A CLEANER YARRA RIVER & PORT PHILLIP BAY - A Plan of Action
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A CLEANER
YARRA RIVER
& PORT
PHILLIP BAY
A Plan of Action
GOVERNMENT TASKFORCE
FOR THE YARRA RIVER
& PORT PHILLIP BAY
In March 2012, the Minister for Environment and
Climate Change, Ryan Smith, set up a government
taskforce to develop an action plan for the Yarra River
and Port Phillip Bay focusing on four key priorities.
Enable more effective Manage threats to Develop easier ways for Support Victorians to
coordination between water quality, including the community to access take actions that care for
government agencies pollution, litter and information about water and protect the Yarra and
in protecting water stormwater inputs by quality of the Yarra and the bay
quality and providing identifying new priority the bay
timely information to actions to address them
communities about
water quality events
The Victorian Government has produced this 17
point action plan: A Cleaner Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay and would like to thank the individuals
and groups that contributed their insights on issues
affecting the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
The plan recognises and builds on community
efforts in protecting waterways and reaffirms
the government’s commitment to community
partnership.
Disclaimer Published by the Victorian Government
The taskforce members were: the Department of This publication may be of assistance to you but the Department of Sustainability
Sustainability and Environment (lead agency), Environment State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee and Environment Melbourne, October 2012
Protection Authority, Melbourne Water, Port of Melbourne that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is ©The State of Victoria Department
Corporation, Parks Victoria, Department of Health, wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and of Sustainability and Environment 2012
Department of Primary Industries, Department of Planning therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other This publication is copyright. No part may
and Community Development, Port Phillip and Westernport consequence which may arise from you relying on any be reproduced by any process except in
Catchment Management Authority, Corangamite Catchment information in this publication. accordance with the provisions of the
Copyright Act 1968.
Management Authority, South East Water Limited and the Accessibility
2ƴFHRI/LYLQJ9LFWRULD If you would like to receive this publication in an Authorised by the Victorian Government,
8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne
accessible format, such as large print or audio,
please telephone 136 186, or through the National Print managed by Finsbury Green
Relay Service (NRS) using a modem or textphone/ Printed on recycled paper
teletypewriter (TTY) by dialling 1800 555 677, ISBN 978-1-74287-668-9 (print)
ISBN 978-1-74287-669-6 (online)
or email customer.service@dse.vic.gov.au
Front cover images: Upper Yarra by Melbourne Water.
For more information contact the
Yarra River by Christian Pearson. Port Phillip Bay by Chris Bayliss. This document is also available in PDF format on the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186
Rear cover image: Seagrass - Zostera muelleri by Mary Malloy internet at dse.vic.gov.au
2
MINISTER’S
FOREWORD
In 2012, Melbourne maintained its title as The action plan focuses on four distinct priorities:
the world’s most liveable city for the second Ŕ $MFBSFS NPSFSFTQPOTJWFNBOBHFNFOU
year running. Contributing to this success
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is our natural environment, including the
Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. Ŕ 1SPWJEJOHBDDFTTJCMFJOGPSNBUJPO
Ŕ 4VQQPSUJOHDPNNVOJUZBDUJPO
The Victorian Government intends to build
on this achievement by strengthening Our plan responds to the need for a framework
efforts to protect two of our most beautiful that better clarifies responsibilities, identifies
natural assets, the Yarra and the bay. practical and effective actions and enables all
Victorians to be informed about the health of
The Yarra and bay are enjoyed by all
these environmental assets.
Victorians to swim, snorkel, or fish in,
row or canoe on, walk or cycle by, and The health of the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay are
picnic on their shores. They are home directly impacted by what happens throughout their
to many unique species of plants and catchments. Heavy rains wash litter and stormwater
animals. These waterways also contribute downstream which can affect water quality as far
to our economic prosperity supporting away as the bay, as evidenced by the natural algal
commercial fisheries, bustling ports, bloom in Port Phillip Bay in early 2012.
agriculture, forestry and tourism. It is
Whether disposing of our litter more thoughtfully,
important that we protect them now
reducing industrial waste, improving stormwater
to enjoy them into the future.
and land management to reduce pollution
We all have a shared responsibility when it – we can all take action and play our part.
comes to looking after the Yarra and bay.
Over the next five years the Victorian Government
Government, business and the community
is planning to spend more than $1 billion on
have a role to play as environmental
programs and initiatives that contribute to
citizens.
protecting and improving the Yarra and bay.
This action plan ensures we make the most
of these investments and community action.
It is up to all of us to ensure A Cleaner Yarra River
Government, business and Port Phillip Bay.
and communities
working together
from the catchment
to the coast
Government Ryan Smith
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
action priorities
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responsive management
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and reducing litter Victorians enjoying
Ŕ 1SPWJEJOHBDDFTTJCMF a cleaner Yarra
information
and bay
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community action
3
VALUING THE WHY WE NEED AN
YARRA & THE BAY ACTION PLAN FOR
The Yarra River provides a focal point for the city of
THE YARRA & BAY
Melbourne and, along with Port Phillip Bay, continues to
be vital to Victoria’s economic prosperity, environmental
Over recent decades, Victorians have worked together to
health and social wellbeing.
improve the health of the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
The Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay are working
This has involved strategic planning, government
environments. More than one-third of Victoria’s
investment and community action to improve river
population live and work in the Yarra catchment.
health and water quality, such as removing discharges of
The Yarra River, known as Birrarung to the Kulin people, untreated wastewater to Port Phillip Bay and establishing
traditionally provided a food source and meeting place Melbourne as a leader in water sensitive urban design.
for indigenous Australians who have maintained a
As a result of these efforts, Victorians are enjoying the
connection to it for over 40,000 years.
many benefits that come with improved water quality
The Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay are home to a wide in the Yarra and bay.
range of native plants and animals including threatened
But we still have work to do.
species. Internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands
sit along the western shore of the bay and Bellarine Recent heavy rain highlights how extreme weather events
Peninsula, and marine national parks and sanctuaries can degrade water quality and affect the amenity of the
provide an opportunity for the community to enjoy our Yarra and bay.
unique environment.
Stormwater runoff from urban and rural sources can
impact waterway health, particularly in the lower reaches
of the Yarra. Population growth, urban development
and increasing extreme weather events reinforce the
importance of addressing these challenges.
For our future safety, health and prosperity, and to protect
the natural values of the Yarra and bay, we need to ensure
we maximise the benefits from the significant investment
that government, business and the community are
already making.
