Yarra River 50-year Community Vision Wilip-gin Birrarung murron Water and the members of the 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 , 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

Y MM C

N Inner-City reach suburban reach lower rural reach C R Bay - Dights Falls Dights Falls - Warrandyte Warrandyte - Healesville R M M A Y Y Y R Our Yarra River, Birrarung, is recognised around the world as S an iconic example of a nurturing S relationship between a river and its whole river community. R Flowing from source to sea, it I 50 year is the resilient lifeblood of past, VISION present and future generations of Victorians. It connects and enriches our flourishing city, suburbs, regions and beyond.

8 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION T Y M A U Y R

Y MM C

N lower rural reach C R upper rural reach Warrandyte - Healesville Healesville - Upper Yarra Dam R M M A Y Y Y R Our Yarra River, Birrarung, its Our Yarra River, Birrarung and its the relationship between people essential role in our lives and its rich diverse surrounding landscapes and nature. S history, are respected, understood provide a place of refuge, S Our Yarra River, Birrarung is and protected. It has cared for us recreation, learning and livelihood. respected as a sacred natural for thousands of years and will for It brings communities together living entity and everyone takes R thousands to come. and supports sustainable local responsibility for its care. Its health I The vital and continued role of economies. and integrity are paramount and Traditional Owners as custodians of Its clean waters and connected uncompromised. the River, and its role in their culture, network of thriving green spaces What is good for the Yarra is good is recognised and celebrated. nurture biodiversity, and deepen for all.

YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 9 Upper Yarra Dam - Healesville upper rural reach 50-year vision

Goodness flows from the top down. Careful and innovative management of our Yarra U Y River, Birrarung and its neighbouring lands ensures the R natural replenishment of local billabongs and wetlands and supports a continuous envelope of spectacular indigenous vegetation. Y MM C Our Yarra River, Birrarung supports employment and the social and economic wellbeing of local communities. Those communities and their landholders provide a valuable connection with the natural environment and the water. The potential of our reach’s biodiversity is fostered and enhanced by our enthusiastic local custodians, supporting the environmental health of the entire Yarra Y River, Birrarung.

N C R

Y Y

10 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION Unique character: • The river is surrounded by a • The natural beauty of the majestic natural landscape river is managed through a that embraces mountains, heightened focus on flood and U Y thriving forests and an fire risk for local communities. R abundance of wildlife. • Numerous places along the • The area is supported river are of high cultural by townships with strong significance for the Wurundjeri generational family people, such as the Coranderrk connections to the river and its Station. MM C surrounding lands. Y • Farming and tourism industries, which rely on the river and its surrounding landscape, support employment and are major contributors to the local and regional economy.

Y

N Priorities and values: C R • Promote and celebrate local • Provide an expanded river cultural heritage through access network for recreation collaboration and community and social connection. education. • Foster healthy local ecosystems • Develop new opportunities for the river, its wetlands and around local tourism, including billabongs, which are recharged river-based learning. through environmental flows. • Celebrate and promote • Work with local farming opportunities for people to communities to ensure immerse themselves in the sustainable water use. Y unique landscape, local wildlife • Celebrate personal connections Y and incredible biodiversity. to the river.

YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 11 WarrandyteHealesville - -Warrandyte Healesville lower rural reach vision50-year vision

From Healesville to Warrandyte, our Yarra River, From Yering Gorge, our Yarra River, Birrarung is Birrarung and its surrounding environment continuously replenished by plants and animals from is embraced and cared for through a deep Kinglake and beyond, joining the river on its journey to understanding and sense of custodianship, the way the city. the Wurundjeri have always done. Y It is embraced by a wide, mature cloak of indigenous T vegetation through the flats, filled with the sights and M A sounds of native animals and birds. Our Yarra River, Birrarung is home to happy farmers, making a living and caring for the river and its lands. People visit the river in key locations to meet and play in, on and beside the water whilst learning about its rich history, its Wurundjeri carers and incredible environmental values. Y

Y

12 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION Y T M A

Y Unique character: Priorities and values: • Open, expansive pastoral land • Many parts of the river lack • Improve community access at • Work with the Wurundjeri Y along the river is framed by direct public access, which sensitive locations to enrich people to protect and enhance surrounding mountain ranges. has led to the preservation of local connections, whilst knowledge of local cultural • The Yarra flats (upstream an extensive natural habitat protecting the region’s natural values and sites. of Yering), cleared of native corridor. environment. • Explore innovative tourism vegetation, are used for • Numerous places of high • Bring improved biodiversity opportunities around farming and agri-tourism which cultural significance for to our local area, enhancing activities such as education, contribute significantly to the the Wurundjeri people run indigenous vegetation, animal, cultural heritage and fishing Victorian economy. alongside the river, such as insects and fish in our habitat to showcase rural river • Around Yering Gorge there is an Mount Lofty and the Brushy corridor and surrounding experiences. enclosed corridor of indigenous Creek confluence. billabongs. • Preserve the rural and vegetation replenishing • Foster and support sustainable bush character of the river the river, alongside many agricultural practices which and its landscape through billabongs and wetlands with exist in harmony with the river collaboration and careful high biodiversity values. and its lands. management of future development. YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 13 Warrandyte - Dights Falls Suburban reach 50-year vision

