Yarra River 50-year Community Vision Wilip-gin Birrarung murron Melbourne Water and the members of the Yarra River Community Assembly would like to sincerely thank the Wurundjeri Elders, family and staff who took part in and observed the vision development process.
We pay our respects to Wurundjeri Elders past, present and future and greatly appreciate the insights and reflections provided by those who attended.
WURUNDJERI FOREWORD FOR THE WURUNDJERIYARRAWURUNDJERI RIVER COMMUNITYFOREWORD FOREWORD FOR VISION FOR THETHE YARRA YARRA RIVER RIVER COMMUNITY COMMUNITY VISION VISION
GanbuGanbu gulinj gulinj Narrm, Narrm, WurundjeriWurundjeri Gulinj Gulinj nuringianith nuringianith biik biik baambuth baambuth The First People of Melbourne, the Wurundjeri People, have TheThe beenFirst First Peoplecaring People forof Melbourne,of Country Melbourne, since the thethe Wurundjeri Wurundjeribeginning People, of People, time have have beenbeen caring caring for for Country Country since since the the beginning beginning of timeof time
The Birrarung is a river of mists and shadows - the The Wurundjeri have lived with and known the The Wurundjeri believe that we need to change how river and its environs are a living, breathing entity Birrarung since the beginning. The Birrarung is now all Victorians think about and actively respect the that follows Wurundjeri songlinesThe Birrarung and forms is a river a of mists sharedand shadows by many - the Victorians, Ourwho songlines value the have river been and sustained Birrarung. even though We believe many we need to see not a resource central part of the Dreamingriver of and the its Wurundjeri. environs are a living,its breathing surrounds entity for what they bringof the tocreeks the beauty have dried of our up andto billabongs be exploited been but rather to recognise the complex, A Dreaming that links the billabongs,TheThe Birrarung Birrarung wetlands is a isriver a river of mists of mists andcity. and shadows In sharingshadows - the in - thethe benefitsOur thatOur songlines songlinesthe river have haveprovides, been been sustained sustainedliving even system even though though that many is many sensitive to its surrounds and a that follows Wurundjeri songlines and forms a central destroyed. Rubbish, sediment and pollutants have built and swamps in the upstreamriver riverforests, and and its environsacross its environs the are area living, a living,we breathing must breathing also entity share entity responsibility of theof thecreeksfor creekspreserving have have dried anddried up andup uniquelyand billabongs billabongs Victorian been been treasure. By engaging with those meandering plains and outthatpart tothat the followsof the followssalt Dreaming Wurundjeri water. Wurundjeri We of songlinesthe songlinesWurundjeri.restoring and and forms A formsthe Dreaming a wellbeingcentral a central of thedestroyed.up Birrarung. anddestroyed. are Rubbish,choking Rubbish, thesediment river,sediment stopping andpartners and pollutants pollutantsthe with Birrarung have whom have built webuilt now share the river we, Wurundjeri are connected partthatto thepart oflinks theBirrarung of the theDreaming billabongs, Dreaming through of the ofwetlands theWurundjeri. Wurundjeri. and swamps A Dreaming A Dreaming in the upfrom andup breathing and are arechoking choking clearly. the theTheriver, river, health stoppingtogether, stopping of the the Birrarung aretheBirrarung capableBirrarung of turning around the damage spirit, culture and nature. Thethatupstreamthat riverlinks links the followsforests, thebillabongs, billabongs, theacross paths wetlandsthe wetlandsmeanderingThe and city and swamps of plains swamps Melbourne inand the in the grew fromunderpins outfrom frombreathing breathing the healthbanks clearly. clearly. of of The Wurundjeri The health healthof theof People, the ofpast theBirrarung and andBirrarung theacting to restore the river and its the Birrarung – the river has allowed it to become that our ancestors have travelledupstreamout upstreamto the for forests,salt thousands forests, water. across Weacross of the themeanderingWurundjeri meandering areplains connectedplains and and underpinsdamageunderpins that the has thehealth been health of done Wurundjeri of Wurundjeri overenvironment the People, past People, two and for centuries and the the the future use and enjoyment of all. the vibrant city it is today, but this has come at years - providing for them toas the now Birrarung it provides through for all spirit, culture and nature. The is felt by all Wurundjeri people. We, along with many out outto the to thesalt saltwater. water. We Wethe theWurundjerigreat