4
WATER QUALITY
IN THE YARRA RIVER
& PORT PHILLIP BAY
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Good water quality in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay Photo: Coast Action
is vital to provide:
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and aquaculture industries.
Water quality in the Yarra has improved significantly over the
past few decades and has been relatively stable in recent years.
It compares well to similar rivers in major urban areas overseas.
An independent report by the Office of Environmental Monitor1
found after four years of baywide monitoring that overall Port
Phillip Bay was in good health, consistent with the previous
decade. However, water quality in both the Yarra and the bay
can be impacted after heavy rain, with stormwater washing
pollutants into our waterways.
Water quality varies along the length of the Yarra – with high
water quality in the upper reaches, where the river flows
through protected forests, to poorer water quality in some
sections of the lower catchment where it is affected by more
intense land use and development.
West Gate Bridge at Newport
Water quality impacts in tributaries of the Yarra are often more Photo: EPA Victoria
pronounced, particularly in urban areas. Our waterways also
carry a legacy of our industrial past. Runoff today can carry
heavy metals and other contaminants that can be found in the
sediments of our waterways.
SUPPORTING SAFE
Yarra River water quality supports many of the uses valued & CLEAN SHIPPING
by the community. Monitoring shows it is generally suitable
for boating and similar activities while swimming is generally Shipping and boating activities in Port Phillip Bay are
suitable only in the upper catchment.
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The Yarra, with its extensive catchment area, is the largest
flow input to the bay. Water quality in the bay is substantially The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest container and
affected by activities occurring throughout the catchment and JHQHUDOFDUJRSRUW7KHSRUWKDQGOHVDURXQGRIWKH
climatic conditions, such as the amount of rain. Local drains, QDWLRQśVFRQWDLQHUWUDGH0DULQHLQFLGHQWVFDQLPSDFW
rivers and creeks carry pollutants from the catchments also
affecting water quality and amenity of beaches.
bay ecosystems and so vessel safety is paramount to
SURWHFWLQJWKHKHDOWKRI3RUW3KLOOLS%D\9HVVHOVDIHW\
Nutrient loads to the bay are an important issue for the bay programs, such as the Steer Clear campaign help boaters
ecosystems. Melbourne Water has invested significantly to
reduce nutrients entering Port Phillip Bay, but this is an ongoing
VWD\VDIHDQGHQMR\WKHLUWLPHRXWRQWKHED\
challenge. So far, the bay has been resilient to the impact of
The Port of Melbourne maintains sophisticated safety
these inputs. However, nutrient cycling in the bay is critical
to its ongoing good health. It is vital we continue to carefully and environmental management controls to minimise
monitor and take care of these processes. WKHLPSDFWVRISRUWDFWLYLWLHV6WULFWUXOHVDUHDOVRLQSODFH
to prevent marine pollution and the discharge of wastes,
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5
A COMMITMENT
TO ACT NOW
The Victorian Government is committed This investment will establish Victoria as a world
leader in liveable cities. By continuing to upgrade
to playing its part and leading action for urban infrastructure, including stormwater and sewage
a cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. systems, we will ensure ongoing protection of the
health of our rivers, creeks and bays.
Over the next five years the Victorian The government taskforce considered all government
Government, together with government investment and other initiatives to identify the right
actions to secure a comprehensive program for
owned water corporations, plan to invest a cleaner Yarra and bay.
more than $1 billion in programs and This action plan complements the Victorian
initiatives that will contribute to improving Government’s investment in waterway health and sets
17 new priority actions for a cleaner Yarra and bay.
the health of the Yarra and the bay.
The plan details actions under four key priorities.
CLEARER, MORE PREVENTING
1 RESPONSIVE 2 POLLUTION
MANAGEMENT & REDUCING LITTER
Strengthening the government’s response Managing threats to water quality of the Yarra
and environmental management arrangements River and Port Phillip Bay from pollution, litter
for the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay and stormwater
1 Identify the lead agencies for managing water 6 Work with catchment managers to improve water
quality in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay quality at beaches in Port Phillip Bay
2 Develop a new Environment Management Plan 7 Revise the guidelines for urban stormwater
for Port Phillip Bay that will help address key management for new urban development,
risks to bay health including marine pests and to facilitate and support best practice
nutrient loads
8 Identify litter hotspots and develop local
3 Put in place a Response Plan for water quality partnerships with community, businesses and
events in Port Phillip Bay such as algal blooms local government to cut litter in these areas
4 Extend the role of the Yarra River and Port 9 Target pollution hotspots to improve compliance
Phillip Bay government taskforce to oversee by industry, land developers and others sources
and coordinate implementation of the plan of pollution in waterways
5 Update best practice environmental guidelines 10 Investigate and trial improved early warning
for dredging and community information programs for
sewage spills and leaks affecting waterways
11 Develop innovative approaches to reduce
wastewater impacts on waterways, including
accelerating the sewering of unsewered areas
12 Update guidance and requirements for on-site
wastewater management
6
ALGAL BLOOMS 2012
Algal blooms can occur naturally in healthy waters and have been
recorded in all areas of Port Phillip Bay since monitoring began more
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following hot weather and heavy rain that washed nutrients into
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GHDWKVLQWKHQRUWKRIWKHED\/DUJHEORRPHYHQWVFDQVWUHVVDTXDWLF
animals by reducing the available oxygen in the water, clogging gills
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VHYHUDOED\EHDFKHVRQWKH0RUQLQJWRQ3HQLQVXODDƱHFWLQJWKHXVH
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Photo: EPA Victoria
PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR
3 ACCESSIBLE 4 COMMUNITY
INFORMATION ACTION
Providing better quality and faster access to Supporting Victorians to take actions that
relevant information for Victorians about water care for and protect our rivers and bays
quality in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay
13 Provide water quality information and advice 16 Support Victorians to take action and protect water
through a ‘one stop shop’ so Victorians can quickly quality and reduce litter. This includes working
and easily access up-to-date information including with communities to assist them identify and apply
beach closures and algal blooms for funding from programs such as the Victorian
Government’s $20 million Communities for Nature
14 Prepare a report card that summarises the Yarra
program, Landcare and Coastcare
and bay’s water quality and health
17 Encourage environmental citizenship including
15 Improve key water quality monitoring programs,
reporting of litter and pollution, learning more about
including the Port Phillip Bay Beach Report
water quality, and joining community groups to take
action to protect the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay
7
OUR YARRA Healthy river catchments and bay environments
underpin our lives. The Yarra River and Port Phillip
RIVER & PORT Bay meet our social and recreational needs and
are important to the livelihoods of farmers, fishers
PHILLIP BAY and businesses across Victoria.
