Yarra Strategic Plan

The Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017 requires the council to advise on the development and implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan. It is an overarching policy and planning framework that delivers the first integrated river corridor strategy which:

• identifies immediate actions for the river
• enables long-term collaborative management between Traditional Owners and agencies involved in management of the Yarra River and its lands
• guides local planning
• requires the development of a long-term community vision that identifies the community's values, priorities and preferences about the management of the Yarra River corridor.

The actions in the Yarra Strategic Plan work to bring the community vision to life and realise the aspirations of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

The plan covers the first 10 years toward achieving the 50-year Community Vision and delivering on the aspirations in the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation's Nhanbu narrun ba ngargunin twarn Birrarung (Ancient spirit and lore of the Yarra River).

Go to Melbourne Water for more detail on the development of the Yarra Strategic Plan.

Implementation and monitoring

The Act requires the council to report to the Minister on:

• the implementation of a Yarra Strategic Plan
• the operation and effectiveness of a Yarra Strategic Plan and its contribution to the protection and improvement of Yarra River land, and the environmental, cultural and heritage values of Yarra River land, including the waterway health of the Yarra River (s.48,).

The council will meet its legislated responsibility to the Minister on the implementation, operation and effectiveness of the plan through regular advice and an annual report.

Its first report is due in October 2022. The Minister is then required to table this report in Parliament. The council is designing and implementing a framework for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan by local councils and government agencies.