The plan follows on from the previous Regional Riparian Action Plan with a broader intent and has a range of waterway programs to improve the health of waterways in Victoria.

The waterway initiatives included in the Plan are:

  • flagship waterway projects being undertaken at 18 sites across regional Victoria
  • on-ground works to protect the Gippsland Lakes and support for the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee
  • management of Ramsar wetlands
  • major environmental works to waterways in northern Victoria
  • management of iconic urban waterways, including the Yarra (Birrarung), Barwon (Parwan) and Waterways of the West
  • recovery of bushfire-damaged waterway assets
  • management of water for the environment
  • catchment management authority water statutory functions
  • citizen science.

The Action Plan is delivered by various stakeholders, particularly the 9 regional catchment management authorities (CMAs), Melbourne Water and other regional agencies, Traditional Owners, Landcare and other community groups, and landholders.

It supports regional jobs, with people employed in implementation across rural and regional Victoria. This includes those directly working for regional agencies like CMAs and suppliers such as fencing contractors and nurseries.

It strongly focuses on Traditional Owner involvement in waterway management and a stronger emphasis on climate change impacts on waterways.

Read the full plan

Page last updated: 16/09/23