The Yarra and bay are interconnected ecosystems.
Water quality in Port Phillip Bay is impacted by
inputs from its river catchments and the Yarra is
the largest of these.
LITTER WASTEWATER
Litter dropped in the street and We have come a long way from the open
other areas washes into our drains, sewers of the 1800s. Victoria has invested
into our waterways and onto our in the sewage collection and treatment
beaches. In 20010/11 the removal infrastructure needed to protect our health
of litter from our urban waterways and the environment. However, leaks and
cost around $4 million. spills can still affect water quality.
POLLUTION HOTSPOTS
Runoff from factories, industrial sites
and other pollution hotspots, such as
development activities and poor agricultural
practices, makes its way down the Yarra
and eventually into the bay.
8
RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT QUICK YARRA RIVER
Runoff from rural and peri-urban
FACTS Length: 242 km
land can affect water quality, carrying
Runs: From 40 km east of Warburton on
nutrients and other pollutants.
the flanks of Mt Baw Baw to the mouth of
Port Phillip Bay, Newport
Name: Yarra Yarra means ‘ever flowing’ in the
Wurundjeri language
Colour: Brown in the lower reaches because
of suspended silt carried downstream
Catchment: Covers about 4,000 square
kilometres, includes 24 tributaries and is home
to about two million people. Supplies drinking
water to Melbourne
Industries: The catchment supports agriculture,
forestry, recreation and tourism
Home to: Unique plants and animals including
platypus. The threatened Australian Grayling
fish was rediscovered in the Yarra River
Recreation: Visitors enjoy rowing, canoeing,
STORMWATER
kayaking, fishing, cycling, walking and picnics
Rain can wash
nutrients, bacteria and
other pollutants from PORT PHILLIP BAY
catchments into the Area: 1,950 square km
Yarra and bay. This can
degrade the water quality Coastline: 264 km
of the Yarra and bay.
Name: Named after the first Governor of New
South Wales, Arthur Phillip
Ports: Port of Melbourne is Australia’s busiest
port, supporting 15,000 jobs and $82 billion
imports/exports. Geelong is Victoria’s largest
regional port
Home to: Over 1,000 species of marine plants
and animals including dolphins, penguins and
the Weedy Seadragon
Industries: The $10 million commercial fishing
and aquaculture industries are dependent on
the bay’s clean water
BOATING & SHIPPING Recreation: Visitors enjoy the coastal parks and
beaches, boating, swimming, fishing and diving
Victoria benefits from modern ports and
shipping that operate under sophisticated
safety and environmental controls. Strict
rules minimise the impact of infrastructure
development and the risk of rare accidents,
such as oil or chemical spills.
9
HIGHLIGHTS OF
VICTORIA’S 5 YEAR
INVESTMENT
PROGRAMS
The Victorian Government has allocated
$60 MILLION to the Living Victoria
program (including the Leading the Way Fund)
and established the Office of Living Victoria.
In addition to funding through Catchment
Management Authorities and Landcare,
the Victorian Government is investing
$20 MILLION through the Communities Yarra Catchment
for Nature grants program to support practical Photo: Melbourne Water
community action to protect the environment.
OFFICE OF LIVING VICTORIA
Melbourne Water’s draft Healthy Waterways The Victorian Government’s response to the Living
Melbourne, Living Victoria Implementation Plan
and Stormwater strategies set out proposed committed to a new approach to planning and managing
9LFWRULDśVXUEDQZDWHUUHVRXUFHV7KLVLQFOXGHVFKDQJLQJ
investments of more than $500 MILLION* how alternative water supplies (rainwater, recycled water
for waterway health programs and improved and stormwater) are used in order to reduce pressures
on our drinking water supplies, improve the liveability
stormwater management over the next five years. of our urban areas and reduce negative impacts on the
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Government owned water corporations have the Living Victoria program (including the Leading the Way
released draft plans that propose investments )XQG DQGHVWDEOLVKLQJWKH2ƴFHRI/LYLQJ9LFWRULD 2/9
of more than $1 BILLION* over the next The immediate focus of the OLV will be on integrated
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five years in upgrades to Melbourne’s sewerage key initiatives, including:
Ţ FRRUGLQDWLRQDQGIDFLOLWDWLRQRIWKHGHYHORSPHQWRI
system to maintain and improve capacity and integrated water cycle plans for Melbourne’s four
reliability and in projects to improve integration growth areas and inner Melbourne
Ţ SUHSDUDWLRQRIDUHJXODWRU\LPSDFWVWDWHPHQWIRU
of water and urban planning (including water
building controls to improve the water performance
recycling and stormwater reuse). of new buildings
Ţ ZRUNLQJZLWKWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI3ODQQLQJDQG
Community Development to amend the Victoria
Planning Provisions to apply the current performance
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Better use and management of stormwater as an
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community including improved liveability through
* Investment proposed in draft Water Plans and associated strategies released
greening landscapes and improved health of urban
IRUSXEOLFFRQVXOWDWLRQLQ0D\)LQDOSURSRVDOVZLOOEHVXEPLWWHGWRWKH
ZDWHUZD\VLQFOXGLQJWKHCLEARER, MORE RESPONSIVE
MANAGEMENT 1
Managing the multiple uses of the bay is complex and requires effective
MANAGEMENT
CLEARER, MORE RESPONSIVE
coordination between various government agencies. Victorians want to be
confident that management of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River is integrated,
transparent and accountable.
Importantly, Victorians also want to know that when there is an event that affects
water quality, the mechanisms are in place to quickly and effectively respond,
and that they will have access to reliable advice.
The Victorian Government has strengthened environmental management
arrangements for the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay to clarify agency responsibilities.
DEPARTMENT OF MELBOURNE WATER ENVIRONMENT
SUSTAINABILITY AND Lead and coordinate water
PROTECTION
ENVIRONMENT quality management for AUTHORITY
Lead and coordinate water the Yarra River. Melbourne Environmental regulator and
quality management Water also provides bulk independent assessment,
for Port Phillip Bay. sewage services that protect reporting and advice about
water quality. water quality issues.
