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PROTECTING the YARRA RIVER (BIRRARUNG) Discussion Paper

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PROTECTING the YARRA RIVER (BIRRARUNG) Discussion Paper PROTECTING THE YARRA RIVER (BIRRARUNG) Discussion Paper Prepared by: Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee 1 The Yarra River traverses Provides around The Yarra River is The river’s catchment covers 2 9 242km 4076km 70% in length L cal C uncils of Melbourne’s drinking water spanning from the pristine (including 24 tributaries) forests of the Yarra Ranges to the mouth at Port Phillip Bay 10km 4th 1/3 Over sea water travels upstream highest yield of water per of Victoria’s animal 190 to Dights Falls hectare of catchment species are found in the in Victoria Yarra catchment species of birds inhabit the Yarra River corridor 2 The Yarra is Melbourne Water has Aboriginal people called spent approx the river ‘Birrarung’ ‘shadows of the mists’ and ‘Yarra Yarra’ means ‘ever flowing’ in the $290m Wurundjeri language brown on river health improvements in colour in the lower reaches over the past 5 years due to suspended silt carried downstream Over There are There are Over 30,000 38 16 1,000 bats live at Yarra Bend park mammal species including reptile species known to inhabit the cyclists travel along the Main Yarra in summer platypus, gliders and bandicoots Yarra River including skinks, turtles, Trail between 7am and 9am snakes and lizards on weekdays 3 Chapter 6: Options for governance reform Acknowledgement The Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee proudly acknowledges Victoria’s Aboriginal 1 communities and their rich culture and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s first peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely. 1 This discussion paper uses the term ‘Aboriginal’ rather than ‘Indigenous’ We recognise the intrinsic connection of Traditional to refer to the First Nation Peoples of Owners to Country and value their contribution to mainland Australia as the managing the land, water and natural landscape. We discussion paper relates specifically to the Yarra acknowledge the ongoing contribution this makes to the River and its catchment. The Yarra MAC recognises Yarra River catchment. that the term ‘Aboriginal’ refers to several specific individuals and We support the need for genuine and lasting communities in Victoria. partnerships with Aboriginal people and communities to The term ‘Indigenous’ is retained in the names understand their culture and connections to Country in of and references to the way we plan for and manage the Yarra River corridor programs, initiatives and publication titles: and its environs. unless otherwise noted, it is inclusive of both Aboriginal and Torres We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards Strait Islander people. equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice. i Purpose of this discussion paper This discussion paper was developed by the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee (Yarra MAC) to promote community discussion about opportunities to improve the oversight and management of the Yarra River. It was developed through consultation with a reference group and key stakeholders about the most important issues and opportunities that need to be addressed. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i 5. A NEW MANAGEMENT MODEL 43 5.1 A community vision for the entire length of the Yarra 44 PURPOSE OF THIS DISCUSSION PAPER ii 5.2 A Yarra strategic plan 46 5.3 A Yarra (Birrarung) Protection Act 48 CHAIR’S MESSAGE v 5.4 Improved institutional arrangements 49 1. INTRODUCTION 1 APPENDICES 53 1.1 The Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee 2 GLOSSARY 54 1.2 Changing policy settings 4 1.3 Have your say 5 THE MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 55 2. STEWARDSHIP OVER TIME 7 THE YARRA RIVER PROTECTION 2.1 Aboriginal peoples’ relationship with the Yarra 8 REFERENCE GROUP 56 2.2 European settlement 9 2.3 Investment and regulation so far 10 YARRA REFERENCE GROUP ISSUES AND Contents OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOPS 57 3. THE YARRA RIVER TODAY 15 3.1 Significance 16 YARRA RIVER ECOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AMENITY AND ECONOMIC VALUES 58 3.2 River health 19 3.3 Water quality 20 3.4 Estuary habitat 22 MAPS 62 3.5 Impact on Port Inner–city Yarra reach 63 Phillip Bay 22 Suburban Yarra reach 64 3.6 Urban parklands and open spaces 23 Rural Yarra reach 66 3.7 Amenity 25 Upper Yarra reach 68 3.8 Values 25 3.9 Characteristics of each reach 26 3.10 Key issues and opportunities 28 4. THE CASE FOR CHANGE 33 4.1 Current legislative, regulatory and management frameworks 34 4.2 Roles and responsibilities 36 4.3 Environmental advocacy 36 4.4 Current governance challenges 36 4.5 Future challenges 40 iv Chair’s message The Yarra River is a Since Melbourne ‘rediscovered’ the Yarra of Melbourne’s water and include some in the 1980s and the city reoriented itself of Victoria’s richest farmland. Many of our valuable natural asset that by developing Southbank, Docklands and famous vineyards rely on the river’s water needs to be protected for Birrarung Marr, there has been increased