Our Yarra River, Birrarung provides a continuous This is a valued place of connection to Wurundjeri network of protected parklands, providing inclusive culture and community, with a network of hubs of access to all. learning, play and celebration. It benefits from a united A covenant of custodianship is adopted by private and integrated approach to governance and land landowners along the reach, embedding a culture of management, guided by the wisdom and practices of respect and responsibility for river values. Traditional Owners, keeping culture not just in the past but alive into the future. The river corridor provides a healthy natural environment, enabling swimming, relaxation and other recreational activities. Importantly, it also supports a flourishing natural ecosystem, including networks of billabongs and wetlands, for indigenous plants and animals to thrive.

R M M A

Y R

14 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION

R M Unique character: Priorities and values: • The river runs through a • The river is a vital refuge from • Expand the river’s local the benefit of the river and M A landscape which comprises the city with recreation trails parklands and trails to improve the advantage of all in the bushland, farms, urban providing links to inner-city continuous access, increase community, not just the few. environments and more formal Melbourne. biodiversity and enhance river • Collaborate to provide open spaces. • Bolin Bolin Billabong and the health. innovative immersive • The river’s character is varied confluence of the • Celebrate our spiritual experiences with nature by and includes steep gorges, and Yarra River are amongst connection to the river and its expanding natural river tracks expansive floodplains and numerous sites of cultural surrounds. and creating environmental networks of billabongs. significance for the Wurundjeri • Establish new habitat for playgrounds along the corridor. Y R • A near-continuous network of people. endangered birds, fish and • Explore opportunities for accessible parklands, public wildlife. community education and and private golf courses and • Employ collaborative planning connection to Wurundjeri conservation areas support the processes for development knowledge and cultural natural character of the river to ensure changes are for practice and significant sites. corridor, while protecting local populations from flood. YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 15 Dights Falls - Port Phillip Bay Inner-City reach 50-year vision

Our Yarra River, Birrarung is a thriving river for our thriving city. It provides a unique place of transition, both spiritually and physically. Here the river and its treasured banks and backdrops are Melbourne’s meeting place; an inclusive and iconic place for connection, celebration, recreation and learning. Our love for its vast and expanding green spaces and clean waters provide a healthy habitat for all.

MC

R I

16 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION

PORT PHILLIP BAY TO DIGHTS FALLS Unique character: Priorities and values: • The river is seen as an iconic • A modern and growing cityscape • Celebrate the river as the • Expand our connected network symbol of central Melbourne for surrounds sites of Aboriginal centerpiece of Melbourne, of treasured Yarra parklands, locals and visitors - a place where significance and examples of our acknowledging its role in our creating better access and people of all backgrounds have more recent industrial history on history and how it drives the city’s more spaces for relaxation and come together for generations. the edges of the river. continued success. recreation. • It is the site of the first location • It is surrounded by essential • Position the river as a symbol • Showcase the river as a place for of European settlement in spaces for relaxation, recreation of learning and respect for sustainable and creative events, Melbourne, its course and and events for our busy and Aboriginal culture, deepening with a focus on culture, sport, surrounding landscape growing city population. community understanding of the ecology and education. significantly changed and • Its banks are lined with buildings, sacred role it plays for Traditional • Position the river as an modified since. promenades and other social Owners. environmental educator, helping infrastructure. • Foster innovative urban waterway communities better understand and open space planning to its role in keeping Victoria healthy ensure the needs of our growing in the past, present and into the city are balanced with the future future. environmental health of the river.

YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 17 18 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION Emily Joe Jasmine Amelia

Seth Emerson Rose Alyssa

Many thanks to all the children who participated in the Yarra River Library Imaginarium Program in 2017 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 19 Background

The Yarra River, Birrarung and its lands are the lifeblood The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring the 70% of Greater Melbourne, a magnificent natural asset rich long-term health of our iconic river – and to ensuring that in environmental, economic and cultural value flowing community is at the heart of the process. of Melbourne’s through more than 200km of valleys, agricultural land, drinking water is suburbs and into the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Known The Yarra Strategic Plan will set the direction for drawn from the as Birrarung to the Wurundjeri, the river is central to the coordinated future protection and management of the upper reaches of history and culture of Traditional Owners. The Yarra is an Yarra River, for implementation collaboratively across a the Yarra River iconic symbol of Victoria, providing 70% of Melbourne’s range of stakeholders; and include the visions, frameworks drinking water and boasting 2,450 hectares of urban for future land use and decision making and a list of parklands and green open spaces. priority projects for the Yarra River.

From farmers to fishermen, boaters to cyclists, the Yarra The community visions contained in this document form 2,450 and its lands are a community treasure – and we are now the cornerstone of the Yarra Strategic Plan, providing at a turning point in the river’s history. overarching direction for the river, focusing on issues Hectares of urban relating to its long-term health and amenity, and outlining parklands and As Melbourne deals with the challenges of climate change guidelines for land use and development. green open space and population growth, it is crucial the health and amenity surround the of the Yarra is improved and protected for generations to Yarra River come.

Timeline December 2015 June 2016 July 2016 December 2016 February 2017

Yarra Ministerial Protecting the Yarra Public engagement on Yarra MAC recommendations Yarra River Action Plan Advisory Committee River (Birrarung) the discussion paper presented to State Government released (MAC) established Discussion Paper released Feedback collected on Outlined recommendations for Outlined the Formed to provide the key opportunities for supporting projects, early start government’s response independent advice Developed to promote the Yarra River. actions, expanding the model across to the Yarra MAC to government on key community discussion Melbourne, and governance reforms recommendations. issues and opportunities about opportunities to - including the development of a long for the river. improve oversight and term community vision. managment of the Yarra River.

20 YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION The Process

From August to November 2017 Melbourne Water ran an The community assembly fulfilled a key obligation of extensive program of engagement to find out what people the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) love about the Yarra River. This included drop-in events, Act 2017, which required the development of a long-term THANK YOU a library school holiday program, social research, walking community vision for the Yarra. focus groups and an interactive online map. Melbourne Water and members Over two days, community members heard from experts This engagement was undertaken to inform the and Traditional Owners, learning about the history of of the Yarra Collaboration development of a long-term community vision for the the Yarra and its cultural significance, how it is used and Yarra River. managed, the biggest threats to its future and opportunities Committee would like to thank for the river. They also explored the outcomes of the In November 2017 Melbourne Water sought expressions engagement undertaken in 2017 to understand the values the Yarra River Community of interest for a group of citizens to form the Yarra River and desires of the broader community. Community Assembly. From over 300 applications, 24 Assembly for their hard work people were selected using a randomised process, with six The Community Assembly has written these 50-year drawn from each of the four reaches of the river. visions to provide the building blocks for how the river and and commitment to improving the its land are developed, used and managed in future, to The Yarra River Community Assembly met on the first ensure it remains a proud part of Victoria’s identity. health and management of the weekend of February 2018, tasked with the development of a 50-year vision for the whole of the Yarra River, Birrarung. Yarra River, Birrarung

June 2017 September 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 May-June 2018 Late 2019

Yarra River Protection Public engagement to Yarra River Protection Yarra River land and the Yarra River Community Phase 2 public Draft Yarra (Willip-gin Birrarung develop the community (Willip-gin Birrarung Greater Yarra Urban Assembly engagement to inform Strategic Plan to murron) Bill 2017 vision murron) Act 2017 came Parklands declared the Yarra Strategic Plan be released introduced to into effect Made up of 24 Parliament From September The declaration passionate and diverse to November 2017 After passing acknowledges the community members Wurundjeri Elders Melbourne Water unapposed in significance of the Yarra, who were brought welcomed on to the undertook community September 2017 the and its surrounding together to write the floor of Parliament and engagement to collect Act came into effect land, to the economic community vision. introduced the Bill in people’s stories, values 1 December 2017. prosperity, vitality and Woi-wurrung language. and aspirations for the liveability of Melbourne Yarra River - to inform and the Yarra Valley. the development of the community vision. YARRA RIVER 50-YEAR COMMUNITY VISION 21 Community Assembly Members ISBN: 978-1-925541-10-6 (Print) Disclaimer: This publication maybe of assistance to you, but Melbourne Water ISBN: 978-1-925541-11-3 (Online) and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of © Copyright May 2018 any kind or is wholly appropriate for Melbourne Water Corporation your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability or any error, loss or All rights reserved. other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in No part of this document may be this publication. reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, photocopied or otherwise dealt with without prior written permission of Melbourne Water Corporation.