip Bay at Werribee We have insufficient data to estimate a riparian bird score for the period 2012 to 2017. Despite the effects of climate change we believe adequate investment in South. The upper reaches lie upstream of the Pykes Creek confluence, between Ballan and Bacchus targeted management such as riparian revegetation should ensure a riparian bird score of moderate. Significant species of riparian bird include the Powerful Owl. Marsh. Korweinguboora Creek, Dale Creek and Stony Hut Creek are within this area although theses creeks do not join the Werribee River until its middle reaches. Fish are currently rated as low which is primarily due to it being a headwater system where low richness is expected, however fish barriers are also limiting their diversity. There are a number of species which are predicted to decline with impacts from climate change. Improvements to riparian vegetation and removal fish barriers in the long term are expected to prevent decline and maintain the existing fish rating.

Targets Frog score is moderate since not as many species of frog were recorded there as expected given the survey effort. With appropriate management the score Waterway Anyone can get involved by joining Friends, Landcare or other Waterway value targets are established Getting involvedshould be maintained as moderate. values to ensure goals are on track. volunteer groups and becoming part of our committed catchment targets Macroinvertebrates are currently rated as very high with muchcommunity. of the sub catchment To sign-up forested yourself with good instreamor organisation and riparian habitat, as a partner particularly to in the upper 10 - 50 years Waterways are community assets – and this draft Strategy reaches. There are no known listed species in this sub-catchment.this Strategy Monitoring visit:and maintenance of existing high quality habitats and improvements to areas seeks to put the communitywhere at the riparian centre and instreamof waterways habitat is lacking is expected to maintain the very high rating in the long term. Waterway Waterway management focuses on ensuring yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways conditions waterway conditions are appropriate to management. It proposes systems to share knowledge and targets improve waterway values. information between communitiesPlatypus are and currently stakeholders, rated as moderate and which to is largely due to isolation from downstream populations. Management of flows in the face of climate change, as well as improvements to riparian vegetation in priority areasNext is expected steps to maintain the rating as moderate. 10+ years empower participation and influence waterways management MAP through capacity building andVegetation citizen is ratedscience. as moderate, however with this may beAs limited the due Healthy to a lack of Waterways data for the forested Strategy areas which moves are likely towards to be very being high quality. The rating is Guide activities and indicate progress towards improving predicted to decline to low without adequate management of existing emerging threats such weeds, pest animals and the impacts of climate change. There are 7 Performance objectives finalised, we are holding workshops in each catchment to the waterway conditions. listed water dependent species remaining and 10 BCS endangered EVCs. Protection of the best areas and targeted revegetation to improve some areas will Becoming a committed partnerensure the rating remains moderate overall. explore what’s next. 1 - 10 years Caring for our waterways involvesAmenity, whichcommunity, is based on levelcouncils, of satisfaction, is currentlyCommunity moderate but likely input to decline to the in long-term draft Healthy if environmental Waterways values decline; Strategy target is tohas improve to developers, Traditional Owners,high. farmers and other government

WATERWAY VALUES TARGETS YEARS) - 50 (10 been invaluable in creating collective targets and performance How to read the targets scores? agencies. It is only by working together that we can achieve Current state - current score of waterway values and conditions objectives that we all share and want to achieve. Check healthy waterways into the Communityfuture. connection, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currently high but likely to decline in long-term if opportunities don’t keep up with population Current trajectory - long-term scores if current policies and effort continue www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/healthy-waterways growth; target is very high. Potential trajectory - targets for the long-term scores to be achieved through People play a major part in ensuring that the Werribee for ways to participate. implementing the Strategy catchment remains a place of natural beauty and somewhere Recreation, which is based on level of satisfaction, is currentlyWe high look but likelyforward to decline to inseeing long-term those if supply interested doesn’t keep in up celebratingwith population growth; target is to Score key:  Very Low  Low  Moderate  High  Very High that people can enjoy. maintain as high. the work achieved to date, and outlining how the feedback we received informed the writing of the draft Strategy. For description of scores see metrics tables at end of document For this Strategy to be effective, it needs collective action. Working together, we can realise the full value of the Werribee’s We will also discuss how we can continue to work together waterways – economic, cultural, social and environmental. to achieve the targets and performance objectives we’ve set PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Stormwater Condition is measured by directly connected imperviousness (DCI), which is the proportion of the impervious surface in the catchment that is directly connected to a stream through a conventional drainage connection.ourselves The currentfor healthier state is very waterways high and the target in the is very Werribee high. catchment. PO-ID Condition Supported Performance Objectives

