Rivers of the Barwon Annual Report 2022

Overview

This Annual Report updates the community on progress towards delivery of the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan. It reflects the first year of implementation.

The Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung peoples have cared for this Country and its integrated waterways for millennia. The Action Plan recognises the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) as a living and integrated natural entity, and its Traditional Owners as a ‘voice of the living entity.’

The Action Plan identifies 7 directions and 30 actions. Short-term actions aim to deliver results within the first year of implementation. The Government has committed to delivering longer-term actions within 5 years, subject to funding.

Collaboration and partnership

Each action lists a responsible lead organisation. Delivery of the Action Plan also needs strong collaboration and partnership. Our partnerships are guided by a self-determination approach with Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.

The Action Plan is also linked with recent Victorian Government policies, including:

• Waterways of the West Action Plan
• Water is Life – Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap
• Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy

The Rivers of the Barwon Community Vision is also significant. The Vision encourages agencies and community to walk together with the Traditional Owners of the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk).

Action plan implementation for 2022

Action plan implementation for 2022

In 2022, the Action Plan delivered

• stronger planning controls and policy to protect significant rivers and creeks in the Barwon Catchment from the impacts of urban development
• collaboration to improve the understanding of roles and responsibilities of stormwater management and planning in Geelong
• mapping of waterway amenity and environmental values incorporated into the development of the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut (the Barwon River Parklands) Masterplan
• stronger partnerships with Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, including supporting participation in the planning and ongoing implementation of the Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy.

For a snapshot of progress up to February 2023, please see our action updates. You can also read the full 2022 annual report for more information, including highlighted case studies of the work to date.

Rivers of the Barwon Annual Report Action Plan (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Rivers of the Barwon Annual Report Action Plan (Accessible) (DOCX, 73.5 KB)