Rivers, wetlands, estuaries and their floodplains are the lifeblood of many Victorian towns and communities. From cool mountain streams in alpine areas to popular estuaries across the coast – waterways underpin the well-being and productivity of individuals, communities, and regional economies. It’s important that we care for them.
We want to hear from you about how to improve our waterways for things that matter most to you.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is developing a new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. It will guide how we manage Victorian waterways into the future.
We invite early feedback on a discussion starter to help shape the development of the new draft strategy. The final strategy is expected to be released in 2025.
We will work closely with key stakeholders throughout the project on the development of the new strategy. The next round of formal public consultation will take place when the draft strategy is released for public comment, expected in 2024.
To find out more or participate in future consultation rounds, visit Engage Victoria.
The existing Victorian Waterway Management Strategy was released in 2013, providing a detailed policy framework for managing the health of Victoria's rivers, wetlands, estuaries and floodplains —collectively called waterways—over an 8-year period.
The strategy has reached the end of its lifespan. A new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy (the new strategy) is needed to ensure we have strong policies in place for managing Victoria’s waterways, particularly in the face of our changing population and climate conditions.
A key focus of the new strategy will be identifying pathways to increase Traditional Owner self-determination and decision-making in waterway management.
The existing Strategy provides guidance on who manages what part of Victoria's waterways and guides how decisions are made about where money is invested to help care for them. The Strategy promoted a program of activities for improving waterways.
It guided 10 regional-level waterway strategies across the state. Victoria's water management agencies oversee these strategies.
Many different departments, agencies, organisations and individuals play a role in caring for waterways across Victoria.
The 2022 My Victorian Waterway Survey of 6,240 Victorians found that waterways are visited every day for a variety of reasons, such as relaxation and peace, recreation and fun, commercial and economic activities, a space for exercise, a place to engage with nature, experience personal mental health benefits, and for family and social connections.
Underpinning the myriad of reasons to visit and use our waterways, is the important role that they play for individuals, families, and communities.
Almost all respondents said that
Additional findings from this study will be used to inform the new Strategy.
For countless generations, Traditional Owners have cared for Country and waterways, maintaining the health and flow of water and sustaining connections to place, each other, animals, ancestors, culture and Country.
The new Strategy will link with the Victorian Government’s commitments to self-determination for Traditional Owners, including Water is Life – Traditional Owner Access to Water Roadmap. The Strategy will play an important role in increasing Traditional Owner roles and decision-making in the management of waterways, delivering benefits for all Victorians.
Waterways and surrounding riparian land provide habitat for thousands of species of fish, insects, birds, mammals and plants – all dependent on healthy, thriving waterways.
Waterways and floodplains play a part in the movement and cycling of sediment and nutrients and underpin the rich agricultural soils across the state. Continuing to care for our water environments and biodiversity, particularly while adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The strategy will be developed in close collaboration with Traditional Owners, catchment management authorities and other project partners, with input from key stakeholder groups and the broader Victorian community.
Considerations for the new strategy may include:
An Independent Review of the 2013 strategy was completed in 2021. Visit evaluation and reporting for an update.
The Independent Review will inform the development of the new strategy.
Social research, My Victorian Waterway Survey, was conducted in 2022 to understand better community values, aspirations and concerns in relation to waterway management and to deliver on Action 5.3 of the 2013 Strategy.
This social research will inform the development of the new strategy.
The Department and Catchment Management Authorities produce progress reports for the Victorian Waterway Management Program to meet the needs of various stakeholders.
Visit evaluation of the Victorian Waterway Management Program
Prepare discussion starter Public and stakeholder consultation to explore issues and opportunities for the new strategy
Collaborate with project partners and stakeholders on policy development Prepare draft strategy
Public consultation on the draft strategy Prepare final strategy Government approvals and public release
The 2013 Strategy provides a detailed policy for managing Victoria's waterways over an 8-year period.
The 2013 Strategy aims to maintain or improve the condition of our waterways so they can support environmental, social, cultural and economic values that are important to communities.
It provides direction for
Aspirational targets are included in the 2013 Strategy for long-term resource condition outcomes (to be achieved in 8+ years) and management outcomes (to be achieved in 1–8 years).
An independent review of the 2013 Strategy has been completed as part of developing the new Strategy.
Chapter 1: About the Strategy
Chapter 2: Introduction
Read Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: Part 1 strategy background (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Chapter 3 Strategy approach
Chapter 4 Regional waterway management
Chapter 5 Community participation
Chapter 6 Victorian Traditional Owner involvement in waterway management
Read Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: Part 2 strategy approach (PDF, 2.2 MB)
Chapter 7 Recreational use of waterways
Chapter 8 Environmental water management
Chapter 9 Riparian Management
Chapter 10 Water quality
Chapter 11 The river channel
Chapter 12 Wetlands
Chapter 13 Estuaries
Chapter 14 Waterways in urban areas
Chapter 15 Extreme events of flood and bushfire
Chapter 16 Invasive species management in waterways
Read Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: Part 3 management issues (PDF, 4.2 MB)
Chapter 17 Adaptive management
Chapter 18 Management arrangements
Appendices
Read Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: Part 4 management arrangements (PDF, 1.3 MB)
Page last updated: 20/09/23