The Waterway of the West Annual Report updates the community on the progress towards delivering our waterways action plan.
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The Victorian Government released the Waterways of the West Action Plan in late 2022 to ensure Melbourne’s western waterways are healthy and thriving for future generations.
The Waterways of the West Annual Report updates the community on progress towards delivering the 9 Directions and 40 Actions that make up the Action Plan. These reports deliver the Victorian Government’s commitment to update the community annually on implementation of the 5-year Action Plan.
The Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung peoples have cared for this Country and its integrated waterways for millennia. The Action Plan recognises the waterways of the west as living and integrated natural entities, and Traditional Owners as the voice of the living entity.
How the 5-year action plan builds on the vision for the Waterways of the West
A new community-led approach, the Action Plan is guided by a 50-year Community Vision. The vision encourages agencies and community to walk together with the Traditional Owners of the Melbourne West.
Figure 1: Waterways of the West implementation framework
Collaboration driving the Action Plan forward
Collaboration is central to how we get things done. By bringing together agencies, Traditional Owners and communities throughout the region, we move closer to realising the 50-year Waterways of the West Community Vision and delivering the beneficial outcomes we are collectively seeking for the health of our waterways.
Community groups in Melbourne’s West are leaders in collaborative ways of working.
The Maribyrnong Rivers and Waterways Association (MRWA) is a community-based organisation that is raising the profile of the waterways in the Mirrangbamurn / Maribyrnong catchment. In 2023, supported by DEECA funding, the MRWA is forging relationships with the community, Traditional Owners, agencies, and all levels of government to increase community connection, education, and participation in river-related activities.
This will in turn facilitate systemic environmental change and greater investment into enhancing the Mirrangbamurn / Maribyrnong River and surrounding waterways.
Meet me by the River: A guide to Wirribi Yaluk (Werribee River)
The guide was developed by the Werribee River Association and published in 2023, fulfilling an action of the Lower Werribee Waterways Amenity Action Plan.
It is a great new resource for local residents and visitors alike, highlighting key spots along the river and suggested itineraries for different interests and abilities, including family days out, food and art trails and nature hot spots.
The Waterways of the West Pollution Prevention Taskforce brought together Traditional Owners, Melbourne Water and local councils to strengthen implementation of the general environmental duty (GED) in the industrial precincts of the Waterways of the West.
Throughout 2022 the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) (as secretariat of the independently chaired taskforce), worked with DEECA, Melbourne Water, councils and Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Traditional Owners to investigate pollution threats to waterways and recommend ways to reduce risk.
Cross-portfolio collaboration between DEECA and the Department of Transport and Planning will deliver strengthened planning policy and controls for waterways.
In 2023, the Waterways of the West Action Plan delivery milestones:
Waterways of the West Pollution Task Force recommendation report finalised and presented to Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
The Lower Werribee Waterway Amenity Action Plan underway including implementation of K Road Cliffs Masterplan, Cultural Values Assessments undertaken by both Bunurong and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and launch of online ‘Meet me by the River’ Guide.
Engagement with Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Traditional Owners on the development of a discussion paper on ‘Waterways as living entities and Traditional Owners as their voice’.
The Department of Transport and Planning are continuing to progress urban planning actions outlined in the Action Plans and ran a series of workshops with Local Government Authorities, Traditional Owners and Community organisations.
The Waterways of the West Action Plan will enter the third year of its five-year implementation timeframe in 2024. Some highlights of the year ahead include:
Engagement with Traditional Owners across the Waterways of the West and beyond on waterways as living entities, and exploring possible legislative models in more detail.
Port Philip and Western Port Regional and Strategic Partnership ongoing work towards developing a Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan.
New Victorian Waterway Management Strategy policy development and drafting is underway. This follows on from the 2023 release of a Discussion Starter and public and stakeholder consultation to explore issues and opportunities for the new strategy. The strategy will continue to 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. It is expected to be finalised in 2024/25.
Conclusion and outcomes from the 2022 Iconic Urban Waterways Grants (Waterways of the West) grants program. 10 projects were funded, including:
work on developing a concept design around improving amenity and access for Bungies Hole in Werribee
community engagement activities and CALD program development
a functional design report for a stormwater harvesting project on Cherry Creek, Altona
funding to support Wurundjeri to work with the Chain if Ponds Collaboration to enhance cultural heritage vales and self-determined priorities along Moonee Moonee / Moonee Ponds Creek.
Green Links Grants Program awarded over $6 million to 23 projects in 2023/24. Ten of these projects are in the Waterways of the West region and will collectively receive $1.5 million in funding. Planning and on ground revegetation works for all projects is expected to commence in 2024.
Previous annual reports
Released in April 2023, the 2022 Annual Report reflects the first year of implementation of the Action Plan.
In 2022, the Action Plan delivered:
stronger planning controls to help protect waterways and the liveability of our suburbs.
