The Victorian River Health Strategy (VRHS, 2002) outlines the government's long-term direction for the management of Victoria's rivers. It provides a clear vision for the management of rivers in Victoria, comprehensive policy direction on issues affecting river health and, most importantly, a blueprint for integrating all our efforts on rivers and for ensuring that we get the most effective river health benefits for the effort and resources invested.

The VRHS was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders and communities, and now provides the framework for regional communities to make decisions on river protection and restoration and to find the balance between using our rivers and maintaining their ecological condition.

A new Victorian strategy for healthy rivers, estuaries and wetlands is currently being developed to replace the the VRHS. This updated strategy will provide a single framework for the integrated management of waterways across the state and updated policy direction on waterway health management issues. The development of the strategy to date has been guided by an extensive stakeholder consultation process throughout 2010/11. A draft strategy for public consultation will be released early-mid 2011 and the final strategy released before end 2012.

The VRHS, an Overview of the VRHS and supporting Fact Sheets can be viewed or downloaded (see below). To receive a hard copy of the Strategy and/or the Overview and Fact Sheets, please contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

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More information

The Victorian River Health Program Report Card 2002 - 2009 tracks the Government's progress against targets set in the Victorian River Health Strategy and includes an overview from each Catchment Management Authorities and Melbourne Water.