Prevent decline in stormwater condition, treat urban development (e.g. Ballan) so directly connected imperviousness (DCI) of the Werribee River (and its Physical form is the degree of geomorphic naturalness combined with likelihood of erosion occurring along bed or banks of waterways. The current state is high 1 Stormwater tributaries) remains below 0.2% upstream of Bacchus Marsh. For every hectare of new impervious area, this requires harvesting around 5.1 ML/y and and the target is high. infiltrating 1.6 ML/y, which is about 0.8 GL/y and 0.3 GL/y for full development to the urban growth boundary.

Water for environment indicates compliance with flow requirements of freshwater river systems. These are identified through FLOWS method, or (where there is Establish a continuous riparian vegetated buffer (45 km) and maintain existing vegetation (126 km) along priority reaches (using EVC benchmarks to at least 2 Vegetation Extent no flow study) Flow Stress Ranking (FSR), which indicates the level of threat to river health based on the level of water extractions by rural, urban and industry a level 3 vegetation quality). users. The current state is very high and the target is high.

Maintain or achieve high and very high quality vegetation (Vegetation Quality level 4 and 5 - currently 92 km) through effective monitoring and management Vegetation Quality is a description of quality of vegetation relative to Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) and accounting for grassland or sparsely treed 3 Vegetation Quality of threats including protection of endangered EVCs in these reaches. Fill data gaps and ensure additional high quality reaches are also protected. woodland communities which do not exhibit 100 per cent canopy cover. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Increase participation rates from moderate to very high; support community groups, Landcare projects and citizen science. Build capacity of land owners Vegetation Extent denotes the percentage of reach that has continuous indigenous vegetation cover within 20 metres either side of the stream. The current 4 Participation through rural programs. state is high and the target is very high.

Improve water quality for environmental values and Port Phillip Bay by reducing turbidity and nutrient run-off from rural land and septic tanks upstream of Instream Connectivity is measured by the proportion of waterway length within the management unit that is free from barriers to fish movement. The current 5 Water Quality - Environmental Ballan. This may include establishment of vegetated buffers in headwater streams. state is very low and the target is high.

Water Quality (Environmental) indicates compliance with the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria environmental water quality 6 Water for Environment Environmental water recovery targets are captured at lowest downstream subcatchment (Werribee River Lower), which reflects targets for whole catchment. objectives (EPA Water Quality Index) using the Yarra and Bay Report Card Scoring Method. The current state is moderate and the target is moderate.

Access to the waterway and riparian corridor supports a range of on water, in water and beside water experiences and is an enabling condition for all three social 7 Water for Environment Identify opportunities to maintain or improve the flow regime in refuge reaches to support platypus populations. values. The current state is very low and the target is low. WATERWAY CONDITIONS TARGETS)YEAR (10+

Aesthetics (Litter) is a strong indicator of stream health – clean waterways are healthy waterways and aesthetically pleasing. Litter detracts from the sense of Improve understanding of the extent, composition and condition of high and very high quality vegetation, and effectively monitor and manage both values 8 Vegetation Quality naturalness and creates a perception that a place is uncared for. It also detracts from the enjoyment of active and passive recreation. The current state is high and threats and the target is very high.

Water Quality (Recreational) is critical to minimise human health risks. Exposure to pathogens (disease causing microorganisms) via primary (e.g. swimming) 9 and/or secondary (e.g boating) can lead to illness. Water quality guidelines set water standards for primary and secondary contact. The current state is very high and the target is very high.

Participation in waterway management creates and enhances a sense of community. Similarly, citizen science strengthens social capital by increasing knowledge 10 of environmental / ecosystem services, skills and capacities, allowing people to meet and enhance social networks. The current state is moderate and the target is very high.

130 41