A CLEANER YARRA RIVER AND PORT PHILLIP BAY PLAN OF ACTION
Second year achievements
Over the past two years, the Victorian Coalition Government has continued to work with
business and communities, from the catchment to the coast, to deliver on the four key
priorities identified in the action plan. I am happy to report on the latest achievements
made over the last 12 months to ensure we all can enjoy a cleaner Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay.
Ryan Smith
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
1. CLEARER, MORE RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT
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Worked with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder to deliver four environmental
flows to the Yarra River and two to the Werribee River to improve water quality and
habitat for native wildlife.
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Progressed development of three subregional Whole of Water Cycle Management
plans for the north, west and central regions of Melbourne - a collaborative
approach for better management of the impacts that urbanisation and growth have
on the Yarra and its tributaries and the bay.

Commenced the development of an Environment Management Plan for Port Phillip
Bay to help address key risks to bay health.
2.
PREVENTING POLLUTION AND REDUCING LITTER
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Committed $1.6 million to the four year Litter Hotspots grants program to support
local solutions for local litter issues.
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Conducted pollution hotspot investigations that included 47 site inspections and 39
notices issued to mitigate water pollution around Melbourne.
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Completed a pilot with two bayside councils to identify pollution sources at three
beaches, including funding of management actions; and explored options to expand
across other bayside councils.

Released Melbourne’s Water Future strategy - a new approach to urban water cycle
management that will improve the environmental health of urban waterways and bays
by reducing wastewater, nutrient discharge and stormwater runoff in the Yarra and other
waterways that flow into Port Phillip Bay.

Funded a number of projects under the Living Victoria Fund to reduce polluted
water and stormwater runoff with benefits to the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.

Invested in new, innovative approaches to reducing wastewater and sewerage
impacts on our waterways in Park Orchards and on the Mornington Peninsula.
3.
PROVIDING RELEVANT AND ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION

Launched the Cleaner Yarra and Bay website – a one-stop-shop for Victorians
wanting to use the waterways recreationally, report an environmental incident, or
get involved in protecting the bay and its waterways.

Released the Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay Report Card – the first
assessment for water quality of Port Phillip Bay and its surrounding catchments.

Provided better information through water quality forecast signage at 10 popular
bayside beaches over summer, and worked with Life Saving Victoria to include
water quality information in their education programs.
4.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ACTION
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Provided more than $431,000 in Communities for Nature grants focusing on
community projects aimed at improving water quality in the Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay.
Funded 54 integrated water management projects through Melbourne Water’s
Living Rivers program. Totalling $3.2m, these projects aim to help Melbourne
transition into a water sensitive city.
Launched the #lovetheyarra campaign using a range of artistic engagement
activities around Melbourne to help Melbournians recognise their connection to the
Yarra River.
Celebrated 20 years of Melbourne Water’s Waterwatch Program, a river health
education and monitoring program that aims to increase community understanding
and ownership of local rivers and creeks.
Added a Cleaner Yarra and Bay award category in the Premier’s Sustainability
Awards program.
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
Printed by Impact Digital, Brunswick
October 2014
Show how you #lovetheyarra
#lovetheyarra is a Victorian Government initiative recognising the role we
each play in looking after our iconic Yarra River
You can get involved by:

Exploring the ‘Mouths of the Yarra’ trail of 26 bright and innovative artworks
installed on stormwater drains around the city.

Sharing your Yarra River photos and stories online with other Victorians, using
#lovetheyarra

Taking action to keep the Yarra clean and litter free.
Learn more about what you can do, and download the free stormwater drain art trail map,
at www.depi.vic.gov.au/lovetheyarra