Wurundjeri expense are areconnected connectedto the Wurundjeri. damagedamage that that has hasbeen been done done overWurundjeri over the thepast past two invites two centuries centuries all people to see the Birrarung Victorians. river follows the paths that our ancestors have travelled other Victorians, are worried that without a process of to theto theBirrarung Birrarung through through spirit, spirit, culture culture and and nature. nature. The The is feltis feltby all by Wurundjeri all Wurundjeri people. people.through We, We, along along our with eyes, with many tomany talk with us to understand We honour the land and waterriverfor riverthousands offollows the follows Birrarung. the of the pathsyears paths that- providing that our ourancestorsOur for ancestors songlines them have as have now travelled have travelledit been sustainedotherrestorationother Victorians, Victorians,even and though healing are areworried the worried pressures thatour that without values, withouton the a andprocess wellbeing a process to partner of of with us to re-energise Wurundjeri people have a fordeepprovides thousandsfor cultural thousands for all of obligationVictorians. years of years - providing - providingmany for themfor of themthe as creeksnow as now it have it driedrestorationof therestoration up river and andwill billabongs and becomehealing healing the insurmountable. thepressures pressuresthe river on theason we thewellbeing fulfil wellbeing our cultural duty in bringing been destroyed. Rubbish, sediment and pollutants and a birthright to look afterprovides theprovides river for allfor- to Victorians. all make Victorians. of theof theriver river will willbecome become insurmountable. insurmountable.the Birrarung back to environmental, cultural, sure the Birrarung is healthyWe and honour continues the land to and water ofhave the Birrarung.built up and are chokingThe the Wurundjeri river, stopping believe that weceremonial need to change and how spiritual health. the Birrarung from breathing clearly. The health of support the plants and animals,Wurundjeri our community people have a deep cultural obligation and all Victorians think about and actively respect the We Wehonour honour the theland land and and water water ofthe the of Birrarung theBirrarung. Birrarung. underpins theThe healthThe Wurundjeri Wurundjeri of Wurundjeri believe believe that that we needwe need to change to change how how and all people, both those currentlya birthright alive to look and after the the river - to make sure the Birrarung. We believe we need to see not a resource to generations yet to come. WurundjeriWurundjeri people people have have a deep a deep People,cultural cultural obligationand obligation the damage and and thatall Victorianshasall Victorians been thinkdone think about over about and and actively actively respect respect the the aBirrarung birthrighta birthright is tohealthy look to look after and after continuesthe theriver theriver - toto past -makesupport to make two sure thecenturies sure the plants the is feltBirrarung.be by exploitedBirrarung. all Wurundjeri We but Webelieve rather believe we to needwe recognise need to see to the seenot complex, nota resource a resource living to to BirrarungandBirrarung animals, is healthy ouris healthy community and and continues continues andpeople. all to people, support to We, support bothalong the theplantsthose with plants many besystem other exploitedbe exploited that Victorians, isbut sensitive butrather ratherare toto recogniseits to surroundsrecognise the andthecomplex, complex,a uniquely living living andcurrentlyand animals, animals, alive our and ourcommunity the community generations andworried and all yetpeople, all topeople, that come. both without both those those a process systemVictoriansystem of restorationthat treasure. that is sensitive is sensitive By and engaging to its to surrounds its withsurrounds those and partnersand a uniquely a uniquely currentlycurrently alive alive and and the thegenerations generationshealing yet yetto the come. to pressurescome. on theVictorianwith wellbeingVictorian whom treasure. we oftreasure. nowthe By rivershare engagingBy engaging the river with we,with those together, those partners partners are will become insurmountable. The Wurundjeri have lived with and known the withcapablewith whom whomof turningwe nowwe nowaround share share the the theriver damage river we, we,together,of the together, past are and are TheBirrarungThe Wurundjeri Wurundjeri since thehave beginning.have lived lived with with The and Birrarungand known known the is thenow capableactingcapable to of restore