The Victorian River Health program places a strong emphasis on community engagement and participation, so that:

• communities have a good understanding and knowledge about the issues that affect river health
• communities participate in priority setting and decision making at a catchment level
• there is further development of capability within the waterway management industry to deliver river health outcomes.

Victoria’s CMAs are required to ensure that communities are involved in both the development of Regional River Health Strategies, and their implementation.

Aside from this involvement, communities have a number of roles in managing and protecting Victoria’s rivers, streams and creeks.

• Firstly, individuals manage their own enterprises in ways that acknowledge their ‘duty of care’ and their role as stewards of natural resources.
• Secondly, they may participate in community groups and networks such as Waterwatch Victoria and Landcare, aimed at monitoring river health and/or undertaking restoration projects. Community waterway monitoring is growing in importance as we manage rivers under a changing climate. Becoming a Waterwatch monitor is a key way to directly influence the protection and restoration of our river systems.
• Thirdly, community members may participate in regional river health planning, priority setting and the implementation of works programs related to river management and restoration.

Find out more about the many ways in which you can get involved in protecting and restoring Victoria’s rivers, streams and creeks.