Yarra STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS STATEMENT SEPTEMBER 2018 Integrated Water Management Forums Acknowledgement of Victoria’s Aboriginal communities The Victorian Government proudly acknowledges Victoria's Aboriginal communities and their rich culture and pays its respects to their Elders past and present. The government also recognises the intrinsic connection of Traditional Owners to Country and acknowledges their contribution to the management of land, water and resources. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s fi rst peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely. We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches us. We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards the equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice. © The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2018 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Printed by Finsbury Green, Melbourne ISSN 2209-8194 - Print format ISSN 2209-8208 - Online Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without fl aw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the DELWP Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or email [email protected] or via the National Relay Service on 133 677, www.relayservice.com.au. This document is also available on the internet at www.delwp.vic.gov.au Cover photograph Yarra River, Melbourne. Photographer: Taras Vyshnya Integrated Water Management is a collaborative approach to water planning and management that brings together organisations with an interest in all aspects of the water cycle. It has the potential to provide greater value to our communities by identifying and leveraging opportunities to optimise outcomes. Contents Foreword 1 Acknowledgements 2 Chapter 1 The way forward 3 Introduction 4 Overview 4 What is a Strategic Directions Statement? 4 Enduring collaboration 5 How we’re working together 5 Recognising Aboriginal values in water planning and management 5 Guiding principles for collaboration 6 Chapter 2 IWM in the region 7 Regional context 8 Population 8 Climate change 10 Vision and strategic outcomes 12 Whole of River Vision 13 Strategic outcomes for IWM 14 The case for IWM in the Yarra catchment 16 Chapter 3 IWM opportunities 22 Priority Portfolio 23 Impact of IWM opportunities on the Forum’s strategic outcomes 25 IWM opportunities: An overview of projects and strategies 26 Priority Portfolio of IWM opportunities 28 Strategic enablers to put IWM into practice 34 Success stories 35 Continued success through collaboration 38 Appendix 40 Additional IWM opportunities in the Yarra catchment 40 Glossary of terms 44 Foreword We are all connected by water. It is essential for our life and liveability and prosperity. The Yarra River holds a special place Integrated water management is On behalf of the Forum, I am pleased amongst the people of Melbourne about protecting water, our most to present this Strategic Directions and the Yarra region. Its catchment vital resource, and enhancing our Statement that prepares us to work has sustained Aboriginal people for water system services so that life across the planning and water sectors thousands of generations before can continue, and be better, to collectively identify and progress European colonisation. Today, it is for our future generations. IWM opportunities of the highest value Melbourne’s main source of drinking and priority to our communities. The Yarra IWM Forum has taken water, supports productive agriculture, up this responsibility with a pledge I would like to thank the individuals including a world-famous wine to work collaboratively to improve and organisations who contributed industry and extensive horticultural our water system practices and their time and expertise during the enterprises. Its landscapes and open deliver bold 21st century solutions fi rst phase of our journey as the spaces are home to a great diversity for stormwater management, water Yarra IWM Forum. of plants and animals and attract sensitive blue and green infrastructure, millions of visits for recreation and Together we have built a strong and sustainable land use planning enjoyment of nature. foundation from which we will deliver that will ensure the communities on our vision for a world-leading But we are facing pressures posed across our catchment remain healthy, water sensitive catchment. by climate change, rapid population prosperous and among the world’s growth and urbanisation, and these most liveable. demand that we realign the way in As Chair of the Yarra IWM Forum, which we plan and design our cities I acknowledge our shared commitment and manage our natural resources. to protect the Yarra River, the one Chris Chesterfi eld living and integrated entity that has Chair of the Yarra IWM Forum fundamentally shaped this region for thousands of years, as well as Port Phillip Bay into which our catchment’s rivers and creeks fl ow. Yarra Strategic Directions Statement 1 Acknowledgements The inaugural Yarra Integrated Water Yarra Ranges down to Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra IWM Forum acknowledges Management Forum was convened The Yarra Forum Area will continue to these Traditional Owners as traditional in December 2017 with subsequent experience substantial population and custodians who have managed land Forums meeting throughout 2018 economic growth in the coming years. and water sustainably over thousands to discuss and prioritise integrated The preservation and management of of generations and maintain an active water planning and management the catchment’s landscapes will have connection to Country. in the Yarra Forum Area. a positive impact on the region’s world- The Yarra Integrated Water renowned liveability and the long term Management Strategic Directions The Forum Area encompasses health and security of its waterways. Victoria’s capital, Melbourne, Statement has been developed the economic and employment hub of The Forum covers the traditional by the Yarra Integrated Water the state. One third of Victorians reside lands of Kulin Nation, including the Management Forum. Members of in the Yarra catchment. It is home Wurundjeri people. The Forum Area this Forum include the Chief Executive to one of Australia’s most iconic and is abundant in Aboriginal cultural sites Offi cers and Managing Directors of culturally signifi cant waterways, the with a majority of these found near the following organisations: Yarra River, which fl ows from its near waterways and the coast. natural upper reaches in the forested 2 Yarra Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 1 The way forward An unprecedented opportunity to progress water cycle planning and management in Victoria through collaboration. Melbourne suburbs as seen from Greenvale Reservoir. Photographer: Chris Kapa. Courtesy Melbourne Water Yarra Strategic Directions Statement 3 Introduction Overview The way in which land use and water planning occurs will be fundamental to Integrated Water The Yarra catchment is a richly diverse ensuring these aspirations are realised. Management geographic area encompassing some of Victoria’s most iconic landscapes The water cycle in the Yarra Integrated Water Management and waterways. Magnifi cent old catchment is overseen and managed is a collaborative approach growth woodlands, lush rainforests by several agencies. Enhanced to water planning and and protected riverine environments communication and collaboration management that brings meet fertile agricultural lands and is required to ensure plans and together organisations with populous cities throughout this vast investments are optimised to enable an interest in all aspects of the region. Victoria’s coastal capital, shared community outcomes. water cycle. It has the potential Melbourne, sits within the catchment This approach is Integrated Water to provide greater value to our and represents one of several Management (IWM). A central premise communities by identifying and Victorian cities undergoing rapid of IWM is the overall acceptance that leveraging opportunities to transformation. Considered alongside achieving liveability and resilience optimise outcomes. challenges posed by global climate is a shared responsibility. change, growth and development is The Integrated Water Management impacting on the health of waterways What is a Strategic Framework for Victoria 2017 is designed entering both the Yarra River and Port Directions Statement? to help local governments, water Phillip Bay. Balancing the needs and corporations, catchment management This Strategic Directions Statement function of Yarra’s water cycle with authorities, Traditional Owners and (SDS) articulates the regional future growth and development is