State and local government play an important Other agencies with a role in protecting and caring for the Yarra River
role in protecting the Yarra and bay through and Port Phillip Bay include:
litter prevention and management, stormwater Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority
management, and on-site wastewater
management. Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
Retail water corporations: Barwon Water, South East Water,
Strategic land use planning by state and local Yarra Valley Water, City West Water
government plays a vital role in protecting river
corridors and water quality. Port of Melbourne Corporation
Parks Victoria
Melbourne Water and the Department of
Sustainability and Environment will work Sustainability Victoria
with other agencies, local government and Department of Health
communities to coordinate action to improve Department of Primary Industries
and protect water quality and to ensure timely
Department of Planning and Community Development
response to any water quality events.
Central Coastal Board
Victorian Regional Channels Authority
Office of Living Victoria
For more information on these agencies’ roles please refer to page 23.
111
What the Victorian Government
NEW PRIORITY
CLEARER, MORE RESPONSIVE
MANAGEMENT
is doing to ensure clear
& responsive management ACTIONS
of the Yarra River & Port Phillip Bay
The Victorian Government is delivering more responsive
1 Identify the lead agencies for managing water
quality in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay
environmental management by: Multiple state and local government agencies
Ŕ &TUBCMJTIJOHUIF:BSSBBOE#BZ5BTLGPSDFUPDPPSEJOBUF contribute to water quality in Port Phillip Bay, the
action across government agencies Yarra River and other waterways of the Port Phillip
catchment. The government has clarified and
Ŕ &TUBCMJTIJOHUIF0ťDFPG-JWJOH7JDUPSJBUPMFBE confirmed responsibilities to lead and coordinate
integrated water cycle planning action on water quality.
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to ensure long term environmental protection and 2 Develop a new Environment Management Plan
that will help address key risks to bay health
improvement, including:
including marine pests and nutrient loads
Ŕ 3FHJPOBM$BUDINFOU4USBUFHJFTGPSUIF1PSU1IJMMJQ
and Westernport and Corangamite regions and a A new Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for
new alliance approach to implementation of the Port Phillip Bay will refresh directions, targets and
Port Phillip and Westernport Regional Catchment priorities for managing the key threats to Port Phillip
Strategy that aligns and coordinates action across Bay. The EMP will capture our increased scientific
agencies and stakeholders understanding from recent monitoring. This will be
used to update the key risks to Port Phillip Bay and
Ŕ 7JDUPSJBO8BUFSXBZ.BOBHFNFOU4USBUFHZBOEUIF the effectiveness of management actions.
Regional Healthy Waterways Strategies
Ŕ 7JDUPSJBO$PBTUBM4USBUFHZBOE$PBTUBM"DUJPO1MBOT 3 Put in place a Response Plan for water quality
events in Port Phillip Bay
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The Response Plan will ensure coordinated and
Ŕ *OUFHSBUFEXBUFSDZDMFQMBOT timely response to water quality events and that
Ŕ 1MBOTGPSTFXFSBHFJOGSBTUSVDUVSFJOWFTUNFOU reliable information is provided for beach users and
communities. Existing protocols will be reviewed
Ŕ &OTVSJOHUIFTBGFUZBOEDPNQMJBODFPGWFTTFMTBOE and, where necessary, new protocols established.
maintaining robust, ready response arrangements
for marine pollution incidents
4 Extend the role of the Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay taskforce to oversee and coordinate
Ŕ .FUSPQPMJUBO1MBOOJOH4USBUFHZ
implementation of this Plan
Ŕ 4BGFUZBOE&OWJSPONFOU.BOBHFNFOU1MBOT
The taskforce will be expanded to include
for ports.
key stakeholder representatives such as local
government and community groups to assist the
government to implement this Plan.
5 Update best practice environmental guidelines
for dredging
WATER QUALITY FRAMEWORK
Recent dredging projects have established new
The National Water Quality Management Strategy provides benchmarks in environmental controls for dredging
WKHFRQWH[WIRUZDWHUTXDOLW\VWDQGDUGVDQGSODQQLQJDWWKH activities. Victorian best practice environmental
VWDWHOHYHO guidelines for dredging will be updated to reflect
these advances and to reflect relevant national
The State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria)
guidelines. This will minimise the environmental
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impacts of dredging activities.
GLUHFWLRQIRUPDQDJLQJZDWHUTXDOLW\ZLOOEHRXWOLQHGLQWKH
new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy currently
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Regional targets and priority management actions to
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Port Phillip and Westernport region are determined by
Melbourne Water and are currently outlined in their draft
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12PREVENTING POLLUTION
& REDUCING LITTER 2
The biggest influence on water quality in the Yarra and the
& REDUCING LITTER
PREVENTING POLLUTION
bay is what happens throughout the catchments. Stormwater,
which carries pollutants and litter from catchments to waterways,
is a key issue.
Stormwater
Stormwater washes 14,000 tonnes of sediment and 650 tonnes of nutrients, such as nitrogen from fertiliser, into the Yarra
each year, as well as litter, heavy metals and bacteria. This contributes 50-62 per cent of the total contaminant loads
to the bay each year. Other waterways draining to Port Phillip Bay also contribute, from Hovell’s Creek to the Werribee,
Maribyrnong and Patterson Rivers.
Around 540,000 million litres of stormwater flows into Port Phillip and Westernport bays each year. The Victorian
Government’s Living Victoria program identifies this stormwater as a resource that can be turned from a potential threat
to the value of our waterways into an alternative water source for non-potable uses such as for irrigating open spaces
and street vegetation, enabling safer water recreation and reducing the impacts of localised flooding.
What the Victorian Government Ŕ JNQMFNFOUJOHTUPSNXBUFSUSFBUNFOUBOESFUFOUJPO
systems, for example, the recently-constructed
is doing to manage stormwater Dandenong Valley wetland is the largest in
impacts Melbourne and will reduce pollutant loads from
Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs to the bay
Victoria has a strong track record in urban stormwater
Ŕ BTTJTUJOH.FMCPVSOFSFTJEFOUTSFNPWFQPMMVUBOUT
management, through developing water sensitive urban
from stormwater before it enters drains through
design and embedding this in stormwater management
the 10,000 Raingardens Program
and land use planning and development, particularly in
new urban areas. Ŕ TVQQPSUJOHJNQSPWFESVSBMMBOENBOBHFNFOU
to reduce runoff carrying fertilisers, sediment,
The Victorian Government has committed to major
pesticides and other chemicals
reforms to meet our future water challenges by
making greater use of stormwater, rainwater and Ŕ UIF7JDUPSJBO(PWFSONFOUJTBQBSUOFSJOUIFOFX
recycled water, as outlined in its response to the Living Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive
Melbourne Living Victoria Implementation Plan. Cities that will bring together experts to investigate
Key initiatives include: and deliver improved urban water systems.