turning of turning the around river around andthe thedamageits environmentdamage of the of thepast for past theand and BirrarungsharedBirrarung by since many since the Victorians, thebeginning. beginning. who The value The Birrarung Birrarungthe river is nowand is now its actingfutureacting touse restore toand restore enjoyment the theriver river andof all. and its environment its environment for thefor the Wurundjeri Input into Yarra Strategic Plan sharedsurroundsshared by manyforby manywhat Victorians, theyVictorians, bring who to who value the value beauty the theriver of river ourand andcity. its its futurefuture use useand and enjoyment enjoyment of all. of all. surroundsIn sharingsurrounds forin the whatfor benefits what they they bring that bring tothe the to river thebeauty provides,beauty of our of ourwecity. city. Wurundjeri invites all people to see the Birrarung Inmust sharingIn alsosharing sharein the in responsibilitythebenefits benefits that that forthe preservingtheriver river provides, provides, and we we WurundjerithroughWurundjeri our invites eyes, invites toall talk people all withpeople to us see to seeunderstandthe theBirrarung Birrarung our mustrestoringmust also also theshare wellbeingshare responsibility responsibility of the forBirrarung. preservingfor preserving and and throughvalues,through and our tooureyes, partner eyes, to talk to with talk with us with usto to re-energiseus understand to understand the our river our restoringrestoring the thewellbeing wellbeing of the of theBirrarung. Birrarung. values,as wevalues, fulfil and and toour partner to cultural partner with duty with us in to us bringingre-energise to re-energise the theBirrarung theriver river The city of Melbourne grew out from the banks of asback weas to fulfilwe environmental, fulfil our ourcultural cultural cultural,duty duty in bringinginceremonial bringing the theandBirrarung Birrarung Thethe The Birrarungcity city of Melbourne of – Melbourne the river grew has grew outallowed outfrom from it the to thebanksbecome banks of of backspiritualback to environmental, health.to environmental, cultural, cultural, ceremonial ceremonial and and thethe theBirrarungvibrant Birrarung city – theit – is theriver today, river has but hasallowed this allowed has it tocome it become to atbecome great spiritualspiritual health. health. theexpense thevibrant vibrant to citythe city Wurundjeri.it is ittoday, is today, but butthis this has hascome come at great at great expenseexpense to the to theWurundjeri. Wurundjeri.
Wurundjeri Input into Yarra Strategic Plan
WurundjeriWurundjeri Input Input into Yarrainto Yarra Strategic Strategic Plan Plan Joint Ministers’ Foreword
The Yarra River,Joint Birrarung, is centralMinisters’ to life in Melbourne. ForewordIn another first for Victoria, the Act is co-titled and It is embedded in the cultural heritage of the Traditional part of its preamble is written in Woi-wurrung, a formal Owners and is integral to our thriving sense of community. recognition of the voice of the Traditional Owners in the The river supportsThe Yarra prosperous River, Birrarung, industries is central and the to life in Melbourne.governance In another and protection first for Victoria, of the the Yarra Act isRiver. co-titled and economy, sustainsIt is embedded outstanding in the local cultural produce, heritage provides of the Traditional part of its preamble is written in Woi-wurrung, a formal Owners and is integral to our thriving sense of community. recognition of the voice of the Traditional Owners in the a home for many native species and enhances the The Act enshrines a new statutory body, the Birrarung The river supports prosperous industries and the governance and protection of the Yarra River. liveability of our city. Council, to act as an independent voice for the river and The Hon. Lisa Neville MP economy, sustains outstanding local produce, provides Minister for Water a home for many native species and enhances the enablesThe the Act declaration enshrines aof new parklands statutory and body, open the spaceBirrarung With an increasingliveability population, of our city. climate change and along theCouncil river, asto actthe as Greater an independent Yarra Urban voice Parklands. for the river and The Hon. Lisa Neville MP Minister for Water environmental impacts, now is the time to take action to enables the declaration of parklands and open space ensure the riverWith is anprotected increasing into population, the future. climate change and The Yarraalong Community the river as Vision the Greater set out Yarra in this Urban document Parklands. is environmental impacts, now is the