Informed by community feedback, background studies, and existing strategies and policies for the Birrarung, it is the first plan to protect and enhance the Yarra River and its land as one living and integrated natural entity.
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Timeline item 1 - complete
2015: New law and policy for the Yarra’s care
In 2015, the Victorian Government established the Yarra Ministerial Advisory Committee to recommend improvements for managing, promoting and protecting the river. One of their 30 recommendations was developing a Yarra Strategic Plan to align objectives and integrate decision-making.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
2017: Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act becomes law
Meaning ‘keep the Yarra alive’, the Act protects the river and acknowledges its importance to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. It combines Traditional Owner knowledge with modern expertise and calls for collaborative management of the river, driven by a long-term community vision that identifies their values, priorities and preferences.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
2018: Yarra Collaboration Committee formed
The Yarra Collaboration Committee was formed to develop the Plan, including representatives from state and local government authorities and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. Melbourne Water, in collaboration with the committee, designed and ran an extensive community engagement program: ‘Imagine the Yarra’.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
2018: 50 Year Community Vision launched
The Yarra River Community Assembly was formed, made up of 24 people from communities along the river. They were tasked with taking the findings from broad community engagement to draft a long-term vision for the river, which sits at the heart of the Plan.
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Timeline item 1 - complete
2019-20: Draft Plan developed and released for comment
More than 300 conversations and 138 written submissions provided feedback on the draft Plan, through meetings, pop-up events, focus groups and online engagement reaching over 120,000 people.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
2021: Final Plan endorsed
The Plan was finalised based on consultation feedback and recommendations from an independent panel appointed by the Minister for Water.
It was endorsed by the councils and government agencies (Responsible Public Entities) named in the Act and six committees of management. They have collectively committed to implementing the Plan in partnership with the Traditional Owners on their Country.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
2022: Plan approved by Minister for Water
The Plan became operational on February 2022, with implementation to be completed by 2032.
Executive Forum 2023
The first Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo Executive Forum took place on Wurundjeri Country at Birrarung Park in Templestowe. It aimed to:
- bring together Traditional Owners, and council and agency executives with a responsibility to the Birrarung
- reinforce priorities for the coming year
- outline opportunities to strengthen partnerships.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing announced $1.65 million for transformative projects that will enhance collaboration between agencies, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Traditional Owners and community groups to better protect and manage the Birrarung.
The event closed with a Wurundjeri-led water ceremony of commitment.
Executive Forum 2024
The second Executive Forum took place in June 2024 on Wurundjeri Country at the Abbotsford Convent in Collingwood.
The forum brought together decision makers responsible for implementation of the Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, and reinforced our sustained commitment to collaborative governance and partnership with Traditional Owners.
The event allowed Wurundjeri to share their expectations of engagement with the partners and the Yarra Collaboration Committee to gain authorisation for the transformative projects which will progress the actions in the plan.