Ŕ FTUBCMJTINFOUPGUIF0ťDFPG-JWJOH7JDUPSJBUPESJWF
change in how we use and plan Victoria’s urban
water systems to achieve better outcomes for the
community, including protecting waterway health
Ŕ JOWFTUNFOUJOTUPSNXBUFSSFVTFCZHPWFSONFOU
owned water corporations over the next five years
Ŕ .FMCPVSOF8BUFSōTESBGU4UPSNXBUFS4USBUFHZUIBU
sets out the high level strategic directions and
approaches for managing stormwater over the next
five years and supports liveability, public health and
ecosystem health
Ŕ TVQQPSUJOHMPDBMHPWFSONFOUUPFOTVSFXBUFS
sensitive urban design is included in local
government works and planning decisions
132 Litter
NEW PRIORITY Litter is the most obvious pollutant in our waterways and
PREVENTING POLLUTION
& REDUCING LITTER
on our beaches.
ACTIONS 1,310 truck loads of litter and rubbish were removed from
Melbourne’s waterways in 2010-11.
Plastic bags, food wrappers and cigarette butts are not just
6 Work with catchment managers to improve
water quality at beaches in Port Phillip Bay unsightly, they pollute land and water and spoil natural
areas and public spaces. Broken glass can be dangerous
Pilot the assessment of stormwater drainage and other items can harm wildlife if they mistake them for
catchments at priority beaches to identify food or become entangled.
sources that may increase pollutants in
stormwater. The study will inform future Litter has reduced in Victoria in recent years, but Victorians
approaches to identifying sources of remain concerned about littering of our waterways,
stormwater pollution at beaches. beaches and other natural spaces.
It is not just when litter is dropped at the beach or beside
7 Revise guidelines for urban stormwater
management in new developments to
the Yarra River. Litter in our streets and other areas
throughout the catchment can wash into stormwater
facilitate and support best practice drains and build up in our waterways and on our beaches.
Guidelines for urban stormwater Cleaning up litter from streets and other public spaces
management will be updated to incorporate is costly. Litter clean-up costs Victorian local governments
new research about the impacts of $78 million every year. These costs can be avoided by
stormwater pollutants and flows on stream disposing of litter appropriately.
health, supporting the goals of the Living
Victoria program.
“There are many issues facing the water
TXDOLW\RIWKH2
What the Victorian Government
NEW PRIORITY
& REDUCING LITTER
PREVENTING POLLUTION
is doing to reduce litter
Victoria has a long tradition in litter prevention and
ACTIONS
management, founded on strong partnerships, community
information, infrastructure and enforcement. The Victorian 8 Identify litter hotspots and develop
local partnerships with community,
Litter Action Alliance brings together state and local businesses and local government to cut
government agencies involved in litter management, land litter in these areas
managers, industry and other stakeholders to provide advice
on litter prevention. Action includes: The partnerships will be developed to meet
the local circumstances and may support:
Ŕ SFNPWJOHMJUUFSGSPNBCPVUEFEJDBUFEMJUUFSUSBQTBOE
another 5,000 sites across Melbourne Water’s drainage Ŕ BEEJUJPOBMJOGSBTUSVDUVSF
and waterways system which are hotspots for collecting Ŕ FEVDBUJPOBXBSFOFTT
litter and debris
Ŕ FOGPSDFNFOU
Ŕ VQEBUJOHUIFMJUUFSTUSBUFHZXIJDIXJMMTFUPVUQSJPSJUJFTGPS
action to prevent litter Ŕ DMFBOVQBGUFSSBJO
Ŕ BQQPJOUJOHţWFMPDBMHPWFSONFOU-JUUFS1SFWFOUJPO0ťDFST
in the Port Phillip catchment
Ŕ QSPWJEJOHBEFEJDBUFEIPVSIPUMJOFUISPVHI&1"BOE
the launch of a smartphone App to improve opportunities
for communities to report on litter
Ŕ FYQMPSJOHXBZTUPJNQSPWFQVCMJDQMBDFSFDZDMJOHUISPVHI
education, awareness and infrastructure
Ŕ UIF3PBETJEF-JUUFS1SFWFOUJPO(SBOUT1SPHSBNNBLJOH
it easier for Victorians to dispose of litter correctly and
assisting local litter prevention and clean-up programs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO HELP...
Ŕ *GZPVBSFPVUBOEBCPVUBOEZPVDBOōUţOE
a bin, take your litter home. Carry a litter bag
in your car or boat
Ŕ 3FQPSUMJUUFSUISPXOGSPNBWFIJDMF
(1300 EPA VIC)
Ŕ 1VUFYUJOHVJTIFEDJHBSFUUFCVUUTJOBCJOPSQVCMJD
butt receptacle, or carry a personal ashtray
Ŕ /FWFSIPTFMJUUFS MFBWFT QBJOUPSPUIFSEFCSJT
into gutters and drains
Ŕ 4UBSUBXPSLQMBDFDMFBOVQBOETVTUBJOBCJMJUZ
program
Ŕ (FUJOWPMWFEXJUIBDPNNVOJUZHSPVQDMFBOJOH
up litter
152 Industrial & other
pollution hotspots
Historically, industry in Victoria discharged untreated
NEW PRIORITY
PREVENTING POLLUTION
& REDUCING LITTER
wastes to our waterways and bay. This practice ended
after the establishment of the Board of Works and then,
the Environment Protection Authority in the 1970s. ACTIONS
This significantly improved the health of waterways
and the bay. 9 Target pollution hotpots to improve
compliance by industry, land development
However, our waterways still carry a legacy of this industrial
and others sources of pollution in our
past. Polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial chemicals,
waterways
have been detected in fish from the lower Yarra and
the Department of Health has provided advice about The Victorian Government, with support
consumption of these fish. from research agencies such as the Centre
for Aquatic Pollution Identification and
While most industry and land managers do the right thing,
Management at the University of Melbourne,
poor waste and stormwater management practices by some
will investigate problem areas and collect
industry, land development and agricultural activities continue
scientific evidence to identify pollution
to pollute. EPA receives more than 1,500 reports of pollution
hotspots.
across Victoria each month.