time to take action tothe culmination of extensive community consultation and For the past threeensure years, the river the is Victorian protected Government into the future. has engagements.The Yarra Victorians Community have Vision been set asked out in thisabout document their is been working with the community on the development vision forthe the culmination Yarra, what of extensive is important community to them consultation and how and of a united visionFor the for past the Yarra;three years, one that the Victorian will address Government the has engagements. Victorians have been asked about their been working with the community on the development they would imagine the river in the future. A Community many challenges the river faces, and one that will see it vision for the Yarra, what is important to them and how of a united vision for the Yarra; one that will address theAssembly was held, with 24 Victorians drawn from all parts flourish into the future. they would imagine the river in the future. A Community many challenges the river faces, and one that will see itof the Yarra’sAssembly 242 was kilometre held, with length 24 Victorians coming drawntogether from to all parts flourish into the future. consider the input and define this Community Vision. This Community Vision is part of that action, and is a of the Yarra’s 242 kilometre length coming together to consider the input and define this Community Vision. critical step inThis developing Community the Vision Yarra is Strategic part of that Plan, action, which and is a As you read this document, we ask you to reflect on will define andcritical shape step what in developing we as Victorians the Yarra wantStrategic for our Plan, whichyour visionAs you for read the Yarra,this document, and to get we involvedask you to with reflect the on The Hon. Richard Wynne MP will define and shape what we as Victorians want for our Minister for Planning river, now and into the future. developmentyour vision of the for Yarra the Yarra, Strategic and to Plan get involved to ensure with that the it The Hon. Richard Wynne MP river, now and into the future. Minister for Planning deliversdevelopment on the Community of the Yarra Vision Strategic and is Plan truly to reflective ensure that of it In 2017 the Government introduced stronger planning delivers on the Community Vision and is truly reflective of In 2017 the Government introduced stronger planning our whole community. controls to protect against inappropriate private our whole community. development controlsalong the to protectYarra River, against setting inappropriate tougher privaterules development along the Yarra River, setting tougher rulesWe thank all Victorians who have contributed to the to prevent overshadowing, and introducing mandatory We thank all Victorians who have contributed to the to prevent overshadowing, and introducing mandatory developmentdevelopment of the Yarraof the Vision,Yarra Vision, and to and the to Traditional the Traditional height limits andheight minimum limits and setbacks minimum from setbacks the river’s from the edge. river’s edge. Owners Ownersfor the collaborativefor the collaborative spirit spiritand years and years of heritage of heritage and and knowledge that they have shared as we plan for the future. The landmarkThe Yarra landmark River ProtectionYarra River (Wilip-ginProtection (Wilip-ginBirrarung Birrarung knowledge that they have shared as we plan for the future. murron) Act 2017murron) has Actnow 2017 passed has now into passed law, after into beinglaw, after being introduced intointroduced Parliament into byParliament the Wurundjeri by the Wurundjeri Elders. In Elders. InWe lookWe forward look forward to continuing to continuing to work to work together together to protect to protect and enhance this wonderful natural resource. recognising therecognising river as one the riversingle as living one single entity, living the entity, Act is the Act andis enhance this wonderful natural resource. the first of itsthe kind first in theof its world,kind in andthe clearlyworld, anddemonstrates clearly demonstrates the Victorian Government’s commitment to protect our the Victorian Government’s commitment to protect our TheThe Hon. Hon. Lily Lily D’AmbrosioD’Ambrosio MP MP treasured Yarra River waterway and its parklands for Minister for Energy, treasured Yarra River waterway and its parklands for Minister for Energy, decades to come. Environment and Climate Change decades to come. Environment and Climate Change
Yarra River 50-year Community Vision Wilip-gin Birrarung murron T Y M A U Y R
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