for irrigation and it is surrounded by some interest in and concern about the health of Melbourne’s most sought-after and the benefit and enjoyment of the river and debate about the impacts expensive real estate. Its parklands and of future generations. of development along its corridor. open space are the most heavily utilised This period has coincided with major in the state and its waters are the setting changes in the institutions responsible for rowers, kayakers and Melbourne’s for urban planning, catchment and river commercial ferryboats. Its port is the To ensure that we have in place an management, open space planning busiest in Australia. For Aboriginal effective management model to develop and management, and environmental communities it is a place of great and implement a vision and plan for the protection. spiritual and cultural significance; for Yarra River, the Minister for Planning and all Melburnians the river helps us define then Minister for Environment, Climate There is concern that current institutional where we live. Given such complexity, the Change and Water established the Yarra and regulatory arrangements leave planning and management of the river River Protection Ministerial Advisory the river vulnerable to the increasing will always be challenging. However, we Committee (Yarra MAC) to consult with pressures of urban development and cannot afford for such a precious natural stakeholders and provide independent cannot deliver on the community’s asset to be degraded. advice about the key issues and expectations for a healthy river that can opportunities. sustain the demands of a population that I encourage you to contribute to the seeks greater use and enjoyment of the Yarra MAC’s work to protect the Yarra Throughout Melbourne’s history, attitudes river environment. River (Birrarung) as we seek to ensure to the uses of the Yarra River (including that future generations have the the riverbanks, parklands, trails and Because of their geography, rivers are opportunity to enjoy the river’s many adjacent land) have evolved in a complex always subject to complex management values by strengthening management relationship with the inhabitants of the arrangements. The Yarra traverses arrangements and ensuring a strong region. Similarly, perceptions of the more than 200 km of urban and rural community voice in governance and value of this asset have also changed. landscapes. The river and its floodplains oversight of the river. At different stages, there have been extend across many thousands of great plans and major investments to hectares of private land as well as public implement them. There have also been land managed by numerous local and Chris Chesterfield periods of neglect and periods of great state government authorities. The river Chair, Yarra River Protection debate and contention. and its catchment are the major source Ministerial Advisory Committee v Protecting the Yarra River (Birrarung) 1. Introduction 1 Introduction The Victorian Government has committed to protecting the Yarra River’s amenity and significance by introducing legislation, stronger planning controls and a trust or similar entity. Before preparing new legislation to protect the Yarra River the government established the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee (Yarra MAC) to assess the effectiveness of current governance arrangements. The Yarra River Protection Reference governance arrangements for protecting The Yarra MAC has adopted an approach Group (Yarra Reference Group) has also the Yarra River. Its advice covers the that includes: been established to help the Yarra MAC entire length of the Yarra River from and government better understand its source in the headwaters above the • regularly engaging with the partners the key issues, opportunities and Upper Yarra Reservoir to Port Phillip Bay. that have responsibilities for decision- reform options for protecting the river. Its advice does not cover the waters of making and management of the Yarra It comprises representatives of the the Port of Melbourne and the regulation River and with key environmental organisations with direct oversight and of on-water activities, commercial boats advocates management responsibilities for the and berthing. • investigating governance issues Yarra River and its riverscape (11 councils, The Yarra MAC is to provide its advice to to provide an evidence base for Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and evaluating options Environment Protection Authority [EPA] government by the end of 2016 and are Victoria) and of environmental advocacy examining arrangements for three key • developing a discussion paper groups for the Yarra (Yarra Riverkeeper aspects of the Yarra River: for public release as the basis Association and Environmental Justice 1. waterway health (stream, riverbanks for discussion and debate about Victoria). and vegetation) improvements to the oversight and management of the Yarra River 1.1 The Yarra River 2. community use, access and amenity • providing a range of opportunities for Protection Ministerial of the river and its network of parklands and open spaces people to voice their views Advisory Committee 3.
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