The information from these research
partnerships will be used to prioritise
compliance activities, with the aim of
What the Victorian Government is addressing local sources of pollution and
minimising the impacts on water quality
doing to prevent pollution in the Yarra and bay.
In its role as Victoria’s environmental regulator, the EPA
investigates reports of pollution, sets standards for industry,
licences key discharges to the environment and monitors
compliance.
EPA targets improved compliance in sectors, sites and
locations that pose the greatest risk to the environment
and contribute to pollution hotspots. Over the last 18
months EPA has run targeted inspection programs across
six industrial areas, identifying and stopping pollution
discharges. Action includes:
Ŕ EPVCMJOHUIFOVNCFSPG&1"JOTQFDUJPOTJO
and conducting more proactive and unannounced
inspections of all sites, licensed or otherwise.
All inspections, including response to community
reports are being prioritised based on the risk activities
pose to the environment WHAT YOU CAN DO
Ŕ &1"JTDPOUJOVJOHUPJNQSPWFJUTBQQSPBDIUPJEFOUJGZJOH
and tackling complex environmental problems, devising
TO HELP...
tailored interventions Ŕ 3FQPSUQPMMVUJPOUP&1" &1"7*$
Ŕ VTJOH.FMCPVSOF8BUFSNPOJUPSJOHBOESFTFBSDIUP Ŕ %JTQPTFPGXBTUFQSPQFSMZ JODMVEJOH
identify pollution hotspots and to trace sources of wastewater and solid waste, and store
pollutants to our waterways and bay. chemicals and fuels where they cannot enter
waterways. Label your drains so it is clear which
are connected to waterways
Ŕ 1VUJOQMBDFNFBTVSFTUPNJOJNJTFSVOPŢGSPN
building sites carrying sediments, wastes, paint
and other pollutants
Ŕ 'JOEPVUNPSFBCPVUQSFWFOUJOH
stormwater pollution at epa.vic.gov.au
16Wastewater
2
Collecting and treating sewage and other wastewater
NEW PRIORITY
& REDUCING LITTER
PREVENTING POLLUTION
continues to be an important part of protecting the
Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
Sewage or other wastewater entering waterways can
ACTIONS
carry high levels of nutrients, bacteria and other pollutants.
Sewage and wastewater discharges become problems: 10 Investigate and trial improved early warning
and community information programs for
Ŕ XIFOXBTUFXBUFSDPMMFDUJPOTZTUFNTGBJM XJUIMFBLT sewage spills and leaks affecting waterways
or spills entering waterways
Sewage flows increase during wet weather
Ŕ EVSJOHIFBWZSBJO TUPSNXBUFSFOUFSTPVSTFXBHFTZTUFN and our sewerage systems are typically
making it overflow and discharge to waterways designed to contain sewage flows up to a
one in five year rainfall event. When overflows
Ŕ XIFOPOTJUFXBTUFXBUFSTZTUFNT TVDIBTTFQUJDUBOLT
occur, particularly during wet weather, it is
and small privately operated wastewater treatment plants
important that information is provided to
are not properly operated and maintained.
communities that spills are occurring and may
impact on water quality and our use of the
Yarra and the bay.
11 Develop innovative approaches to reduce
wastewater impacts on waterways, including
What the Victorian Government is accelerating the sewering of unsewered areas
doing to reduce wastewater impacts Innovative approaches to reducing the impact
of onsite wastewater management will
The Victorian Government, through Melbourne Water be trialled and where appropriate adopted.
and our retail water corporations, has established robust, For example, South East Water has been using
long-term planning for sewerage infrastructure. new pressure sewerage system technology
This includes planning for the maintenance and upgrade of to accelerate the replacing of septic tank
our sewerage systems to meet future growth and protect our systems with sewerage services.
waterways.
Government owned water corporations will continue to 12 Update guidance and requirements for
on-site wastewater management
invest in effective sewage collection and treatment over the
next five years. Draft water plans propose investment of more
than $1 billion over the next five years including:
Ŕ TFXFSBHFJOGSBTUSVDUVSFNBJOUFOBODFBOEVQHSBEFT
to minimise leaks and spills and service growth
Ŕ TFXFSJOHPGVOTFXFSFE PSCBDLMPH BSFBT
Ŕ JNQSPWFEQMBOOJOHGPSSFVTFPGUSFBUFEXBTUFXBUFS
as part of the overall water cycle.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
TO HELP...
Ŕ %POōUMFUGBUTPSPUIFSNBUFSJBMUIBUDBODBVTF
a blocked drain enter the sewerage system
Ŕ 0XOFSTPGPOTJUFXBTUFXBUFSUSFBUNFOU
systems should ensure they are regularly
maintained and operating correctly
Ŕ 3FQPSUBOZMFBLTPSTQJMMTPGTFXBHFUPZPVS
water corporation (City West Water, Yarra Valley
Water, South East Water or Barwon Water)
Ŕ .BLFTVSFUIFSFBSFOPDSPTTDPOOFDUJPOT
between your stormwater drains and the
sewerage system at home. For example, make
sure the roof spouting and stormwater systems
on your property are working properly and not
connected to the sewerage system
17RELEVANT & ACCESSIBLE
3 INFORMATION
Every year millions of people enjoy Port Phillip Bay’s What the Victorian Government
RELEVANT & ACCESSIBLE
INFORMATION
beautiful coastline, swimming beaches and coastal parks.
is doing to provide the community
Victorians want a single source of information about water
with more information
quality and how they can help protect it.
This is vital so that: EPA has monitored water quality in Port Phillip Bay for
more than 20 years. The Beach Report and Yarra Watch
Ŕ DPNNVOJUJFTDBOCFDPOţEFOUUIBUUIFTFOBUVSBMBTTFUT
programs provide key information to communities about
are being protected, and that they can safely use and
the suitability of water quality for swimming, boating and
enjoy them
other recreation. Beach Report includes a daily forecast of
Ŕ WJTJUPSTDBONBLFJOGPSNFEDIPJDFTBCPVUIPX water quality at 36 bay beaches over summer. Yarra Watch
and when to enjoy the Yarra and bay and Beach Report are available through EPA’s website.
Ŕ DPNNVOJUZNFNCFSTDBOVOEFSTUBOEXIBUUIFZ Other monitoring includes:
can do to help protect water quality.
