From an ecological perspective, river banks or riparian land is regarded as the area of land that adjoins, regularly influences, or is influenced by, a river.

Riparian land is important in an aquatic and terrestrial sense. It is vitally important to the health of a waterway. Riparian land with good native vegetation cover provides:

• organic matter to a river – a major food source for animals living in the river
• a supply of woody debris to the river, which forms key habitat areas for many native fish and smaller animals and influences the shape of the river floor
• a source of shade in upland areas, which influences water temperature and light penetration, affecting the growth of aquatic plants
• stability to banks, minimising erosion.

In considering the various ecological, economic and social values that riparian land provides to the community, the government has, in the past, provided direction on the preferred management of riparian zones. The Land Conservation Council (1991) provided major directions in its Rivers and Streams Special Investigation, which were endorsed by the Victorian government. The Council recommends that public water frontages be used to conserve, protect and restore:

• native flora and fauna
• adjoining land
• the scenic quality of the local landscape
• cultural heritage
• access for recreational activities.

Where it does not conflict with the above, the Land Conservation Council also recommends that access for water and for grazing of stock by adjoining landowners be allowed under licence.