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Good for Yarra is good for all

The Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, Yarra Strategic Plan, is the first plan to protect and enhance the Yarra River, Birrarung, and its parklands.

The plan treats the Yarra River and its parklands as one living and integrated natural entity.

In the language of the Traditional Owners, ‘Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo’ in Woi-wurrung language means, ‘good for Yarra is good for all.’

It is the first plan developed with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. The actions in the plan respect and support the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Traditional Owners to co-manage the river and lands on their Country.

The plan supports and builds upon the 50-year community vision developed by more than 2,500 representatives of the Victorian community.

The Yarra Collaboration Committee

The Yarra Collaboration Committee prepared the plan using a collaborative governance approach. This allows the management of the Yarra River, Birrarung as one living and integrated entity.

Committee members who care for Yarra River lands and included representatives from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and government representatives, including:

  • Banyule City Council
  • Boroondara City Council
  • Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (now Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action)
  • Manningham City Council
  • Melbourne City Council
  • Melbourne Water
  • Nillumbik Shire Council
  • Parks Victoria
  • Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (now part of Melbourne Water)
  • Stonnington City Council
  • Department of Transport (now Department of Transport and Planning)
  • VicTrack
  • Victorian Planning Authority
  • Yarra City Council
  • Yarra Ranges Shire Council.

The significance of the Yarra, Birrarung

Released in 2020, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, the first Yarra Strategic Plan involved community, agency and Traditional Owner collaboration and input.

The plan fulfils the requirements of the Act to develop a 10-year strategy for the river. It also works towards the 50-year Community Vision for the Yarra, Birrarung.

The plan will better protect the river and parklands from the impacts of:

  • climate change
  • urbanisation
  • population growth.

Bringing together land use planning and management, the plan will protect the natural beauty and health of the Birrarung. It is a pioneering approach that will protect important environmental and cultural values.

Implementing the plan

Melbourne Water is the lead agency for implementing the plan under the landmark Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017.

They are responsible for promoting and facilitating the collaborative governance model. This will drive action and maintain public accountability by:

  • developing and updating the 3-year implementation plan
  • preparing annual reports for the Birrarung Council.

Read the plan

Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, the Yarra Strategic Plan, February 2022

Page last updated: 08/09/23