Ŕ OVUSJFOUDZDMJOHBOECBZXJEFXBUFSRVBMJUZ
Government agencies can make informed and appropriate monitoring in Port Phillip Bay
decisions on designing and delivering water quality
Ŕ XBUFSRVBMJUZBOETUSFBNIFBMUINPOJUPSJOHBU
improvement programs.
more than 150 sites across the Port Phillip and
Westernport regions
Ŕ UBSHFUFEJOWFTUJHBUJPOTBOESFTFBSDIFHSFTFBSDI
by the Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification
and Management to identify pollution hotspots.
These will form part of the ‘one stop shop’ outlined
in Action 13.
EPA’s Beach Report website was viewed
281,000 times over the 2011/12 summer
88% of people appreciated tips to keep
waterways healthy
65% of people have sought information
on a topic relevant to waterway health1
'HSDUWPHQWRI6XVWDLQDELOLW\DQG(QYLURQPHQW
My Victorian Waterway
EPA beach sampling
18
Photo: EPA Victoria3
NEW PRIORITY
INFORMATION
RELEVANT & ACCESSIBLE
ACTIONS
13 Provide water quality information and advice
through a ‘one stop shop’ so Victorians
can quickly and easily access up-to-date
information on beach water quality and algal
blooms
Victorian Government agencies will bring
together all of their information in a single
website to provide universal access to water
quality information.
14 Prepare a report card that summarises Yarra
River and Port Phillip Bay water quality and
health
The Victorian Government will develop a report
card for the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
The report will provide information on water
quality and actions to improve waterway health.
LITTLE PENGUINS IN THE BAY
15 Improve key water quality monitoring and
reporting programs 7KH6W.LOGDEUHDNZDWHUFRORQ\RIPRUHWKDQ/LWWOH
Penguins feed in the bay and in winter, many of Phillip
This includes: ,VODQGśV/LWWOH3HQJXLQVDOVRVSHQGWLPHLQWKHED\
Ŕ JNQSPWJOHUIFJOGPSNBUJPOQSPWJEFE ORRNLQJIRUIRRGVXFKDVDQFKRYLHV
through Beach Report. EPA will work with )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQVHHWKH2ƴFHRIWKH(QYLURQPHQWDO
local government and other stakeholders 0RQLWRUśVZHEVLWH ZZZRHPYLFJRYDX
to develop new ways to ensure information
on bay beach water quality meets Photo supplied
community needs and is readily accessible
Ŕ JOWFTUJOHJOBEEJUJPOBMOVUSJFOUNPOJUPSJOH
in Port Phillip Bay over the next three years
Ŕ SFWJFXJOH:BSSB8BUDIJOMJHIUPGMBUFTU
information on the nature and risk posed
by bacterial pollution in the Yarra River
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Ŕ SFWJFXJOHCBZXJEFXBUFSRVBMJUZ
monitoring to take account of new TO HELP...
knowledge from extensive monitoring
undertaken over the past decade. Ŕ %POPUTXJNOFBSDSFFLTBOEESBJOTBGUFS
heavy rain
Ŕ #FJOGPSNFEBCPVUUIFIFBMUIPG1PSU1IJMMJQ
Bay and the Yarra River by accessing water
quality information published by EPA and
other agencies
Ŕ 6TF#FBDI3FQPSU :BSSB8BUDIBOEPUIFS
water quality information or get involved in
WaterWatch to make good choices about
using the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay for
recreation
Ŕ 3FQPSUQPMMVUJPOUP&1" &1"7*$ BOE
if you see something in the water that appears
out of the ordinary, report it to your local
council, catchment management authority
or Melbourne Water
19SUPPORTING
4 COMMUNITY ACTION
Supporting Victorians to take actions that What the Victorian Government is
SUPPORTING
COMMUNITY ACTION
care for and protect our rivers and bay doing to support community action
Waterway protection is the responsibility of all Victorians. Ŕ 8PSLJOHXJUIDPNNVOJUJFTUPJNQSPWFMBOE
To protect and improve our waterways, the efforts of management - 68 new Landcare facilitators have
individuals, local governments, state agencies, rural now been appointed across Victoria to work with
landholders, and hundreds of community groups working communities to improve land management
across the catchment and state are crucial.
Ŕ 3BJTJOHBXBSFOFTT CVJMEJOHDBQBDJUZBOEQSPWJEJOH
This action plan recognises the significant role of the advice and support to land managers to minimise their
community in protecting our waterways and the hundreds impact on water quality, including through improved
of community groups in the Port Phillip catchment farm design and revegetation
working towards a better environment.
Ŕ *OGPSNBUJPOTIBSJOHBOEMJOLJOHJOEJWJEVBMTBOE
Building community awareness is the key to ensuring that organisations - Catchment Advisory Round Tables
more Victorians do the right thing to protect our precious share information across catchment stakeholders
water resources and understand how our everyday actions
Ŕ %FMJWFSJOHHSBOUTUPDPNNVOJUJFT$PNNVOJUJFTGPS
impact these waterways.
Nature, Coastcare, Landcare, CMA and Melbourne
Water provide community grants for on-ground works
COMMUNITIES FOR NATURE Ŕ 8BUFSNPOJUPSJOH)FBMUIZ8BUFSXBZT8BUFSXBUDI
program and the Corangamite Waterwatch and Estuary
7KH&RPPXQLWLHVIRU1DWXUH*UDQWVLVDPLOOLRQ Watch programs
program over four years, funded by the Victorian
*RYHUQPHQW7KHSURJUDPPDQDJHGE\WKH'HSDUWPHQW Ŕ 4VQQPSUJOHSFWFHFUBUJPOUISPVHIUIFOFX.JMMJPO
of Sustainability and Environment aims to: Trees program
Ţ VXSSRUWSUDFWLFDOFRPPXQLW\DFWLRQLQWKHHQYLURQPHQW Ŕ %FWFMPQJOHBOEJNQMFNFOUJOHSFHJPOBMDBUDINFOU
strategies to identify priorities for action
Ţ FUHDWHYLVLEOHDQGODVWLQJLPSURYHPHQW
Ŕ 1SPUFDUJOHDBUDINFOUTUISPVHIXFMMNBOBHFENBSJOF
Ţ IRVWHUJUHDWHUHQMR\PHQWRIWKHQDWXUDOHQYLURQPHQW national parks and sanctuaries and partnering with
Ţ VWUHQJWKHQSDUWQHUVKLSVDQGSDUWLFLSDWLRQE\HTXLSSLQJ community groups
communities with the ability, skills and knowledge to The government will continue to partner with
take action safely and with the capacity to optimise communities, businesses, and local governments to
UHVRXUFHV implement these action priorities. Government will
This statewide program can support communities taking support communities by identifying priorities for action,
action on issues they consider important including those providing information and advice about how to make
LQWKHCanoeing the Yarra
Photo: Alison Pouliot
4
NEW PRIORITY
COMMUNITY ACTION
SUPPORTING
ACTIONS
16 Support Victorians to take action and protect
water quality and reduce litter
The Victorian Government will work with
communities to identify and apply for
funding from programs such as the Victorian
Government’s $20 million Communities for
Nature program, Landcare and Coastcare.
The Victorian Government will establish a
new award to recognise community action by
Victorians that protects the Yarra and the bay.
17 Encourage environmental citizenship
Victorians will be encouraged to take
action to protect the Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay by reporting litter and pollution.
Improved information will also help Victorians
understand the impact of their actions at
work and at home.
“The best thing about my job is the
LQWHUDFWLRQZLWKORFDOFRPPXQLW\,KDYH
had the opportunity to meet very dedicated
and passionate people who have achieved
JUHDWWKLQJV,DPUHDOO\HQMR\LQJDOOWKH
IMPROVING RURAL & PERI-URBAN new challenges of my role as Landcare
LAND MANAGEMENT IDFLOLWDWRUŞ
- Landcare facilitator
:DWHUTXDOLW\LQWKHHOW TO FIND OUT MORE & GET INVOLVED
CLEARER, MORE RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT
Information on Port Phillip Bay Department of Sustainability and 136 186
Environment dse.vic.gov.au
Information on the Yarra River Melbourne Water 131 722
melbournewater.com.au
Information on monitoring, reporting Environment Protection Authority 1300 EPA VIC
and regulation (1300 372 842)
epa.vic.gov.au
PREVENTING POLLUTION & REDUCING LITTER
Pollution and Litter Reporting Hotline Environment Protection Authority 1300 EPA VIC
(1300 372 842)
epa.vic.gov.au
Information on litter programs Sustainability Victoria sustainability.vic.gov.au
Victorian Litter Action Alliance litter.vic.gov.au
Information for business and community Environment Protection Authority epa.vic.gov.au
about reducing stormwater pollution
Information about raingardens Melbourne Water raingardens.melbournewater.
com.au
RELEVANT & ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION
Information on water quality in the Yarra River Environment Protection Authority 1300 EPA VIC
or Port Phillip Bay (1300 372 842)
epa.vic.gov.au
Information for recreational water quality Yarra Watch 1300 EPA VIC
monitoring information for the Yarra River (1300 372 842)
epa.vic.gov.au
Information on water quality at 36 beaches in Beach Report epa.vic.gov.au/beachreport
Port Phillip Bay throughout summer
Information on marine life in Port Phillip Bay Museum Victoria Taxonomic toolkit portphillipmarinelife.net.au
Information on fish consumption from the Department of Health health.vic.gov.au
lower Yarra River
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ACTION
For a list of Landcare networks in your area Landcare landcarevic.net.au
Funding opportunities to improve water quality Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment ppwcma.vic.gov.au
in the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay Management Authority
Corangamite Catchment ccma.vic.gov.au
Management Authority
Information to connect local communities Waterwatch vic.waterwatch.org.au
with river health and sustainable water issues
and management
Information about volunteer opportunities to Waterwatch vic.waterwatch.org.au
improve water quality in the Yarra River and
Parks Victoria parks.vic.gov.au
Port Phillip Bay
Corangamite Catchment ccma.vic.gov.au
Management Authority
22THE WEEDY SEADRAGON
Marine pollution, habitat destruction and the
LQWHUQDWLRQDODTXDULXPWUDGHDUHWKHODUJHVWWKUHDWV
to the Weedy Seadragon - Victoria’s marine faunal
HPEOHPWKDWFDQRQO\EHIRXQGLQWKHZDWHUVRƱ
VRXWKHDVWHUQ$XVWUDOLD
)RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQVHH'6(śVZHEVLWH GVHYLFJRYDX
Photo: Bill Boyle
Other agencies with a role in protecting and caring for the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay include:
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Department of Health
Management Authority Responsible for programs to enhance and protect health
Delivers integrated catchment management by developing and wellbeing and provides public health advice where
strategies, building cooperation, coordination, partnerships relevant to the use of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River
and delivering key projects
Department of Primary Industries
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Supports sustainable management of Victoria’s agriculture
Delivers integrated catchment management by developing and fisheries sectors. Provides information and advice on
strategies, building cooperation, coordination, partnerships the use and management of resources through a range
and delivering key projects. Waterway manager for of community education and extension programs including
waterways in the Geelong area on nutrient and salinity reduction in rural areas
Retail water corporations (Barwon Water, South East Department of Planning and Community Development
Water, Yarra Valley Water, City West Water) Has a central role in managing Victoria’s growth and
Provide water, sewerage trade waste and water saving development and works with local government and other
services for residents and businesses key stakeholders to lead state and metropolitan strategic
planning and development assessment. It shares the
responsibility for Melbourne’s waterways and development
Port of Melbourne Corporation
of the surrounding land with a range of state agencies and
Provides the strategic management for the Port of local governments
Melbourne and its development. PoMC operates under
sophisticated environmental management controls and
Central Coastal Board
with Department of Transport, leads response to marine
pollution incidents in Port Phillip Bay Responsible for preparing guidelines for coastal planning
and management which may have implications for marine
water quality. It is also involved in the development and
Parks Victoria implementation of the Victorian Coastal Strategy, coastal
Manages marine national parks and marine sanctuaries action plans and approved coastal guidelines
in Port Phillip Bay and is the local port manager for Port
Phillip Bay. It is the waterways manager for the Yarra and Victorian Regional Channels Authority
Maribyrnong rivers for the purposes of recreation, leisure, The Victorian Regional Channels Authority manages port
tourism and water transport including litter collection in waters for the Port of Geelong
the lower Yarra
Office of Living Victoria
Sustainability Victoria The Office of Living Victoria will work with the water
Leads integrated waste management and resource corporations to drive change in how we use and plan
efficiency. This includes leading and coordinating Victoria’s urban water systems and achieve better outcomes
implementation of Victoria’s litter strategy for the community, including protecting waterway health
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